at the exclamation, causing Achak’s head to rise. “There was another one…but it was…it was dead! I killed it!” Blue eyes widened. A fourth pup? What had happened then? Of course he didn’t believe for a second that it was Kiona’s fault. Glancing over at Olathe, who still sat nearby with a now sad look in her eyes, his own questioning. Olathe sighed, ears slightly lowering back.
“Unfortunately, the firstborn was still.” Achak’s confusion turned to shock, then understanding and sadness as he turned his head back to his female who was still crying, with her face buried in his neck. Once more he lowered his face to her’s and began licking gently at her face. He had to be strong for her.
“Kiona, things like this happen…It’s always tragic, but it’s not your fault...! We could never blame you; I could never blame you for this. It’s going to be alright…” Rubbing his head against the female, he wished he could take her hurt away.
What Achak was saying made sense, but in her pain, Kiona couldn’t help but feel responsible for what had happened. She was the mother after all. She had carried the pups within her as they grew. They had relied on her completely…and because of something she did, one of the pups had died. Just thinking about it made her heart throb.
Though, through her pain Kiona knew she wasn’t alone. Olathe and Ayashi had been with her the entire birthing process, encouraging her and giving her strength to persevere. Even in her highest pain she had heard their comforting, soothing words and presence beside her, keeping her grounded. And they weren’t the only ones.
Probably the most comforting presence was the one beside her at that moment, lending her strength. Achak had always been her rock, ever since they met; Kiona had only been most comfortable around the alpha, often seeking him out just to know he was nearby. And now that he had selected her as his alpha female, and they had grown closer, the hybrid had grown even more dependent, perhaps unconsciously, on the wolf. Not that it was a bad thing. They loved each other after all. And the love that was emanating softly from him right now did the job of slowly but surely calming her down. As long as Kiona had Achak with her, the female could persevere through anything.
Suddenly there was a tiny few squeaks, causing her to pull her face away from her mate’s body, gaze lowering. It caught the alpha’s attention as well, as Kiona could feel him shift against her. That’s right…they needed her right now. Needed the both of them. Lowering her head to her tummy where the three small forms rested, she made sure they snugly tucked in beside her and each other, giving them each a caress for comfort.
From over her shoulder, the great silver streaked wolf watched with soft eyes. Despite the tragedy that had occurred, the sight of the pups warmed his heart. They had done it. And Kiona was already showing the qualities of a great mother. He wasn’t worried. Besides, they had the entire pack to help. They were never alone. Glancing briefly at Kiona, Achak spoke.
“We’ll need names…” Seeing Kiona smile and nod at that, still watching the pups fondly. With her nose, she started pointing them out. Two boys and one girl. As the large wolf gazed at them all, his sharp eyes caught sight of how the little black and silver female reacted by licking at Kiona’s muzzle as her mother touched her. A name then came to him. “Nayeli.” The other looked over at that, having been distracted. Pausing to go over the name, she found she didn’t know what it meant. Seeing the question in her brown eyes, Achak continued. “It means ‘love’.” Brown eyes softened, turning once more to said pup.
“Nayeli…love…” her muzzle stretched back into a smile. “Yes.” Now for the other two…As they both thought, Kiona’s gaze couldn’t help but stray to her mate as he watched their offspring, his bright blue eyes sparkling. Such beautiful eyes…she had always been drawn to them…It was then her own brown eyes shone. “…Hinto.”
It was Achak’s turn to look up to her, questioningly. He went back over the word briefly. Hinto…
“Hinto…? Blue?” He was still confused, and Kiona’s smile widened, though more now in amusement.
“Mm. Is that alright?” While remaining confused, Achak nodded. If that’s what the other wanted, he didn’t really mind.
“If that’s what you wish, it’s alright with me.” Pleased, Kiona briefly leaned her head into her mate’s.
“Yes. And for this one,” pointing with her nose once more to the next pup, the gray-ish red, silver and black marked pup, “…Lets see…”
“How about Tonrar? I’d like to name one after my father.” Smiling softly, the black and silver alpha looked to the pup.
“Tonrar means ‘spirit’ right?” Achak nodded, smiling at the very memory of his father.
