Epilogue

A/N: I want to take this time to thank all of you for coming along on this journey with me. I'm glad I could weave a tale that you all could enjoy.


I also want to give one last shout  out to leelator for the chats, encouragement and the information she gave me on the Quileute and other Pacific Northwest tribes. Her knowledge helped me to re-write this story so that it fit the people of Jacob Black's origins.


Also, I'd like to thank all of those who gave me so much support through emails and chats while I was trying to come up with ways to make this story more "Jacob". Thanks to Misty, luvinj, April, Pants, MP and many others that I know I left out.


Last but not least, thanks to all of the readers and most especially the ones who left comments for me. I enjoyed reading and replying to every last one of them! Hugs!

*3 Years Later*

The two riders spurred their horses on even as the wind began to pick up. One of them bundled the heavy fur coat more snugly around their body as the other complained loudly. Even so, his voice could barely be heard above the wind.

“Argh, now whose idea was it ta go ridin’ out in this wind? I shoulda had the good sense to stay home an’ bundle up wit a cup o’ coffee!”

Before his companion could reply, a shout was heard from the distance. They both looked up to see two Quedeyona warriors running out to greet them. Both had their bows and arrows trained on them, but were lowering them as they recognized the riders even bundled up at they were.

The warriors however, wore nothing more than jerkins and leggings in the wind that was fast becoming colder.

Again came the grumble. “Sure, sure. They just have ta rub it in, don’ they? Gotta prove they be made of sterner stuff than tha rest o’ us.”

As his companion shook their head at him, he slowed his horse down to greet the two warriors in flawless Quedeyona.

“Greetings, Elk Brother and Diving Blue Heron.”


“Greetings, Weasel Tracks. White Swan sent word that you were to be expected today. She is waiting for you at her home.” replied Diving Blue Heron.

Jasper nodded his thanks before they continued on to the village. As soon as they arrived at the outskirts, they were greeted by two boys who took their mounts from them. After making sure his companion was still bundled up along with gathering the gifts they brought with them, they made their way to the home White Swan shared with her husband, Black Wolf, who was also the chief of the tribe and the main negotiator with the whites for the Quedeyona village.

Jasper scratched on the flap, eyes going wide with amazement when White Swan answered it almost immediately.

With a huge grin on her face and a protruding belly, White Swan ushered them both in without further ado. “Well it’s about time you two got here! Come in out of the cold before we all get sick!”

As Jasper helped his companion out of her thick furs, he looked around the home with a frown. “Where’s that little rascal o’ yours, White Swan?”

She waved her hand towards the door. “Out hunting with his father, of course.”

A gasp came from beneath the last of the fur coat as Alice’s concerned face reveled itself. “Isn’t he a bit young ta be doing that?”

White Swan chuckled, along with Jasper as she enveloped her little sister in a hug as much as her belly would allow. “You forget little sister, the Quedeyona are born warriors. Did you really think Kicking Wolf would want to stay behind even when Lynx Keeps Secrets and Screaming Possum were allowed to join their fathers?”

Alice’s eyes widened. “Screaming Possum went hunting? What was Fighting Dog thinkin‘? Or are they really planning on catchin’ anything?”

White Swan laughed at the reference to Fighting Dog and Porcupine Smiles’ loud son. The boy had literally been born screaming just as his mother had been doing during his birthing and from the complaints of both his parents plus a few others in the village, the boy still couldn’t keep his voice down much.

He was the complete opposite of Mountain Lion Guides and Owl Sees Truth’s son. Lynx Keeps Secrets was just as quiet and stealthy as his father was, plus he was one of the best squirrel trackers for his age, which was just unheard of.

White Swan tilted her head to the side as she rested her hands over her stomach. “I believe they are trying to catch something, Alice. Fighting Dog says the boy has to learn how to be quiet sometime especially when he realizes that if he can’t hunt, he can’t eat. And Kicking Wolf is now old enough to go with them. The other two boys started when they both turned two, so now it’s time for our son to join them since he’s of age. If we had not allowed him to go, he would have looked at it as a disgrace.”

Alice shook her head as Jasper led her to a seat across from White Swan. They watched as White Swan got settled before rubbing her belly a bit. It made both of them grin when she smiled.

“How much longer do ya have ‘til this one comes?” asked Jasper.

“About four more months, we hope. I am as ready as ever to have this one. Thankfully this baby isn’t as restless as Kicking Wolf was while I carried him.”

Alice smiled. “That could mean it’ll be a girl.”

White Swan nodded. “That’s what Black Wolf is hoping for. He’s got his son, but he’s always wanted a little girl.”

Jasper chuckled, “Might be ‘cause there’s already too many boys ‘round here, ya think?”

White Swan grinned. “That and he sees how wonderful Mountain Lion Guides and Owl Sees Truth’s little girl is. I think he adores Silent Fawn a lot and hopes his daughter is as wonderful as she is. Plus, with Silent Fawn being barely a year old, our daughter will have a playmate to grow up with.”

They nodded at that as Jasper dug around in his bag for the letter to give White Swan. Finding it, he pulled it out and handed it to her.

White Swan thanked him before asking, “How are Emmett and Rose doing, by the way? And how was Boston for you two?”

