Jaxxon

She was starting to get irritated with being pregnant. She simply wanted it to be over at this point, with the discomfort growing. The puppies moved a lot now, and kicked at her every which way. She knew there were multiples, and could not help but wonder how many were in there. By her guess, it was three or four.

Azalea lay in the den that Jaxxon had gifted her, among the furs. She had her stash of herbs nearby, and she could not help but think of Setemhotep and the open offer to go to Satriya. The threat of Jaxxon’s brother coming back loomed in her head, and it wasn’t like she had a lot to think about or do right now. Was this really the safe place to be?

Generally, Azalea was rather care free, but this issue really…burned into her mind. She never thought herself as a mother or particularly caring, but already she felt a fierce protective instinct over them and they are not even born yet. Azalea grunted as she groomed her front paws. What the hell had she gotten herself into? It was probably only a few suns before the pups would be here…and Jaxxon seemed rather busy.

Her fur stands on edge. It is that feeling one gets when one knows that they are no longer alone. Her ears hear something in the distance, and currently, Azalea trusts no one here other than perhaps Jaxxon. She stops mid-groom, paw next to her mouth as she freezes to listen closely, muscles at the ready to defend herself. Her lips pull back some in a threatening smile as someone comes to the mouth of the den.

Her poison green eyes focus in as something drops at their feet, and it is none other than Jaxxon. Her paws lowers, and her body relaxes, with the threat in her smile fading away to a normal smile. His scent comes to her then, and the smell of those berries touches her nostrils. Ugh. Well, at least he is here.

”Ah, Jaxxon, come in, lay next to me,” she said slyly, patting the spot next to her with a single blood red paw. Her tail lightly taps on the ground behind her against the soft furs. It sure was comfortable here, at least she had that. However, she knew this place had many eyes and ears, and she wanted that privacy. ”Did you come alone?” she asked sweetly, tilting her head as she awaited his approach.

He appeared happy to come in, and laid a respectful distance from her. Close, but not too close. That worked for her. They were not mates or anything of the like, and without the touch of heat, Azalea was not as prone to such closeness. She looks down at the new pelt and continues to grin, pulling it close to her and laying her paws upon it. A nice little gift.

”Very respectful of you, Jaxxon. I appreciate that,” she said nicely with a nod, looking into his honey touched eyes. ”The little ones will like it I think…never had little ones before so I can’t say for sure,” she admitted, knowing this was her first and probably only litter. She never intended to have any, but she was surprised how strong instinct was. It almost pissed her off, knowing parts of her controlled her and SHE didn’t control IT.

Her face shifted to something serious, and Azalea had a naturally deadly look to her when her face was resting, let alone serious. Her own voice matched his whisper, and her poison eyes narrowed, not leaving his for a second. ”Tell me Jaxxon, am I the only one, or are the other pregnant ones yours too? Don’t worry, dear, I care not, I wish only to know who shares blood so that they do not…mingle in unsavory ways, you understand? Since no one will know who the father of these are,” she whispered with a pause, hoping he understood what she meant. There is much difficulty in raising puppies, let alone ensuring they don’t breed with their unknown siblings in the future.

She tilted her head some. It appears he has done this before, which is a good thing. Azalea nods in response, and knew to keep their particular fur close for when the little ones are next to her belly after birth.

She is intense with her listening, and it was obvious that she hung onto every word. There are two others, and she considered this fact. How many puppies could this be for her to keep an eye on? She wouldn’t be able to tell her own children the truth because of this brother threat. She wonder though…”Are you claiming them as yours publicly? I know these will not be, but…you spoke of your brother…” she mentioned, blinking a few times slowly.

”Will the others be threatened if your brother comes back as well?” she asked, not totally sure what the deal was with his brother. She knew he had disappeared, and knew from a prior comment that his brother would kill the puppies if he came back and thought they were Jaxxon’s. Azalea’s solution was that they were not his, and no one could prove otherwise…especially since she was not a wolf of the pack when it happened. But the others? Really, she was just trying to piece together how everything would go down if the brother came back…and who may be friend or who may be foe.

”You do not want to be absent, and yet, being present brings them the risk of DEATH if your brother comes back?” she states, still in a whisper but perhaps a bit louder than before. There is a bit of sting to her voice at the end, obviously questioning the true safety of their children. ”Would you fight your brother to the death for your children?” she asked harshly…partly asking the question to herself. Would she fight Amaryllis if she came back and was jealous of her children, deciding to kill them? She knew that Amaryllis would never…but what if she did try? Could she bring herself to kill her sister…her own self over her children? She…she didn’t know the answer. But she wanted to know his answer, she wanted to see his reaction. She had to know as much as she could.

She listens carefully, and it appears his brother would show no mercy to anyone in this situation. Could his brother handle three angry mothers at once? Azalea is not even sure if she would stick around to find out. Yet he mentions Nyra, a woman of great stature and strength from what Azalea could tell, and it appears she would not allow it. It appears he would not deny being the father of the other pups…but for Azalea…

”You may not deny the others, but you best deny these. Not like they are going to inherit your land, title, or any of that pack nonsense anyway. Claiming mine brings them nothing be threat, and I will not tolerate it unless the threat goes away,” she said firmly, though a bit softer than her before questions.

In regards to his brother though, her eyes still did not leave his even though he averted his gaze. Azalea was relentless, her stare and form firm and confident. She felt for him, she did. Dare she admit it though? Part of her felt he was pathetic for not standing up to his brother if need be, and then again, being a twin herself…her face softens a bit…but just a bit.

”At least you tell the truth. You claim to want to protect them, but would not protect them from their greatest threat. My father would have DESTROYED anyone who dare threaten me and my sister. Anyone. Without hesitation. Without a second thought. My father MADE us who we are, and that is why I want to stay for them to know you but…” she dug in a bit, wanting to make sure HE understood the gravity of the situation.

”If your brother comes back, or there is a whiff of him coming back, I WILL leave. I have other options, and their protection is paramount. I do not have Nyra’s word that they will be protected against your brother, and could she bring them back to life if he killed them in the cover of darkness? I think not. If he returns, a friend has offered their protection. I will go to them if need be. I do not want this, but I will do what I must to protect them, you understand? I am giving them a chance to know you, but I will take them to safety first,” she said, leaning in a bit more close, her intense eyes still never leaving for a second. Her fur was pricked a bit, and she had a wild protective instinct showing in her face. Normally, she could be a bit more sly, a bit more gentle when needed…but her instinct was overriding her. Her words were harsher in her lecture than she would normally present them… god damn she hates these hormones. At least he knows exactly where she stands.