Wolf Runner

by Constance O'Banyon

  Firethorn met Blue Dawn as she came out of her father’s tipi. He stopped before her, shaking his head. “I am sorry you have been so humiliated—it must be hard on you, with all the village knowing of your shame.”

  She stared at him in confusion. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, Wolf Runner’s actions. I was stunned that he brought another woman home with him, and to make it worse, she has Cheyenne blood in her.”

  “Wolf Runner is home?”

  “I know, it is another shame you must bear that he went to the other woman last night and did not first come to you. I am sorry, you must be so humiliated.”

  Blue Dawn’s face twisted with rage. “How could he do this to me?”

  “There is more,” Firethorn said with seeming reluctance. “He gave her a wolf—and not just any wolf. He gave her Satanta, the alpha of the pack.”

  “He gave her a wolf?” Her face was white with rage. “He should have given Satanta to me.”

  “I thought you did not like the wolves. I thought they frightened you.”

  “Even so, he should have asked me.”

  Firethorn tried not to smile—he had never liked Blue Dawn and had never thought she was right for his friend. “If only the word had not spread through the whole village, you might have borne the shame.”

  Her eyes widened with anger. “I knew he was not to be trusted when he left. I made him promise he would have no woman but me.”

  Nodding, Firethorn said, “I believe he broke his promise, and everyone else must believe it as well. I only wonder which one of you will be his first wife, and which one will be second.”

  Blue Dawn stomped her foot. “I am glad I do not love him or my heart would be broken. I will not have him, and I will accuse him of being false in front of the whole village.”

  “That would make him understand your anger.” Firethorn looked sorrowful. “Too bad.”

  Firethorn smiled when he turned away. There was no end of trouble he had stirred up today.

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Wolf Runner stood in the council lodge, where he spoke to the elders. “You charged me to punish Night Fighter, and the deed is done. I do not believe any of his followers will make mischief without his leadership.”

  “That is good,” his grandfather, Chief Broken Lance, said, trying not to show his pride in his grandson. “The families of the dead women can find peace now that he is dead.”

  “What makes you think the other renegades will no longer attack our women?” Wind Warrior asked.

  Wolf Runner glanced at his father. “They saw Night Fighter was a coward and deserted him in the end. The Cheyenne are a noble people, and it was only a few renegades who raided our land. If you cut the head off the snake, the body will die,” he said.

  “The council honors you this day, Wolf Runner, son of Wind Warrior,” the elder, Cunning Fox, said. “You have set a fine example for our younger warriors to follow.”

  A short time later, Wolf Runner left the council lodge, and he found Blue Dawn waiting for him with a frown on her face.

  “Why did you not come to me when you returned?” she demanded petulantly.

  He stared into her eyes, wondering what had made her angry. Her voice was accusing and shrill, and others paused to listen to her words since she spoke so loudly.

  “There were matters I needed to attend to. I was on my way to see you now.”

  “Yet I heard you had time to visit the half-breed woman you brought into our village.” Blue Dawn’s voice rose in volume. “Do not deny it—everyone is talking about you and her.”

  Wolf Runner tried to push down his anger. “Let us speak of this in private. Others are listening.”

  Blue Dawn stepped closer to him. “Let everyone hear how you have disgraced me. Do you deny you went to the half-breed when you first returned?”

  His chin settled in a hard line, and if she had known Wolf Runner better, Blue Dawn might have chosen to keep her thoughts to herself until they were in private as he had requested.

  But she did not. “Do you deny it?”

  “I do not,” he said in a whisper. “Cheyenne had a very difficult time and I had to know she was not suffering.”

  “You did not care what I suffered, or the humiliation you brought down on my head.” Blue Dawn’s voice carried to those who had gathered behind her. “I even heard you gave her one of your wolves—you never gave me a wolf, although I wanted one.”

  “Satanta chose to be with Cheyenne—it was the wolf’s decision, not a gift from me.”

