Is it time for Heart to have her pup yet? I guess we shall see! It seems an unexpected guest is going to try and cause some trouble for the two and try to ruin everything they have built together.


Ch 22: A Thorn

After the visit from Dorothy, it was another two weeks that passed by and each of those days Heart noticed herself getting a little bigger. It made her smile and her tail wag at the sight. She could feel the pups move around a lot more too. She wanted to assume she only had one or two pups since she couldn't feel too much happening. Even so, it was better than none and she couldn't wait to meet them. It made both of them happy to know that the pups were healthy.

Alastor seemed to not want to leave Heart's side. Literally. Any chance the deer got to lay his head on her belly he took it. Even if she was fast asleep at night, he would do it, plus leaving little licks and kisses. She caught him once and it was honestly adorable. Also, he would stay close to her side and help her when needed. He didn't go out as much or for as long either when making his patrols around the territory. He was worried about his mate and future kin. He was just looking out for them and Heart appreciated that of him.

Tonight, was the monthly meeting and she had been accompanying Alastor to each of them. People still didn't think Heart was Alastor's mate. Hopefully with them seeing how big she has gotten in the last month it might change their mind. At least she can relax today.

Although Heart has started to go back to her old den and fix it up. Bringing things in and making the bed in there bigger. Softer. She didn't even realize she was doing it until Chicka pointed it out one day. It was then she realized she was starting to den. That meant…she was getting closer to having her pups. It made her excited at the thought. She was getting the den ready for her to give birth and it made her happy to know that her day was coming soon. She couldn't wait.

Even now, she was at the old den, taking in some moss she found not far off. As soon as she walked by it, she knew it would be good for the bedding. So, she took it off the tree and put it in the den. The hybrid was alone right now as she took another few leaves into the den. She laid down in the bedding and it was wonderful. She might take a nap right here if she wanted. She laid on her side and sighed happily. "This feels nice."

There was a sound outside and it made her pick up her head and her ears twitched. She then thought nothing of it and just laid back down. When she heard the rustling sound again, she got up more and tilted her head. She managed to get up, something that was starting to become a harder task, and headed to the den entrance. She looked and saw nothing but walked out anyway to look around.

She didn't see anything suspicious but soon a voice was behind her, "Hello, can you help me?"

Heart jumped from the sudden voice and she made a yelp. She tried to catch her breath as she turned around and saw a pink and purple mountain goat behind her. "Oh…um…yes…what can I do for you?" She asked as she tried to breathe again. A demon that needed help. Alastor did say that he wanted her to help out more where she could if an animal came to her for assistance.

"Oh, sorry for the sudden fright doll. I didn't mean to scare your pelt off." The goat giggled.

"No no, you're ok. I don't think I've seen you here before. Are you new to the territory?" Heart asked.

She shook her head. "No, I've been here before. I'm more of a visitor. I'm a friend of Alastor's. You can call me Mimzy."

"Oh, Alastor has never told me about you so I apologize. My name is Heart. It's nice to meet you then, Mimzy. Thank you for coming to visit." Heart greeted with a wag of her tail.

"Aw you are a sweetheart. Have you happened to know where Alastor is by chance?" She asked.

The hybrid shook her head. "No, he is doing his daily rounds so I'm not sure where he might be."

"No worries then. I mainly want to talk to you at the moment if that is ok?" Mimzy smiled.

"Me? O-of course!" Heart said excitedly with a tail wag. "As Alastor's mate, he wants me to start having more responsibility around the territory."

"Mate?" Mimzy questioned as she tilted her head.

Heart laughed nervously and her ears got warm with a blush. "Yea. We mated last year, but it wasn't until this year we were successful. I'm currently pregnant." She chuckled and sat down to show the roundness of her stomach a little better. "If that wasn't obvious. I think I might be due soon, since I've been having some denning going on with me lately."

The mountain goat got quiet as she looked at Heart up and down and saw the distention of her belly and her nipples were obvious now thanks to her being close to giving birth. There was a moment of silence until Mimzy stated, "Why would he mate with you? You're a wolf. Alastor hates canines."

The tail stopped wagging and Heart looked at the goat with a tilted head. "Well…I'm an exception. I'm not a full wolf. I'm part dragon too."

