DotW: The Miracle Of Life

The spring air was crisp and comfortable this morning; any wolf would be content in this weather. Unfortunately, Aethelynda was anything but. She had just finished another queasy morning patrol, her stomach in knots and the threat of up-chucking pressing against her throat. This odd sickness had been going on for about a couple weeks now and she thought it was time to go and see Jaci about it. A frown traced her lips as she trotted quickly through the undergrowth. If it hadn't been for the churning of her belly, she might have enjoyed the weather, but right now, the sound of the chirping birds and the pollen in the air that tickled her nose only annoyed her.

As Lyn ducked under a mossy tree branch, Jaci's den came into view and her pace quickened. She could see the light pelted shewolf laying just outside of it, her shallow eyes staring at nothing, and yet everything at the same time. Lyn let out a light wuff in greeting, always making sure to not scare the blind female. "Hello, Jaci." Lyn said with a friendly wag of her tail when she finally reached the Sister. Her voice was strained but she gave a smile, even though Jaci could not see it.

---


Spring warmed the air. The snow piles had finally melted away and the days were getting longer every week as summer crept up on the lands. Chandor had been in good health even in the harsh winter. Though she was very stressed at the time, especially since her student Tamarack decided to leave Chandor, Jaci had grown to accept that fact that she was Chandor’s only healer and it would remain that way until someone took an interest to herbs and chose her profession. Though, Tama had been extremely skilled with herbs, Jaci was sure she was busy being a healer for another pack. It was disappointing really. Jaci was growing older every day and she thought that Tama would take care of Chandor after she left. She was a blind wolf after all, if something were to happen to her; who would teach the new Sister about herbs and how to take care of the pack?
Jaci pushed the thought away as she nudged some feverfew back into a little pile. Jaci’s den was pretty well kept considering she was blind. She had most of her herbs she had been collecting since spring arrived in organized piles that she remembered by scent.

The pale she-wolf let out a long sigh. Things had been very slow since spring began. During the winter, Jaci had found Sloan, a loner who was very injured in the forest. She had met him before but now he was in a near fatal position. He was too injured to hunt for himself so Jaci was giving him parts of her rations, sometimes all of her rations to keep him alive during the harsh cold winter month or two he was in Chandor territory. Of course Jaci didn’t let anyone know she was aiding a wolf outside of Chandor, she would have been scolded, probably told to let him die, but being a healer she had the hardest time letting anyone injured go overlooked. Right before spring arrived, Sloan was walking and hunting for himself again and the two wolves said their farewells. At the time as the two wolves walked in opposite directions, Jaci could only pray that maybe… maybe he would turn around.
The blind she-wolf grumbled angrily at herself. She didn’t have time for that nonsense. Sloan was a loner; she was a Sister of Chandor! Her pack needed her, not some mooning idiot.
After Sloan disappeared from her life, Jaci’s adoptive daughter went missing… most of the pack assumed she died and no one found her body. The blind wolf mourned but her role as a Sister was more important than her own feelings.

The sound of moving paws caused Jaci’s ears to flick back. Someone was approaching her den. From the scent it was someone familiar so she didn’t bother turning her head. A small wuff left Lyn to warn Jaci that she was entering the den. Though Jaci appreciated the warning, she knew that her Alpha was approaching just by the sound of her walking. The Sister turned and faced her Alpha. A smile crept on her jaw, though it was a reaction to smile when happy, Jaci wondered why she bothered since it wasn’t like she knew what other smiles looked like.
”Aethelynda, what a pleasure. What brings you to my den?” Jaci asked as she got up and gave her alpha a few licks of respect sniffing her as she did. Was that the scent of milk? No, couldn’t be. It was so faint Jaci was sure it was just her imagination.

---


Lyn was grateful for the friendly greeting, returning the licks and sniffs before she settled herself down on a soft spot inside the den. Her belly had plumped and she blamed it on the influx of prey swarming the territory since the warmth of spring arrived, but there was an odd feeling to it that she couldn't put her claw on. It made her stomach churn even more than it already was. She had to breath for a few moments to get rid of the nauseous feeling.

"I, uhm." She started, turning her gaze back to Jaci. "I came by to ask for your medicinal advice." Lyn didn't like asking for help from anyone; since becoming an alpha she felt strongly that the responsibility was solely hers, but as she's grown, she's learned to lean on those who care about her. It still wasn't easy though!