While Alice made a face, Jasper filled her in. “They’re doing mighty fine, o’ course. So’s Amelia. Did ya know she turned a year old three months ago? Emmett adores his daughter by the way, but I ken tell, tha girl is gonna be locked up ‘til she’s an ol’ maid!”

White Swan chuckled. “Yes, I agree. When Emmett wrote to tell me he and Rose had a baby girl, all I could think of was how he was going to shelter that little girl like no other. Especially with the way he treated me and Alice.”

Alice tsked. “He’s already started if ya ask me. Oh, an’ Boston…eh, I nev’r thought I’d live ta see the day when I actually preferred tha wilderness to that place!”

“It wasn’t that bad, was it?” asked White Swan.

“Oh it was bad! I tell ya, Rose couldn’t wait ta get her hands on me! She thought fer sure I’d fall in line like all the other ladies she associates with. The minute she got me in one o’ those scratchy, cumbersome ball dresses I was ready ta come home!”

Jasper grimaced. “I don’ think I’ve ever seen me wife look that uncomfortable since tha day I met her!”

Alice huffed, “Haven’t felt that uncomfortable since that day, myself! An’ I’m glad that it’s over. Not ta mention the constant lectures I got from me brother!”

White Swan sighed as Alice rolled her eyes. She knew what she was talking about. Emmett had yet to let up on the lectures ever since he’d found out that Alice and Jasper had become a couple.

It had taken nearly a year for Emmett to finally have a way to go back East with Rosalie and Alice. That had come in the form of a letter from Jasper’s father. It seemed that Carlisle Whitlock had managed to locate the business that Rosalie’s father had started back East. Not only that, but the business was still owned by her father’s family.

When the Hale’s got word that the girls were still alive, they asked Carlisle to send for them. Rosalie had agreed to go back on the condition that her fiancé, Emmett Swan, be allowed to work for the business plus they had to be allowed to marry and settle there too.

Thrilled to hear that Rosalie Lillian Hale was alive and well, they were more than happy to welcome both Rosalie and Emmett with open arms. However, when they got ready to head East, Alice informed Emmett that she was staying with Jasper.

At first, Emmett was furious just like he’d been with Bella until they’d managed to talk sense into him. Jasper, Bella and Alice all had their piece to say, even Rosalie had stepped in. They all did their best to explain to Emmett how Alice was better off in a secluded place with Jasper since he seemed to be one of the few who could help her deal with the world.

In the end Emmett knew he had to leave Alice where she was the happiest, even if that was with Jasper. Still, he had never missed the chance to lecture her whenever he saw her. It had taken Rosalie and him a little over a year to get settled in a new house in Boston, one that Rosalie had always dreamed of living in. During that time, Emmett also took the time to get a handle of the Hale business.

Once they were happily situated, they had returned to visit Jasper and Alice to attend their small wedding ceremony near the Whitlock cabin. At that point Emmett had lectured Alice again about her way of life. Then when she went off with Jasper on their honeymoon, he lectured Bella on her way of life before he and Rosalie returned to Boston.

Then again, when Alice and Jasper had recently gone to spend a month with Rosalie and Emmett in Boston, Alice got the lectures all over again as well as having to deal with Rosalie and the trials of Rosalie’s high society living. Everyone was glad that Rosalie had finally gotten her dream, even Owl Sees Truth stated that she was glad in the letter she had written to her family informing them of her choice to stay right where she was.

Granted, the Hale family had not been happy about Leah Amy Hale’s choice, but realized there wasn’t much to be done since she was already married with a family. Thankfully, they focused on welcoming Rosalie and Emmett into the family instead of seeking Leah out.

“Well, you’re home now so the lectures can stop for a while,” replied White Swan.

Alice nodded. “I really, really missed this place!”

Jasper chuckled. “An’ we got back not a moment too soon! That northern wind is early this year it seems!”

White Swan nodded. “That’s what the Shaman is saying. I’m surprised you two made it here today, but I know the others are going to be happy to welcome you two back as well.”

Just as she finished saying that, the flap to the house was pushed aside as a little bundle of fur came tumbling in. Black Wolf appeared in the doorway, holding the flap aside so that Kicking Wolf could scramble to his feet.

“Mother, look what I…” exclaimed the boy until he noticed that his mother wasn’t alone. “Uncle Weasel, Aunt Rabbit! You’re back!”

Jasper grinned at the boy even as he greeted the boy’s father. “Hello, Kicking Wolf. Hello, Black Wolf.”

“Weasel Tracks, Darting Rabbit welcome home.” replied Black Wolf as he closed the flap before settling down next to White Swan.

They watched as he affectionately greeted his wife with a kiss to her cheek while his hand rubbed her belly. Alice glanced at Jasper, sharing a private smile with him before they were interrupted by Black Wolf.

“So, how was the trip to Boston?” he asked.

Once more Jasper and Alice told him what they had told White Swan, making Black Wolf give them a sympathetic smile when they got to the part about Emmett’s lecturing.

“He hasn’t changed after these few years has he?” stated Black Wolf.

“No,” answered Alice. “And I doubt he ever will. I am just glad that he lives so far away now, so that I don’t have to put up with him often.”

They all laughed as White Swan added, “Oh, believe me, I really do understand that!”

