The woman paced, her belly a bit larger now that she was carrying pups. She was sure there were no more than two, she was hardly showing at all. It just looked like she had a little more to eat than normal. But this wasn't happening, it couldn't be happening! She had only been with Colten, and he wasn't even two years old yet! How did this happen then, how? There was no other way, and it was as if her nightmares had come to haunt her ever waking moment. She had been hiding herself away, trying not to let others near her. While she may not look pregnant, her smell was something that could not be denied. Her teats began to hang a bit lower as well, full on signs that she was indeed expecting. Her legs shook as she crumbled to the ground, pulling her legs up over her face as she hid herself away. This was not happening... it couldn't be true. Her whole body quivered as tears came to her eyes, tail tucking around her side. She just wanted the earth to open up and swallow her whole, for all of this to be over.

Ekko paused, lowering her legs to look out across the plains. She needed to tell Colten, to demand answers from him. Had he lied about his age? How else could this have come to be? Timidly she lifted her head and called for him, her song shaky. Once it was done she tucked her head under her limbs again, hoping that she hadn't called anyone's attention towards her. She didn't want to be here. She didn't want this to be happening.

It seemed like an eternity had passed since he had last seen Ekko. She had hidden herself away and refused to be seen. He wouldn't press her, allowing her work out whatever was happening on her own. But when her timid voice rang out, he all but sprinted to her side. Russet legs stretched as far as they could go simply so he could be beside her sooner. Paws thundered against the ground, his lungs sucking in oxygen. His verdant gaze sought out her tiny form, and when he did find her, he was momently horrified, and then confused. She was bundled up, her face hidden by her paws, though she was unharmed. Relief would seep through his veins, alarm settling. Nostrils quivered, the scent of her heat was gone, but something was different about her. Was this her normal smell perhaps? He had not known her before her season so he had nothing to compare it too, nor did he know the smell of pregnancy. Rushing to her side, he would flop down beside her, or try to at least, he was completely obvious to the storm he had run head on into. I've missed you. He would murmur, aiming to press his nose to the tender spot just behind her ear. Speech,

His paws could be heard beating against the earth, his pace quick as he came to her side. She felt her heart warm, he had come so fast. But it was soon replaced by the fear, and the anger that quickly swallowed it up. He murmured that he had missed her, his nose pressing behind her ear. She let out a shaky sigh, uncovering her head and looking up at him. Her scarred face was damp with tears, pale blue eyes wide with fear. How was she going to tell him? And how in the world was he going to even take it? "I..." she started, casting her gaze away from his sweet face. "I'm pregnant..." she whispered. Ekko's voice was so soft that it was hardly heard, but she knew that Colten would pick up her soft spoken words. Lifting her gaze back up to him once more, she searched his face to pick up on anything that he might be feeling. She didn't want to believe it, she wished that it was all a big fat lie. She had wished that she just ate too much deer or something, but there was no denying her scent change. Ekko buried her graying muzzle into Colten's chest, her breath shaky as it whistled between her gritted teeth. Would he hate her?