Wolf Runner (21 page)

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.”

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 Running 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.

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.

Reluctantly, he handed Cheyenne her pack. “Fire-thorn set up a camp for us farther on up the mountain. It is a small cave. I think you will like it.” He looked pensive. “But perhaps you had enough camping out on the journey here. I did not think of that.”

She giggled. “Nonsense. I am strong and I love the outdoors. When I was young I was always wondering what was over the next hill and then the next. Now I know. You have shown me.”

Wolf Runner could hardly swallow for the lump in his throat. His woman would match him step for step, and even go him one better.

Cheyenne’s heart softened when she looked into his glowing eyes and she wondered what he was thinking.

Taking her hand, he helped her over a wide boulder and paused to kiss her before setting her on her feet. He took her hand and assisted her up the steep trail, where he slid his arms around her waist, holding her against his body.

Touching her hair, he breathed against her ear. “If I continue like this, we will never reach camp.”

As they reached their destination, the sun was just going down and painted the sky in brilliant crimson.

Placing her pack on the ground, Cheyenne smiled, looking at the trail that led to a cave. “This is wonderful.”

Without pausing to think, Wolf Runner lifted her in his arms and carried her into the cave. Going down with her onto the soft fur Firethorn had left for them, he stared into her eyes. “How long I have suffered for being denied that which I wanted most in
the world.” He swallowed deep. “Tonight, I will have you.”

She touched his face, then laced her fingers through his ebony hair, a tangle of emotions throbbing inside her. “You have that right.”

Wolf Runner buried his lips against hers, holding her so tightly she could scarcely breathe.

When he raised his head she saw smoldering flames in the shimmering depths. Her body trembled and so did his—she was glad she could move this strong, honorable warrior.

While kissing her, Wolf Runner methodically began removing Cheyenne’s clothing. At first he was gentle, but when she touched his bare chest, he grabbed her in his arms and ground his mouth against hers. Impatiently he disposed of her moccasins, wanting her completely naked. His own clothing quickly followed and naked flesh met naked flesh.

With his heart drumming in his ears, Wolf Runner gently brought his mouth to each tempting breast, suckling, nipping, and teasing until both nipples stood in erect peeks.

Cheyenne’s eyes were fever bright with passion, and he felt satisfaction that his woman wanted him as much as he wanted her. His heated gaze moved down her body, appreciating how perfect she was.

She felt shy at first, but could not long resist the temptation to look at him. His naked body was magnificent. Her eyes widened when she saw how large he had swelled.

Frowning, Cheyenne pulled back, knowing some of what was going to happen. She could not imagine how something that large could fit inside her.

As if Wolf Runner read her mind, he assured her, “There will be some pain, but it will not last. As my
woman, you are built to receive me, just as I am made to join with you.”

Bringing her gently into his arms, his hand swept over her body, moving ever lower until he touched her between the legs. Like the petal of a flower opening to the sun, she spread her legs to him and he caressed her until she thought she would scream from want. Cheyenne gasped with pleasure when his finger slid inside her.

He paused, nuzzling her ear. “I am impatient to bury myself in you, but do not fear, I will not rush you.”

She felt as if her body had come alive as he buried his finger farther inside her. She groaned, thinking nothing could have prepared her for the wonderful feeling that washed over her, and it could not get any better.

But she was mistaken.

Wolf Runner smiled against her lips as her innocent body flowered under his touch. He moved between her legs, kissing her all the while.

Cheyenne’s eyes widened when she felt his swollen manhood against her. She closed her eyes as he slid into her and clawed at his back when he broke through her virginal barrier.

He waited until she accepted him, and then thrust deeper inside her.

Feeling her bow with pain and then cling to him in passion, he slowly withdrew and slid forward, setting a slow rhythm, when what he really wanted to do was drive deep. He had ached for her so long, he kept a tight rein on his thrusts, fighting against the need to bury even deeper inside her.

Cheyenne moaned and tossed her head as her body willingly met each of his thrusts. When he pulled back, she held her breath, waiting for the next onslaught as
desire and need coursed through her body. She heard the beating of his heart and her body sung to his tune.

She cried out his name as his mouth settled on hers and her heart felt completely exposed. She loved him and he loved her; at last they were joined.

Cheyenne thought he was finished because he had paused, but she caught her breath when he surged forward again, filling her with pleasure, hot and wild.

Her body was his to do with as he chose. She felt tears dampen her eyes and knew she was crying from the beauty of their joining. Her hands slid down his back, pressing him toward her.

“My woman,” he whispered in a deep voice. “You are my heart.”

Afterward, they lay in each other’s arms until dark shadows encroached across the cave. “You filled me with joy,” he said, his lips on her brow.

“I have never been so happy. Will it last—will it always be this way between us?”

