Why Do You Care For Me

Chimera had her taking inventory of the stores of herbs they had collected on the island in preparation for the coming winter. He knew nothing about medicine and herbs, so it was up to her to identify each plant and how many they had of each. Once the first frosts came and the fresh plants retreated until spring, all they would have left was what her and Siren had been able to preserve. One of the dogs came running up to them in a hurry, alerting Chimera that Viper needed him. Although she hadn't been asked to come by name, Ali followed the behemoth and the pet back through the woods and deeper into the island.

The closer they got, the greater the smell of blood and viscera on the air was. Ali's ears folded to her head, first imagining something terrible had happened, then realizing by the growls that Viper was very much alive and... actively giving birth! Chimera hurried over to go lie around the mother of his children while Ali immediately joined Siren. She noted the small pup already out and at her mother's side, but there was a disturbing stillness to the child. Ali's heart broke as she gazed upon the tiny creature, then back up to Viper, who showed her typical lack of any sort of emotion while Siren tried to force her to take some herbs. Ali swallowed hard, then moved to Viper's lower half, ready to assist with the next pup if needed. Silently she prayed that would be the only pup that hadn't survived Viper's unforgiving pregnancy.

"Aliana"