Chapter 3: Brood

His mate, Noor, was curled on the bedding, content and without knowledge that Victor stood above her. Her body was large with another cub. This was to be their fourth cub. His other cubs were coming along well. Amelia, head strong as ever, became the leader and guide for her younger sisters, Sonia and Inu. Victor couldn't have asked for a better daughter than Amelia. One that was independent and ready for whatever was thrown at her by the world even if she was just five years old.

He and Noor had done a fine job raising their three cubs. Their three little devils.

A clawed finger reached out attentively and stroked her smooth dusky cheek. When she sighed pleasingly, a low rumble started in Victor's chest. He stripped himself of his thick black coat, throwing it aside, along with everything else. He curled around Noor and nuzzled the back of her neck. He had been gone too long this time, but with good reason.

He wouldn't have to leave his girls anytime soon. He could be with his mate longer than he was when the other cubs were new-borns. When Inu, his youngest at two years, was four months old he had taken on a job in Europe for five months; he had rushed home instinctually. Fortunately, he was in time to brutally butcher a young feral that had the audacity to encroach on his territory. It was a particular danger as Noor had taken ill to a sickness which left her shivering with cold even in searing temperatures, and then suddenly sweating buckets leaving her greatly exhausted for weeks. Then there were the pains that wracked her neck and shoulders. Almost like she was suffering from the sweating sickness…

Inu's birth had taken a toll on Noor, more than either of them suspected, leaving her weaker than usual and over taxed her healing ability. Inu was as lively as the day she was born. Amelia's quick thinking had saved them all. Even deep in the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies, Victor did not feel safe to leave his mate and cubs alone for too long anymore since then. This time would be different. He would stay for a year at least.

Another content sigh escaped his mate's lips when she settled against his chest. He held her closer and curled further around her. He pulled her closer. His body dwarfed hers but he liked it that way. He could shield her with his body if needed. A deep rumble rippled through his chest as he started up a soothing purr. He nuzzled her neck and nipped lightly, licking every bite he left. This time would be different. The pregnancy had no complications this time. Noor was larger, but they assumed that was because her body stored all her food as extra fat due to her sever morning sickness. It was not usually this bad, but it was not a concern either.

He heard the door to the master bedroom groan when it was jarred open. Creed muttered darkly and sniffed the air. Sonia.

He turned to catch her shocking blue eyes which glowed against her coffee skin. "Papa, light." She pouted and pointed to the hallway in the direction of the living room. Creed cursed himself mentally.

"I know, Sonia. Papa's sorry. Go to bed, I'll turn it off."

None of their cubs had shown any signs of mutation, but neither parent cared. They loved their cubs regardless of mutation or not. Some of them showed potential of mutation but they would tackle that when they got there. Sonia, in particular, was very sensitive to light. The barest hint of it would alert her immediately. One reason why Victor was relieved to live in the middle of nowhere, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Sonia hesitated, playing with a inky curl on her forehead, but left padding away when Victor encouraged her a little more. He slipped out of bed, pulled on some shorts and ensured to close every single light source. He even tucked Sonia back in, pulled the covers back on Inu who was spread eagle on her bed and patted Amelia's head before he trudged back into bed.

When he rolled over, cobalt collided with gold. The mates regarded each other tenderly for a long moment before Victor leaned forward and nudged his forehead to hers. He didn't know when it happened, but Noor had become more coordinated and mindful of herself in the environment; she still had her moments of clumsiness, but she was much better now. It didn't matter, he still loved her. Not that he would ever admit that out loud. Noor pushed right back and nipped at his lips. His hand tangled in her hair and pulled her further in his embrace. He purred when she giggled as his mutton chops tickled her neck.

His hand slid from her hand to her belly, his claws completely missing and stroked soothingly. He growled low and admired her swollen body.

"No wonder he started kicking so much. He knew papa was back." Noor stated softly.

Victor held her head to his chest, and continued to lovingly rub her belly, "It might be another girl, mate. You don't know if 's a boy."

