Othello had been feeling the cramps in her belly all day, the grumpy female thought that she may burst if these damn pups didn't leave her belly soon. Whining she left the den that her and Scorpion shared, thinking that a walk in the wintery landscape may soothe her pain and her worries. The creamy damsel was slow paced as she sauntered around, her swollen belly hindering her from walking like a normal being. She felt like a penguin as she made her way out of the safety of her cavern and into the dull winters light. A light sigh passed through her lips, her breath fogging before her purple gaze.

The mother to be knew that something was up, she could feel it in her very bones that there was something very special about this day. She couldn't quite place her nose on it, but there was for sure something up. Maybe she would go and see Orchid, she usually knew what to make her feel right. Plus the dame was worried that something was up with her pups, from the way that they were wiggling and squirming around in her belly. Huffing, she started to pick up the pace to reach her friend when a gripping cramp ran rampant through her stomach. Gasping Othello froze, whining again as the contraction shook her down. Oh shit... they were coming, weren't they? Feeling weak in the knees Othello knew that she had to get somewhere safe and warm, there was no way in hell she was going to give birth out on a frozen field. So she shook off the painful contraction and bolted for Orchid's den.

By the time she reached the maw of the den, the soon to be mother collapsed just outside of it. She was spent already, her fur coated in her own sweat. Shivering, Othello barked sharply and tried to catch Orchid's attention if the dame was inside her den. Then while the contractions rested, she let loose a howl calling Scorpion to her. There was panic in her song, and that is all she could think about. She tried to claw her way further into the warmth that the underground cavern would offer, but she was being sapped of her strength. These pups within her were large indeed, too much for her small frame. They were fighting to see the world, and it was driving Othello to the breaking point. She knew that she was bleeding, she could smell the coppery liquid as she let out a whimper. She needed help, it was time. Time to welcome some new Destruction's into Alacritis.

Orchid was deep in concentration as she sorted through the herbs she had recently collected. Her stores where swelling, and so was her pride for what she was creating. In the deep snow and the grasp of winter many of her herbs where hard won and carefully dried before storage, but her long days and hard work was paying of with this beautiful collection. Her paw had just touched upon a poison when a noise came from the outside world. A moment later would be Othello's yip and with a curse Orchid ran for the carefully stored water she kept in one of the crevices and whipped her paw clean of any traces of the poison. That done she ran to the entry of her home and found Othello there, squirming and frantic in the snow. In a heartbeat Orchid's own worry was wiped from her face and a calm exterior was all that was shown. ?Look at the mess you've gotten yourself into? she lightly scolded as she gripped the girl by the ruff of her neck and huled her down the soft slope that trailed into her den. Her home was a fissure in the ground at the base of a cliff, and on the top of a small hill. When it rained the cliff protected them and the hill rolled the water away ? her home was perfect and she loved every bit of it. Today she was especially grateful for the slope that made dragging the girl easy. She didn't bother trying to haul her onto the platform she called a bed, but instead brought down the dried grass and leaves she used as a mattress and carefully tucked them under the girl and beneath her belly as a soft, warm spot for the children to be born upon. This done, she grinned confidently at Othello and grabbed a small collection of Motherwort ? it lessoned anxiety, stimulated contractions and eased pregnancy ? the perfect herb for the situation. ?eat this? she urged as she placed it on the other girls lips, moving herself to the end of the girls belly where she very gently placed a paw, feeling the movements and heartbeats of the young inside. She felt them, and waited a moment to fully get the feel of their movements so she could guide Othello to move with her young. ?We I say, push? she coaxed, her voice honey warm and totally calm. ?Push? she urged, another moment would pass ?Push!? she urged again. Her paw remaining on the belly, feeling the movements and watching all so she would know in a heartbeat if their where problems. The sound of breath would draw the healers attention upwards and for a second she would lose her count and scowl down at the intruder. It was Crucifix, the Alpha but she showed no sign of submission to the leader, not when she had far more pressing business guiding this birth smoothly. Instead she quickly scurried to the fissure with the water, the one she had cleaned poison off her paw with and gently but quickly grabbing out the leaf that contained it she would thrust it in Crucifix?s direction. Since he was here, anyway, he could make himself useful. Eyes would glance over a fresh cut on his wound and even that assessment was enough to see the blood was drying and the wound was hardly a bad one. ?What?s this?? she asked absently ?Alpha?s got a Boo Boo? Here. Make yourself useful? she commanded, nodding her head to the water she had thrust his way before returning to Othellos side and placing her ear at the belly once more to refind her count. ?Push!? Walk "Talk" Think

