Home Sweet Home

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It was a beautiful and warm spring day. A white wolf with black spots trotted along the banks of the Amoux Creek. It was Zeke, a recently accepted member of the Eternal Snowfall pack. Zeke had woken up before the sun this morning next to his beautiful mate, Shiver. While she had slept soundly, he had snuck away. He had even waded through the creek a couple times so she would not be able to track him. Zeke's ice blue eyes scanned the horizon ahead of him, searching for something. He wanted this to be a surprise.

'The banks of the creek are extremely high', he thought to himself. 'I have to take the danger of the river into consideration. The spot must be absolutely perfect.' Zeke had given a lot of thought to this and he had decided that he wanted to do something special for his mate. The traditional site just wasn't good enough...too crowded...too many wolves coming and going...Shiver deserved the best. It didn't even occur to Zeke that this behavior was out of character...well...his real character that is. He was starting to believe in the wolf he was pretending to be.

Zeke continued his search for awhile longer. And just when he was beginning to despair, nestled in the bend of the creek, he found it.

There was a medium sized hump of earth a short distance from the creek. The hill was about half the height of a tree. It gently slopped down to a large flat spot that bordered the banks of the creek. Even if the water rose and the area flooded, it would never reach the hill. There was a large tree on the flat spot between the hill and the creek, providing a nice shady area to relax. He could just see them here.....

Zeke's blue eyes twinkled as he turned around and looked at the hill. It was even better than he could have hoped. He considered how much easier this task would be with an earth power and then snorted. He didn't need a power to accomplish what his own paws could do. Besides, it would be so much better if he did this by himself. Zeke took a deep breath and got to work.

He began digging into the side of the hill. At first, it was fast work. The spring rain had softened the soil. Once he got through the top layer though, there were a lot of rocks mixed into the soil. The rocks were what had held the soil on the hill together and kept it from washing into the water below. Soon, the pads of his paws were covered in shallow cuts and were bleeding. But Zeke did not let this slow him down. He continued to work as the sun rose into the sky and then began to dip again. It was a good thing he had got a really early start or he wouldn't have finished in time. But at last, panting and limping slightly, Zeke stepped back to admire his work.

The den he had dug was large. Inside, he had excavated two chambers. The smaller of the two was near the entrance. You had to pass by it in order to get to the second chamber in the back, which was twice as big as the first chamber. Two wolves would have plenty of space to stand up or lay down and stretch out. He had spent the majority of his time on the second chamber. He had made sure to clear the ground, walls and ceiling of all rocks so that it was padded only by soft earth.

He frowned. It needed something more. Zeke looked around and his eyes fell on a large clump of long soft grass a short distance away. Perfect! He trotted over and began pulling the grass out of the ground when, suddenly, a large rabbit darted out of the thicket. Zeke was on it in a flash. His powerful paws sent the rabbit flailing and a moment later his jaws closed on the creature's back. He snapped the rabbit's spine and killed it quickly and almost without thought. But Zeke did not eat the rabbit. He picked it up and set it aside as he continued to pull out grass. When he had a pile big enough he carried it into the back chamber of the den and neatly arranged it. He made a couple more trips for more grass until he had a soft and cushy bed that coated the whole floor of the second chamber. He brought the rabbit in and placed it on the bed and then paused again.

The light from the sunset seeped in, bathing the den in beautiful shades of orange and pink. Alas, it was ready. Walking out to the entrance, Zeke thrust his muzzle skyward and sang. "Shiver!", was all he said. He grinned and chuckled. No doubt she would be mad at him for disappearing without a trace all day. But he was willing to bet that his surprise would put him back in her good graces.

While he was waiting, he waded into the creek to wash off the dirt and blood. The water here was wide and fairly shallow compared to the rest of the creek. Due to the bend, the current was gentle-further proof that this spot was perfect. He washed and groomed himself until he was soaking wet, but clean. Zeke waded out of the water, shook the worst of the moister from his pelt and went to sit by the entrance to the den, awaiting the arrival of his mate.

