Blackfeather Woods rosemary

the scene was growing more and more bleak as Tahani realized the gravity of the situation. Ocra didn't just not want Currituck--there was no way she could serve as an adequate mother to her. not with her handicap, not with her trauma. she was giving the girl a way out, a chance to live the life her siblings did not receive. a chance to have a family of her own.

"i take her," Tahani said after a moment of silence, dipping her head. the tears would not stop, but her voice was clear, determined. "Shiv and me. . .ah, I. . .take care of her." and though Tatik had no northern blood, to her knowledge, there was little brown Tunerk in the mix; she would not feel so out of place.

she cocked her head in a gesture Ocracoke would not see, another question coming to her mind, though part of her knew the answer already. "we leave, soon," Tahani continued. "new home. you. . .you come?" the logistics of ferrying a blind woman across the rugged landscape, especially with four pups already to care for, were more than daunting.

but if Ocra wished it. . .she would come with the northern wolves. Tahani would make sure of it.