Kicking Wolf held up the squirrels he had caught with a pout. “Mother, don’t you want to hear the story about how I caught these? I even did much better than Screaming Possum!”

Black Wolf grinned at his son. “My son speaks the truth. He proved that he could stay still and quiet much longer than Screaming Possum has ever been able to.”

His comments made the boy puff out his chest with pride.

“Put the squirrels on the rack then come sit by me,” White Swan said. “You can tell us all about your hunt when you have done so.”

Kicking Wolf rushed to the rack to put his squirrels up as Jasper asked Black Wolf and White Swan another question. “How have things been going in the village? Have you heard anything more from Beaver Two Tails?”

White Swan sighed as Black Wolf wrapped a protective arm around her. It was he who answered Jasper.“Unfortunately the council had to banish him from the tribe because of his last act. He tried to attack my wife when she was visiting my mother. Luckily Hawk Soars was walking by when he heard my mother’s warning cry. He was able to detain Beaver Two Tails until I returned from the whale hunt.


My mother and White Swan both told the council that he had simply rushed inside, knowing that they were alone. He had his hunting knife upraised, but my mother threw a burning log at him which was enough to distract him so that Hawk Soars could run in to disarm him.”

Alice gasped as she turned frightened eyes on her older sister. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. He never got close to me, thanks to Hawk Soars.”

Black Wolf nodded. “I had the shaman check her out. Both she and the baby are fine. And that has been the only incident we’ve had since then. It has been relatively quiet these days.”

All of them were grateful for that since Beaver Two Tails had been the last in a small line of villagers who had still refused to accept the union between their chief and the former white slave. Most of the villagers who had not easily accepted the union were not as violet as Beaver Two Tails, however. Eventually what was left of the small handful of dissenters, had been quieted by the constant strong support of the council and other elders like Gentle Otter.

There was also the fact that most people saw just how good of a leader Black Wolf was with White Swan at his side. Plus, they could see just how much White Swan cared for the people of her husband’s tribe. Neither Black Wolf nor White Swan backed down when it came to standing up for their beliefs and their rights. It was hard to hate a woman who constantly showed strength and love for those she cared about.

Now that Beaver Two Tails had been dealt with, peace seemed to have settled among the remaining villagers so much so that Black Wolf didn’t feel the need to have a warrior or two constantly assigned to watch his wife and child anymore. He knew he could trust any villagers who were around his wife now. If she should have any trouble, the villagers were more than happy to help her out without hesitance. She was now treated with respect and courtesy everywhere she went, just like Black Wolf was.

As for Kicking Wolf, the entire village was fast becoming protective of the little future chief. He was the spitting image of his father in both looks and personality. Those two things combined seemed to instantly win over everyone he came into contact with. Even those who had been reluctant to accept White Swan had easily accepted Kicking Wolf as one of their own.

Kicking Wolf finally returned to his mother’s side, quickly sitting down before patiently waiting for the okay from his father. Black Wolf settled his wife closer to his side before nodding to his son. When Kicking Wolf launched into the telling of his first hunt to the others, Black Wolf leaned over White Swan to give her a long kiss hello.

When Kicking Wolf paused to give a long-suffering sigh, Black Wolf pulled away from his wife, chuckled, then ruffled his son’s hair before he settled back to listen to the story. A story that would simply be but a part of the lives and The Legend of Black Wolf and White Swan.

THE END

chapter 32

A/N: Warning this chapter has a rating of MATURE!


Chapter 32
Black Wolf stood outside of his home with Fighting Dog and Mountain Lion Guides on either side of him. His mother, Gentle Otter, stood on the other side of Fighting Dog while not too far from the small group was an even bigger crowd of Quedeyona villagers which also included Alice, Jasper, Rosalie and a subdued Emmett. All of them were there to witness the hand-fasting of Black Wolf and White Swan.

Even though it was now the Moon of the Green Leaves, which meant that a few weeks had passed since the council had given their permission to the couple, it had taken that long to do the ceremony because there were several things that had to be done first. One of those things had been to get the village used to the idea of Black Wolf hand-fasting to White Swan.

Not all of the council had been happy to back up Mountain Lion Guides and Wise Bear in their steadfast agreement that White Swan was the best choice for their chief. She was a former slave after all, plus she was a white woman. So, not only did the rest of the council have to get over those things, but so did several other tribe members. It helped that those who backed Black Wolf were very vocal and firm in their support. It also helped that Black Wolf refused to back down on his decision.

In the end, it was Black Wolf’s leadership and White Swan’s reputation that won everyone over. The village knew just how much she had contributed over the years, not only to Crow Flies household, but to other members of the tribe. Crow Flies and his family were some of White Swan’s strongest supporters, letting anyone who would listen know that she was indeed the best person to become the mother of the tribe.

Even the once recalcitrant Badger Snaps was wholly behind White Swan being with Black Wolf. He made sure everyone knew how much he believed White Swan was the most nurturing, forgiving and non-judgmental person in the village. He even went so far as to say he believed she was more Quedeyona than many of the full-blooded villagers. It was her spirit that made her so, he said, and that’s what should count the most.

The other person who backed up the union was Gentle Otter, Black Wolf’s mother. She let it be known that both she and Bright Wolf had always welcomed White Swan into their home with open arms. She claimed that both her and her husband knew about their son’s feelings for the slave and neither of them had an issue with their blossoming relationship.

