"Right away, angel."
19
Red
"Um... Hey, guys?"Sage called hesitantly. "What's wrong with Red?"
I heard his voice like the buzz of a fly. From inside the den, I glared at them in my fox form, hoping my glowing eyes would be enough to make them go away.
"Huh. Does he always look that... angry?" Nero asked. He tilted his head, curious to get a better look.
Get any closer and I might turn you into sushi,I thought.
"Uh, I don't recommend doing that," Remington said, ushering his mate away from the mouth of the den. At least one of them had a brain.
Sage suddenly gasped in horror. "Do you think he has rabies? Should we take him to the hospital?"
"For the love of..." Remington pinched the bridge of his nose, seeming as irritated with Sage's remarks as I was. "He doesnothave rabies. He's probably being snappy 'cause he's close to birthing. Look how far into the den he is."
"Oh." Sage's face fell, then he frowned in confusion. "Butwealways let the pack in while we gave birth."
"Just because we did that doesn't make it a universal experience," Remington muttered. "Besides, he's a fox shifter, not a wolf. They're solitary animals, for the most part. I bet Red doesn't want nosy ass wolves like you bothering him while he's trying to have a baby. You and I know that's painful enough as it is without every member of the family trying to watch."
I silently praised the gods for sending me a friend in Remington. His explanation got through to Sage, who nodded.
"Oh. Then I guess we'll see you after, Red?" Sage called.
I didn't respond except to glare at him.
"Er... Okay. Well, good luck!"
Sage and Nero shuffled away, which made me sigh in relief. Their presence at the mouth of the den was making me claustrophobic. Not the way I wanted to feel when the contractions had already set in.
Remington was the last to leave, although his presence didn't irritate me as badly. "I'll leave you alone now, Red. But do you want me to tell Orpheus you're in labor?"
Yes.
I wanted to be alone, but I needed my mate more.
I couldn't find the voice to speak so I let out a low growl. Thankfully Remington got the message. He nodded, then ran off to find Orpheus.
A ripple ran through my pelt as I shivered. Another contraction. I curled my body tighter, my tail draped over my nose, almost a perfectly shaped ball of fur. It helped ease the wave of pain.
I growled as the pain passed, then breathed as I waited in dread for the next one. Yep, it was definitely a mammal baby. Why couldn't it have been a damn egg?
I glanced over at my only company in the den--Orpheus's stupid bag of utensils. For whatever reason, as I started nesting, the urge to keep them nearby possessed me. Did ravens build their nests with this crap or something? It didn't even make sense. I was a fox, not a raven. Or maybe I just craved a piece of Orpheus with me at all times.
In any case, the bag also functioned as a pillow, though an uncomfortable one. Not that labor was comfortable in the first place.
The light coming in from the mouth of the den disappeared, turning everything dark. My hackles rose, ready to snap at the intruder when I saw black iridescent feathers.
"Red?" Orpheus called. His voice was rough with his raven's tone. "Remington told me what's happening. I'm here."
I let out a soft whine in response. It was hard to talk.
Orpheus cocked his head. "I'd love to come sit with you and stroke your fur, but, er, this is the only way I can fit in the den. You dug this out yourself?"
I nodded. The urge took over me two days ago. None of the abandoned dens around the territory were good enough so I took things into my own paws. I zoned out, digging for hours on end, ignoring any interruptions. I'd barely even spoken to Orpheus. I would've felt guilty about it, but I knew he understood.
