Wild Berry Meadow full dark no stars

terich-mir spoke again, and vuk's eyes widened, though she remained silent as he gave forth his unexpected proposal. his kindness was welcome in the secret places of her heart, and yet she was wary -- upon giving up her virginity, she had fallen pregnant, and so was leery of intimacy altogether. was that what he wished. she leveled him with a hard stare, searching his eyes for any trace of his true intentions, but saw no darkness there.

exhaustion stole over her as she considered her options: return to the ridge and let her children meet their fate, though she would of course beg for their lives. continue to wander alone and perhaps starve -- the jut of her sharp hipbones was testament enough to the little she had managed to find -- and lastly, search for a place alone. 

her choices were few and dismal. terich offered something she had not considered; the security of a mate coupled with the promise that her children might live. vuk looked to him again, hackles rearing momentarily at the fear that he wanted only to mate with her, and then the fur smoothed as she gave a single crisp nod of acceptance.