Granted, neither of them had known just how intimate the couple had been, but they had never been adverse to the idea of seeing their son hand-fasted to her one day. Gentle Otter reminded everyone that her husband had been a staunch supporter of good relations between the tribe and the whites, plus she herself felt the same as Badger Snaps. She believed White Swan acted more Quedeyona than the real Quedeyona did.

As they continued to get the village accustomed to the idea of their young chief’s upcoming union, Black Wolf also waited for White Swan to get settled into his home. She had needed to retrieve her belongings from Jasper’s cabin, then with the help of Black Wolf, she had made his home into their home. While the couple were doing that, Alice and Rosalie had been settling into their new freedom at Jasper’s cabin along with Emmett.

One other important thing that had them waiting for the right time was that both White Swan and Black Wolf wanted to do the hand-fasting as traditional as possible in the Quedeyona way. That meant that not only did they have to inform the Shaman so he could prepare the ritual, but her dress and his outfit had to be hand-made with the proper decorations too.

Finally the long-awaited day had arrived since Black Wolf now stood waiting outside his home for his bride. He was dressed in the soft buckskin pants and a shirt that had been dyed white as the ritual demanded. Granted, there wasn’t really a true white for the Quedeyona, but it was close enough.

His long-sleeved shirt had dyed black fringes that spanned from his shoulders to the front of his chest as if he were wearing a fringed necklace even though it was part of the shirt. A feather that bore his mark had been sewn into each sleeve and the front of his shirt. Black laces ran down each sleeve holding them together. Unlike his fancy shirt, the pants simply had black fringes running down the outside of the legs. Even the moccasins he wore were simply white with black lacing.

The only other decoration he wore was another feather with his mark which was woven into the single braid he wore down the left side of his face. His hair, now reaching his shoulders, was long enough for him to braid it once more in the way of his people.

As the murmuring from the crowd grew louder, Black Wolf looked in the direction of Crow Flies home. Since White Swan had once been a part of his family, they had all agreed that White Swan would dress there, then walk from there to Black Wolf’s home as part of the ceremony.

Black Wolf smiled as he saw White Swan approaching with Porcupine Smiles and Owl Sees Truth on either side of her. Crow Flies and his family walked behind them. All of them, even the once immature Badger Snaps wore proud, happy smiles for White Swan.

Like Black Wolf, White Swan’s buckskin dress had been dyed white, but the fringes that ran from her shoulders down to the end of the long sleeves were also white instead of black. So were the fringes that ran from her waist down both sides of the skirt part of her dress. Even her doeskin boots were white with white fringes down the sides of them.

At her waist hung a thin rope decorated with Black Wolf’s feathers in such a way that it created a lovely belt around her. She also wore his feathers around her neck as part of a necklace while small braids were spread throughout her hair with more feathers intertwined there.

She glowed as she smiled at him while she walked towards him. When she was close enough, Black Wolf held out his left hand to her allowing her to slide her right hand into it. They stood facing each other as Crow Flies and Gentle Otter moved to stand on either side of their clasped hands so that they were facing each other too.

Gentle Otter’s back was to Black Wolf’s home as Crow Flies’ back was to the crowd. Fighting Dog and Mountain Lion Guides shifted to stand on either side of Black Wolf while Porcupine Smiles and Owl Sees Truth stood on either side of White Swan.

The village Shaman came up carrying a long, thin rope threaded with bits of feathers that represented all of the members of the Quedeyona village. As he held it over his head, asking the Great Spirit to add strength and longevity to the rope, Fighting Dog and Mountain Lion Guides each placed a hand on Black Wolf’s shoulders. Porcupine Smiles and Owl Sees Truth did the same to White Swan.

The Shaman then draped the rope over the couple’s clasped hands, then stepped back to allow Gentle Otter access to the rope. She took her end, then began to wrap it around White Swan’s right arm while Crow Flies did the same with his end around Black Wolf’s left arm.

As they worked, the Shaman explained the significance of all of it.

“Black Wolf, your friends lend you their support in your decision to accept White Swan as your other half. See that White Swan’s family is now binding you to her, in turn you are now a member of their family.


White Swan, your friends also lend you their support in your decision to accept Black Wolf as your other half. See that Black Wolf’s family is now binding you to him, in turn you are now a member of their family.”

When Gentle Otter and Crow Flies finished wrapping the rope around the couple’s arms, they lifted their hands to place one on each of Black Wolf and White Swan’s shoulders, joining the four friends as the Shaman went on.

“You have accepted each other and now each of your friends and family have accepted you. From this small circle of those who care for you both, runs an even stronger thread of the Quedeyona who surround you.”

As he spoke those lines, the crowd gathered closer until Black Wolf and White Swan were in the center of all of them, then the Shaman continued.

“May the strength of that thread support you and may you both have a long and happy life together. Know that not only will your friends and family be there for you, but so will the people of the tribe, your home.


Chief Black Wolf, with the blessing of all of us here today, take your bride, White Swan. Go begin your new life together and may the Great Spirit bless you both, as we do.”

