Karitania & Nero

Oh how she hated the late stages of pregnancy. It was a time of pressure, of fatigue, of boredom. Karitania's belly was fit to burst, much like it had been last time she had been pregnant, so she could only guess that she was having another large litter. Her walk, even though it still held a strange power, was slightly ungainly, and more of a waddle. Her temper was frayed; she wanted them out of her already, she was tired of carrying them around, having them weigh her down and make her almost useless. The birth would be soon, she knew, but until then she was stuck.

She huffed angrily, ceasing her waddle and flopping under a thicket of trees, a low growl in the back of her throat. Nero was beside her in seconds. He was the largest of her last litter, and her strongest child. He was a dark, brooding creature, who was vicious, made even more dangerous by his unpredictability. Karitania, however, was one who knew him. He lay beside her, as he had when he was a pup himself, his head near her belly, but his eyes fixated on the horizon. If anyone was planning on taking the sluggish female unaware, there would be hell to pay.

Diseased

He moved slowly, the large black and white male. He had been patrolling, and something wasn't right. Saydin was gone, Framed was gone, the filly was gone... where was everyone? But then a familiar scent came across his nares, and he came forth to find his mate and son. He gave a little smirk to his lady's guardian. If anything ever happened to him, he knew at least that Nero was there to watch out for Karitania. He nuzzled his mate gently and whispered softly in her ear It will be over soon, my sweet. Then you will be back to yourself, ready for anything once more. He lay down now, close beside her to snuggle. Keep her warm, keep her comfortable.

Karitania & Nero

Karitania had noticed the absences of Saydin and Framed, and especially the disappearance of Surrender, the filly whom she had corrupted. Surrender had become her prodigy, her child, in a way. Karitania had taken her under her wing, in a twisted way, and was very much aware that she hadn't been around lately. Saydin hadn't been around either, which Karitania put down to possible pup matters. Maybe her friend had just gone away to birth her pups privately?

Nero was quick to pick up the approach of another, and was on his paws in seconds, but was equally quick to sense his father, so relaxed. He sat beside his parents, but had moved away just a little to give them a bit of privacy.

Karitania smiled warmly at her mate's approach, returning his nuzzle. When he lay beside her, she rolled onto her side, leaning against him for warmth, protection and comfort. "I hope so. It's all your fault I'm like this, Diseased." It was clear from the smile on her muzzle, and the jovial tone of her voice that she was joking, and her amber eyes slid shut as she relaxed.

For about a second.

A sudden pain shot through her abdomen, causing a startled yelp to escape from her throat. Her eyes snapped open and she moved to sit up sharply. Nero was on his paws, eyes wide as he watched his mother. "It's okay, it's just the pups. They'll be here soon." She soothed, relaxing once more, but well aware the birth was approaching. Still, she had a few more moments before she had to leave, and she would use them to put her mind at rest so she could fully concentrate on the birth.

"Do you know where anyone had gone? I haven't seen Saydin, Framed or Surrender for a while now, and I'm worried about them."

Diseased

His entire body had tensed when she yelped, but he relaxed once more and rested his head gently on top of hers. Saydin had said something about returning Surrender back home. Maybe she thought your job was done. But there had been something odd going on with Saydin. He had seen the black wolfess pacing, to and fro, to and fro at night, all night, as though she were waiting for something. Something he wasn't sure he wanted to see. If anything caused Saydin to be unrestful, he knew that it could only be something bad. I don't know where Framed went. That was another thing that worried him. Framed was Saydin's baby, her child from hell. If both were missing, they were either on a mission or something had happened to them. Saydin wouldn't just leave. Would she? Maybe this was a test. See how long the pack could make it without her. Or maybe Karitania was right, and she was just having her pups. Diseased hoped that was it, because with as many enemies as Saydin was making, he didn't want to be caught unaware if someone was out to attack.

Karitania & Nero

"Maybe," she mused. Surrender had been successfully brainwashed, but was it too soon to return her? She wasn't sure, but she would trust Saydin's decision. Still, Framed's disappearance was also worrying, for it was rare she would leave Saydin's side. She was thinking the same thing as her mate: was they on a mission, or had something happened to them? She wasn't sure. If Saydin was testing them, then she thought they were doing okay. They hadn't been attacked, and Diseased had been patrolling, so they weren't currently threatened. Herself and her mate were currently in charge then, with Saydin away and no sign of Kahvi, but she was in no state to lead right now.

Another ripple struck, making her wince, but she didn't cry out like she had before. She was expecting it now, waiting for the moment where they became frequent, which would signal she had to go to birth her pups. "The pups will be here soon," she told Diseased, slowly standing, "I'll be back shortly." She was obviously leaving to give birth, so an explanation wasn't needed.

Nero watched his mother leave, then turned to his father. "Maybe we should go and find them? It is strange for them both to leave for this length of time."

Diseased

His eyes drifted now to his son. We should go looking for them. He murmured softly, but the thought of leaving Karitania alone was enough to worry him. You and Alibi go in search of them. One of you look for Framed, the other find Saydin. I don't care who finds who. Just leave no where unsearched. If one of our enemies has them... He paused. Then what? Leave Saydin to die? Diseased hated to say that, but at this point, it was nearly what his little sister deserved. But Framed? Her mind was twisted, yes, but there was a possibilty that she could still be saved. Just... Find them. If there are any problems, come straight back here.