((OOC: @shiver That turned our a LOT longer than I intended  Please don't feel the need to match the length))

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Shiver woke up. The first thing she noticed was how cold she was. It wasn't the bone stiffening, jaw chattering cold of deep winter, but the soft barely there tinge of cold. Though it was warm enough for the dew on the grass around her to remain in its liquid state. The second thing she noticed was that she was missing something. Shiver stood up and yawned, her jaws stretching wide and the snapping shut. Shiver blinked open her glowing golden orbs and took in her surroundings. It was a large meadow with a spattering if trees lining the creek that flowed through on the far left side. Small white and yellow flowers bloomed among the grasses, the lilies wouldn't bud until summer. Shiver took in a deep breath of moist, sweet fragranced air, and her memories of the last month came flooding back. And that was when she realized what was missing. Zeke.

Her golden eyes wondered and her dew-laden fur sprung straight upon her neck, her yellow tipped tail erect behind her? "Zeke? Are you hiding from me?" Immediately after she realized his disappearance she thought of Strangers words. But he wouldn't leave without actually doing something to her! Shiver paced frantically in the grass trying to figure out why he left. Maybe he went hunting and didnt want to wake me...maybe he...maybe he saw a shewolf he liked better. Tears sprung to the corners of her eyes but Shiver held them in. She didnt even know where he was! She would not cry for no good reason! Shiver immediately stopped pacing and let out a growl as she began her search.

He was not simply laying in the grass hiding from her. His scent trail ended at the banks of what she assumed was the Amoux Creek. Hmmm...he deliberately wanted to lose me if I came searching.....After searching all day with no avail Shiver sat on the pebbly bank, her head hanging dejectedly. While she may seem sad she was really furious, raging. How could her mate leave without even a clue as to where he went or when he was coming back. She refused to believe Strangers words of warning, that shewolf was just a crazy old coot. Shiver was about to give up her search when she heard it. Her name rising over the meadow howled by none other than Zeke. "Someone's going to die tonight." Shiver growled, though she had no intention if actually killing him.

The silver shewolf loped along the bank of the the river, paws flinging pebbles and loose soil behind her. Her graceful neck was stretched out to give her a more aero dynamic shape. But the speeding billet flowed when she saw him. He was standing there grinning, he looked to be a bit tired, some of her anger drained away, some. She stomped across the river, her fur soaking wet. She shook her pelt out, water droplets spraying around, her silver a dark grey.

"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! Just leaving me in the meadow without a clue as to where you are or when you'll be back!!" She snarled, though her anger was fueled by worry really. Her voice calmed down slightly. "Don't ever do that go me again! Understand?" She spoke again, her muzzle in his face.

((I wasn't planning on it, but you gave me alot to reply to! X3))

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((OOC: Great post!!!))
Zeke laughed. He just couldn't help it. "Do you have any idea how adorable you are when you're pissed?" He laughed again, a truly happy sound. It wasn't her anger that pleased him....though that WAS a sight to behold. Zeke actually regretted the worry he was sure he had caused her. He was just so happy to see her and he was so excited to see how she would react to his surprise.

Zeke stepped forward and rubbed his cheek against hers in a comforting gesture. "Peace my love. Lower your hackles." He stepped back to look her in her beautiful, bright eyes. His own icy orbs were dancing with humor, but he ducked his head sheepishly. 'I better not draw this out any longer or she's sure to scalp me', he thought to himself...only half sarcastically. "To answer you questions....I think I am a wolf who is hopelessly in love with his stunning and beautiful mate." A little flattery to soften her up wouldn't hurt... "I do understand and I promise not to worry you like that again." For a moment, he forgot that that was supposed to be a lie. He forgot about all his plans, all his freedom and the only thing he saw was the gloriously pissed off she wolf standing in front of him. 'Dear Luna, she really is something!', he thought to himself...temporarily struck silent as he admired her beautiful golden eyes and lush bright colored pelt. After a few seconds of starring at her like a love struck fool, he came back to himself and cleared his throat. "I can explain dear. This day has not been wasted and your worry was not for nothing. I have something to show you."

And with that, he stepped to the side and turned to look at the den he had created for her. Pride shone in his eyes. He was exhausted and both of his front paws still bled, but he didn't even notice. "Welcome home Shiver." he said softly as he turned back to watch her expression. He was slightly anxious now. 'What if she doesn't like it? What if she would prefer the traditional pack dens? What if she prefers being around the other wolves? What if she.....oh shut up you fool and give her a chance to react...'

((OOC: *swoon* I almost want to like Zeke now...))

