She had finally grown used to being pregnant, and now a new madness set in. While she had found a way to ease her fears by building small traps and making sure she was always within eyesight of a pack member, Terra found her instincts running wild again with the need to find someplace comfortable. Terra wasn't sure what this comfortable place would be, just that she would know it when she saw it. Leaving the house Terra prowled through the lands, feeling uncomfortable with how large her tummy was. It didn't hit the ground, but when she was climbing up a slope she definitely felt eh grass tickling her.

Entering the woods Terra sniffed at each section, pausing occasionally near open tree roots, hollow stumps, and abandoned dens. Each one was thoroughly investigated, head deep in before she would dismiss it and move on. Pausing by a small stream Terra took a drink, sating her thirst. It would be nice if she was close to the water all the time. Normally it was no problem, but lately even heading out to get something to drink was exhausting. Shaking her head Terra continued on, trotting slightly. Spotting a small crook up ahead Terra slowed. It looked like the stream had split off from here some years ago, leaving a smooth sandy area.

The bank was comfortable, and it even had a shallow section that Terra could curl up in. Fussing about Terra dug at the hole, making it deeper than it had been before. Her head disappeared underneath, and Terra vanished into it's depth. It was a long time before she came back out, dirty but happy. Tail wagging she stretched out with a sigh, watching the birds flitting above. She'd found it.

Bright green eyes settled on the orange male, amusement flickering as he stumbled back in surprise. Trent was always fun to be around. Not because he himself was particularly amusing. The way that he tended to react to things always made her laugh though. Tail wagging she smiled lazily as he almost tripped over himself in surprise. Trent. Haven't seen you in a while. Catching rabbits to fill the storage again? Terra hadn't been hunting herself for some time, mainly as only things that were practically dead had proved capable of being caught by the coyote.

The question puzzled Terra at first. She wasn't aware that anything had happened to her. Glancing back at the den Terra did her best to shrug while on four legs. I'm not really sure. I just felt that I needed a place to rest. It's not where I live, but it's really comfortable. The soft warm sand, the cool dry nook, the running water that was nearby. All of it called to her instincts, telling her that this was the place. So many had been rejected. Finally finding a place where she could stop and lay out was very nice. It just happened. I had to find it. A very weird feeling, but one she had fulfilled. Terra was happy with the result at least.

Grinning Terra watched him, knowing that he hadn't been at all. Her question had been teasing in the first place, mentioning the last lie he had brought up to her. Tail swaying she watched him, eyes glistening as the shy wolf shifted about. Terra wasn't purposely making him uncomfortable, simply enjoying his reactions. If it meant pushing on his buttons a little, she had no problems doing so. Finding the den had made her feel rather lazy however, and she didn't push on him.

Despite the fact that her response had been perfectly reasonable Tera seemed to have managed to confuse Trent. She wasn't even trying! It was almost too easy, but for one thing. She was still entertained. As long as that fact remained Terra would do whatever she wanted. It was only if he started boring her that she would change things up. The meaningful stare after the last sentence did clue her in on what he was talking about. Terra's eyes widened, and she giggled. Looks like I got myself in trouble. Fell in love with a thief, and he left me with pups.

The frown didn't slip past her notice. The fact that Terra had pups without a mate did worry her. In fact, it downright freaked her out. It was just something that she kept in the back of her mind, soothed by the sudden feeling that everything was okay. Where the feeling had come from she didn't know, just that it had a pretty strong connection to the den she had just finished making. Now though, his negative mood was ripping through those layers of protection, right to the core of the matter. One that she'd been assured wouldn't affect her or her pups.

Instead of laughing at the joke, something she would have normally done, the trickster flipped over to the other side of the coin. Green eyes turned menacing, the smile she bore showing too many teeth for one to consider it as friendly. A better mate? I suppose you believe you'd be fit for the job? Ready to stay by me and care for the pups? Her voice was light, but the fierce stance she'd taken showed that there would be no mouthing taken from her. She was a high ranking member, even if she only used that fact to get away with pulling pranks on the others and not submitting, and wasn't about to take lip from him.

He was worried? He wasn't the one pregnant with pups to care for, and no mate to help along. He wasn't the one being plagued by the fear that the pups would be harmed, and the pack would be attacked by the same one who had injured Niro. She had definitely taken offense to the sore point in this whole pregnancy. She wanted a mate. She wanted Kit to be there with her, to help her raise the pups. Instead, she was alone. All the care of her pack couldn't change that fact.

What could change her mood though, was the restful feeling that had settled around her. Less restless, more prepared for what was happening. Trent submitted, Terra settling down once more. I had expected him to be here. Confiding in Trent, someone that she viewed as silly, wasn't something Terra had thought she would do. No one else had questioned her about her mate though, at least not in such a way that she was forced to face what had happened. He left, though. He promised to stay, but I can't go to the borders, and I haven't heard his call. Why did he go?

