The wind whipped at my legs, pulling at the cloak I had wrapped tightly around myself. Zack and Cam huddled close by, trying to block the wind as much as possible from me. The cold air bit into my bare skin and I hissed at each gust. This was torture, even so, my blood burned my veins. The moon was almost at its peak and my wolf was ready to run. The younger wolves were already bouncing around, tackling each other and laughing. Lorrie was nearby, having stated earlier she wouldn’t leave my side all night. I appreciated her, but I saw how she watched the others our age run around. Her wolf wanted to join them, and I was holding her back. I could tell, even if she wanted to watch over me tonight, her wolf had other plans. Pups didn’t worry about the pregnant she wolves, it wasn’t in their nature. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlUhTa3kq2
As we gathered in the clearing next to the lake shore, the excitement only built. Taking fur would help stave off the bitter wind and everyone was eager for some warmth. Nights like these, when we shifted as a pack, my alpha aura was stronger, radiating around me. Most gave me a wide birth, avoiding the aura that I was still learning to control. I didn’t blame them, but it still hurt. Even here, I was an outsider. A bump on my shoulder, Beau had come up beside me and tried to cheer me up. I flashed him a smile, but winced internally. I could see him internally fighting with his natural instincts to give me space. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE4sh6HUly
My gaze fell to the forest floor, watching as another gust picked leaves up. I wouldn’t run tonight, as eager as I was to shift, my wolf would do as she did most full moons. Return to the small den she had created for herself within the roots of a giant fallen tree. We’d rest there, watching the bodies of other wolves race by. Observe, but not participate. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ5vKp3Kxe
Attention was drawn to Mitch as he began to speak, beginning his improvised alpha spiel of giving thanks to the Moon for giving us our wolves. I didn’t pay much attention to it, muscles moving on their own as my wolf restlessly stirred. My stomach cramped, but I pushed the pain aside. That was…new. Probably just my body complaining about shifting when I was so pregnant. I didn’t think much of it, reigning my focus back to Mitch as he finished his prayer to the Moon and initiated the shift. All around me, people began to shift to wolves, bodies contorting with practiced fluidity. It only took mere moments for the people to be wolves. I had followed suit, allowing my careful control to slip and my wolf to take over. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4DNHJmbDA
Her excited joy filled me, my stomach flipping as I shifted. Perspective didn’t change much, my alpha blood making my wolf stand taller than the rest at just under six feet. It was still strange, Cam and Easton usually towered over me, but they stood below now, greeting me with a head bump that I returned. I watched the pack begin to play and run, paw steps thundering through the forest, the braver ones splashing through the cold water. The air was static with excitement, the atmosphere bleeding into me and making me excited. Joy flooded through me, and I took a couple bounding steps towards Zack, who ran around me, enticing me to play. Another cramp stopped me in my tracks, and I couldn’t help but whine. Cam cocked his head, approaching slowly, with the caution of a wolf who knew a female could be temperamental. He sniffed at me, circling me slowly, before whining himself. He looked around, searching for someone, before bounding off a few steps. He stopped, looking back at me, whining again, and racing off. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOp975DY4a
Easton was suddenly by my side, his wolf far friendlier than his person. He watched the others run around, Zack had stopped too and took up the spot on my other side. It was too much, the excitement becoming overwhelming quickly. I began to slink my way to the den that I had taken painstaking time to make. Easton and Zack trailed behind, keeping a respectful distance. Beau was running up, his light paw steps easy to pick up and his energy so uniquely him. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJIfnomyCR
I didn’t stop, didn’t wait for him. I wanted, needed, to get to my den. The aura I usually fought was radiating around me, creating a barrier to keep the playing wolves away from me. Any who dared venture too close earned a growl. Right ahead, deeper into the forest, was the tree I had chosen. An ancient pine that had been uprooted. Among those roots was my nest of soft leaves and moss, hidden by the hanging roots like a curtain. Privacy. I pushed my way inside, the noise of the forest and pack muted here. Moonlight shone in through a hole, landing on me. That’s why I liked it so much, the moon kept her watchful eye on me here. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GpFRnNrfC
The previous cramps turned sharper, my whine high pitched as I curled up in my nest, nose pressed against my belly. It hurt, something was wrong. My ears pinned back and I began to pant. I scented them before I heard them; Mitch, El, and Lorrie. El walked in first, her small brown wolf walking with a practiced grace, circling around my nest to my head and licking my forehead. I whined in response. Lorrie came in next, her pale blonde almost white, peppered with gray. I was more alert with her entrance, and she kept herself by the wall, respectfully keeping her gaze to the ground. I could smell Mitch getting closer, and as the roots rustled, I raised my head and growled. El responded quickly, meeting her mate at the door and nipping at his face to get him to back up. He did, and I lowered my head again. I could smell the boys outside, standing vigil outside my den. That was okay, I didn’t mind them out there. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtevzXlSskW
Another wave of pain radiated through my stomach, a dull ache starting by my pelvis. I whined again, looking towards El with unhidden fear. El looked to Lorrie, their gaze holding a conversation, and Lorrie darted out of the den. A conversation was impossible though, they didn’t have a pack link. All thoughts fled my mind with the pain that washed through me, my wolf completely taking over. I could feel her wrapping herself around my mind, fur as soft as down feathers and bathing me in warmth. She’d take over from here, I just needed to rest. Everything would be fine.