---


After the greeting, Jaci listened to Lyn diligently. She sounded almost worried to be honest. The blind she-wolf could hear the hesitation in the Alpha female’s voice as she spoke. Even when the great Chandor Alpha allowed Jaci to join their ranks, she was always so independent. She was reluctant to take a mate until she met Rowan let alone let other help her. She was more of the dependable type. Aethelynda liked to be depended on, not dependent on someone else. It was an admirable curse. It made the Alpha a bit headstrong, unwilling and hesitant, but when the time was right Lyn was able to open up a bit. Like a beautiful late blooming orchid.

Jaci’s smile faded into a neutral stare. Medical advice hm? What could Lyn need? Perhaps she was sick?
Jaci nodded, ”Are you not feeling well Lyn?” The blind shaman asked. The blind she-wolf really liked her alpha. Respected her and was devoted to her beyond belief. Lyn had welcomed the disabled she-wolf with open arms. Allowing her into the ranks of Chandor and gave her a purpose, a reason to exist. Lyn was her Alpha, her savior, her friend, her sister, her leader, and Jaci was loyal to her through and through. For her alpha to be sick gave her great worry. She stood and began to sniff about, but it was apparent that whatever Lyn was feeling was deep inside her, Jaci would have to have a closer look to diagnose her. ”May I?” Jaci asked as she approached, wondering if her alpha would mind her sniffing her about to get a good whiff of whatever she was ‘sick’ with.

---


Lyn nodded as Jaci asked her question. "Yeah, I think I might be catching something.." She shifted uncomfortably, feeling the churning in her stomach once more. She nodded in response to Jaci's next question, giving her the go ahead to inspect her closer. She trusted Jaci's judgement and she knew that healers sometimes had to get awkwardly close to find the problem, so she was prepared. Lyn was just worried that she might throw up on her!

As the blind Sister leaned in closer to examine her, Lyn tried her best to relax and tell her the symptoms. "I've felt queasy all the time, especially after every meal. Sometimes so much so that I end up puking it all up." Lyn chuckled nervously. "Tired a lot too, even though I've been sleeping quite a bit more than usual. Do you know what it could be?" What Lyn really wanted to ask was should I be afraid? She had never been this badly sick before and it scared her to think of how serious it could be.

---


Despite not being able to see Lyn’s nod, the sound of shifting fur let the she-wolf know that her Alpha was giving her permission to inspect her. The blind wolf pressed her nose to Lyn’s chest. She could hear her alpha’s heart. It beat strong and in a rhythm like fluttering bird wings. Jaci couldn’t smell any infection in the lungs so she moved on. Jaci made her way to Lyn’s ears, sniffing them deeply. The scent was clear, no ear infection. Those were known to give you bad headaches, and some of the other symptoms Lyn was getting. The blind she-wolf moved to Lyn’s belly. If she was having so many problems with nausea perhaps it was her digestive track. Jaci pressed her nose to Lyn’s belly. She was surprised to see how swollen it was. Was something ruptured? Perhaps Lyn ate something bad? Jaci breathed in and out for a while. Another hint of milk, just the slightest whiff. How strange.
The blind she-wolf then turned her head and pressed her ear to Lyn’s belly. The stomach sounded like it was swirling in turmoil when Jaci heard the faint noise. Was that… movement?

Jaci jolted back. Was Aethelynda pregnant?! Jaci hadn’t helped deliver pups in Chandor before. Though she had experience in the field, she was a tad rusty about it. She had faith that she could do it again despite the time that had passed.
Jaci smiled a bit and pulled away. This wasn’t unnatural. Alpha’s take mates and what do you do with a mate? You reproduce. You bring life to your pack, it’s only natural. Jaci turned her head to her herb storage before asking her next question. ”Ah, um pardon me asking but have you and Rowan- ya know… mated yet?” Jaci prodded. The symptoms, the swollen belly, the sound of movement in her belly, all red flags for being pregnant.

---


Lyn waited patiently for Jaci to inspect her, thoroughly going over every inch of her to deduce what the problems could be. She was always very impressed by healers and their abilities to figure out what to do and how to do it, which was why she was so patient and understanding when visiting one of them. When Jaci pressed her nose to her belly, Lyn could feel that churning again, that odd sensation of her stomach flipping and she had to swallow hard to keep from up-chucking. She squeezed her eyes shut, but they popped open when she noticed Jaci's sudden jolted movements. Lyn wanted to ask what it was that surprised her, but she kept her mouth shut, afraid that maybe it was bad.