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Shiver just rolled her eyes, though her anger was quickly fading. The same phrase ran through her head, reassuring her. Zeke's here, and he loves me. she nuzzled his cheek as well. "As long as you're safe." She promised and cuffed his ear with a paw. He was such a goof. Shiver supposed one had to be goofy to cancel out her seriousness. At the mention of the day not being wasted, she peered behind him. What she saw struck her into awed silence.

There, carved painstakingly into the side of the hill was a hole. It wasn't a large mouthed den, neither was it as narrow as a hares burrow. The opening was large enough for two wolves to squeeze in at the same time. Her unending, pup-like curiosity dragged her paws towards it and she looked in. There was a small chamber in front, the floor was as flat as two paws could make it, the low roof clear of roots and debris. Shiver slid in further and noticed a second chamber. This one was much larger than the first and had a slight bowl shape to it. The concave bottom was matted with soft grasses, creating a cushiony bed. The ceiling was high, but not grandly so. She turned around in the den, her jaws parted slightly, eyes blinking rapidly.

"Y-y-you, y-you m-made t-t-this?" She stammered, feeling very vulnerable at this loss of words. Shiver turned to him. "Zeke..." She breathed softly, her voice almost a purr. "I love you." She felt a pull around her gut area and realized it was her season. After all the whole reason the actually came her was to have pups. Shiver felt like looking down, but couldn't. Her golden gaze was locked with Zeke's icy one.

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Zeke gave her a moment to explore the den on her own. He waited nervously for a few moments more and then followed her in, too anxious to wait. Her words set his heart at ease. "Shiver...", he said almost desperately. For a brief moment he almost confessed right there. He very nearly told her everything-his past, his plans and his regret. But he couldn't stand to hurt her right now when she was so happy. Instead, he looked deep into the golden pools of her eyes and said, "I love you too Shiver. You are my world, my sun, my moon and my stars. I live for you and I would die for you."

Her heady scent filled the warm cave, making him slightly dizzy. He knew perfectly well what that scent was. Though these would be her first pups, they were no where near his first. Zeke slipped towards her, running his body along the length of hers, circling her and coming back up her other side. He licked her muzzle sweetly and whispered in her ear. "I want a family with you Shiver. I want to see your belly swell with our cubs. I want share the joy of parenthood with you." His eyes burned with a cold, icy fire. "Say yes Shiver. Tell me you want to have my pups. Start a family with me." He paused and then softly said, "Please..." 

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Shiver smiled softly, her glowing sunny eyes narrowing seductively. The silver shewolf pressed herself against her mate, her yellow stripe pressed against his side. Shiver rubbed her head on his cheek and under his head. Then she flhcked her yellow tail tip, trailing it across his muzzle before her paws led her deeper into the second chamber.

"To have a family with you, to raise your pups would be an honor." She gazed at him lovingly. She was ready, she could feel it. Zeke was the best thing that happened to her, she couldn't stand to lose him. She had previously been a guarded, suspicious wolf, but now...she could be herself. She loved this wolf, the feeling grew inside if her, threatening to overwhelm her. She let it. "Yes." She purred.

((Er....i don't know what else to add so.....short post!!!))

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((So @kiowa should I post after the mating or straight to the birth?))
((Edit: never mind))

Shiver woke up with a sharp pain her her swollen abdomen. She was heavy with many pups. Her pups. Zeke's pups. Thier pups. The thought made her want to smile, but the pain was excruciating, making her muzzle twist in agony. She clenched her teeth together as she felt a ripple go through her. She gasped, eyes wide and scrabbled into her side, they were coming! Her jaws searched for something to bite on, but dear Zeke had dutifully cleared the den of all debris. There were no roots, or sticks, nothing.

Another wave of agony rushed through her and she tipped back her elegant head and howled in pain, her belly flaring with pain. Shiver arched her back as something wet nuzzled up to her belly and began to suckle. She sighed in joy and bent her head to lick the scrap, but another jolt of anguish washed over her. After this happened six times, the unbearable pain was replaced by a dull throbbing. Shiver was exhausted as she licked her pups, they were so beautiful.

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A shadow paced back and forth across the mouth of the den. Pearly fangs clenched tightly together in worry. Zeke could hear her cries of pain, but could do nothing to help. The icy blue orbs of his eyes darted into the depths of the den and away again. He paused. He wanted so badly to got to her. But he could not. The instincts of a she wolf in labor would force her to drive him off. He began pacing again and turned his gaze outward in glare into the surrounding darkness. He prowled protectively across the small clearing in front of their home, scenting the air and straining his ears to the slightest sound. But all he could hear or scent was the nearby creek gently flowing past and the normal sounds of the night. He thrashed his long feathery, black tipped tail with frustration.

