Lizzy woke the next day with a grimace. Phantom had returned the night before right as the sun was setting, assuring her that supplies would be delivered as soon as Mother Asena arranged extra males to bring them.
Day Six. Lizzy thought. Tomorrow is when it all starts officially. The timing is terrible. She exhaled sharply, feeling a ripple along her back. The bed beside her was cold and she knew that Phantom must have gotten up early to further fortify the cave. They had come up with a plan last night to add more layers to the cave entrance, solidifying it further against any threat. She still had no idea what she would face in the next week, but she did know that she couldn't face it without being prepared.
Lizzy rose to her feet, waddling her way to the main cavern with an angry grunt. Her stomach was massive and based upon the pain beginning to settle deep in her hips, she could only guess that she was very close to labor. The goal for her was to track down her mate and pray that she survived the birth with no painkillers. She wasn't even sure what would come out of her. Would it be a puppy? Would it be a human? Would it be some weird beast that was in between?
Phantom lifted his head as she approached the entrance to the cave, holding up a dark lump of stone. "I found some metals deep in the cave. I'm using it to reinforce....Lizzy?"
His smile faded as another pain rippled through Lizzy's back. She bent over, placing her hands on her knees to steady herself. Was it day three or four of her pregnancy? How in the world had this all flown by so fast? Her body had changed rapidly, yes, but this was too much for her mind to process.
{Reminder: Members of the Wolf BeastClan have short pregnancies of three months. You mated a member that shows great magical potential, took the [Fetus Improvement Pill], and are in the 7-day kickstart window before the start of the Games. This has greatly affected the gestation period of any pups that you may be carrying. Good luck!}
She barely registered Phantom approaching her and steadying her as he led her back to their bedroom. "What can I do? Is it time?"
Lizzy nodded, feeling a wave of heat pass over her body. There was no way she would survive this. There could be no way, right? Her body was in so much pain. She stripped out of her clothes, panting as the next contraction hit. She didn't want to dirty the bed, but she had to admit that her knees were feeling weaker after every contraction. "It's time." She groaned, clawing her way onto the bed and laying on the comforter. It felt as if her body was beginning to tear from the inside out and she questioned if the baby was using claws to free itself.
{Ding}
{Skill Unlocked: Passive Healing in Childbirth}
{There is nothing quite like the joy...and pain...of a natural birth. When dealing with multiple pups the mother may experience her body stretching in ways that it was not built for. You have unlocked a skill that will slowly heal you over time. Don't expect this to make it easier for the pain still exists! Contestant, please note that there is a possibility for medicine to be sponsored to you should you make it to the Games.}
"You motherfucker! You gave me a shit class and now there's not even pain meds for this?!" Lizzy hissed, readjusting until she was on all fours. Sweat had broken out along her body and she screeched as she felt pressure settle on her hips.
"Lizzy, I can run to get Mother Asena!" Phantom paled, his hands shaking as he looked around the room. "She can assist!"
"Don't you dare leave me here alone and with no protection!" Lizzy screamed, pushing as she felt pain slice through her lower region. She knew that even if Phantom was to run with every bit of energy he had that he would not be back before the pups were born.
{Ding}
{Skill Unlocked: One Time Fast Birth!}
{The system takes pity on you. While normal labor can last for hours or even days, it has been sped up just for this instance. We would hate for you to go into the Games vulnerable to attack. Because of this you are experiencing a rapid birth effect. Duration: the next four hours. Bonus: Rapid Healing should you survive the birthing process.}
Oh, fuck you! That doesn't help! Lizzy mentally screamed at the system. There was no way she would say thank you when it felt as if her vagina was being torn into shreds. "Why couldn't I be a warrior?!" She demanded, tears streaming down her face as the pressure grew more intense. "Phantom, I need you!"
Phantom rushed forward, his fear leaving him at the distressed cries that Lizzy was making. He reached her just as another contraction rippled through her and she pushed the babe out. The wolf caught the baby, panicking before wiping it with one of the furs that had been on the foot of the bed.
Lizzy sighed, falling onto her side and felt immense relief that it was over. She spent several minutes catching her breath while Phantom gazed at the child in his arms with adoration on his face.
Just as she was reaching forward to check on the child herself, she felt another wave of pain across her stomach. Lizzy let loose another howl of pain, instinctively bringing her legs up and propping herself on her elbows. "By all that's holy, not another one. I don't think I can survive another one." She hissed as pain overtook her senses.
Time slipped away from her, lost in a continuous ripple of pain and pressure and pushing. Where the first child had come quickly, the second was much slower to arrive. She was beginning to sense something was wrong when loud noises from the main cavern had her head turning towards the door to the bedchamber. At some point, Phantom had slipped away to check on the noise and panic was making Lizzy's already thready breathing turn into gasps.
It was at this moment that Mother Asena appeared in the doorframe like a glowing angel of maternal support. "I was worried you would need someone when you gave birth, but this is much faster than I thought. Normally, there are months before a pup comes." She hurried forward, brushing strands of sweaty clumps of hair out of Lizzy's face. "No worries, child. I'll help you."
The older woman arranged herself at the foot of the bed, her hands coming up to cup Lizzy's stomach. "Oh, dear. There's the problem, love. The pup wants to come out the wrong way."