"That has nothing to do with it." Mimzy said right away with a smart tone. "Just because your part dragon? Please. You're still a wolf. It doesn't matter. Disgusting creature."

Heart's ears went back a moment at her words, but she put them back up and tried to stand up for herself. "I do not appreciate being called such names. You are Alastor's friend, correct? If you are his friend then you would accept his choices no matter what happens."

"I don't care." She said bluntly. "I was here before you. So, I don't know why he chose you to carry his kin."

"What do you mean?" Heart wondered with confusion on what she meant.

"I am Alastor's mate as well. I was here first." She told her with a grin. "Although why he chose you, I don't know. Must have felt sorry for you or something. You're not exactly his type."

"Type? I-I don't understand." The wolf was conflicted. Was this goat telling the truth? Was she actually just part of Alastor's little game? Something to be played with. As she thought, her ears went down again and she looked away.

Mimzy huffed, "Yea type. Mangy mutt. I don't know why you're here anyway."

Heart's ears went flat against her head. Her chest hurt and she felt sick all of a sudden. Her stomach seemed to churn, that or it was just the pups moving around. They must have felt her distress.

The grin never left Mimzy's face. "What's wrong hon? Are you feeling ok?" She asked in a fake worried voice. "Maybe you should lay down."

"I….yea…um…excuse me…I'm sorry." Heart said a little in shock still. She stood up and then flew off. She glided a little bit till she had to land. Even with flying every day, she couldn't stay up long. She got to Alastor's cave and went inside. She went through the main part of the cave to the back where the shining room was. Once in there she laid down and started to cry from everything that just happened.

The goat watched her fly away and just chuckled at herself. "At least she is out of the way. Now to find that deer." She said and started to walk away from the wolf's den.


Alastor had stopped by the lake and saw a few demons there taking a drink. He went over and got some water as well. Today was so nice and he had stuff to talk about at the meeting tonight. At the same time, his mind went to Heart and he hoped she was doing ok. He would be headed back to the cave soon so that he could be there if she needed him. That or she was at her old den getting it ready. He noticed lately that she has been going there and it made him excited. His fawns would be here soon so that made him so happy and excited.

Once he was done drinking, he headed off towards the den to see if his mate was there or had been there. As he got to the edge of the forest where the lake met, he heard his name being called out.

"Alastor!"

He froze. That was not his mate's voice. Nor was it one he was very fond of hearing. He groaned then turned his head to see a pink mass running up to him. "Oh no. Not her. Not now. Damnit." He thought to himself as he put on a smile and turned fully to her. "Mimzy…nice to see you." He greeted the goat.

"Oh, Alastor sweetie it's so nice to see you again. How have you been?" She asked him as she went up to him with a nuzzle.

The deer quickly pulled away from the affection of the goat and cleared his throat. "It's been good. Stressful since last year but it's been good." He told her.

"That is so wonderful, babe." Mimzy said what a happy tone. "I missed you by the way. It gets lonely up in the mountains you know. You need to visit, relax for a little while." She blinked her eyes affectionately at him.

Alastor huffed at her and shook his head. "You know as a Lord I cannot leave my land." He reminded her. "Not to go galivanting in the mountains. I am needed here."

"Al, you know you can leave. A day or two away won't hurt you. Come on. Come back with me." She begged like a child.

He tried everything not to growl at her and snap. "I would like to, but I can't. I am needed here. My mate is-"

"Oh yes! That dog creature. I met her." She said with disgust. "That reminds me of something." She started to walk around the deer. "Is there a reason you went behind my back and mated with some other demon?"

"Excuse me." Alastor growled. "Mimzy, how many times do I have to tell you. You are not my mate. We never mated. I would also appreciate it if you didn't say such things about my mate in front of me."

"Oh my, I didn't think I would have hit a nerve." She laughed. "Alastor, the all-powerful Lord of the south. The one who never let a canine stay or live on his land, fell for a lowly mutt as a mate. How pathetic."

"Enough!" The deer snapped at the goat and his antlers sprouted up and his eyes turned into dials. "I will not tolerate this! Get out Mimzy. Leave! Before I tear you apart!"