And then he heard it-that first tiny little squeal that signified the beginning of a life. Of his son or daughter's life. He rushed to the entrance of the den and listened quietly to the sound of a newborn pup scuffling around. Follow by more pained sounds from his mate. He lay down miserably with his head on his paws and he counted. Six pups. They had brought 6 new lives to their pack. Zeke waited a few minutes and then slowly started to creep into the den....very, very slowly.

"Shiver, m'love. May I come in? Or would you prefer I wait awhile longer?"

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Shiver panted, eyes closed, mouth parted. She panted her breaths no longer quick and shallow, but shaky and drawn out. But soon her breathing steadied. She felt like drifting to sleep, but some instinct told her not to. She had to protect her pups. As a voice pierced the thick air her previously heavy eyelid snapped open, revealing her golden eyes. But instead of seeing a threatening monster, she saw her caring mate. She wanted to lie back down, but something was preventing her, her neck began to bristle, a growl building up in her throat. Shiver eyed the spotted male warily, her growl dying down in her throat as pure exhaustion overcame her. Her head lowered to the cool earth. "Come no closer." She breathed. Zeke could touch them tomorrow. As of now they would be spotless.

As much as Shiver's body yearned for sleep, it wouldn't come. Her eyes had slid closed, but her deep breaths refused to slow to the rhythm of slumber. The grey, blue and white shewolf smiled slightly. "If Calypso could see me now."

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Zeke ducked his head submissively and grinned warmly at her. "You did good, baby." He backed off into the tunnel that led into this larger of the two chambers to give Shiver room to relax. When he was far enough away, but could still see their pups, the black and white wolf lay down and, with his head upon his front paws, he starred at the tiny balls of fur in obvious wonder. They were a rainbow of color.

There was one the color of a cool morning's sky-soft yellow with flashes of icy blue about his tiny squirming legs. Another was the bright blue of a warm summer's day. Puffs of white were patterned along his black and legs. Another was silver with black markings. Then there was a white one with bright gold that traveled from his tail tip to between his ears. Zeke's eyes came to rest on a white pup with black spots and he grinned. And then last there was a tiny little pup with fur the color of pale green moss. He watched the puppy for awhile, wondering at the slight differences between him and his brothers....brother.....all sons!!!

Zeke could not help but glow with pride as he thought about the strong, loyal sons he would raise. Of course....that would be far from here. And without their mother. Zeke wondered if the pain of him leaving would soften if he did not take all the pups with him. Perhaps he would only take 2 or 3....the most loyal, the strongest. He was sure that the weaker pups would be cared for and accepted here in this soft hearted pack.

But Zeke had plans. He had let the demon inside him sleep for far too long and it stirred restlessly. He did not belong here. He could not live this life forever. He did feel some regret where Shiver's pain was involved, but he knew she was strong. He knew that she would go on to find love again...as, one day, he would as well. It was not that he saw Shiver as weak....she was just too good and too kind. And his heart yearned for darker things....

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Shiver closed her eyelids at last. She rested, a short rest at that, but a rest nonetheless. The exhausted mother opened her eyes, jaws stretching open in a yawn that snapped closed just as quickly. She blinked her golden eyes and took in her surroundings. The same bleak walls, the same scent of Zeke, though there was something else: her pups. The new mother looked down warmly at her pups. What tough strapping young lads they would make! Surely they would become an asset to the valley! And to think if what gifts they would receive from Taboo!! Wait. Would they all turn out to be good wolves? Shiver was accepting of some if her children drifting to the neutral alliance, but she could not bear the thought of her sons become dark hearted and murderous. Overnight she had developed a string maternal instinct. It was strange, she felt as if she would do anything for her sons, anything to keep them safe and at her side.

Shiver stood on wobbly legs and licked each of her sins heads, pausing on the green one. He was small, yet he did not laze about like his other sleepy brothers. Even though they were all groggy and filled with milk, this runt, who Shiver deduced had dwarfism was sitting. His legs were too delicate to be able to stand just yet, but he stood, his sealed eyes somehow directed towards her. "Valor. That us your name." She nosed him and turned to the rest. "Zeke! Come help me name our sons." She called out to her mate. Surely he was nearby.

