soul, not yet ready to emerge after her long rest, but alert and delighting in the feeling of their cub resting in Elisabeti's arms.
Elisabeti didn't have long to wait. Just as the sun slipped below the horizon, Aswathi the carter came out of the growing darkness. He smiled at the sight of Elisabeti and her cub. “You are here! You are well! Should you be on your feet already?”
“We are here,” Elisabeti gave a watery chuckle, “and we are as well as can be.
“I wanted to thank you, for all you have done for us.”
Aswathi shrugged uncomfortably. “It was little enough.”
Little it may have been, but it had meant a great deal to Elisabeti and the other wolves. The human army had been inclined to give little way of supplies and support to the defeated refugees, even knowing the first wolves to reach them were the injured and pregnant. When Elisabeti had gone into labor before the wolf midwives could arrive, the humans had refused even to send one of their own midwives to the refugees, leaving them to struggle alone to aid Elisabeti through the birthing.
Only Aswathi had offered any aid, spending his own pay to get fuel for the fires and rags for cleaning.
Elisabeti did not argue Aswathi's demurral, instead holding up her cub for him to see clearly. “He needs a name,” she said simply. “Would you permit him to be named Aswathi?”
Aswathi stared at her, stunned. “Surely there is another he should be named for? His father?”
But Elisabeti shook her head. “That is not our way. And... I will carry the grief of my mate's loss the rest of my life. Should I burden my child with that weight?
“No, let his name be the memory of a good man. Especially in these times.”
Aswathi hesitated, but eventually nodded. “If that is your wish.”
“Thank you.”
~~~
#WIPWednesday #Elisabeti