Mimzy just chuckled. "Oh Al, you don't need to get so huffy. I know it's all just a game to you. This is all just a big act. I made sure to tell that 'mate' of yours everything already. She seemed to take the truth a little hard. I know it's a full moon tonight so I'll see you at the meeting." She winked and got closer to him.

The deer snapped his sharp jaws at her and she jumped back. She gave a huff. "No manners at all." She turned and flicked her tail at him.

Alastor glared at her as she walked and he quickly turned and ran through the woods. He had to get back to his cave plus find Heart if he spotted her along the way. He did not stand for this behavior. Damn that goat! He didn't want the hybrid under any stress and this would not help. If Mimzy already found her then who knows what that stupid goat put in her head.

Getting back to his home, he quickly went inside. He didn't spot his mate along the way so he hoped she would be here. Looking around the cave, he didn't spot her at first. Worried spiked in him a moment as he went further in. Then his ears picked up a sob and a sniffle. He went out of the main cave and into the tunnel that connected to the small part in the back. He walked in the dark till he got to the small space. He felt a sigh of relief as he saw Heart there in the middle of the room, crying still.

"Heart?" Alastor called out softly and the hybrid went still. The deer walked up to his mate and leaned down to lick her ear. "Heart, my love, don't be on the cold floor of the cave."

The hybrid curled more into herself and whined slightly.

Ears going back, Alastor got worried. She couldn't stay here. Even with the sun coming through, it was cold in this part of the cave. He leaned down and nuzzled his nose against her neck. "I know about Mimzy being here. I want to talk to you, love, but I want you to be comfortable first. Please, don't do it for me…do it for the fawn."

Heart's ears went back but he did have a point, plus he liked to use that one against her and it always worked. The wolf got up and shook her fur a moment. She was silent this whole time as her mind was just working on what to say. Then she walked around the deer and to the main part of the cave. She went through the dark tunnel and into the well-lit area. She went over to the pile of furs and laid down, having her hips out to the side so that she wouldn't lay on her stomach fully.

"I'm here. Talk." Heart said bluntly.

Alastor sigh but stands straight as he stood in front of the wolf. "Mimzy, has been a pain in my side for years. She always had a fascination with me ever since I fell. I don't know why but every time I turn her down, she always comes back." He growled lightly. "I never had a thing for that demon and I never will. She always says that she is my mate and that she will be the only one, but I have never mated with anyone before you. You were my first and always will be."

Heart listened to him talk and her ears were back. She could tell just from his tone that the deer did not enjoy the goats' company. Honestly with how they both were that night when they mated, she could tell he was nervous…just like how she was too. It was both their first time. She didn't think Alastor would mate anyone else. He just wasn't like that.

The deer seemed to lose it a moment as Heart stayed silent, it was affecting him. The deer's ears went back, his tail went down and he lost his proud stance he was trying to hold onto. It was breaking and so was he. "Heart, I love you. I love you so much. I have never loved anyone else before you. You taught me how to. For once I wanted a demon in my life to be by my side. To be with me. Live with me and have a mate to come back to." He started to have tears build up as he talked. He tried to blink them away while looking to the side but that didn't help. The tears fell. He gave a sniffle. "Please believe me. I would never break your trust like this. Let alone with her. I want nothing to do with that thorn in my side…I just want you…I want our family we will have. It's something I never thought I would want…a family of my own. I want to be a father. I want to prove I can do what my dad couldn't do…and be there for my fawn."

The hybrid looked at the deer with sad eyes. She stood up and went over to him and started to lick his face as he cried. These tears were real and this is how he truly felt. He wanted to be with her, his heart would be broken without her.

"My buck, please don't cry, please." She said to him softly. "We are here. We won't go anywhere. I love you so much and I'm sorry for believing the words of that demon. I knew I shouldn't have but…I don't know…I've been so emotional lately I guess my emotion clouded my better judgment." The wolf apologized.

Alastor rubbed his nose against her muzzle to comfort him. "It's ok my little wolf, I am ok. I'm just happy to have you here with me now."

"I won't ever leave you Al, nothing will keep me from you." She whispered to him as she nuzzled him back.

They pulled away and put their foreheads together. "Can we…just lay down and relax until the meeting?" Alastor suggested. "I just want to be with you."

