When the Stars Align [birth]
It seemed to grow colder each day, which meant Solveiga was growing more and more worried. Well, and she was just growing, period. Even with only two or three pups, which is what she and Regulus were estimating now, she still looked fit to burst. After all, she was a very petite little lady. Which meant this pregnancy was affecting her more than it might have affected other, more robust women. She practically waddled when she walked, and walking was beginning to make her paws sore. And so, she spent most of her time in the warmth and comfort of the den. But Solveiga was an explorer at heart, so being confined like this was making her antsy.
And other things made her antsy, as well. The weather grew colder, which made her worry more and more for her children. She wanted them to be as warm and comfortable as possible, and Regulus had made sure their den was plenty insulated. But still. It would be unlike a mother not to worry. And then there was the matter of the birth itself. She had helped with a delivery once, so of course she understood the basics of it. But she knew nothing could compare to the actual experience. The little healer would just have to hope that her pain tolerance was high, and with a knowledgeable healer at her side everything should go smoothly.
Any day now, she thought, as she gathered the strength to stand and walk slowly from the den. She needed to stretch her legs, maybe get a drink of water or find some late-season fruit to snack on... but it seemed the little pups inside her had another plan for today. She had barely made it two steps from the network of dens when a pain shot through her body and made her suck in a breath. She stopped moving, waited a moment to assess the feeling, when it hit her again. Stronger this time. Solveiga let out a soft whine and very carefully walked back toward the den. It was time. Oh, gods above. It was time.
She paused just long enough to howl for her mate and for a healer, a great deal of urgency in her voice. And then she returned to the den that she and Regulus shared, and made herself as comfortable as possible. Deep breaths, the lady reminded herself. Deep, slow breaths...
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