She could sense his hesitation and concern now. Trent was always a rather shy fellow, not one Terra would think of ever gaining a high rank in the pack. Figuring out what was just his typical nerves and what was him actually being genuinely concerned for her was difficult. His response to her words was clear enough this time. Terra's tail sank down, knowing that her situation was pretty bad. She had no idea what she was doing. There was danger outside the pack, no mate, the threat of starvation, and all manner of bad things out there to hurt her and her pups. How was she supposed to keep them safe?

A sharp spiral of worry began to run through her, the same as before. All the fears that had been put to rest when she'd made the den came shooting back up, sharp and bitter. Nodding her head Terra nuzzled against Trent, unable to meet his gaze. I'm sorry too. She never could resist the thrill of danger, and now her pups would pay the price for her folly. Sighing she sat down, looking over to the den she'd finished making. It's a good spot. Far enough from the rest of the pack to grant her privacy, while still close enough that it would only take a couple minutes for someone to come if she started panicking.

A vague smile flitted over Trent's face as he spoke, agreeing with her decision. It had taken a long time to pick it out the spot, and it wasn't even really settled into. Terra had come right out of the den once she was done digging it out, and started talking to Trent. The whole experience was new for her. Life didn't seem to want to go very smoothly, handing her the challenges it was for her first pregnancy. The place she had chosen was ideal at least. Close to a stream so she could get water anytime she wished, trees overhead for shade, a nice sandy stretch she could dig into and just roll out in.

Nodding her head she flashed a smile at Trent. Now that her mistake with choosing a mate was out in the open Terra was actually feeling a lot better about that, instead of keeping it inside. The paranoia still rested in the back of her mind, but for now it was settled. Of course! You'll help too, right? Bring back your mighty catches? Laughing she winked over at him. Whether or not he brought food Terra enjoyed his company. If he brought something she could eat that would simply be a bonus. Besides, Terra enjoyed mocking him. He was an easy source of amusement, and relaxing to be around.

The nobility in Trent's voice amused Terra, both of them going along with the joke. Sitting down Terra stretched out, feeling her belly scrape along the sand. She was very large. Not as large as someone carrying a litter of many pups, but it definitely showed on her small frame. Panting a little from the movement she looked back up to Trent, tail thumping behind her. Being pregnant was not very comfortable, but at least this small section of it was a good place for her to relax in.

Names? That hadn't occurred to her. It hadn't occurred to her at all. Where she had grown up the pups were given names based on what they revealed about themselves at birth. Some were named for their coats, or the way they moved, or the sounds they made. Terra herself had been named for the way she had reacted when born, accepting it as simply fact. That acceptance had earned her the grounded earthy name that she bore. Perhaps. Tilting her head Terra wondered if any would look like him. He was rather close in appearance to herself, so it was possible. I'm hoping they'll be great tricksters.

Her? Get in trouble? Mock dismay covered her features. How could you believe that? I swear, the bear was out to get me. I had no idea it was there. Laughing she shook her head. The bear incident was just one of many. She really hoped Skoll hadn't blabbed to anyone about that. If they had, well, she could always pretend she hadn't known that the bear was there. After all, she was older than Skoll, and higher ranked. Surely they would believe her over a pup. Well, maybe they would.

Nodding her head Terra craned her head, looking at her inflated belly. What would they look like? If she did name one Trent, would the pup behave like him too? Names were rather important after all. They found the defining feature of one's personality, the one that was visible even at birth, and gave it to them. That way they couldn't get lost, always having something to look back on to remember themselves. It was not as complex a system as it sounded, given no special ceremony. It was just done to help improve survival, the same as their loose fitting pack nature, drifting apart and together. If they can trick others, it will be a great feat. It will help them survive against all odds.

Laughing Terra shook her head. She'd never name her pups such jinxed names! The thought was entertaining. Only if you insist. Teasing she shook her head, a dry feeling running through her. Terra laid there for a moment, trying to place what she had just felt. Another rumble ran through, and she realized she was dying of thirst. She stayed as she was, wondering if it was worth the effort to try and get up and move to do something about it. Alas, the feeling was refusing to fade. Grunting her paws dug into the soft embankment, pushing her swollen frame to stand.

It was sad that such a feat gave her a sense of accomplishment nowadays. What happened to her smooth fleet form, able to escape and maneuver where no one else could? Lowering her head she moved to the stream, and took a deep drink. Having it close had been a great idea. Had she actually made that choice? Terra wasn't sure. She'd just known once she'd found the place that it was perfect for what she needed, and had went to work setting herself up.