Little Fiery One

As Manea's contractions began up again in earnest, Alastor was there to hold and comfort her through the brunt of it all. As his wife struggled and strained, he held her steady and whispered soft words of encouragement. All the while, black shark-like eyes kept drifting down to the tiny red girl nursing at her belly, his heart skipping a beat every time he laid eyes on his new daughter. Alastor was smitten already. The second pup seemed to be giving her more trouble that the first and Alastor suspected it would probably be another dire after its parents. It took some time, but soon enough, Manea gave birth to their second child, biting into his foreleg in the process and drawing snarling growls of pain from the dire brute in the process. He didn't mind, of course; he'd endure any amount of pain if it meant making this process easier for Manea. He nuzzled the back of Manea's neck in encouragement while Irilyth cleaned and positioned their second child at her belly. He peered over her bloated sides to spy the little black boy, looking sticking like his sire, just sans the distinctive red markings. Sure enough, he was a large pup, carrying all the dire genes his parents did. Alastor also gazed lovingly down at his new son, a proud and fatherly smile creeping across his face.

Fortunately, Manea only had one more pup left to birth. The third came far easier it seemed, and Manea didn't have to physically maim him in the birthing process this time. Sure enough, the third child was a small, squealing little girl, the tiniest of the lot. Yet despite her size, her fur was a dazzling sea of swirling red and violet galaxies. What she lacked in size, she made up for in opulence. Alastor reveled in his three new children—until the dark realization of what they were about to do gripped his heart like the icy fingers of Death itself had reached into his chest. Alastor's smile slowly slid from his face, grim understanding replacing the paternal joy that had once been there while Irilyth excused herself after cleaning off the last pup and Manea's rear. Now left to their own devices, Alastor listened to the little suckling sounds and coos his children made while they ate their first meal and drew in their first breaths. His heart broke knowing what was about to happen. "They're all so beautiful..." he whispered, as if speaking normally was uncouth for such a tender moment. He leaned over to kiss and nuzzle Manea's cheek, holding her gently to his form. "We did it, love. You did so well!"

"Alastor Mendacium"