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Dawn was approaching, the sun beginning to rise over the horizon. The sky was bathed in pinks and oranges, a beautiful display despite the chill in the air. Everything hurt, even breathing, but it had been worth it, so very worth it. Two beautiful wolf pups were nestled against my stomach, a boy and a girl. Artemis and Apollo. Artemis was white with gold dusting the top of her head and her back, all the way down to her tail. Apollo was white also, but with gray peppering his head and back, falling farther down his sides. They slept peacefully, and I ran my tongue over them both lovingly. I was exhausted, and lowered my head around them, hiding them from the cold. Their small shivers soon stopped, and I was thankful for my thick fur. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMUKtlLZIJ
El laid on the outside of my nest, her head propped up on the moss. Her chocolate eyes watched me with caution. I could tell she was worried about me. Lorrie had curled herself up into a ball, her nose buried to stay warm. She slept, having been running in and out of my den most of the night, doing whatever El managed to tell her. Both of them had been there for me, and I was grateful. I wasn’t sure if I would have been able to do that on my own. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi2RAM9AYI
Dawn came quickly, I was dozing in and out of sleep, trying to stay awake to watch over my pups. As the moon vanished from the sky, scents changed. Outside, the thick scent of wolf became muted as the boys shifted back to being people. Their quiet murmurs were easy enough for a wolf to pick up.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU83TARyrMh
“I hope everything went okay.” Zack mumbled.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyaGofpylm
“We should check on them.” Beau said. He took a step towards the den and I felt my lips raise, ready to growl.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVQq8zS2NZ
“No, let them rest. It was a long night.” Mitch stated.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdapn2VCRn
“Have you ever heard of someone having their pups in wolf form?” Cam asked. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HntaNVSjX
“No, I haven’t.” Mitch admitted.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnZybZqWzB
“What if they’re stuck as wolves until they’re eighteen?” Easton now. I was surprised he had stayed around. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gc09iTgBp
“I don’t think the moon would do that. We’ll have to see though. As we’ve found out, she’s a lot different than anyone we’ve ever met.” Mitch would explain with a sigh.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRPpELU1P6
El sighed beside me, and stood up. She approached, giving my head another lick, before walking out of the den. The voices went silent as her small wolf appeared. Her scent muted as well as she shifted.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG0SheKaSh
“Thank goodness she’s awake, or else you’d have a very angry she-wolf on your hands.” She chided her boys. “Can you talk any louder?” 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFXNCEZ9MZ
“Sorry Ma, we were trying to be quiet.” Zack would apologize, and I could see in my mind how he rubbed the back of his neck. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzyk0aGzH9
“Yes, well, you didn’t succeed. I’m going to see if Cheyanne is well enough to walk, and we’ll head home. I need you boys to go ahead and get the spare blankets and set them up on her bed. Make it a nest, with the edges scrunched so the pups can’t roll off. I’ll wake Lorrie and send her home.” El would instruct. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDljvKJANhD
Footsteps receded and scents faded as Beau, Cam and Zack went ahead. Mitch and Easton remained, but as long as they didn’t try to enter my den, I was fine with that. El’s petite form soon came crawling into the den, looking very undignified compared to her usual grace. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORY2hVTPJO
“How are you feeling?” She’d whisper to me, her hand reaching out to pet my head like a dog. I didn’t mind it, it was a loving gesture. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JJ7KDJBf9
I licked her hand, conveying I was okay. Her smile was sweet, and she leaned back on her heels, her hand softly running over Lorrie’s head to wake her. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1U2QTvyHP
“Lorrie sweetie, it's time to wake up and head home.” El’s gentle voice and touch roused Lorrie, who’s eyes squinted open. Her maw opened wide in a yawn as she lifted her head. “Head on home dear. Cheyanne and I have it from here.” 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m75NdkPHS
Lorrie slowly stood, stretching her body out before giving a nod my way and walking out of the den. I heard the shuffle of feet as Mitch and Easton moved out of the way. Lorrie’s scent soon faded as well, leaving me and El in the den, along with my pups. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT1kKSf0wP