The day would be a long one, set upon strengthening all the border markings and making his way across the territory had only been the start of his morning. It would be followed by a foolish place of footing and a trip down a hillside. At first he would think it was only his pride that was injured, but eventually the stinging would assert itself into his consciousness and he would see the nice gouge that adorned his right forepaw. A deep sigh would escape dark lips and a trip to Orchid?s den would begin.



Before he was at the entryway he would sense something different about it, could taste something familiar in the air before the healers home and his head would peek cautiously down into the entrance where he would see Orchid deep at work beside Othello. Tag would pick up a slight wag behind him at the sight of her, only to fall still again remembering he had not said so much as two words to her since she had come into this pack ? and more than this, she was giving birth!



His brain started to go to mush through his ears with this realisation and he was quite prepared to back right back out of that den. Which of course would be the moment that golden eyes would set upon him and the healer would frown his way. ?Whats this? Alpha got a boo boo? Here. Make yourself useful? the girl would say and a large watertight leaf would be thrust his way. ?Clean and refill? she commanded, before attention was returned to the birthing mother.



Hesitantly, he would pick up the water container by its stem and back right out of that den once more.


"Speech"

Of course he'd been off hunting when he heard the panicked call echo from Orchid's den. He would not feel quite as panicked as she would be in the expert care of his sister. Orchid was one of only a few wolves he would trust her pregnant form with. Of course the tall male would drop his hunt, needing to be by Othello's side. Long dusty legs would carry him the short distance, he had not let himself stray too far. His brows would furrow as the sight of a black and white tail sticking out from the den. He would hold back a growl, letting himself trust Vi's judgement. ?Whats this? Alpha got a boo boo? Here. Make yourself useful Clean and refill? He would smile as he heard his sister's commanding voice. She was a soft spoken woman, however she took charge when it came to healing. The acting alpha would pull himself from the den, a tool within his lips. Scorpion couldn't help a smirk to appear upon his features, but his voice would hold a neutrality to it. "Thanks." Eye contact would not be made as he brushed past, his form slipping into the den. Orchid was obviously working very hard at giving birth to his offspring. He would offer her an encouraging smile as he brought himself to nuzzle her, looking to Orchid for instruction. He held absolute faith in her to deliver their pups. baby you're all I need

The dame smiled faintly up at Orchid as her body was pulled into the safety of the cave, the chilly winter air leaving her and was replaced by a much sweeter warmth. She whispered a thank you as she began to pant, her pink tongue lolling out of her mouth as her breathing increased in speed. If she had known that giving birth was this hard she would have tried to avoid all of it. But no, she wanted these pups, she wanted to birth Alacritis's next set of Destruction's.

The pain was such an ebb and flow, and she was so focused that the scent of Crucifix never became known to her. Words sounded like they were spoken through a tunnel, she tried to focus on the vocals of the healer and pushing when she told her to. With all her might the damsel pushed, using muscles she never knew ever existed. Her mind didn't know what was going on, but her body did. By some miracle it knew how to move the muscles to help the pups expel into the world. She could smell Scorpion here now, she could feel his aura surround him. She whined for him, tried to whisper his name but just squeaked as the tunnel voices commanded her to push again. She wanted to feel him beside her, for him to hold her head up while she was going through his torture. Too big, they were too big!

