The next couple of months had passed in their usual, monotonous manner. After her night of confession exchanges with the leader, Ylwa had been accepted back into the fold without question. She even felt like she had a bit of something going on between herself and Eyolf, one of Rezso's twin sons. She had not yet encouraged his advances because she just wasn't feeling that desire any longer, but they had hunted together a few times, and seemed, from her perceptions, to be spending more time together around the campsite than they had before.
Despite having gotten back into the regular routine of things at home, Ylwa had somehow felt increasingly… different. One evening, Ralfina asked Ylwa to go help her gather some potion ingredients. Ylwa was thrilled. She always loved spending time with this wise, old aunt. Ylwa found Ralfina's serene confidence to be very calming. If the right context came up, she might even ask about her current predicament with Eyolf. She feared that if she kept rejecting any hint of venturing a bit further than friendship, he might eventually move on from her.
Later on into the evening, after chatting for a while about their everyday lives, Ralfina asked Ylwa, "How would you like to assist me in my work for a while?"
Ylwa was floored. She had dreamed of becoming Ralfina's apprentice – aiding her in her work, listening to her stories and wise advice daily, and basking in her calm presence. "I would love to!" Ylwa responded enthusiastically. Usually only the more "settled" pack members were offered a position that kept them mostly around the campsite. The contribution of those of Ylwa's rank was usually hunting and bringing home meat or doing other odd jobs that were asked of them. Ylwa didn't question Ralfina, though, fearing that if she did, the offer would be revoked.
"I suppose you will probably be putting together some sort of shelter soon. You can place it next to mine so that you will be near at hand." Ralfina stated, and then studied Ylwa to see how she would respond.
"I would be glad to." Ylwa grinned.
Ralfina studied Ylwa a bit further. "You were planning to put a shelter together sometime soon, weren't you?" she asked, calling Ylwa's bluff. Ylwa's heart sank.
"I wasn't," she responded quietly, "but I would really love to be your assistant more than anything. Please let me put a shelter together and live near you."
Ralfina seemed to ponder something further for a moment. She then cautiously asked, "Am I incorrect in observing that you have not experienced your monthly issue since you returned from your extended absence?"
Ylwa was puzzled. Was something wrong? Was she sick, and that was why her aunt was wanting to keep her nearby? She felt fine… most of the time. "You observed correctly." Ylwa answered somewhat timidly. What is she getting at?
"You allowed one of the strangers you met on your adventure to mate with you, did you not?"
Ylwa flushed crimson all over and looked down at her feet. "Yes." she mumbled. So they do know. I wonder who all knows. Is it just Ralfina, because she is so wise, or is the entire pack aware? I should have stayed out longer.
"Ylwa, dear, you have mated and immediately afterward stopped having your flow. You are likely going to be giving birth to a pup within the next year." Ralfina explained kindly.
Ylwa's jaw dropped, and her heart fell to her feet. "But we didn't… we aren't… I thought… that…" Ylwa stutters, then she realizes her mistake. There have been a few instances where a pup was born to parents that weren't bonded. "I thought that pups were only born to parents that were bonded." Ylwa said quietly, hoping that Ralfina would tell her this was true, and so there was no possible way that this could be happening to her.
"No. It happens more often under that circumstance, but being bonded mates is not a requirement for producing pups." Ralfina responded compassionately.
Ylwa's world felt like it was jerking all over the place. She sat down to collect herself. There is no way. I suppose that it is not entirely terrible. I've never been opposed to the idea of pups… but a STRANGER'S pup? Does that mean that I have to go live with him and his pack?
"I'm not going to be sent away, am I?" Ylwa asked Ralfina with panic in her eyes.
"No, dear. I have just asked you if you would like to spend your time while expecting and then nursing helping me out with my tasks. You will have plenty of opportunity to rest and to care for your youngster as needed, and will have something to do once you don't feel like transforming and going out any more."
"Does this ruin any chance at becoming the mate of one of the males in the pack?"
"No. It doesn't ruin it." Ralfina responded. "It will probably put it on hold for a few years, until your pup is old enough to join the community, but I have seen other females raise a pup for a few years and then end up in a happy, lifelong relationship with someone who wasn't the previous pup's father."
Ylwa had so much whirring through her mind. She there in silence for a few moments, considering the implications of everything that she had learned.
"If you need anything or have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask. You can sit here and think for a bit. I am going to gather some more yellow mountain flowers. Just call if you need anything." Ralfina said.
"Thank you." Ylwa replied. "And thank you very much for your generous offer."
"You're welcome, dear." Ylwa's aunt replied.
Ylwa sat stunned in the grass until Ralfina told her that it was time to go home.