When he finished speaking, the crowd parted, allowing Black Wolf and White Swan to make their way to Black Wolf’s home. With their hands clasped where the rope was still binding them together, Black Wolf held the flap aside with his free hand for White Swan to enter first. He followed after her to secure the flap into place.

As soon as the flap was closed, the entire village began whooping as drums and flutes sounded nearby. It was now time for the celebration to begin in the center of the village, while Black Wolf and White Swan did their own celebrating inside their home.

When Black Wolf turned to White Swan after securing the flap, she grinned up at him before wrapping her free arm around him.

“Oh Black Wolf! We did it! We’re married!”

He chuckled as he embraced her with his own free arm. “Yes, we did it!”

He leaned down to kiss her lips, deepening the kiss for a few moments as the music and revelry outside seemed to grow louder. When his lips moved away, White Swan giggled.

“I’m glad we’re not the only ones happy right now!”

Black Wolf grinned wickedly as his eyes began to darken. “Mm, me too, so why don’t we get started with our own celebration.”

He bent down as he motioned to White Swan to step over their rope-entwined, clasped hands. When she did, he slid his arm up under her knees and swept her up with his free arm around her back. White Swan laughed at his ability to still carry her despite the fact that their hands were still wrapped by the rope.

He carried her through the house until he reached the bedroom. When he set her on her feet at the edge of their pallet, she stepped over his arm again while he went down to his knees. She smiled down at him as he unlaced her boots, then helped her step out of them before setting them aside.

Standing up again, he stepped out of his own moccasins before pulling her close to him. White Swan tilted her head back, welcoming his lips to hers again. As his free hand cupped her head, she parted her lips allowing his tongue to sweep inside of her mouth.

Black Wolf’s tongue continued to slide against hers, as his mouth seemed to hungrily devour her sweet taste. He let his free hand wander down her slender neck, then to the front of her dress where he gently cupped her soft breast through the material. White Swan’s free hand moved up to tangle in his hair as he continued to knead her rapidly swelling flesh a little harder.

Both of them could feel the need they had for each other after a few weeks of abstinence, wanting to wait for the hand-fasting before being intimate again. They had both agreed it would be that much more special if they did wait. It hadn’t been easy, but they had managed to do it, with White Swan even staying the night at Crow Flies home the day before the ceremony.

Now that they were together, the urgency was upon them despite the fact that they both wanted to savor each other. So, when White Swan moaned, Black Wolf playfully nipped at her bottom lip before resuming his devouring kiss.

Soon his hand moved over her breasts, grazing the taunt nipples with his fingers before he moved to undo the lacing that ran from her right shoulder down to the end of the sleeve. The fringes there hid the lacing well, which meant Black Wolf had to stop kissing her so he could see what he was doing. White Swan turned slightly, allowing him to undo the lacings there, then she helped him to pull her sleeve from out of the rope bindings without that falling off too.

Tradition said that the couple was supposed to keep the rope binding on until they had fully consummated since that act signaled the end of the hand-fasting ritual. If the rope remained around their clasped hands for the entire ritual, the couple’s union was said to be truly blessed by the Great Spirit.

That was why the dress and his shirt were designed in such a way that they could easily remove the entire thing without disturbing the rope much. Once her sleeve was off of her arm, Black Wolf undid the lacings hidden beneath the fringes of her other shoulder. Then he pulled the dress down as White Swan lifted her right arm out of the sleeve. Black Wolf let the dress drop to the floor before helping her to step out of it.

White Swan smiled at him as his eyes drank in the sight of her standing nearly naked before him. While he took his fill, she slipped off the last remaining garment she wore, her loincloth.

As soon as she was bare, she stepped closer to Black Wolf and began to undo the lacings of his sleeves. Black Wolf helped her to remove his left sleeve from beneath the rope bindings, then pulled his right arm out of the other sleeve before pushing the shirt down his torso. With White Swan’s help, both the shirt and his pants were pushed to the ground before Black Wolf stepped out of them.

White Swan grinned at the sight of Black Wolf, she had known he would be true to his nature by wearing nothing beneath his outfit, not even a loincloth. Black Wolf returned her grin before walking her backwards to the pallet. He helped her lay down before pressing his body over hers.

Lifting their rope-entwined hands over her head, Black Wolf leaned down to take her reddened lips with his again. As he reclaimed her mouth, White Swan lifted her legs to wrap them around his muscular ones. Both of them moaned as their intimate areas came into contact with each others.

Black Wolf trailed his lips from White Swan’s sweet mouth to her pale neck before settling his mouth over one of her plump mounds. White Swan closed her eyes as she arched her back, offering more of her swollen peaks to his hungry mouth. As his tongue flicked her hardened nipple, White Swan writhed beneath him, moaning some more before lifting her hips higher trying to get closer to him.

Taking her free hand, she let it wander over his powerful back, traveling down to his tight behind, enjoying the way his muscles flexed at her touch and the feel of his warm, smooth skin beneath her fingers. When Black Wolf moved to her other breast where he repeated a pattern much like he had with the first, White Swan gasped, rubbing her groin over his as she tried to entice him to fill her.

When her hand gripped his behind harder even as she tried to tug him closer, Black Wolf knew White Swan was reaching her limit. Sliding his rigid arousal between her nether lips, he rubbed himself against her bundle of nerves until she couldn’t take it anymore.