Othello's creamy bodice was caked in sweat as she struggled to push. At last she felt a small pang of relieve as one mass was brought to this world. She didn't even have time to comfort the small whines and whimpers that she heard, because another onslaught of contractions came. She wasn't done yet, her mind was screaming as she was told to push again. Putting all of her effort into it, she felt the same relieve as another being was brought to life. Her contractions seemed to ease, and she struggled to sit up and look at her new little pups. One of them was pure white in colour, markings that looked much like Scorpion's upon her face. He seemed to be moving about, and she bent down to nose the little beast. Cleaning him off, she then moved onto the other pup. However, Othello's body froze when she saw the second, darker mass. It wasn't moving. As another contraction swept through her she didn't care. Why wasn't it moving? The new mother whined and nosed at the pup, tears swelling in her purple depths. Her tongue brushed across its wet fur, but the body was cold and still. It did not react to her kisses like the first born had, it simply laid there. Her head flashed up to both Orchid and Scorpion, tears freely flowing down her face. "It's just sleeping, right? And its just cold cause its winter, right? Its fine, it has to be. Please tell me its fine." She begged, turning her attention to the still born. She wouldn't accept that her second puppy was not alive, not yet. It had to be, she had been so careful with them.

"Scorpion Speech"
"Othello Speech"

Eyes would scowl after the departing alpha, Othello was caked with sweet and Orchid needed that water, and she needed it now. She could only hope the boy wouldn?t dawdle. Another face would peek through the cave entrance and she was fully prepared to snap away the newcomer. When the face of Scorpion appeared she gave a nod his way as a hand swiped gentle circles over the swollen belly of the mother. ?Hey, Lover boy? she murmured softly to Othello?s mate, and Orchids brother. She grinned softly at him and indicated he should take a place besides Othello.



She couldn?t pay any further attention to Scorpion as the first pup made its way into the world. She moved to its side, checked its pulse and waited to hear its cries ? cries where a sign of health, of good lungs and she was pleased with what she heard. She bit of the cord with a quick snap and very gently grabbed the bundle by the scruff of its neck and eased it further onto the soft grasses she had nestled. Othello would cry out again and Orchid was forced to return her attention to the mother. ?Clean the baby? she told Scorpion as her eyes moved once more to Othello?s belly. Her command was unnecessary however as Othello moved her head past the swell of her belly to do this work herself. Easy, Othello? Orchid code, nudging the woman with her head to indicated she should lie down once more. Her attention was moved to the newest pup, but no cries would ensue from its lungs.



Orchid?s voice was both gentle, and hard now ?Lie down Othello, you need your strength for the living? she told the mother and very gently picked up the stillborn and moved it from sight. ?Where not done yet? she continued to coo, placing more Motherwort against Othello?s lips. It was not unusual for there to be at least one stillborn in a litter, and already there was one healthy pup at Othello?s feet. She needed the woman to concentrate on that, and on the pups to come.



At last Crucifix would return to the cave with a fresh batch of water. She commanded him with a paw to come to her side and she pointed to a fissure in the cave wall. ?Moss. Lavender? she ordered, and the items was quickly placed in her paw. She Gently broke up two petals of Lavender into the water, the scent and touch of it on her belly should help to calm her. She swiped two pieces of moss into the water, one she began to rub gently against the stomach, the other she handed to Scorpion to wipe against Othello?s forehead. She brought her head to Crucifix?s lips and told him to bury the stillborn. This done her attention would return the living ? a lesson all healers must learn, that there was time and strength only for those with life.

"Speech"

He would hurry from the den, brushing against Scorpion as he did so. The other boy would murmur a thanks and the Alpha would nod his head quickly at Scorpion. Emptying the water onto the grass before continuing on to the nearest stream. He quickly rinsed and filled the leaf, being carefully not to tear the fabric of the leaf. This done he hurried back to the cave entrance and was peering in side just as Othello became historical over something. He could see Orchid struggling to bring the situation right, to calm Othello and make her lie down once more. He covered cautiously at the entrance, uncertain if he should enter but once more Orchid seemed to spy him in the background.