Laughter lurked in his green-flecked eyes because she delighted him. “It will only get better.” He rose up and started to leave. “What kind of husband would I be if I let my woman freeze from lack of a heat? I must build you a campfire.”

She pulled him back. “I am not cold.”

His hand sprayed out across her stomach and moved lower. “Are you sore?”

She shook her head, looking up at him. “Not at all.” She kissed his lips and they both drifted back upon the fur.

“I will warm you,” he said, taking her once more.

The next morning, as they continued their journey up the mountain, neither could keep from touching
the other. Wolf Runner’s eyes followed her with a new feeling of possession, hers followed his with a new understanding that the more she knew the man she loved, the deeper that love became.

They stopped to rest, and Wolf Runner watched her lean against a boulder. “I love this mountain,” she said, staring at a pine forest in the distant valley.

“I hoped you would.”

She took a drink from the water skin he handed her. “Where did you say the wolves are?” she asked mischievously.

“My brother, Little Hawk, has promised to keep them in the village.”

Cheyenne laughed as she gazed back down the trail. “No one can keep Satanta where he does not want to be.”

As if talking about them caused them to appear, the pack came loping up the path. Satanta approached Cheyenne and looked at her as if scolding her for not bringing him with her.

Her laughter filled the air, and filled Wolf Runner’s heart.

Wolf Runner had been teaching Cheyenne how to tell what time of day it was by studying the shadows that reflected across the ground. At the moment she was standing in her own shadow. “It is the noon hour,” she said, glancing at her husband.

He laughed. “It is. I suppose you need feeding.”

“Of course. I can always eat.”

He tilted her chin up to him and his gaze swept over the face of the woman who had brought joy into his life. “I am amazed at how much you can eat and still remain so small.”

“If I grow fat, I suppose you will no longer want me,” she said, raising her eyebrow and giving him a laughing glance. “You do not want a fat wife, do you?”

Wolf Runner pulled her to him, bracing her backside against him, noticing how perfectly she fit against his body. While his hands swept to her stomach, he whispered, “I want you fat with my sons and daughters growing inside you.” He touched his mouth to her throat, smiling with satisfaction when she shivered. “I never thought much about children until I gave you my heart, but now I look forward to looking into the eyes of our child.”

“Am I with child already?” she asked innocently.

Turning her to face him, he rested his cheek against hers. “This I do not know. It is too soon to tell.” He grinned, clasping her to him. “But I have been inside you enough to sire many children.”

She curved to his body, content and happy. Moving a little away from him, she gazed down into a wide valley with a river running through it—the noon sun hit the valley, turning everything scarlet, and she held her breath.

Glancing at Wolf Runner, she found him watching her with softness in his eyes. She ran to him and swooped into his arms.

Laughing, he held her to him. “I wonder how I lived before I met you?”

“The same way I did,” she said, pressing her head against his chest and listening to the thudding of his heart. “I always yearned for something, but I never knew what it was.”

“I thought I was content with my life.” Fire leaped in Wolf Runner’s eyes. “I now know a deeper contentment than I thought possible.”

“When I think back on our first meeting, it was mere chance that brought us together.” She shook her head. “No, that cannot be right,” Cheyenne said, changing her mind. “It was my grandmother who brought us together.”

Wolf Runner’s mouth was only a hairsbreadth away from hers. “And I will be grateful to her every day for putting you in my path.”

They stood clasped in each other’s arms while the sounds of nature filled the air. The cry of a hawk echoed across the valley, and an eagle rode the wind currents.

“How long will we remain in the mountain encampment,” Cheyenne wanted to know.

“I want you all to myself, so we will remain here until the leaves start to take on the color of autumn.” He touched his mouth to hers. “It can be bitterly cold here in the winter season.”

Her heart swelled with happiness. “I would not mind the winter if you were with me.”

He knew in that moment his woman shared his love of the mountains—their spirits were as joined as their hearts were and warmth surged through him like hot honey. He raised his head to the sky, his arms tightening about her, feeling as if their minds were so alike. He had found the one woman who thought as he did.

“The weather is too bitter for you to stay here through the winter. I have spent but one winter here myself. It would be too much of a hardship for you to endure.”

“It was sometimes cold on our journey here,” she reasoned, smiling. “And now I can sleep in your arms to stay warm.”

Wolf Runner’s eyes seemed to blaze. “I now have
the right to take you in my arms and keep you warm and safe.”

They stood there, unaware of anything but each other. Both went to their knees. His kiss almost stole her breath, and when he gently touched her breasts, she sighed and then groaned.

The golden days of spring spread over the lower elevations, but there in the mountain encampment, the crisp clear air still held a chill, not that the lovers noticed.

Cheyenne and Wolf Runner were unaware of the passing of time. Each day was filled with new and exciting discoveries in each other’s arms.