“Black Wolf…please!” she groaned.

He lifted his head up to look down into her eyes so that she could see what this was doing to him. “I love you, White Swan.”

She gave him a beautiful smile as she responded to him. “I love you too, Black Wolf.”

With that, he quickly thrust deep inside of her welcoming body, eliciting soft sighs from both of them once he was buried to the hilt. White Swan’s legs wrapped tighter around his waist as she lifted her hips to meet his rapidly increasing strokes.

They continued to look into each others eyes until it became too much for them. At that point, Black Wolf buried his face against White Swan’s neck as her body clung to his.

“Yes! Oh yes! Black Wolf!” White Swan cried, signaling her approaching end.

Black Wolf used his fingers to stroke her swollen pearl in time to his quickening thrusts. White Swan threw her head back as his shaft reached deep and hard into her body, then just when she was sure he was touching her soul, her body exploded.

“Black Wolf!” came her elated scream which seemed to vibrate down his spine straight to his groin.

There it exploded out of him where it bathed her walls with his seed as his own joyous shout joined hers.“White Swan!”

Long after their orgasms had faded away, her body continued to cradle his as both of them enjoyed the aftermath of their lovemaking. Eventually Black Wolf rolled off of her, pulling her into his chest so that his weight didn’t crush her any longer. They continued to hold each other, sharing sweet kisses and caressing touches until they drifted off to sleep.

Not even the continuous celebrating of the village was enough to keep the happy, sated couple awake. Which was a good thing since the rope bindings finally came undone some time later as they slept. The fact that the rope had remained on that long was truly a sign that the Great Spirit had blessed their union completely.

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As the night grew darker and the celebrating began winding down, the crowd began thinning out. Still, there were several people doing their own celebrating. Even Owl Sees Truth was still out celebrating with Mountain Lion Guides and their friends despite the late hour or her progressing pregnancy.

As soon as she saw the opening, Rosalie left Emmett with Jasper and Alice to go talk to her sister. She knew it would be one of the very last rare opportunities for her to do so. Making her way through the thinning crowd, she prepared herself for the talk she was about to have with her older sister.

Mountain Lion Guides had just turned to his visibly pregnant wife to ask if she was ready to return home when he saw Rosalie approaching them. Judging from the look on her face, he knew Rosalie needed some time alone with her sister. So, he kissed Owl Sees Truth on the cheek then asked Porcupine Smiles and Fighting Dog if he could talk to them alone for a few moments.

At his inclination in the direction of the approaching Rosalie, Fighting Dog and Porcupine Smiles both nodded before walking off with Mountain Lion Guides so that Owl Sees Truth could be alone with Rosalie. However, Mountain Lion Guides wasn’t too far away just in case his wife should still need his assistance.

Owl Sees Truth gave Rosalie a welcoming smile as she came closer, then motioned for her to have a seat next to her.

Rosalie sat down before giving Owl Sees Truth a smile of her own. “How are you, Leah?”

Owl Sees Truth chuckled softly. “As well as I can be, given my condition.”

Rosalie’s eyes widened. “Is it getting harder?”

Owl Sees Truth shrugged. “No more than I would imagine most pregnancies go. It’s nothing bad, I assure you. But sometimes I do wish the time was here for me to give birth.”

Rosalie nodded. “Oh, I understand.”

They were silent for a few moments before Owl Sees Truth spoke up again. “Rose, is there something you wanted to say?”

Rosalie sighed as she looked up at her older sister. “Yes, actually there is.”

Owl Sees Truth nodded, but remained quiet. She knew Rosalie needed time to get it out.

Finally, Rosalie squared her shoulders and spoke. “First, I just want to say that I am sorry for all the headaches I’ve given you and Mountain Lion Guides these past few months. I…I know that he really does care for you and he’s not as bad as I made him out to be.”

She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts before going on. “I guess what I’m really trying to say is that I took all of my anger and frustration out on everyone I was close to…even Bella, who was always there to take care of me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m very glad to be out of the village now and back among my own people, but I shouldn’t have let those things come between you and I. Especially since we spent most of our lives apart.”

Owl Sees Truth slid her arm around her little sister’s shoulders. “It’s okay, Rose. I know why you did it.”

“Really? Because I…I still haven’t changed my mind about the sav…uh, natives.”

Owl Sees Truth sighed at her slip. “I know. It’s okay. I’m just glad that you’re happier now. As long as you’re happy, I can be happy.”

Rosalie nodded. “I am happy for you, you know. I’m glad you found your place in this world, Leah. I know you’ll be okay.”

Owl Sees Truth smiled. “Thanks, little sister. How about you?”

Rosalie gave her a nervous smile. “Um, actually, Emmett asked me to marry him.”

Owl Sees Truth’s smile widened. “Really? Well that’s great. That is what you want, right?”

“Yes, it is. He’s also said that when…when the time is right, we are returning to the East. Jasper’s father is going to help…help us get settled somewhere up there.”

“Oh. Oh I see. Well, you always said you wanted to go back home. So, I guess that will be good for you.”

Rosalie nodded sadly. “It will.” She paused for a moment before looking up at Owl Sees Truth with tears in her eyes. “Leah…”

Owl Sees Truth shook her head. “Now don’t you go worrying about me, little sister. Hear me? I’m going to be just fine out here where I am.”