“Now, let’s get you home so you can rest in the warmth. Would you like me to take one?” She offered, yet made no move to grab one of them. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon5qc3COZY
I appreciated her respect for my space, and slowly moved my head to reveal my twins. I nuzzled both of them, the paranoia of being a new mother driving me to make sure they were both still breathing. They were, thank the Moon, and I slowly picked Apollo up in my maw. His squeaks of distress were adorable, and it only made me want to curl around him again. My perfect boy, so sweet and innocent. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL9bxlqXPs
I stretched my head over towards El, and she held her hands out. Carefully, I placed Apollo in her hands. Immediately, she pulled him close to her body, cradling him and giving him warmth with her body heat. Artemis was moving against me, looking for the warmth of her twin. I picked her up next, careful to not drop her as I stood up. El led the way out and I followed, daylight now illuminating the forest around us. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpTY3Eeq4r
Mitch and Easton both stepped back to give me space, but I could see the curiosity in their eyes as they tried to peer at the pup in my mouth, and the one in El’s arms. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZbrwi0p4N
“In due time. She’ll let you meet them when she’s ready.” El chided, gentler this time. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB5zwVsAwA
Slowly, I began to make my way back to the house, looking back often to make sure El was close by. It made me anxious not having both with me, but I knew I couldn’t logically carry both safely. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hxe8LPXwq
As the house came into view, I saw the mini crowd gathered. Beau, Cam, Zack, and Mari all stood outside, watching the treeline for our arrival. Mari’s face lit up as her eyes landed on me. She loved seeing the wolves, and my alpha size always had her excitement overflow. She ran towards use before Beau could catch her, and she stopped as she got near. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOpZNLcFR8
“Beau told me.” She whispered, walking beside me as I wearily made my way towards the house. “I put some of my toys in your room for them.” Her smile was beaming, and I nuzzled my head against her for a moment. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzZKUZ5Dna
She led the way proudly into the house, the boys giving me room. She opened the door to my room for me, and relief washed through me. It was warm here, and the soft bed was waiting. At least three blankets along with the one on my bed, had been set up, two twisted and bent to form a nest, the other two in the middle to make a soft nest. I jumped onto the bed, circling the nest three times before laying down and settling Artemis against my stomach again. El followed, placing Apollo gently by my side. Her eyes shined with pride as she gazed down at me and my pups, before walking to the window and drawing the curtains closed for me.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsS3grH9PM
“Get some rest hun, I’ll make you some food.” She promised,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIG2iObNAu
Mari hovered at the doorway, eyes lit with wonder and curiosity. Her soft chocolate eyes met with mine and I nodded my head. She approached slowly, like she would a wounded animal, and looked into the nest.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLHl1VJYBb
“They’re so cute.” She’d whisper, watching the pair with a smile on her face. She reached into the little nest, pulling forward a rabbit and a bird toy. “Here, so they can snuggle with them. I like sleeping with them, so they will too.” She stated, her logic completely sound in her mind. I gave her hand a small lick, which only made her smile wider.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i1Q8uzQkF
“Mari, let Cheyanne rest. Come help me make breakfast.” El called softly from the hall.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDqOLkbukB
Mari hesitated, looking like she was going to deny her mother for the first time, before relenting. “Okay Mama.” She’d call back. Before she walked away, she waved her hand at the pups. “Bye bye, I’ll see you later.” 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCtrWxyvOG
Mari scampered out of the room, leaving me and my pups alone. The door had been left open, which was slightly annoying, but I was too exhausted to get up and close it. My limbs and eyes felt heavy and I let my head lower onto the blankets. I was hungry, but sleep was calling to me. The food would be there when I woke up.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYq1JqnKbK
Easton’s scent wafted into the room. I opened one eye to see the door closing, and I let out a sigh. That was oddly nice of him. I didn’t think much of it though as sleep overtook me.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSbK1YxXHA