He was motioned forward and did so with a few quick steps. Placing the water beside Orchid before being told what to do next. It was painfully obvious to the boy that he was on fetch and carry, yet he couldn?t bring himself to mind. This was clearly a healers situation and she had priority over the situation ? if he could help, he would. He move to the indicated hole and brought out the Moss. Lucky for him Moss and Lavender where easy things to identify and grabbing both he placed them in Orchid?s hands. Fascinated he watched as she broke of the petals of Lavender and flavoured the water with them.



He didn?t have time to take in much else before his attention was drawn by Orchid to the Stillborn. Orchid was telling him to take the little life outside and bury it. His eyes found Othello?s and his heart did a little painful cracking in his chest at the thought of what the mother must be going through knowing one of her little burdens was a stillborn. Still without a single word he moved gently to nudge Othello?s, sure that Scorpion would not deny him this little move of compassion before gently picking up the little pup in his jaws and looked quickly to Scorpion for approval at this task. If approval was given he would take the little life outside.


"Speech"

He knew nothing but blackness and feeling. Emotions where still foreign to him, but bodily feeling was not. There was the softness of skin and fluid about him. There was sometimes discomfort, felt from the being that held him and a tightness about him that made him long to stretch out. He was perhaps the one who gave his mother the most problems. Constantly stretching out, kicking against the lining of her stomach. If she bore bruising from her pregnancy, there was a high chance that he was the one who put it there.



When at last there came the sense of movement, and a strange light that gingerly tore against the blackness of all he knew he would find his way towards it. He would be the first to find his way out, to be pushed roughly through the exit and blinking into the cold and wide world beyond. There was noise, and light behind the blackness but all of this meant nothing to him. He felt himself fully pulled free, his cord that connected him to his mother snapped. More then this, he felt himself freed of fluid for the first time in his life. He was licked clean and found himself immensely enjoying the feeling of that rough tongue against him. This all completed he found himself hungering. He squirmed, some instinct propelling him but instead he was gently seized by the neck and moved. He felt indignation, and cried out his complaints. He wanted food, he wanted to full his belly. This was denied to him as commotion happened around him. He did not know that he was waited for his other siblings to be born. Instead he curled up about himself and cried out his complaints to the world.


"Speech"

"Go and Wander." Said my heart.

...and so I would wander.

The woman had left the children with a young girl, a russet pup, who said she would watch them. The other was six months old, likely not very experience in raising children, but the sharp bark of her friend would drawn the woman out, leaving her children in the paws of another older one. She would pad to Othello, coming across a scene of birth. Orchid was there, tending to her friend, and the man she assumed was Othello's mate. Crucifix too. There were children too... two... and one was...

The healer would freeze, behind them all, her breath catching in her throat. A stillborn. She felt horrible, to see her friend's new child in this condition. Ellis would give a soft whine, looking to Othello with gentleness in her gaze. "Keep going, Othello... you can do this." Her words were soft, but she hoped that her friend would hear them. For now she hung back, though she would hang back, letting the others do their job. But she was here for Othello when it was over... and she would do whatever she could to help her friend.




"Speech"

"Settle down." Said my heart.

...and so here it was I would settle down.

Othello would come distressed as he made an entrance, her mind seemed distant. It was painfully obvious that she wished him at her side however, he would respond to her whines. His form pressing into her side as she writhed in the pain of child birth. Orchid would greet him, under normal circumstances he would have shown her the affection she was due. However, he found himself glued to Othello's side. She wouldn't have been able to savor the momant anyhow as suddenly the first of his children would slip into the world.
Orchid would work flawlessly, but as the new mother would cry out again she had to hand off the work. He would leave Othello to his healer sister, his attention suddenly focused solely on the tiny creature that was nestled at his feet. His eye would fall upon the perfect form of his son, the tiny boy's lungs working perfectly well. Scorpion's tongue would caress the wet fur, "Shh, little guy. You'll have food soon."Othello's cry would again ring through the den, there was a pain within it he could not ignore.
The limp form of a pup would ignite an anger within him, and a disappointment. Four little Destruction paws that would never get a chance to prove their greatness. His brows would furrow, it's mother wailing as Orchid once more took charge of the situation. He would nuzzle Othello gently, and he would try and soothe her. His sister would move the child, she knew there were still more to make an appearance. As he watched the still form he would see the pass off from his sister to the young male. His lips would pull back in a silent snarl, but he would nod the grave digger off. If he wished to take the task it was his to bear.

