Mouse
Mouse woke up as Bets nudged her urgently with her nose.
They're coming. The pups. It hurts.
Shhh. Calm down. Just relax.
Mouse rubbed her hands over the malamute's labouring sides, calming the animal as she gave birth. Bloodslick wriggling bodies were born onto the sheets of Mouse's bed, the alien helping the dog as the pain got greater. Calming. Soothing. Making sure the puppies were safe.
When the four pups had been birthed, Bets started to clean up, eating the afterbirth, a practice that still made Mouse feel mildly sick when she really thought about it, even if she knew intellectually that it was a good idea. Then she washed the pups clean with her tongue, the babies squeaking and wriggling as they blindly nuzzled for her teats. Eventually, the room was quiet except for Bets's soft, contented breathing being the loudest sound in the room.
They are beautiful. Mouse told the dog in a soft whine.
And they are mine. Ours. The Pack will be strong.
Bets licked her children over again before she slept. Mouse got up quietly to wash the birth blood off her hands and then slept on the floor.