Heart's ears went back in content. "Of course, honey, I feel that would be best for both of us. Let's just take a nap."

Alastor nodded and let Heart lay down first, she laid on her side since laying on her stomach was uncomfortable at the moment. Then he laid the way he has been the last few nights and that was laying his head across the side of her stomach.

This made her chuckle. "Still going to lay that way?"

"Of course. I like feeling them kick and listening to them move around." Alastor told her.

She rolled her eyes playful but said nothing as she laid her head down and closed her eyes to get some rest. She could feel the pups moving around a lot more now and having the deer lay the way he did, she felt it even more. It was a crazy feeling and she liked it just as much as he did. Before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

Alastor stayed awake a little while longer and just nuzzled his face in her fur. He sighed happily as he felt a tap to his face. He chuckled softly at the action, "Nothing will happen to you. I'll make sure of it." He said before closing his eyes and drifting off as well.


[That Night]

When the two woke up for their nap, it was almost time for the meeting to start. Luckily all the demons were gathering around the outside of Alastor's cave. The full moon shined down on the forest land, making everything light up. The deer quickly got up and made sure he looked presentable to the others. He looked down and saw the hybrid was still asleep. With a smile he walked up to her and started to lick her face.

"Wakie wakie my love. We have a meeting to go to." He told her.

Heart felt the licks on her face and Alastor's voice. She slowly blinked open her eyes and looked up at him. She smiled and her eyes were half lidded from being tired. "I'm up. I'm up." She said and then yawned.

The look the wolf had, just that half lidded look and the way she was laying on her side. "You're so beautiful." He whispered as his tail wagged.

Heart felt her ears get hot with a blush but smiled happily at him as her tail wagged as well from his complement. "And you are handsome." She replied back to him.

"Ah thank you my love, but you are also glowing. All thanks to the fawns you carry. It adds more to your beauty."

"Oh Al, you flatter me too much." She chuckled and then slowly managed to stand up. She yawned again. "Ok, I'm up. Let's get the meeting going."

Alastor nodded, "Agreed. There won't be much to talk about tonight so we can get it done fast and then have something to eat afterwards."

At that, Heart's stomach growled and she blushed at the sound then chuckled. "I think that would be a clever idea. I don't think we're the only ones hungry."

The deer smiled and he rubbed his face against her then licked her ears. They then walked to the entrance of the cave and then outside to see the demons gathering on the other side of the stream. Chicka was already there, waiting on the stump nearby. Heart stayed back a little as Alastor walked forward to be by the stream.

As the wolf sat down, she felt a little uncomfortable as the pups started to move around a lot and shot a powerful kick to her side. "Hey now, calm down for mommy. Don't be acting up already." She whispered down to her belly. That seemed to work for that moment as she got comfortable again sitting there. She didn't want to lay down again since she had a challenging time getting up.

The deer put his head down and then snapped it back up like he always did. The small fireball flew up into the air and soon fizzled out into nothing. Everyone got quiet and turned their attention to Alastor.

"Good evening, every demon. Welcome to the monthly meeting." Alastor started off as he looked around the area. "Now, let's start this off. No important things have been happening around the territory. It is the breeding season, so please keep all those activities to yourself." The deer looked back at Heart who was just smiling at him. "I know this time of year we have new young that our joining our land. So please be mindful of little ones when out." Looking around again, he froze for just a split second as he saw Mimzy out in the group of demons. She was still here!? Damn that mountain goat. She wouldn't leave him alone till she was satisfied. "We do have news about the dragons thanks to my mate and I wish for her to tell you that." He turned back to Heart and nodded for her to come forward.

Heart nodded and stood up and walked up to stand next to him. "I managed to meet with one of the dragons the other day. She told me that King Lucifer has finally chosen a new leader for the western dragons." She felt that sharp pain in her side again but tried to hide it by taking a deep breath. "Lord Molten is now their leader and I know that he will not give us any trouble. If anything, the dragons will now be our allies then our enemies."

Small murmurs were then discussed among the crowd. Some did not want to believe her. Dragons? Being their friends? They all thought she was a little crazy.

