[ Old world – the cave, continued ]
Autumn's body twisted violently, another contraction seizing her insides, but her eyes…blinded with tears…were fixed on the little limp, bloodied bundle in Orion's hands.
"No… no, no, no, no… Goddess, please… breathe, little one… breathe! No,my baby! Orion…why isn't she crying…they are supposed to cry after coming out, right? Is she too tired? What's…what's happening?"
Her voice cracked into a scream as she dragged herself forward despite her shaking limbs.
She was shifting back, unable to carry on with her wolf form any longer… but the process was too slow…her strength was depleted… she was one more contraction away from fainting under the pressure of it all.
Her muzzle shoved against Orion's palms, tongue frantically licking the pup's slick fur. She nosed her child desperately, trying to rouse it. "Wake up… please, wake up! My baby… my baby, don't you leave me already…does she need milk? Do I feed her? Orion, tell me…what do I do? "
