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The snow was falling heavily, bit soon it would clear up. He lay down next to Cinder, whose belly was round with their pups. They would be here any day now. "Would you like something to eat?" He asked her, nuzzling her slightly, getting up from the Elk fur that was their bed. The prey was rustling outside and he could smell the thickness of their scent from in here.

Cinder smiled at Hondo and looked at her stomach, she nodded. She was so glad that he was here to help her. "If you dont mind, I'm very much craving hares. If you could hunt some of them that would be great." she licked Hondos muzzle and then put her head on the elk fur, resting.

Hondo walked out into the deep snow. He went into the rabbit Warren searching for hares. His dark coat didnt help. But soon he could see the amber eyes, black tipped ears and that white coat. He rolled in the snow, hiding his scent and making his coat turn almost white. He was right behind the hares. He pounced snapping one's neck and clawed another one. He then chased one more and bit it, killing it. He picked up the three hares and went back to the den. "Here you are," he said laying down two hares, leaving one for himself. "Enjoy." He layed down next to her and started eating.

"Thank you, that was fast! We should leave some though, we want to have more in the spring for our pups and us." she winced slightly, their pups were moving quite a bit. She wouldnt be suprised if they came that night or the next day.

"Yes, I'll hunt some more later but right now we need to eat, gather your strength Cinder. I'll never let you down." He nuzzled her. Biting deep into the hare, crunching it's bones but leaving the hide, for the pups beds when they are born. The tender taste of flesh roused him. He lay his head down next to his mate. "I will never abandon you, never.

Cinder licked him thoughtfully, she had a wonderful mate.

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That night

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Cinder startled awake, the pups were moving around a lot. She woke up Honbo saying, "Love...I think they are coming." she looked at him nervously.

Hondo looked at her, concern and worry flooding through him. He didnt know how birthing pups went. He knew it was painful though. "Cinder, what do you need me to do?" He asked.

"Get me some water." she said to him, her voice shaky. But for some reason she knew what to do, she went over to a corner. "I also need some elk furs over here, it will be to hard for the pups.". As Hondo brought them to her she tried to calm herself down.

"I'll get you more water." He picked up another Elk hide and layed it in the corner. He helped her onto it and went to get water. He picked up a peice of moss and dipped it in the river, he came back to the den and dug a small hole, then drained the water in it. He did this till the hole was full. "Everything is going to be ok." He assured her.