The Wolf, the Butterfly, and the Kraken

Chapter 5

Weeks went by where all I could eat was meat. I watched him boil his beans and potatoes and carrots, wishing I could have some just for variety, but I knew none of it would pass my lips. Both of us put in long hours, and even though I was the slave and he the master, at the end of the day he made me broth and meat while he ate beans. Half the time I would fall asleep drinking broth and he would wake me when the meat was done. I would scarf it down and then fall asleep again.
I only owned the green tunic and longed for washing day. I got more dirt and stuff on it than I knew what to do with. Once I knew I was pregnant I longed to use my watercasting to look inside myself using my tiny water element, Isa. I was afraid to though, because I wasn't sure if there were untamed furies here that might try to hurt her and I.
One day curiosity got the best of me. I told Vam I wanted a bath and asked him to help me bring the tub into the den. He did, and curiously helped me to fill it. Then left. I luxuriated in the warm water for a bit before summoning Isa.
Isa was tiny, shaped like a butterfly, but had been my friend since I was 6. I told her what I wanted and closed my eyes. It didn't take long for Isa to find the baby. I could hear it's little heart whooshing along steadily. It was tiny.

* * *

When I opened the door she seemed half asleep in the tub. Her eyes were half closed and she was smiling. She seemed to glow from the inside out. Her skin was raw and pink, no real fur at all, except some over her private area.
I bent over the tub to see if she was alright and her eyes opened. She considered me a moment then held her hand out, "Give me your hand. I want you to know what I feel."
I did. She put our hands in the water and I felt joy. There was fear tingeing it, but joy. Then something deeper, something vibrant and full to bursting with life. The cub. Our cub. It was beautiful.
Neither of us said anything for a long time. Still holding my hand she said, "If you don't wish for this child to live you will have to kill me now." There was no fear, only rock solid honesty.
I grinned, "You should have been born a Lycant." I reached my hand out of the water and slid a claw under her leather collar. With one twitch I could slit her jugular. I brought my claw forward and it went through the leather like butter. The collar fell into the water with a splash.
She sat up and wrapped her arms around my throat in a hug, smiling. Then she realized she was naked and blushed from head to toe. I rumbled a laugh as she splashed water at me, telling me to leave so she could dry and get dressed.
I stepped out into freezing cold rain, but felt warm and happy. I was going to have a cub. The moon was hidden but I sang to it anyway. There would be repercussions for this choice, I knew, but I also knew in my heart that this would be part of my battlesong, and I would never regret the choice.