In The Darkness, I Found The Light

Dalila closed her eyes as her labor continued, caught somewhere between needing to breathe to get through these contractions and wanting to just hold her lost son and cry. She didn't have the capacity to pay attention to the other's reactions, only knowing that they were still there as she forced herself through the rest of this ordeal. All she could think about as more contractions gripped her and made her whimper and cry was those pitiful, flailing limbs as her son struggled to live and ultimately failed. She grit her teeth as she struggled to keep herself from crying, funneling her sorrow and anger at this world that had caused them all so much pain and hurt into her effort as she pushed their second child into the world. This pup was smaller than the last and didn't physically take as much effort to deliver it, but emotionally and mentally Dalila was on a thin edge. She silently pleaded with whatever powers their might be in the universe to please just let this one live, just let them have one good piece of news. Even just one could ease her pain.

She struggled through the last few pushes, finally delivering the pup with a scream from the effort that brought the pale, splattered pup into the world. Even though it was difficult to do so, she immediately tried to sit up, panting hard as her worried gaze went to Aliana and Siren, trembling lightly from her own fear and the exhaustion settling into her muscles as she held her breath and waited for some kind of news. And then she heard the loudest, most cantankerous puppy squeals she had ever heard and a the wave of relief that washed over her could have knocked her over. She let out a breath in a long, shaky sigh, tears from a mix of sorrow for the pup she lost and relief for the pup that survived rolling down her cheeks. A smile pulled across her lips when she saw the little girl in the faint light of the candle that was flickering off to the side, taking in her patchwork coat for the first time and seeing the swatch of black across one side of her little face and the flecked stripes across her back that reminded her of Chimera's markings.

Dalila looked gratefully to Aliana once their daughter was placed beside her, saying softly, "Thank you." A thank you for being here even though she was still mourning herself, for assisting with her birth even though it was difficult, for being a good friend. Dalila had gone from being completely alone at one point in her life to being surrounded by wolves that she loved and cared for. She looked back at Chimera, giving him a small smile. They had a daughter. A beautiful daughter. She wished their son was laying here with her getting his fist meal as well, but she would rather have one healthy pup than none. She looked to Siren then, reaching a paw toward her love. "Will you bring him to me?" she asked quietly, her chest squeezing tightly. She knew how hard it was going to be to see the little boy, but she wanted to see him all the same.

"Dalila Vista Rocha"