because this is love

mating is complicated.
males have there own disorganized ranking system when the matriarch is in heat.
pregnancies last about 16 months and yields 2 - 5 whelps, which depend on their mother for a year and a half to two.
so her time can't be wasted with lack luster mates.

when the female does select a mate, courtship may last up to two weeks. most of which involves little actual mating. they engage in hunts to form a more personal bond then the mock hunt. the female will attack and chase the male for days. it's all to test his will, reflex, speed and cunning. at the end of the night cycle the male may attempt to mount; if the female is not impressed she will attack and so until she finally does submit. after which they will mate several times before returning to the tribe.

birthing is performed alone and pups are introduced slowly to the other dominate females first. it can be very touch and go, a huffy mother snapping on one of maids quite easily. a month may past before the mother is comfortable with males (including the father ) being around whelps. First time mother's often lose whelps to other males, the death of which force her back into heat.

not as much text but still.