"Scorpion's Speech"
"Othello's Speech"

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The girls pushing wouldn't work, she needed to make sure that her baby was okay. A cry broke from her maw as Orchid picked it up, her jaws snapping as she bit the air in front of her, between the two ladies. That was her baby! Hers! "Where are you taking her? BRING HER BACK!" She screeched, attempting to stand on her legs and failed. Her contractions where coming back full blown, and she didn't have the strength to stretch her body up. Then someone came forward, making her freeze in her nest. Crucifix? Her teary eyes blinked up at him as he nuzzled her, something that she did not expect. The motion warmed her heart, and momentarily distracted her from her still born child. Crucifix picked it up and walked out of the den when Scorpion nuzzled her as well. A shaky sigh left her lips, purple gaze wide as she turned backwards to look at him. That is when she heard the cries of the first one, and knew that Orchid was right. He was alive and well, and he was calling out of her. "Oh my darling, my baby come here." She cooed, tears drying on her face as she took the boy from Scorpion, nuzzling him close to her belly. She licked and groomed him when a soft voice whispered her name. The tunnel had faded away for now, and she glanced up to see Ellis lingering at the mouth of the cave. She smiled softly at her friend before her face twisted in pain. They were coming, she wasn't done yet. Othello could smell the comfort of the lavender that was rubbed upon her belly, but she didn't stay calm as her head fell onto the ground again. Moaning she pushed again, her muscles now familiar with the movement. Orchid was right, she was always right. Gritting her teeth she pushed another little one into the world, her cries sounding in her ears. She didn't move to clean her though, because something was wrong. Pain flared through her body as she tried to push the last pup out. A sharp cry sounded as she kicked and waved her legs, her little boy safe among her belly fur from the girls kicks. More screams of agony left her, filling the cave with its echoing sound. It was earth shattering, and it was all she could hear. Something was very, very wrong. The pup was facing the wrong way, twisted and caught within her. Othello could feel herself bleeding freely now, and could only hope that someone had gotten her other little one out of the way as it pooled around her elongated tail. She could feel blackness threaten to take her and she fought it off, knowing that she needed to push and free this last pup. But she couldn't, the harder she pushed the more it would wring on her insides, stretching her to a breaking point. The darkness was getting harder to fight off. Panic filled her eyes that searched the cave for Scorpion. She found his handsome face just as her eyes slipped closed, the endless blackness taking over. She was out cold from the pain and loss of blood, the last pup still stuck within her.

