New Arrival by HN310 on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Story

The young expecting mother, Giza, trudged through the snow a little ways behind her mate, Salim. They had traveled far, for nearly four days without resting, searching for the perfect place to raise their future cubs. Giza was gazing around at the surrounding trees, seeing the sun had begun to set. She had begun to feel subtle stings coming from her abdomen, but she never paid it much mind. After a few more miles through the snow, she suddenly hissed as a sharp sting caused her body to seize up. "Giza?" Salim called before looking back. "Giza!" He breathed, rushing over to her. "Are you alright? What's wrong?" He asked frantically, trying to look her over for any injuries. When he neared her rear, he saw a sight they had be waiting for. A little blood. "I... I think it's time." Giza whispered, wincing as another contraction ripped through her.

"Come, We have to find shelter. You can't give birth in the snow." Salim explained, looking around. His eyes suddenly locked onto a cave at the foot of the mountain. It would have to do. As they paced together, Salim helped her regulate her breathing. Another contraction made her wince, but he licked her cheek reassuringly. "It's okay. Just breathe, we're almost there." He whispered lovingly. Once inside the cave, she went to lay down, panting softly. "It... It hurts!" She winced with another contraction.

"I know. I know it does, my love. Just breathe." He whispered softly, nuzzling her cheek before moving around to see behind her. For over an hour, nothing happened. Yet her contractions were steadily growing faster and more intense. All of a sudden, Somehow, Giza knew she had to start pushing. She pushed and pushed, yet nothing happened. "Sa... Salim? Can you... see anything." She whines through the pain. He shook his head and was about to speak when a tiny muzzle started to peek into existence. "I see a muzzle. You're doing great, sweetheart. Just keep pushing."

He encouraged. At this point, Giza was panting heavily with exhaustion. "I can't push anymore!" She cried. "Come on, my love. Just one more big push. Count with me. One.... Two... Three.. Push!" He exclaimed as she lets out a growl, pushing as hard as she can. She hears Salim gasp as all the pain fades away. For a few seconds, everything was silent.

Then, the sound every mother longs to hear, her little cub let out a mewing cry, squirming on the ground before Salim gently licked his head. "It's a boy." He whispered, carefully bringing him around to Giza's front. She gasped when she saw his tiny frame brought into her arms. "He's... so small." She whispered. "He's perfect." Salim corrected, nuzzling her forehead. "You're a father." She cooed lovingly. "And you're a mother." He purred. "I think he deserves a name, don't you?" Salim smiled, looking down at his newborn son. "What about... Fannar?" She suggested, suggesting the name of his father, whom was lost when he was a cub. His eyes widens and filled with emotion. "Tushar. It's perfect." He whispered, nuzzling her. "Fannar... Our Little Snow Prince."