  “You were with her for many days. This woman is an abomination because she has white blood in her veins and should be despised by all Blackfoot.”

  Blue Dawn heard a gasp from behind her and a mutter of voices. Cunning Fox, the head of the council, stepped up to her, anger showing in his dark eyes. “You have insulted the man you chose to wed, for is he not half white—most of all, you have insulted his mother, who was born white, but is now fully one of us.”

  Blue Dawn’s mouth opened, but no words would come out. Her own father stepped up to her and gripped her arm. “You have insulted a noble warrior and shamed me before the whole village. Mostly you have shamed yourself. Later, you will want to ask forgiveness of Wolf Runner and his mother, although I would not blame them if they refused to forgive you and Wolf Runner refuses to take you for his woman.”

  Blue Dawn realized what she had done, but it was too late. She had only one way to save face. “I do not want to be Wolf Runner’s woman. I will never consent to live with him after what he has done.”

  Wolf Runner had been silent, but he now spoke: “I release you from your commitment. You are free to marry whoever you will.”

  “This is what you wanted all along,” Blue Dawn stated heatedly

  Her father’s grip on her arm tightened, and he yanked her forward. “Forgive her, for I shall not. I take her now to her mother, who will pack her belongings and send her off to her aunt who dwells with the As-siniboin tribe. There it is hoped she may atone for what she has done to shame her family this day.”

  Blue Dawn was crying hysterically as her father led her away. The crowd broke up, muttering about Blue Dawn’s shameful behavior.

  Firethorn appeared beside Wolf Runner. “You owe me a favor—a big favor.”

  Wolf Runner was a bit stunned. “For what reason?”

  “I will tell you another day. Now you can go to the woman you want and ask her to be yours.”

  But Wolf Runner stood like a statue, staring after Blue Dawn, thinking he had never really known her true character until today.

  It had all happened so fast. Wolf Runner felt a rush of joy, then lowered his head in torment. After the way he had treated Cheyenne, why would she want to spend her life with him?

  Firethorn looked serious. “If you do not want Cheyenne, perhaps I will offer for her.”

  Wolf Runner’s heavy gaze landed on Firethorn. “You say this to me? You are not a true friend.”

  Firethorn began to laugh because he had never seen Wolf Runner jealous before. “I do not want your woman. I was merely helping you make up your mind. Your little Cheyenne maiden sees no one but you. When will you go to her?”

  Wolf Runner headed toward his horse. “First I have much to consider. I have to be alone to think.” He turned back to Firethorn. “At the moment, Cheyenne believes I betrayed her.”

  “Did you?”

  “In a way. I think before we decide our future, we must first determine our present. I will go to the mountains to search my soul, while Cheyenne has a chance to learn more of our ways and decide whether she wants to stay here.”

  “How long will you be gone?”

  “As long as it takes.”

  Chapter Thirty-five

  There was a touch of spring in the crisp morning air. Already the grass had turned from straw color to green. Early wildflowers dipped their petals in the warm breeze that swept across the meadows.

  Cheyenne held the hand of Run
ning Wolf’s sister, White Feather, as they walked down the path to the wooded area. She had come to think of the child as her own sister, and adored her.

  When they came out of the woods, White Feather pointed to the river, where several women were dipping their water jugs. White Feather spoke some English, enough so the two of them could communicate.

  Glancing up at the sky, Cheyenne’s heart was heavy—Wolf Runner had been gone for two months. It was said that he sought solitude in the mountains. Each day Cheyenne watched and waited for him. She did not know what would happen between them when he did return.

  “The ice has already melted in the river,” White Feather observed. “Before long we shall be able to swim.” She glanced up at Cheyenne. “Can you swim?”

  “I never learned how.”

  The child looked shocked and then nodded with assurance. “I shall teach you, when my mother says it is safe to go into the water.”