At this point Orchid was half wishing she could knock Othello out. The girl was hysterical, and dead set on the little stillborn instead of the life that had lived and the lives that still lived inside of her. They needed out and Othello?s panic was not helping matters any, but she needed the girl conscious. She needed Othello awake to push, needed her here and in the present. She was about to slap Othello in the face, anything to bring her back to reality when something else stopped her. Eyes would flick to the Alpha, the boy had moved to nuzzle her in sympathy and the motion, oddly was doing the trick. He could keep doing what he was doing if it calmed down this birthing lunatic. At last the mother would turn her attention to the living and Crucifix would slip out with his grim burden. She gently helped nuzzle the boy to Othello?s grasp and in turn Othello would nuzzle it to her belly where the boy would find its life force and drink away at his mother?s milk. Orchid let out a happy little sigh at the sight of Mother and Son meeting. Things would calm down and another child would make its way into this earth. Orchid would feel against Othello?s belly, thinking this the last little gift of life, but she would in this be wrong. She could feel it in the same moment that Othello did, feel the wrongness of it and Orchid would gasp as Othello cried out in pain. She swiped the little girl that had come free out of the way of the thrashing mother and deposited it next to its living brother. It was hard to stay calm now, this was bad. ?Ellis! Yarrow NOW!? her voice rising in panic, and she took a deep breath of lavender, taking but the smallest moment to calm herself. ?Scorpion, hold her front half? she commanded, in control of herself again as she concentrated on Othello?s lower half. She felt around the abdomen, feeling the lumpiness of the pup and the wrongness of its placement. The pup wasn?t coming out straight, she was all twisted around. Worst of all, was Othello ? she was unconscious and incapable of pushing now. Orchid jumped up from her seating and went to a fissure in the wall. Here she kept a substance others might consider strange, it was carefully stored fat from her kill? constantly heaved with fresh ice so it would keep. She rubbed this against her forepaws as she moved back to Othello?s side. ?I need to turn the baby. Ellis, Apply the Yarrow, then keep your paws on the stomach tell me if I?m doing it right, feel, got it?? she was all business now, her fear fallen to the need to do. She hoped the others had leaped to do as she asked ? Othello and the pups life depended on this. With her greased paws she slipped her arms into the pregnant girl, being very very carefully to keep her claws tight in the folds of her skin. She felt around the pup until she understood the situation. She could feel the blood pooling at her feet and knew she had very little time. She began to shift the pup until she felt resistance and stifled a gasp. The umbilical cord, it was twisted about the young. She pried out a single claw now and began to very gently saw away at the cord. Sweet was beating on her forehead and rubbing into her eyes at this point, but at last she would hear the soft snap. The blood was everywhere, and Orchid was coated in it. She continued to move the pup, occasionally looking up at Ellis to ensure things were going right. When at last the pup was turned she looked up at Ellis once more. ?When I say push, push gently at the stomach angling downwards from her head towards her Uranus. Got it?? her voice was half a whisper, and gently she redied herself to tug the pup. ?Push? she whispered, and gave the pup a soft tug with her paws. ?Push? she said again, her voice soft, barely audible as she again tugged at the little life. ?Push? she said again, and eased the pup free. She stifled a sob when she saw the creature was lifeless ? she had time only for the living. She began the job of cleaning the unconscious Othello up, applying a salve and tying horsetail around abdomen and Uranus until the bleeding stopped. She sat back when it was all over, heaving and gasping and covered in blood. ?You. Are a problem pregnancy? she scowled at Othello as she dipped her hands in the water leaf and hung her head low, exhausted. Walk "Talk" Think

"Go and Wander." Said my heart.

...and so I would wander.

Orchid was keeping the situation calm enough, and Othello would turn herself to the living child, a boy. But they were not out of the woods yet. No sooner was another child born was their trouble, and Ellis could feel herself grow cold. No. No! She moved on instinct, heeding the order of the other healer, fetching the yarrow. No. She wouldn?t let this happen. Not to Othello! Her mind was racing and yet, at the same time, there was a sense of calmness within her as the healer did what she was born to do, assist with herbs. Ellis would move herself, teal-green gaze fixed on the healer. She would do all she could for her friend and her children. ?By the winds, please allow Othello to live through this...? The woman would think.

At Orchid?s orders she would work to apply the yarrow she held, taking breaths to keep herself level headed in this situation. These healers were needed, the life of her friend in their paws. It was her first time working with Orchid, but she prayed for the best. Once the yarrow was applied Ellis would carefully place her paws on her friend?s stomach, gaze fixed on Orchid as she focused on feeling for the pup. ?Please,? she kept praying. There was so much blood, the smell flooding the den. Every so often, while Orchid worked, Ellis would give a nod, a soft word of approval. Finally the pup was shifted, ready to be born.