She took both of Rosalie’s hands in hers and looked her dead in the eyes. “I mean it Rose. I want you to go with Emmett and find that life you’ve always wanted, okay? I’m going to do the same here. That’s all that matters for all of us. We all need to find our place in this world and if that means you have to go back East to find yours, then you do that. Promise me, Rose?”

Rosalie nodded. “I…I promise.”

Owl Sees Truth smiled. “Good.” She let go of Rosalie’s hands and pulled her in for a hug. “I’m going to miss you, but I know you’ll be okay.”

Rosalie hugged her sister tighter. “I’m going to miss you too, Leah. I love you.”

Owl Sees Truth nodded. “I love you too, Rose.”

They hugged once more before Owl Sees Truth let her go and watched as she returned to Emmett’s side. It was a few moments more before Mountain Lion Guides joined her again.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Owl Sees Truth nodded as she looked up into his eyes with a wistful smile. “I’m fine.”

Before he could ask what had happened, she held out her hand to him. “Why don’t you help me up and I’ll tell you all about it on the way back home.”

Mountain Lion Guides smiled as he helped her up from her seat so the two of them could say goodnight to the others before making their way back to their home. It was during that walk that Mountain Lion Guides became the only other person in the village to find out about Emmett and Rosalie’s plans for the future. Jasper and Alice already knew since all of them were currently living at Jasper’s cabin, but this was the first any of them had discussed it with anyone from the village.

However, it wouldn’t be long before everyone else who needed to know would be informed, thus setting the course for many of the lives involved. It was a safe bet to say that from that night on, all of their lives began to evolve from there. Whether it be a good future or bad one…only the Great Spirit would know for sure.

chapter 31

A/N: These are the last two chapters of the story....dun, dun, dun! Remember, all italics are the characters speaking in Quedeyona. Plus, if you have trouble remembering who is who. There is a list and banner in the Cast of Characters discussion of this story group. So, without further ado, I give you the last two chapters....

Chapter 31
Bella had barely set one foot inside the council building when she heard Emmett roar from behind.

“You filthy savage!”

She and Black Wolf both turned in time to see Emmett launch himself at Black Wolf, who could only stumble back into Bella to avoid Emmett’s flying fists. Since Bella was too slow to get out of Black Wolf’s way, he had no choice but to take a stand, deflecting Emmett’s hands with his arms. Unfortunately, Emmett managed to get a fist past Black Wolf’s defenses, landing a solid blow to his stomach.

Black Wolf grunted, but quickly recovered enough to throw his own punch. The second Black Wolf’s fist connected with Emmett’s jaw, the fight was on.

Emmett’s head whipped to the side, but he managed to recover enough to take a few more swings at Black Wolf. “How dare you touch my sister, you bastard! You had no right to smear her good name!”

“Emmett! Stop it!” Bella yelled while Jasper tried to separate them without getting hit in the process.

A few of Emmett’s punches connected with Black Wolf’s body, but Black Wolf was holding his own. Ducking down, he went into a crouch before using one of his legs to sweep Emmett’s feet from under him. As Emmett went down, Black Wolf leapt on top of him and began to pummel him.

He managed to get a couple of punches in before he was pulled off of Emmett by Jasper with the help of Mountain Lion Guides. Mountain Lion Guides had just come out of the meeting room at the same time that Owl Sees Truth arrived, after a messenger had been sent to inform her that someone was trying to free Rosalie. As Mountain Lion Guides and Jasper dragged Black Wolf to his feet, Emmett muttered curses at him then tried to lunge at him again.

This time he was held back by Hawk Soars and Vanishing Fox, who were part of the council guard that day, while Black Wolf was held back by Mountain Lion Guides and Jasper. As Bella stepped up to Emmett, his struggles lessened a little.

She glared at him. “It was my right to allow him, not yours!”

That was all she said before motioning for Black Wolf and the others to follow her into the room where the council sat. It was obvious that they had all been waiting for her to arrive since Jasper had just left them after inquiring about his suspicions.

Bella walked up to the middle of the room, giving the customary greeting and respect to the council members first, thus allowing for Mountain Lion Guides and the rest of them to get settled. Wise Bear, who sat near the center of the group, nodded and spoke to her in Quedeyona.

“Greetings. What brings you here today?”


“I have been told that I can inform this council of the fact that Black Wolf and I discussed petitioning for a hand-fasting once he returned from the Danasga raid. We agreed to do this the night before he left for the raid.”


“Is this true Black Wolf?” asked Wise Bear.

Black Wolf nodded. “It is. I also made the announcement to my friends as we rode to the raid.”


“Can you name those witnesses?”

Black Wolf motioned to Mountain Lion Guides. “Mountain Lion Guides is one of them. Fighting Dog was there as well.”

The elder looked at Mountain Lion Guides. “Is what he says true?”

Mountain Lion Guides stepped forward as he nodded. “It is.”

Wise Bear motioned to Vanishing Fox, who was still standing near Emmett. “Fetch Fighting Dog.”

As Vanishing Fox left to find Fighting Dog, Wise Bear turned back to Bella. “I must warn you, my dear. Even if the two of you had agreed to ask for the right to be hand-fasted the night before Black Wolf left for the raid, we still cannot grant our permission.”