However, as Jaci turned away toward her storage of herbs and asked her question, now it was time for Lyn to be surprised. No one had asked about that yet, but she had seen some of the other females give her funny smiles that made her ears burn and her cheeks flush. She shifted again, letting her ears fall back. Jaci couldn't see them, but no doubt she knew that this topic made Lyn a little uncomfortable. "Well, we..." She started, but her voice cracked and she cleared her throat before continuing. "Yes. Does that...have to do with my illness?"

---


Almost immediately began to burst into laughter. Oh this was fantastic! Chandor pups on their way! The Alpha’s pups might she add! Jaci cleared her throat and weakly spoke. ”Lyn I’m not sure how to tell you this but you aren't sick. You're pregnant.” Jaci smiled. She turned to her herbs. Oh what news! This was excellent! Spring was here, the food was plentiful and Lyn was a strong big she-wolf; her pregnancy would be a synch as long as Jaci was there to help with any complications. When the blind healer was younger, she helped deliver several litters of pups from her previous pack. Back then, Jaci’s teacher had taught her the proper way to deliver the pups and how to help the mother during the pregnancy. Jaci wasted no time in explaining what Lyn would now have to do.
”You will need to visit me every few days and if you are feeling strange at all. When you’re a few weeks from your pregnancy I will start giving you herbs to better your sleep and probably be visiting you daily. Will Rowan be able to lead the pack himself for a while? Once you have your pups, you will be very busy with them.” Jaci pushed. She figured Lyn and Rowan had been trying for pups, after all it made sense that a she-wolf alpha would want to pass her genes onto into her own pack.

---


Lyn was perplexed at Jaci's sudden burst of laughter. Her ears drooped and she opened her mouth to ask what was the matter, but before she could, Jaci had begun speaking again. What she said left Lyn dumbstruck. She was pregnant!? Her mouth hung agape and she stared wide-eyed at the blind sister, just taking in what she had said. She couldn't quite get passed it. "P-Pregnant?" She croaked out after several quiet minutes, mostly to herself. She didn't even seem to hear Jaci's instructions as she blinked, trying to come back to reality.

After her mind began to clear and the initial shock was fading, Lyn was beginning to finally grasp the situation. Yes, the symptoms were there. She had never been around any pregnant females, but she vaguely remembered hearing about it when she was younger. She and Rowan had been planning for pups, but once she began to feel ill they had taken a break. Now it made sense. Lyn was a fertile Myrtle.

---


”Yes! Pregnant!” Jaci exclaimed. She could feel the shock waving off the alpha like rays of sunlight in summer. “You are Chandor’s creator; the mother of this pack Aethelynda, and now you will be a mother to a litter of pups.” The blind she-wolf tried to encourage her alpha. After all, Chandor did not get pups often, in fact she wasn’t sure there was a single real litter of pups ever born in Chandor that she was aware of. Now was Lyn’s chance to keep the pack’s blood flowing strong. After all to Jaci, Lyn was one of the greatest wolves she had ever met. Her children would surely follow in her path to greatness probably becoming the next alpha’s of Chandor or their own packs one day. Jaci smiled softly, ”You seem rather shocked. It’s quite rare to become pregnant on your first try, but it’s a sign that your body is very ready for this.” The creamy she-wolf nudged some herbs back into place.
”Do not fret Lyn, I have the utmost faith in you and the pups you will bear.” Jaci wasn’t sure her words would give comfort but they are similar to the words her mentor would give to shocked she-wolfs who came into her den only to find they were also pregnant.

---


Lyn half listened to Jaci's reassurance. She was glad for it, but at the moment, she was still processing. All of the possible emotions were swirling inside of her at once; happiness, sadness, surprise, anxiety, fear- she felt like she was going to burst! Her eyes stung, bringing her out of her daze as she realized that she was beginning to tear up. She had never experienced anything like this- this pure, unadulterated joy that filed her to the core and spilled over the brim, bringing a smile to her face. She was pregnant, she was carrying life inside of her! It seemed so impossible and yet there she was, bearing tiny helpless versions of herself and Rowan.

Rowan! She needed to tell Rowan! Immediately, Lyn shot up, almost forgetting about Jaci's presence until she saw her from the corner of her eye, just as she was about to turn to exit the den. She stopped short and awkwardly turned to the Sister, the smile still brimming from ear to ear. "I have to go tell Rowan!" She declared; you could practically hear the smile in her voice. "Thank you so much, Jaci!" Lyn leaned in and wrapped her neck around Jaci's for a quick hug before she zipped out. She ran as fast as she could- but not too fast, she was pregnant after all -in the direction of Rowan's scent.