At Orchid?s word she would push. Once. Twice. Three time. Out the pup came... Lifeless. Ellis? ears flicked back when she saw this, but pushed past it. She would move to the girl that Othello hadn?t cleaned while the other healer took care of stopping the bleeding, then moved the child, still crying, to Othello?s side to feed, and then stepped to Orchid?s side. Two stillborn... It was horrible. ?...Othello will be okay, do you think?? She wanted to hear it from someone else. Another healer. ?She will live...?? She didn?t want to think what would happen otherwise. She would have milk for her friend?s pups... But she didn?t dare think about losing Othello.




"Speech"

"Settle down." Said my heart.

...and so here it was I would settle down.

Her coming into the world was not one that was pleasant, not one that her brother had. She sat within the womb for longer, the sounds of her mothers heart beat racing through her tiny bodice. It pulsed and shone through her, although she did not know what it was. She was a bit uncomfortable, wiggling about slightly to be let out. She wanted food, she could already feel the need for it. Its all she wanted, all she knew at the moment. So when she was shoved into the world at a face pace, tether to her mother broken, did she begin to wail. Quickly she was moved away, not aware of her mothers blood that coated her once pristine white coat. She just cried and screamed, echoing the cries of her brother. Food, she needed food.

Warmth found her once more as a tongue grazed over her coat, stilling her cries for a moment. She was placed beside her brother, the scent of the milk drawing her in. She was unaware of the panic that surrounded the wolves, she was immune to the chaos that was their birth. They were both alive and well, unknowing of their mothers condition. Warmth and milk was all she needed, was all she knew.

With Scorpions approval, Crucifix would start his grim task. Taking he stillborn babe in his grasp he would slip out of the den, Othello?s frantic eyes burned into his memory as he found himself outside Orchids den. He went a polite distance from her home before starting the task of digging, he needed only move the tinniest bit of earth before he could place the child inside. He looked at the little form with an expression of deep regret before gently pushing the dirt back over, and burying the babe from sight.



He would return to utter chaos, with Orchid and Ellis working franticly over Othello, who was bellowing in pain. Worse, both Othello and Orchid where covered in blood and the Alpha could only hover by the entrance, unable to do anything but watch the healers work and keep out of their way. When at last the next child was pulled from the unconscious form of Othello it would be again seen as a stillborn.



Crucifix lashed out at the cave wall, a claw scrapping heavily against the wall as he vented a moment of rage and lowered his head as he drew in a ragged breath. His sadness had always been closely tied to his anger and the rage was building inside of him again. He took another deep breath, the soft touch of Lavender still in the air as he fought to bring himself under control. When at last he did so he would move forward, placing a paw gently over Othello?s face and felt for her breathing. The soft tickle of it against his coat was a comfort and he was able to bring his attention now to Orchid/ She was hung over the water he had brought here, and her coat was mattered with dried blood, her chest her paws and splotches across her cheek told the story. The boy grabbed a sponge of moss and began to wipe away at the blood that mattered the healers face ? he wasn?t certain what else to do in a situation like this ? Othello was unconscious, Ellis was ensuring her young fed and Orchid was clearly exhausted.


"Speech"

Othello was hysterical over the dead pup. He would show his teeth, a growl coming from his lips. His non verbal action would warn the girl not to question Orchid. Their offspring was dead. They had to move on. After he nuzzled her gently she would find herself caught up in their son's presence. His cries never ceasing as she became engrossed within his presence. Scorpion would take the moment to enjoy the tiny child and the she wolf that birthed him. The perfection would not last though, pain would grip her body once more. He would move to hold her, through the scream and the awful pain he would keep her tight.
He would catch just the tiniest sight of another pup before Orchid barked at him a demand. He had to hold onto Othello. She would fight, but he would watch as her eyes slid shut and body became limp. He would hold her, watching as Othello and suddenly another healer, would work. He supposed she'd been hanging around for a while now, but he'd not given her a second thought until she was saving his woman. They would work and work, finally producing a fourth tiny pup. Though it would be the second failure.
Crucifix would lash out, causing Scorpion's ears to fall. He had a similar outlook to Orchid, his attention should be on the living. So he would hold Othello, grooming her features and making sure she would still breath. He would try to coax her to wakefulness as the stand in alpha made an approach. "She's still breathing." he would growl, finding a boundary now that he wished not for the man to cross. He would hear the other healer's soft words, obviously knowing Othello by name as well. "Orchid will not lose her." It was a confident statement as well as a slight command. Orchid would not let his Othello die.