  Cheyenne smiled down at the lovely girl whose green-flecked eyes reminded her of the child’s brother. Cheyenne had been practicing with White Feather to learn to speak Blackfoot. Thus far, her ability to hold a conversation with anyone was limited. “The weather has turned mild,” she said, speaking slowly so she could concentrate on each word. “I like this time of season.”

  “You wait for my brother to return,” White Feather said, pausing and looking up at Cheyenne. “Will my brother take you as his woman? Many say he will.”

  Cheyenne felt her heart ache. “I do not believe he will, White Feather. It is because of me that Blue Dawn left the village. It is a shame I must bear.”

  “I did not like Blue Dawn, and neither did my mother, although she did not say so.”

  Cheyenne quickly changed the subject. “Will you teach me new words so I can speak your language better?”

  “Let me teach you,” a deep, husky voice said from behind them.

  Joy sung in Cheyenne’s heart when she turned and saw Wolf Runner. “I did not know you had returned.”

  White Feather flung herself into her brother’s arms, giggling.

  He smiled at his sister, and then his gaze moved to Cheyenne. “I see you have been learning our language.”

  She shyly nodded. “There are still many words I do not know.”

  Wolf Runner set his sister on the ground. “I would have words alone with Cheyenne.”

  The child grinned up at him. “Ask her to be your woman—we do not want some other warrior taking her away from us.”

  His gaze moved to Cheyenne. “What if she will not have me?”

  White Feather giggled. “She will. She watches every day for your return.”

  His voice deepened. “Does my sister speak the truth?”

  Cheyenne stared into dark eyes that held a world of feeling. “In truth, I became so accustomed to you beside me, I missed your company,” she said, switching to English.

  “Then we must remedy that,” he answered her in Blackfoot.

  He gently shoved his sister toward his father’s tipi, and she ran to tell her mother that Wolf Runner was home and he was asking Cheyenne to be his woman.

  “It is a wonder you would even speak to me. I have wronged you in so many ways,” Wolf Runner admitted in English so she would have no doubt of his meaning. He continued in a hoarse voice. “I do not know if you can ever forgive me for using you for my own purposes.”

  She moved closer to him, wishing she could touch him, but she dared not. “How can you believe such a thing? I owe you my life.”

  He touched her cheek and let his finger drift to her mouth. “Then will you agree to spend the rest of your life at my side?” He looked unsure. “I hope you will.”

  Then Cheyenne did something that took him by surprise and delighted him—she stepped onto his moccasined feet, rose up on her tiptoes, and stood almost eye to eye with him.

  “Answer me one question—do you ask me this because you feel obligated to take care of me?”

  His laughter was warm. “I ask you because every day I have been without you has been dreary and all I did was think about you. I ask you because you make me smile and warm my days.”

  She lowered herself and stepped down. “Wolf Runner—”

  He turned her toward the river. “Let us seek solitude—many are watching us and what I have to say to you must be said in private.”

  He led her along the river and down a path that led to the woods. When they were away from the village he turned her into his arms. “I need you, Cheyenne. Say you will be my woman and walk the path of life with me, for if you do not, I will have no other.”

  Tears gathered in her eyes and clogged her throat. “I must think,” she said, leaning forward and placing her head on his chest. “There are things that stand between us.”

  He brought her to him and tightened his arms about her, holding her close to his body. “I will say this to you: it was wrong to use you as a means to find Night Fighter.” He tilted her chin up and forced her to meet his gaze. “I ask for your forgiveness.”

  She thought for a moment and then slowly nodded. “I forgive you.”

  Relief flooded his mind. “Then know this: if you do not accept me for your husband, I will never have a happy day.”

  Cheyenne saw the truth shining in his eyes. Touching her cheek to his, she whispered, “I want your happiness above all else.”

  There was doubt and uncertainty in his eyes. “Are you saying you will be my woman?”

  Her face brightened with a smile. “I’ve been your woman for a long time; you just didn’t know it.”

