Raksha 💖

Loyal // Determined // Shy

Raksha is a shy but extremely determined wolf. Once she starts a project, she will always finish it to the best of her ability. She likes to keep herself busy, regardless of who she's with or what she's doing. As a Scout, she is responsible for making sure the borders are safe and clear, and bringing back any information she discovers on her travels.

-Lore-
11/13/23 (2 years, 2.5 months)

Raksha lay curled up tightly within the den-space, her thick fur protecting the single small pup from the chilly autumn wind. This was her second litter...and there had only been one. One small puppy to show for months of pregnancy. One small puppy to have to undergo the harsh judgement of the queen. Her heart pounded within her chest as worry began to take hold. The news of the birth had surely reached Vixen by now, and she would be on her way. Wyvern had also given birth, and she couldn't help but wonder how the older she-wolf dealt with the hardship.

It wasn't right. No puppy should have to endure such critical examination, especially not at birth. How could one possibly tell how useful a newborn would one day be? But she knew better than to speak on it. She knew better than to show any sign of remorse if her lonesome daughter did not meet Vixen's harsh standards. Hours seemed like years as she lay silently waiting, soaking up every bit of time with her young one as she possibly could, for fear she would not see her after today. What if the male she had chosen to mate with wasn't good enough? What if the offspring she had carried for months didn't please the queen?

Rustling and voices outside of the den alerted Raksha to Vixen's presence. The air seemed to shift and tighten as the large queen dipped inside, the scent of old blood seeping from her pelt. It had been months since she had seen the queen in person, and she seemed more terrifying now than she had ever seemed before. Her gaze was cold and stern, and her large muscular figure resembled that of a young bear.

"How many?" The queen asked, meeting Raksha's nervous gaze.

"Just one," she answered, trying to keep her voice steady and strong. Vixen furrowed her brow, but made no further comment. It was obvious she was disappointed, but despite all of her flaws, she had never once mocked a mother for her litter size or fertility. Being a mother was hard enough, and Raksha believed the hardened queen understood that much at the very least. The scout uncurled herself, revealing the puppy that lay suckling on her tummy.

"The father?" Vixen asked, lowering her snout to lean closer to the puppy.

"Trauma," Raksha answered, "From Euphoric." The queen nodded, as if she had heard the name before. Perhaps some of the other pack mothers had also had an encounter with the stud. Now that she was up close, Raksha could smell the scent of Wyvern, milk, and other pups. Vixen had already visited the other mother. The queen lifted the pup into her jaws and carried her outside of the den, into the bright sun. Raksha stood, having been through this once before with her daughter Ursa.

Dropping the pup onto the stone ground, Vixen sat on her haunches and watched. The puppy whined for a moment, stunned at the sudden cold and harshness of the ground, but within a matter of seconds she managed to push herself back upright, lifting her small head as if searching for milk. When she realized there was no milk to be had, she began pushing herself along the rocks, dragging her body towards the direction of the queen. Flicking her ear, Vixen allowed the pup to come all the way to her before picking her up in her maw once more and carrying her back into the den.

"She looks like you and your daughter before her," Vixen commented as she placed the pup on the den floor, much gentler this time. "She displayed strength and wisdom in my test, and she's fit for Highridge. Congratulations." She bent down and sniffed the pup once more before turning and leaving the den, briefly visiting the pregnant females and then disappearing down the mountainous slope.


~Notes~
-Became Scout on 11/12/23
-Pair Bond: Shaniya
-Only allowed to mate with males outside of Highridge
(rule implemented on 11/15/23)