Alastor slanted his eyes a moment but soon calmed and looked back at Heart. "Thank you love." He turned to the crowd now. "That is all the news I have but if anyone has any questions they may come forward."

As the deer spoke with the demons that needed to ask questions, Heart felt the pups being active again and got uncomfortable from it. She didn't know what was going on and it was weird to her. She felt a sharp pain and tried to hide it even though her face scrunched a bit. This was the third time it happened tonight. Was she…oh no….was it happening? Now!? Of all times! She wasn't sure just yet. She had to wait and see. So, she tried to stay calm as she stood close to Alastor.

There were a good bit of demons that were coming up to the Lord, so he took a pause after the one he finished to look at Heart. "Love, I might be here for a bit. Why don't you go inside, have a meal and rest? I'll be in as soon as I'm done." He suggested.

Heart smiled, she knew he was only looking out for her and she appreciated that. "Of course. Take your time hon." She went up to his cheek to give it a lick.

The deer turned to continue the questions as Heart walked back to the cave. As she walked, she had a funny feeling but she couldn't act on it since she wasn't sure what the feeling was. When she was halfway to the cave, she went flying to the side unexpectedly. She had been hit from the side and flung back from the unknown attack. She managed to hit one of the bigger rocks that was by the cave and hit it hard. She was hit pretty hard and was surprised from the sudden hit that she couldn't catch her breath, but she managed to look and saw Mimzy was the one that hit her. She was charging at her again as well, giving her no time to react and her horns rammed into her side again. She screamed in pain as she felt the crack of a rib or two from the impact. Then the pain as the goat's horns had impaled her sides and she was now bleeding from the deep puncture wounds.

Alastor heard the first impact and turned around to see Mimzy there and his eyes went wide as he spotted Heart now against the rock. Heart's friends saw what happened and ran towards her. They both couldn't get to the goat in time as they saw her run and slam into the hybrid. That scream triggered Alastor. His eyes slit in anger as they turned to dials and his antlers grew. The deer got to the goat and slammed into her with his antlers and flung her with his head. There was the sound of static in the air as the deer turned to where the goat landed and stood in front of his mate who was now breathing heavily on the ground.

The small group of friends got to them as well but stood back from Alastor. He glared at Mimzy with so much fire in his eyes. He didn't give her a chance to stand up as he ran forward again with his head down and flung the goat back again. "Get away from her!" He screamed with so much distortion in his voice.

Mimzy laughed as she stood up. His hits hurt but they were just to push her away and not hurt her. "Come on Al, you and I both know that she is just nothing to you."

"Don't say that! I told you to leave and to stay away Mimzy. Now you go and do this!" The deer growled. "Why!?"

"Because I love you!" Mimzy yelled

"I don't love you!" Alastor shouted back. "Why can't you get that through her thick skull!"

"You love that thing!?" Mimzy shouted as she pointed a horn toward Heart. "Pathetic. She can't even protect herself."

"Because she is heavy with my fawns so of course she can't!"

The two circled each other now. The goat was first as she ran towards Alastor. The deer put his head down as his head collided with hers. It made him slightly dizzy but he had more power than she thought.

While Alastor was away and distracted with Mimzy, the group went up to Heart.

"Heart!" They all called out.

"Heart, are you ok!?" Violet asked.

"Are you hurt?" Jazz wondered.

"What do you need?" Veronica questioned.

"Guys she's bleeding!" Chicka pointed out.

They all stood around her but not too close to give her space. The wolf was breathing heavily as her eyes were shut tightly. She couldn't move. She was scared too. There was immense pain all over her body and she didn't know what was happening. She was bleeding out without realizing and her whole body felt numb. She managed to look over at Alastor before she closed her eyes and tried her best to keep focus.

The deer was still fighting off the goat as his antlers clashed with her horns. He was getting frustrated and his anger blinded him. "Enough!" Alastor screamed as he stomped his hoof on the ground and his shadow appendages appeared around Mimzy. "Final warning! Leave or die!"

Mimzy looked scared a moment at the appendages then to Alastor and her gaze softened. "You wouldn't kill me…would you Al?"

Alastor grinned and the appendages wrapped around her feet, making her fall. He walked over to Mimzy and she looked up at him with a small bit of fear. "After what you just did…I have no mercy for you."