  “Then let us be joined as quickly as possible.” He nudged her ear and whispered, “I want you; my body craves you.” His hand slid up her back and made a circular motion. “I went to the mountains to clear my mind and to think. I knew I had wronged you, and I did not know if you would have me. But now I have come for my woman.”

  Smiling up at him, Cheyenne said, “Will you take me to the mountains with you?”

  “I will.” He took her hand and led her back toward the village. “Then let us tell my parents.”

  They were both surprised when most of the village had emptied out of their tipis and were waiting for them, smiling and nodding in approval.

  “Apparently my sister has spread the word that her brother cannot live without his woman.”

  Heat and excitement burst in Cheyenne’s heart. How could she live with such joy? Wolf Runner did love her, and she would spend the rest of her life at his side.

  Satanta came bounding toward them, the rest of the wolf pack following behind. Wolf Runner and Cheyenne suddenly found themselves surrounded by the affectionate creatures.

  Cheyenne bent down and put her arms around Satanta and looked up at Wolf Runner, whose eyes were shining with warmth. “If you have a rival for my affections, it would be this wolf,” she told him.

  “I will brook no rival,” he said, laughing and raising her to her feet. Lowering his head Wolf Runner kissed Cheyenne with warmth and feeling.

  When she could finally catch her breath, she said truthfully, “How could anyone ever rival you in my heart?”

  A look so tender poured into his eyes that it took Cheyenne by surprise. Taking her hand, he led her toward his mother and father.

  Chapter Thirty-six

  They had left the horses to find their way home, and had been steadily climbing for hours. The farther up the mountain they climbed, the lighter Cheyenne’s heart became. That morning she had become Wolf Runner’s woman, and now she belonged to him. He was taking her to the place where his father had taken his mother after they had become one.

  “What is this wondrous place you want to show me, husband?”

  He paused and lifted her pack from her back. “We will not arrive there for three days. But it is well worth the climb.”

  She moved against him, her hands resting against the strong contour of his upper arm, where she felt his strong muscle. “I don’t care where you are taking me, as long as we are together.”

>   He kissed the top of her head. “Are you not weary?”

  She gave him a smile. “After the paces you put me through on our journey to this land, you should not question my stamina.”

  “My dearest heart, you never complained then, although I knew there were times when you were weary.”

  “I knew you expected me to fall short of your expectations; therefore, I was not about to complain.”

  “I loved you even then,” he whispered against her throat, then cupped her face in his strong hands. “I think I must have loved you from that first day in Albuquerque when you were so obstinate.”

  “I was afraid of you at first—then I was annoyed, and then the love came. When we were on the journey to my grandfather’s village, there was no logical reason you should love me after all the trouble I caused you.”

  Wolf Runner’s mouth curved in a sensuous smile. “Then I loved you for all the illogical reasons.”

  “Love is illogical,” Cheyenne said, frowning as she tried to define the feelings that ruled her thinking.

  “Tonight I will have you in my bed.” His tone deepened. “It has been difficult for me to keep my hands off you these last three weeks. Though knowing my mother was watching my every move helped.” He looked into her eyes and saw an answering fire in the amber depths. “Do you know what it feels like to ache inside?”

  “Yes,” she freely admitted.

  “Then you know what I feel.”

  At that very moment Cheyenne ached for him. She sighed and laid her face against his chest, where she heard his heart hammering. She was astounded and grateful that this wonderful man loved her. “It was hard for me as well. I want you to teach me what it means to be your woman.”

  Wolf Runner grabbed her to him and lowered his head, his mouth sinking into hers.

  She quivered and yearned while he quaked with desire.

  When he raised his head, she asked, “Must we wait until tonight?”

  Her innocent question set his body on fire. He would like nothing better than to lay her on the ground and give her what she asked for. But this was her wedding night and he would have her remember his restraint, not his animal urges.