"I know it's a boy." The conviction in her voice made Victor chuckle softly.

"With you badgerin' on and on about the cub bein' a boy, then he will be." He nuzzled the top of her head but paused when he felt a thump directly on his palm.

"See, Victor. He is a boy." Noor smiled brightly.

But Victor was stubborn, "We'll see."

Another kick.

"Even the cub is saying so, Victor."

;-;-;-;-;

A month later when her water broke, Noor was in the middle of mending one of Inu's blouses. Sonia's baffled face swam in her vision and she tugged on the neckline of Noor's shift, "Mama, wha's w'ong? Mama!"

"Sonia, get Papa!" Noor rolled onto her back as much as she could on the sofa, but no matter the position she was in she couldn't get away from the pain. She cried out sharply as a contraction hit, "Victor!"

Victor was chopping a large pine for the coming winter with Amelia and Inu when he heard Noor cry out. His head snapped towards the house just as Sonia scuttled out, "Papa! Papa! Mama tummy! Bad!"

Amelia swiped at her forehead, and worriedly shared a look with the younger Inu. The youngest fell uncharacteristically quiet and her face was troubled with panic. Inu's chocolate eyes seemed to flare with paralysing fear and her tiny body began to convulse, but Amelia couldn't tell if it was the biting wind or the something else…

Had Victor been paying attention he would have coached her through the fear. But, the scent of blood mixed with bodily fluids made his pupils shrink to pins and raised all the hairs on his body. He dropped the axe and sprinted with all his might inside the cabin.

Amelia grabbed Inu's arm and ran after her father, grappling with Sonia's wrist as she ran by her as well. She huddled them together in their parent's bed and pulled the cover over them. "Stay, here. 'Kay?"

Sonia nodded, "Kay, Amy"

Amelia nodded affirmatively as she turned to the youngest, "Inu? 'Kay? Inu!"

Noor's squall echoed in the room putting all three girls on edge. Inu hugged Sonia hard, her frightened eyes locked with Amelia's and she bobbed her head numbly.

"'Kay!" Amelia said to herself. "Sonia look after Inu!" Then she scampered off to find her father. He was kneeling beside Noor, his face worried with anger and frustration but smoothed out when he saw Amelia.

"Papa, how cans I help?" Amelia clenched her hands beside her, determined.

Victor weighed the situation carefully, his panic rising when Noor whimpered in his ear. He needed to help Noor through the birthing, but he also needed his other cubs to be looked after. Yet, he himself needed to be calm and collected and with the presence of his eldest cub, he could breathe a little easier knowing that he had to be strong for all his girls.

With his mind made up, he commanded her, his voice firm. "Bring a large bowl filled with warm water."

Considering how long the birthing was, Amelia had done well. She was patient and obeyed her father no matter how frightened she became.

When the child came out, there was a triumphant sigh from Noor. She grabbed Victor's shoulder and gave him the best smirk she could muster, "Told you… cub… was boy."

In between cleaning his son and mate, he glanced over at Noor. She was drenched in sweat and looked pale, but she was the most beautiful thing ever. "That you did, mate"

His voice died in his throat however, when Noor's face contorted again. "Wait. Another one!"

Victor nearly dropped his first son as he handed him to Amelia and started with the other one. Amelia curiously gazed down at her brother. She felt confused. She knew she loved her brother, and yet as she looked over his wrinkly and still moist face she couldn't help but agree with a voice in her head that told her he was the ugliest thing she had ever seen. He looked like a goblin!

She had never seen a new-born. She had only seen Sonia and Inu the first time when they were a few days old. They were easy births so she hadn't need to help like this.

There was a final howl from Noor and then the air was split by another cry. As the second son's face turned red with strain, he caused the first son to start crying harder as well. Amelia grimaced when their insufferable cries began to take over.

Half unconscious, Noor saw Amelia's distress and gestured for the babe. Amelia gently handled the baby and gave him to her mother, who cooed at him and pulled him to her bosom. Victor laughed jubilantly as he wrapped his second son and looked over his shoulder knowingly. "Come girls, see your new brothers."

