18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 479

Cooper would often hang out with Snowflake by the fireplace, the two of them getting into all sorts of playful antics.

After a few days, Snowflake started responding to her name, especially when it was mealtime. Whenever Stella called, she’d come running, probably because she was so used to being hungry. Snowflake had quite the appetite, with a particular love for raw meat.

The downside? She was fiercely protective of her food. Sometimes, even Cooper would get a growl if he got too close, and Stella didn’t fare any better.

The blizzard raged on for five days before finally calming down. Bundled up, Stella stepped outside for some fresh air. Cooper and Snowflake returned from their romp, frolicking wildly in the snow. When the scrappy pup nudged Snowflake’s belly, Stella chided, “Careful, your lady’s pregnant! Don’t get too rough now, keep it gentle.”

But Snowflake was wild at heart. Cooper tried to play it cool, but couldn’t resist the little temptress, cavorting in the snow with abandon.

What could Stella say? Snowflake probably never had a mother’s care, and even pregnant, she was completely unrestrained, clueless about her condition. Jasper had a bit more insight into animals, “Snowflake must’ve just reached adulthood.”

Ah, Cooper was robbing the cradle. He had some charm, indeed!

After spending a few days together, the trio grew quite fond of Snowflake, thinking she could be tamed. With a mate by his side, Cooper stopped wandering off, spending more time playing with her. This joy was different from the companionship of a human caretaker. Sitting atop a snowy mound, Stella watched Cooper play in the drifts, feeling content.

Snowflake paused in play, gazing into the distance, her head turning this way and that. She longed for the wilds yet hesitated to leave. Cooper whined softly, nudging her head. Stella grew anxious, “Does Snowflake want to leave?”

Jasper reasoned, “She grew up in the wild. It’s natural for her to yearn for it.” Wolves and dogs are different after all. If not for the severe blizzard, she might never have entered the human domain. Stella opened her mouth to speak but found no words.

Stella had taken Snowflake to Arcadia for a prenatal ultrasound. After ten days of care, with full meals and good food, Snowflake’s lean body began to fill out. With her health improved, her beauty shone through. Even Stella was smitten, no wonder Cooper was so enchanted. With enough meat, Snowflake lay down obediently, letting Stella use strange devices to check her body. The ultrasound revealed three little shadows. In about twenty days, she’d give birth, and they looked healthy.

Just out of Arcadia, Cooper rushed up, whining anxiously. Oh, now he was jealous? Too late! Stella patted his head, “Cooper, Snowflake’s having triplets. You’ll be a daddy soon.” Reproduction is an animal’s instinct; Cooper couldn’t grasp the concept, only knowing his share was less and his human’s affection waned.

“I’ve taken care of your mate, but once the pups are born, you’re on your own.” Stella laid out the plan, “Starting today, your kibble is halved. I’m saving it for the pups.” Cooper feigned ignorance, continuing to charm for affection. To his surprise, Stella followed through; his next meal was not only kibble but scant as well. Meanwhile, Snowflake’s bowl overflowed with chicken, duck, and fish, a veritable feast. Hungry Cooper approached, only to be greeted with Snowflake’s snarl, retreating to his bed in defeat. Snowflake left behind two large pieces of fish, untouched. It left a piece for Cooper and trotted off with another in its mouth.

Rosie, ever the curious one, stealthily followed behind. She watched as Snowflake dug a little hole in the snowy ground and carefully buried the fish. “Sis, Snowflake is stashing the fish away.” Hoarding is a natural instinct in animals. They’ve known hunger, and when there’s food to spare, they hide it for later. When Stella first brought Cooper home, he too had a habit of secretly hiding things. But as meals became a regular feast, he gradually dropped the habit.

Stella was about to be proven wrong, though. Snowflake wasn’t just hoarding food because it couldn’t eat anymore; it was planning ahead for the little ones growing inside her. Perhaps that’s just a mother’s instinct, kicking in even without experience, guiding her to prepare. Moreover, as its belly grew, Snowflake became gentler when playing with Cooper. If Cooper got a bit rough, Snowflake wasn’t shy about baring its teeth as a warning. After being scolded a few times, Cooper got the message and started to behave.