Before anyone could think of what he would do, the lord lunged for the goat and put his jaws around her throat before ripping it out. She screamed but soon died out once Alastor ripped at her flesh. He dropped it on the ground and was about to go in for another strike at her when a whimper caught his attention. "Alastor." It was soft but he still heard it. Turning he looked over and saw the friends around the hybrid as they tried to stop the bleeding from the wound she had. His eyes went wide and he quickly went over to them. There was still blood all over his face but he didn't care. He saw the condition of his mate and his heart seemed to drop.

The group turned to him for a moment as he looked down at Heart.

"Alastor, Chicka went to find Angel and Molly. They ran off after the attack." Olivia told him.

"We are hoping they will help with the bleeding." Violet added.

"She's also in labor. I can feel and see her contractions. That isn't good in this situation." Veronica said as she had a paw on the wolf's stomach.

Alastor took all this information in and just looked down at Heart who had her eyes closed and was breathing heavily, trying to keep herself calm but she still was whimpering in pain. The deer laid down in front of her and nuzzled his nose against hers. "Heart, my dear, I'm here."

The hybrid managed to open her eyes and saw him. She smiled. "Al, I'm happy to see you."

"Don't talk, love, save your strength." Alastor told her. "I can use my magic to stop her bleeding but we can use the spiders to help with the wound at least."

He moved a hoof over the punctures and it started to glow white. Soon enough the wound slowed until it stopped bleeding a bit and now, they had to worry about her healing process. Plus, if she was going into labor, they had to worry about the pups now too.

Just then Chicka flew back with the spiders in her claws. She managed to put them down gently and the two looked at the scene with wide eyes. "I found them." The bird announced and turned to the two. "Please, if you can help, we all would appreciate it."

"We'll try our best, come on Angie." Molly said and went to the hybrid to start trying to put web on her wound.

Angel followed and tried to help out the best he could. They each started to spin a web and cover the wound the best they could. Alastor had laid down and was now having Heart's head right against his chest. He would lean down and lick her ears now and then. Trying to comfort her.

As the two worked and Heart had her eyes on Alastor the whole time, nuzzling into his fur. She chuckled just a little as the spiders worked on her, "They tickle."

Alastor smiled. "Is that so? Do you feel a little better?" He asked her.

"Sore and Veronica is right. I can feel it. It's time." She told him and hissed a little from the pain.

"Just breathe dear, you'll be ok. I just hope the fawns are ok." He said a little worried.

The wolf took some deep breaths until the pain passed. "I hope so too. She hit me pretty hard and even wounded me….I'm worried." She hid her face in his neck.

"It will be ok, Heart. I'm sure your little ones are ok." Veronica said.

"Yea, you can get through this." Violet added.

All her friends reassured her as well.

Heart smiled. "Thank you all. I'm happy to have you here with me. It makes me feel so much better." She sighed. "I need to try and get to my other den though. I have that all ready for me to do what I need to in there."

"We can help you." Jazz told her.

"Yea don't worry about a thing. We'll get you to the birthing den. No problems." Olivia gave her a reassuring smile.

Heart looked like she was about to cry, "I'm happy to have amazing friends like you."

Just then the spiders got done patching her wound. "You're all done." Molly said and the spider climbed on top of the wolf. "Just be careful. I know you're in labor but we don't want your wounds opening back up."

"I can try my best but since this is my first litter, I don't know how this will go." Heart said worried.

"We don't even know how many she has." Alastor added with a small chuckle.

The hybrid looked at her mate and chuckled as well. "That is true. No matter how many we have, it will be worth it."

The deer nodded in agreement. "Come now dear. Let's get you up and get you to the den love."

Heart nodded. "Ok, I want to get there before anything else happens." She said as she tried to stand. Her legs were wobbly, so she fell again. Violet and Alastor stood on each side of her and helped her up. She took some steps forward and managed to get moving a bit. It would take time but they hoped they would get the birthing den before the young ones were ready.


I will admit that adding Mimzy may have been random but when my friend gave me the idea to add her, I thought it would be a good idea since it added a lot to this chapter and it makes me happy. It turned out great I think so I hope you all like it too!