Animalia: The Green Forest, Book 2

Chapter 14

Samson looked down at Rose with an equally unhappy face. "I was at Alex's place," he explained gruffly. "I didn't want to be here."
"Why not?" Rose looked hurt. "You didn't want to help me and your mom deliver your baby relative? You would rather spend time with Alex than help your own family?"
Why is she making such a big deal out of this? Samson was starting to feel frustrated now. "What I choose to do with my family is none of your concern," he growled. His voice became icy as he added, "You're not even a part of it."
Rose's blue eyes widened with shock at his words. She opened her mouth to reply but was suddenly cut off by Iris.
"Be nice, Samson!" His mother snarled. "You're lucky I'm busy right now, or else your ass would have been drop-kicked by now!"
Samson immediately lowered his gaze and sulkily stared at the floor.
Iris' voice softened when she called Rose back, "Come back, Rose!" She ordered cheerfully. "The baby's starting to come out!"
Rose shot Samson one last unhappy look before leaving to join Iris.
Samson suddenly felt cold. I never told my mother that Luca is the father of Tsuki's child. He realized uneasily. He glanced back at the bed where everything was happening. Iris and Rose were still blocking his view of Tsuki. Please don't let the dang kid look like Luca. My mother would lose her mind if she found out the truth. He waited with a pounding heart to see what would happen next.
It seemed like forever until Iris finally spoke. Her back was still turned to Samson. "It's a-" she started, but stopped suddenly. "It's a fox kit. . . A red fox. . ."
Samson felt his blood freeze. She knows Luca is the father now. He shifted uncomfortably. "Is it a male or a female?" He asked casually.
"He's a male," Iris' voice was cold. She still wasn't facing him.
Rose shot Samson a questioning look. You haven't told her about Luca? Her blue eyes seemed to be asking.
Samson shook his head and looked away. I should've said something before. The kit suddenly squealed and startled him.
"Just need to cut this off and. . ." Iris' teeth were clenched as she spoke. She was clearly trying to make an effort to control her temper.
Rose shook her head and turned back to Iris and Tsuki.
Tsuki let out another groan.
"Here comes another one!" Iris' voice now sounded cheerful, although it was painfully obvious that it was being forced now. She turned to Rose. "Here, hold this one while I deal with the other one."
"Another one?" Rose gasped.
Samson looked out the window to see the night sky outside. He blocked out the sounds coming from the girl's direction.
Iris spoke up again after what seemed like forever. "A female," she sounded tense.
"Iris?" Rose sounded anxious now. "Is something wrong?"
Samson's ears perked up but he still did not look back.
"This one is. . ." Iris sounded lost. Then her voice hardened. "Rose, give the other pup to his mother right now."
Rose silently obeyed. Samson felt concerned now. Something's seriously wrong. He forced himself to turn to the girls.
Iris's back was still turned. Rose was leaning over Tsuki and handing the first pup over.
"Where's the other one?" Tsuki croaked. "I had more than one, didn't I?"
"Samson." Iris' was low. "Come over here. Right now."
Samson held his breath as he approached his mother. He kept his eyes averted from the small kit in her arms. "Yes?"
"This one didn't make it," Iris whispered. Her pink eyes were full of grief. "I don't know why, but it just didn't."
No. No way. Samson was overwhelmed by the pain he suddenly felt. But he forced himself to stay as relaxed as he possibly could. "Oh," he breathed out. He was surprised at the sudden twinge of grief he felt.
Iris looked down at the motionless kit in her arms. "Take her outside," she commanded in a hushed voice. "Bury her. Please. That's all I'm asking you to do. You don't have to come back in here if you don't want to."
"Alright." Samson removed his black hoodie and placed it over the kit's body. He was gentle in his movement, being careful as he wrapped the clothing around the lifeless kit as if she were able to feel everything.
Samson clutched his hoodie close to his chest as he sprinted out of the room and into the hallway. He scurried out of his house and looked around. Where can I bury her? He wondered. The chilly night air made him shiver.
Samson paced in circles. Where? Where? Where? He thought hard. Then he stopped. I'll bury her close to the house. He decided. He walked around his home and stopped by a window from his parent's room. Right here. He decided.
Samson gingerly placed his hoodie down and started digging a hole just below the window. His claws and fingers were caked with dirt by the time he had finished.
Samson reached for his hoodie. He looked away as he unfolded it and gently placed the kit in the hole he had just dug. He used his tail to sweep dirt back into it and patted it down with a hand to straighten the earth.
This isn't right. He thought as he leaned back. She was so young. How did this happen? Then he felt a sudden surge of rage. Luca should've been here. Should've been with his mate and supported her while she bore his kits.
Samson grabbed his hoodie, stood up, and stormed back inside his house. He pushed his way into the guest room and approached the girls. "I did it," he murmured to his mother.
Iris turned when he spoke. "Where did you bury her?" She whispered.
"Near the house," Samson replied.
Rose was talking to Tsuki nearby.
"Where did my other baby go?" Tsuki cried. "I know I had two!"
"Samson took her outside," Rose looked down. "She was a baby girl."
"Was?" Tsuki looked stricken. "What do you mean? Where is she?"
Samson moved to stand by Rose's side. "She's dead," he gravely informed Tsuki.
Tsuki shook her head. "No, she can't be!" She wailed. Her son let out a squeal.
Samson and Rose glanced at each other. There was a terrible sadness in Rose's blue eyes. Samson pulled her closer to him with his tail. "I'm sorry for being rude to you earlier," he whispered. "And I'm sorry that you had to be involved in this."
"It's okay, Samson." Rose used a single hand to wipe at her eyes. "It's okay." She pulled out her phone and blankly stared at the bright screen. "Five missed calls and a few unread messages from Jaxon." Her voice sounded apathetic.
Samson pulled away from Rose. "You should probably go home now," he told her gently. "I'll walk with you."