The Outcasts | Book One: A New Pack

Chapter Fifteen: The Pup Season

I've been hungrier lately.

I've also been having nausea. Frost says I've also been more moody.

"I'm so hungry!" I whine.

"The food's cooking," Frost replies, keeping calm.

"I'm gonna starve to death!"

"Done!" Blaze calls.

"Finally!" I devoured my food. "Is there any more?"

"That's it," Blaze replies. "No more left."

"Ugh!"

・・・

A few weeks later, Frost tells me that my belly's bigger.

"Probably from all the food you've been eating," he says.

"But I'm hungry!" I whine.

"What are you doing?" Frost asks curiously.

"Making a nest."

"Why?"

"I don't really know."

"You have been acting weird—."

"Hey!"

"I'm just saying you might wanna check in with Luna."

"You're probably right."

"Hey, Luna?"

"Yeah?"

"You know how I've been acting weird lately?"

"Yeah, you have."

"Is it okay if you make sure I'm okay?"

"Of course! It's my job, after all."

"Yeah, it is."

"Okay, you've had an increased appetite, had a slightly enlarged abdomen, had mood swings, and exhibited nesting behaviors."

"Yeah, I have."

"Nausea?" She looks like she knows what it is, but confirming it before she tells me.

"That too. So, what is it then?" She smirks.

"You're pregnant."

"I am? Seriously? Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure." Wow. I can't believe it.

"Well, it is the Pup Season, after all."

"It is."

"I need to go tell Frost!"

"Tell me what?" he asks.

"I'm pregnant!"

"You are?" everyone asks, except Luna.

"Yes! I am!"

"When will the pups get here?" Obsidian asks.

"About three weeks," Luna says.

"There's gonna be another pup?" Maple asks excitedly.

"Yes," Frost responds.

・・・

I've been working a lot on my nest recently. Every time someone walks in, I look up, about to growl, but then I see who it is. I've also been sleeping a bit more often, but when I'm not sleeping, I'm working very hard and I feel worried that something might not work out the right way.

"It will be just fine," Frost tells me.

"But-but-but what if it isn't?"

"Don't worry."

"I can't help but worry. I haven't been an adult very long."

"Mm."

・・・

We built a wall of leaves around the part of the cave where the Gamma is. I walked out, holding a pup by the scruff in my mouth. Luna and Blaze were holding the other two.

"My pups!" Frost ran over.

"Our pups," I corrected him.

"Yeah, our pups."

"What should we name them?"

"We should name the first one after Athens because he looks similar. Athens Jr."

"Yeah. We should name the girl Daisy because that marking on her face looks like one."

"That's good. The last one should be named Prophecy because he looks rare."

"Great. Pack, come!"

"Yeah?" asked Al as everyone walked up.

"I have an announcement to make."

"What is it?" Aqua asked.

"Now that I have had pups, I need to appoint the heir. I know that in the past we would always just have the Beta become the Alpha, but I want to depart from the ways of our old pack. From now on the Alpha will appoint the next heir from their pups."

"Then who is it?" Obsidian asked.

"I now appoint Athens Jr. as heir." Everyone applauded.