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His dark musings were suddenly interrupted as Shiver spoke. He smiled, stood up, and walked into the whelping chamber at her request. Names....his eyes roamed over the rainbow of puppies before him, coming to rest on a deep blue pup with white spots. He nosed him and glanced at Shiver. "Rico." He said matter of factly before turning his eyes to the next pups, a pale yellow one. Again, he nosed the warm, squirming ball of fluff. "Heracle." He glanced at the pup that his mate had named Valor and frowned. The pale green pup seemed to be malformed somehow. He did not comment, but already, in the back of his mind, he considered this pup to be inferior to the rest of his strong, healthy sons. It was not a fair assessment, but though he had been pretending to be otherwise for some time now, Zeke was a cruel wolf at heart. He decided right then that he would leave this pup with his mother when he left. He had no desire to raise a weakling. Shiver and the kind hearted Eternal Snowfall pack would see that he was well cared for. His expression appeared merely inquisitive and showed nothing of his true thoughts.

Zeke's icy eyes moved on to the remaining three pups. One was silver, one was white with markings that reminded him of Shiver and one was the spitting image of Zeke's father. He eyes rested on the one who looked like Shiver and he decided that this was too, he would not attempt to take with him. He would never be able to look at this wolf without thinking of Shiver....and that would be too....painful. "Kaden, perhaps..." he mused as he looked at the pup in question. His eyes flicked to the silver wolf. "And for him....either Ty or James." His eyes drifted back to the black and white spotted pup. "I shall give his name some thought." He glanced up at Shiver and licked her muzzle. "How does that sound to you M'Love?"

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Shiver watched Zeke as he entered, his gait slow and confident, that of a true leader and protector. But Shiver wouldn't need protecting soon! Once her boys had grown a bit and opened their eyes, she could take them out of the den. She knew she was terrible at naming so she let Zeke decide. "I like Ty better. It's shorter and easier to bark at the top of my lungs when he gets in trouble." Shiver chuckled, her blue shoulders rocking with the motion. She could just imagine her boys tussling in the grass and swimming in the creek. She could imagine the two of them, Herself and Zeke, sitting together on a rock watching them as they grew into formidable protectors of Eternal Snowfall. Though maybe some if them would go and start new packs or join a legendary one! She smiled at the thoughts and licked the yellow ones head. He was a beauty. But so was the spotted one, he reminded her so much of Zeke. At first she kinda wanted to name him Ezekiel, after his father.

Just then the small green pup who had been pushed to the back of the pack, pouted, his soft muzzle wrinkling in a tiny snarl. Shiver watched curiously as his stubby legs squirmed around, finally finding purchase on the earth underneath him. Shiver's golden eyes widened as the dwarfed pup stood. Actually stood! It took a wobbly step, and stopped. Then another. Then it collapsed in a heap at her belly and suckled. Shiver didn't think that pups could stand that early after birth! She smiled and licked Valors head, he would become someone great one day.

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(Here comes TY!)
Ty looked up a little, but before he coulod do anything, he was shoved out of the way. Ty didn't know it, but this was just the start of the mistreatment from his asorted brothers. He was good looking, with the lines and the markings on his face. He tried to shove his way in, but to no avail. He was the equivelent of the runt. Even though he was bigger then his brother. This moment, was probubly what would shape his personality forever. He let others lead. But one day he himself may have to become a leader. (I have BIG PLANS in store for him.... *Cakles* Kiwoa, here is the linnk to James' profile: wwm-5.proboards.com/thread/3607/james )

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Heracle let out a noise that was between a yelp and dying w walrus noise. It pitched between high and like as the bodies of his brothers tousled against his side. His head felt like the weight of Mom! The pup struggled to lift his head to it's highest peak and sniffed the air several times. His weak legs did a mixture of pushing and dragging his plump body towards who he had assumed was his mother. He smelled five other bodies that were small like his own, as well as one of those five that was smaller.

At the time he thought nothing of it and struggled toward where he could find food. He felt a large nose pushed into his side and Heracle nearly tipped over. He didn't recognize the body since Mom was in the other direction, letting out a whine of surprise. Did Mom know he was here? Why wasn't she scaring him away? Did Mom need their help? After reaching his destination and kneading her belly with his tiny paws, the pup finally got his wanted food. Remembering the intruder,he turned his head in his direction and let out a yap that wasn't scary whatsoever. After, she cuddled up to the warmth of the surrounding bodies.