Amelia curiously spied the door and found Inu tucked behind Sonia. They padded over quietly and their fear died down when their curiosity bloomed. They stood on their tip toes to look over Amelia's shoulder at the two new boys.

Inu was the first to say, "The'e so ugly."

"They're beautiful" Noor sighed and patted her son's back as he settled against her chest. Neither parents noticed Amelia sharing a look with Inu and nodding with a devilish smile. She mouthed to her, 'Ugly'.

"Mama! You'e belly look funny" Sonia pointed.

"That's 'cause your Ma worked hard to get your brothers here, girls" Victor held up his son above him his head as his son gurgled and squirmed. "And she should be proud. She gave us two strong boys."

Sonia tugged the strap of her father's wife beater, "Why they's eyes closed, Papa?"

"Because they… were just… born, my sweet." Noor lulled her head towards her daughters. "They've… never used their eyes… before."

"They's blind?" Inu asked, her head cocking to the side.

Victor chuckled, "No, little devil. They just need to get used to the light."

Amelia appraised both of her brothers and asked, "Why are they naked? Where's their hair?"

"They need to grow them out." Victor mumbled as he handed his other son to his mate and began to clean the general area. "Come on, girls."

"Where, Papa?" Inu asked as she trailed behind him.

"Need to make room for both your brothers"

;-;-;-;-;

Dave and Jason were just as bad as Inu. Lively, noisy, and a force of nature. Of course, Inu was more than happy to have some play mates that could keep up with her but Sonia hadn't adjusted well. Now they knew Sonia was also sensitive to noise during sleep.

That was how Victor found himself burping Dylan with Sonia sitting beside him. The curious child was following the way Dylan's head was squirming around, eyes not really seeing yet when he scanned his environment.

"Papa" Sonia tugged on his elbow, "He eyes so small."

"Told you, Sonia. They're still growin'."

"When they's get big, Papa?" Sonia went to her knees to be eye level to Dylan. He cooed and rolled his head her way. He garbled and held his hand her way, and Sonia grabbed it.

"Not long."

Truly, it didn't seem like long until two years passed, and the one devil was joined by two other beasties. They ran amuck constantly, even making their own hideout in the high canopy. Sonia and Amelia warmed up to them, the latter more so than the former. The three rascals had finished it in a month after the boy's fifth birthday. The other girls joined them as soon as they were done, Sonia less hesitant due to her cautious nature, but Amelia jumped at the chance. She had grown too. She grew so much that she had little time to be a kid.

It was in that evening when the children were climbing in the canopy like monkeys when the parents sat on the porch with their limbs twined together. Creed's chin rubbed against Noor's forehead lazily, "Look at them and be proud, mate. Our cubs are growin'. Take a good long look"

Noor beamed, her cheeks wrinkling slightly, "I am! They have your love for the wild."

"Good thing they don't have your gracefulness"

Noor gaped at her husband, "What's that supposed to mean? I haven-"

"When was the last time you tripped over the front door?" he inclined his head towards the right, where the door was.

Noor was silent.

"Well, mate. Asked you a question", he dipped his head and licked her jaw.

"Two days ago" she answered meekly, a blush tinging her dark complexion.

"There you go. Was that so hard?"

"No-"

"No? You made it sound like it was" he moulded his side to hers.

"Victor! Don't tease me!" Noord whined. She tried to pull out of his embrace but he caged her in.

"You're not gonna leave, mate"

"I don't want to leave. I just want to breathe, Victor" her eyes followed the tawny muscles in his arms, pointedly.

Victor shoved her away, only using a tenth of his strength, "Don't go too far, mate."

"Never" she gave him a coy smile as she stood and followed after Sonia. Their little one looked a little green, but Sonia was never one for heights. Always preferring a book or a board game over physical activity.

"Papa!" Victor eyed Amelia up high, "Come join us."

And it wasn't long after that Noor came back with Sonia on her back.