08-07-2012, 06:29 PM
Terra had been down drinking from the stream when a sudden cramp ran through her body. Looking around Terra wondered what had just happened. Deciding there was nothing she took another deep sip. Again, a tremor ran through her frame. Sitting up Terra's ears flicked forwards, trying to listen. What was happening?
The pups.
As swiftly as she could Terra moved back towards the den she had carved out. Whining she paced outside of it, suddenly suspicious that it wasn't good enough. Stepping in Terra did some more digging, working on settling herself more comfortably. Moving back and forth Terra finally settled down with a sigh, collapsing against the ground. Stretched out to her full length the coyote watched the outside world. She was alone, with no one else near her. The pack was close by, as she hadn't been willing to wander too far, but not close enough for them to know what was happening.
Another cramp ran through her body, and Terra shuddered, muscles clenching as she pushed against it. Instinct took over, her mind blind to what was happening. There was just the sound of her breathing, and the knowledge that the time had come. Every time her body clenched Terra pushed with it. How much time passed she wasn't aware of. It could have been a few hours, or a few minutes as Terra worked to bring her first litter into the world.
At last she felt something slip out. It hurt, but she didn't cry with the pain, too breathless. Whining she whipped her head around, nudging until she found a small wet bundle of fur. She licked at the pup, rough tongue sliding over and over until at last the head broke free. Taking in a deep sniff her tail wagged. He was her firstborn, with the bright red of his father. Not even needing to think about what she was doing Terra nudged the pup to a nipple and let him nurse.
It wasn't the end for her unfortunately. The need to push started again. Terra controlled the urge to pace, not wanting to disrupt her dear pup. Huffing Terra turned, prodding gently at her son before she felt the second one emerge, larger than the first. Terra pulled him forward, cleaning this one as well. He looked more like the coyotes Terra had grown up with, a light brown coat with a rusty marking down his back. He let out a small whine, and Terra nudged him next to his brother. Briefly the two fought before settling down.
Sighing she sank her head down. The pups were born, and she could take care of them. Terra was tired, but she couldn't sleep right now. She needed to eat, and make sure that the den was cleaned from the scent of blood. Lifting her head she howled quietly, asking for someone to help her.
The pups.
As swiftly as she could Terra moved back towards the den she had carved out. Whining she paced outside of it, suddenly suspicious that it wasn't good enough. Stepping in Terra did some more digging, working on settling herself more comfortably. Moving back and forth Terra finally settled down with a sigh, collapsing against the ground. Stretched out to her full length the coyote watched the outside world. She was alone, with no one else near her. The pack was close by, as she hadn't been willing to wander too far, but not close enough for them to know what was happening.
Another cramp ran through her body, and Terra shuddered, muscles clenching as she pushed against it. Instinct took over, her mind blind to what was happening. There was just the sound of her breathing, and the knowledge that the time had come. Every time her body clenched Terra pushed with it. How much time passed she wasn't aware of. It could have been a few hours, or a few minutes as Terra worked to bring her first litter into the world.
At last she felt something slip out. It hurt, but she didn't cry with the pain, too breathless. Whining she whipped her head around, nudging until she found a small wet bundle of fur. She licked at the pup, rough tongue sliding over and over until at last the head broke free. Taking in a deep sniff her tail wagged. He was her firstborn, with the bright red of his father. Not even needing to think about what she was doing Terra nudged the pup to a nipple and let him nurse.
It wasn't the end for her unfortunately. The need to push started again. Terra controlled the urge to pace, not wanting to disrupt her dear pup. Huffing Terra turned, prodding gently at her son before she felt the second one emerge, larger than the first. Terra pulled him forward, cleaning this one as well. He looked more like the coyotes Terra had grown up with, a light brown coat with a rusty marking down his back. He let out a small whine, and Terra nudged him next to his brother. Briefly the two fought before settling down.
Sighing she sank her head down. The pups were born, and she could take care of them. Terra was tired, but she couldn't sleep right now. She needed to eat, and make sure that the den was cleaned from the scent of blood. Lifting her head she howled quietly, asking for someone to help her.