“His name meant ‘spirit warrior’.” And as far as he was concerned the name had fit his father perfectly. He himself was named after his father, his name also meaning ‘spirit’. Kiona saw the look in his blue eyes.
“Then Tonrar is a perfect name…” She had wanted at least one of them named after Achak. So she was perfectly content with the idea. “Nayeli, Hinto, and Tonrar. Our pups.” Feeling the exhaustion from it all coming back to her now, Kiona sighed and leaned into her mate, closing her eyes. Achak turned his own head to rest over hers gently, seeing and sensing the other’s exhaustion.
“Rest. You’ve deserved it.” Briefly, he licked the other’s face before shifting slightly so he could lay comfortably with the female. He could feel her relaxing immediately, showing just how tired she must have been. Beside her, the three pups now had had their fill and were now sleeping peacefully. His family, or, the new additions to the family. He would watch over them. The future looked bright for them and the pack. And hopefully it would continue for a long time.
Well done Kiona. I’m proud of you…
From that day on, Kiona and Achak were hardly ever away from their pups' side. Achak still led the rest of the pack on hunts and whatnot, but it seemed that ever since the pups were born, everyone was happier. It was funny how pups brought that kind of joy to everyone. Well, everyone but the omega, who watched the new additions, even when Kiona wasn't around (which she usually wasn't, until the pups had eaten) but even he grew to like them. Kanook was still amazed that he was a great uncle; he even got some humor out of it. He and especially Olathe were proud of Achak for fathering such healthy cubs. They were proud of Kiona too.
Ayashi was particularly thankful for the three of them. She probably loved them as much as the mother and father, and they appeared to love her back, which she was ecstatic about when they didn't cry when she was kept alone with them. Eventually the pups were comfortable around everyone, but just the same they were calling for Kiona the most, which was a good sign on her part. She was so grateful they weren't afraid of her, and Achak was aware of this, and it brought him such relief.
They were so small, at least compared to Achak, being the large wolf he was. When around the three of them, he was sure to be careful, gentle. Even at their young age, he could tell they were going to be strong. As the days passed they gained more energy, and moved around more, their cries also growing in strength, everyone was growing closer with the pups. Their individual personalities were already beginning to emerge. Just how her name meant, Nayeli was the sweetest, easy going pup of them, and didn't like being left alone for long before she grew scared and crying out. Tonrar was definitely the most active, natural curiosity to explore coming out strongly in him. They all guessed he would be the most trouble when he grew older. Last but not least, Hinto was similar to Tonrar, yet more neutral, for now. There was still plenty of time for his unique personality to come out. They were still very young.
It wasn't long before the pups were able to leave the cave. It was hard to believe that a month had passed already. As soon as they could walk, the three of them ran (well, as much as a wobbly hybrid cub could do to run) about the area. They didn't stray too far from Kiona just because this whole outside thing was strange, however, Tonrar was the first within a few moments to get comfortable with the world. Nayeli mostly sniffed about, getting acquainted with all of the scents, and Hinto just tried as hard as he could to pounce on his brother or sister. Hinto wasn't very coordinated right now, so he would often trip, but then again, all of them were very clumsy. Kiona stood by the mouth of the cave, stretching and walking every once in a while just to get some exercise, but her babies would rarely let her feet lift from the ground. She actually had to knock them over a few times in order for them to learn to stay out from where others were walking. It didn't take them long to learn that, especially since the last thing they wanted to get stepped on by was daddy's big feet.
The only thing that irritated Kiona about being a mother was that, every time she was sitting or lying down, the pups saw it as every opportunity to eat, even when they weren't hungry. Even before her hind legs rested on the ground, the three of them would exclaim, "Ee! Ee! Ee!" (Eat! Eat! Eat!). So most of the time, Kiona was standing, which she didn't really mind. Achak felt kind of bad for her, particularly because their cubs were growing their sharp baby teeth, so whenever his mate needed to rest, he made sure they were distracted with some kind of wrestling or chasing game. The funny thing was, Tonrar, Hinto, and even Nayeli enjoyed being pushed down, only to get back up again, then they would cry, "Gen! Gen!" (Again! Again!) and whomever they were playing with obliged them by gently pushing them to the ground, ending in giggles and chuckles.
Kiona sighed happily to herself as she watched Achak playing with their pups. They were
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