"Scorpion Speech"
"Othello Speech"

Ellis proved to be a vital peace in saving Othello, even if the child they dragged from her had been stillborn ? or worse, perhaps killed by the trauma. What truly mattered what Othellos life, her brother?s mate and ensuring she made it through. She smiled at the healer girl now, a weary and pained smile, but a smile all the same. Ellis had begun caring for the young, ensuring they were by their mother and getting their first meal. They were clean and healthy, their cries strong and promising.



Orchid herself could only sigh, drawing in her strength in preparation to stand, only to be halted before she could when Crucifix moved forward. There Alpha was a strange one, lashing out at the wall with aggression then moving forward and touching the moss to her bloodied coat with quite gentleness. She cast a glance to the Alpha as he worked, then drew her attention to Ellis and Scoprion. ?She?ll be fine. She lost a lot of blood and will need to build up her strength, she will need herbs to supplement her mother?s milk otherwise she will not have the strength to make it herself. Until she fully recovers will you be able to assist in feeding the children?? Bless Ellis, she was godsend in this moment, a mother herself she would have a good supply of mothers milk in her.



?Our Othello will make it? she repeated her assurances at Scorpions command, nodding her head to the brute. His mate and mother of his children would pull through this. She gave another weary smile to Crucifix who continued to bloody her water supply with his cleaning before gently pushing him aside and rising.



She would make her way to her herbs and pull out Alfalfa, before turning her attention back to Scorpion. ?She will need this, but she will need it sparingly. She will need meat, hunt for her as soon as she awakens and she will need a lot of water to help her build up her strength after the blood loss? these where instructions for Scorpion, as mate and father of what he would need to do to ensure Othello and the kids pull through.

"Go and Wander." Said my heart.

...and so I would wander.

The outburst of their alpha had the small woman reeling back instantly, ears flattened to her head and body lowering submissively. She was not quick to forget the ordeal that had given her the son and daughter she had... And aggression in a male was something that would likely terrify the healer for the rest of her days. Eyes shown with fear, fixed on Cru until he settled down, though she would still tremble as she eased back into a more normal position, gaze shifting to the male. Othello?s mate. She would give a small nod, finding a bit of reassurance in his confident words, though even more-so when she heard the words from her fellow healer.

Ellis would give a nod, thinking what might aid Othello now. As far as her milk went she had an idea, though certainly Orchid was already at work in her mind for things to give the woman to increase her strength. ?If you have any on hand some borage leaves might be a good aid to help her produce milk, and thyme for her nerves.? She would give Orchid a small smile. ?Though you know your trade well, so I?m sure you have something to give her regardless of my suggestions.? Gaze would flick to the male and female, giving a small nod as her gaze softened.

?As for assisting with the children consider the deed done. Othello has been a great help to me through my pregnancy and the beginning of my pup?s lives, and I will return the favor in kind.? Her words were soft, showing that she cared for the other a lot. She had grown so close to her, bonding through their experiences, and their children, she had a strong feeling, would be just a close. After Orchid spoke with Othello?s mate Ellis would give a nod to him, speaking gently.

?We will be seeing more of each other now, sooner than expected it seems. I am Ellis, a friend of Othello?s. Rest assured I will do all I can for all of them.? Teal-green eyes were soft, and she shifted, looking to Orchid. ?I can help you clean up here, and get things ready.? If she was going to help nurse Othello?s pups she would need to move in here for a while... Hopefully Othello?s mate wouldn?t mind too much. That would mean Ty and Nova would be too... And the den would need to be cleaned of the blood best it could be to ensure everyone remained healthy.




"Speech"

"Settle down." Said my heart.

...and so here it was I would settle down.