Bella nodded. “I understand, but there is one other thing I believe you should know.”


“And that is?”

Bella glanced at Black Wolf before she faced the council members to make the next announcement. Sweeping the entire council with a serious gaze, she straightened her back before finally looking Wise Bear in the eyes.

“The night before Black Wolf left for the raid,” she paused, knowing what she was about to reveal to the council was a serious issue, “I was also intimate with him.”

A few gasps came from behind Bella as Mouse Daydreams, Fighting Dog and Porcupine Smiles joined the rest of the onlookers.

She ignored the gasps as well as the mixed looks of surprise or disappointment from the council members.“And we have been intimate a few more times since then.”

“What!” exclaimed Emmett. “How is that possible?”

As everyone ignored his outburst for the moment, Wise Bear motioned to Fighting Dog. “Fighting Dog, we have been told that on the journey to the Danasga raid, Black Wolf made an announcement. What did he say to you?”

Fighting Dog stepped closer to where Bella was before he answered. “Black Wolf told Mountain Lion Guides and I that he intended to ask for White Swan’s rights once he returned to the village. White Swan had already agreed to be hand-fasted to him the night before we left.”

Wise Bear nodded before he joined the other council members in whispering together. It was apparent to the onlookers that the debate was a rather heated one.

Not only was the council trying to deal with the fact that their chief had been intimate with a woman whom he was not hand-fasted to, but that woman had also been a white slave too. The fact that Black Wolf had been intimate with her more than once, told the council that they couldn’t just simply ignore it since they knew what that could do for the chief’s future.

A few moments later they finally seemed to come to an agreement as Wise Bear turned to face Bella once again. “While these testimonies add weight to our agreeing to allow a hand-fasting between you and Black Wolf, we still cannot do much since you are no longer a part of the tribe. You must still have the permission of your caretaker.”

Bella gritted her teeth as she glared at Emmett. “So give it to me!”

Emmett narrowed his eyes. “How were you able to be intimate with that savage when I had already freed you from this village and taken you to Jasper’s?”

Bella rolled her eyes. “Since Jasper came to talk to Alice often at your behest, he also talked to Black Wolf. We sent messages to each other through Jasper and managed to arrange some late night meetings.”

Emmett turned to glare at Jasper. “You covered for them!”

Jasper shrugged, obviously not threatened by Emmett’s posturing. “I’m not blind to their feelings for each other. I’m sure anyone else standin’ in this room ken also see what ya refuse ta see.”

Emmett huffed as he took in the acknowledgements from everyone else in the room. Turning back to Bella, he remained stubborn as he shook his head. “I’m not changing my mind.”

Bella let out an aggravated sound as she lifted her hands towards her brother in a choking motion. Black Wolf stepped towards Emmett and spoke loud enough so everyone could hear.

“Emmett, I offer you both Alice and Rosalie if you agree to allow Bella to stay so that she may be hand-fasted to me. You can keep your bounty, all I want is Bella and you may have the others.”

Emmett lifted his chin. “I will get the rest of the earnings I need to release them! I will not trade my sister to you!”

As Bella began to advance on her brother with a murderous look in her eyes, the others began to speak up.

“Emmett, listen to me! I think you should take the trade!” said Alice.

He turned to look at her. “Are you out of your mind?”

She shook her head. “No, but Jasper is right. You refuse to see what the rest of us do. Bella loves Black Wolf and he loves her. He’d do right by her, Emmett. You would never have to worry about that!”

“She’s right,” added Porcupine Smiles. “Black Wolf is Fighting Dog’s older brother and I am now married to Fighting Dog. Take it from someone who was mistreated by the tribe I was with before I came to the Quedeyona. You have nothing to worry about here. Bella will be in good hands with Black Wolf.”

“And she will have all of her friends around her too,” said Owl Sees Truth. “Although Bella doesn’t need protecting because she’s saved my life as well as my little sister’s, we will definitely be there for her the way she’s always been there for us.”

Jasper nodded. “I’ve been ‘round the Quedeyona all me life an’ me pap afore me. I count Black Wolf as one o’ me best friends. Believe me when I say that I know Black Wolf would never hurt tha ones he loves. He’s even helped me out many times.”

Rosalie stepped close to Emmett, placing a timid hand on his arm she spoke her piece. “Emmett, as much as I don’t want to be here in this village. I have to agree with them… Black Wolf would never hurt Bella. She was always there for me when I first came to this village and despite my feelings against everyone here, she was always my friend. Bella always had the level head between the two of us.”

She turned to give Bella an apologetic smile as she added. “She always listened to me complain about being here without ever getting mad at me. Even when I was unintentionally putting down the things she loves about this village, she was always fair.”

She looked back at Emmett. “And she always protected me from harm as best she could even when I was being stubborn about it. Most of this was before Black Wolf came back from being schooled by our people.”

Alice stepped forward. “So you see? Bella doesn’t need you to protect her. She was always stronger than I was, Emmett. She was always the one who could adapt with the changes. I think you should let her lead her life the way she wants, where she’ll be the happiest. Rosalie will be happiest away from here, so you should take her away with you.”

Emmett narrowed his eyes. “What about you?”

Alice nodded. “I will go with you too, but only if you promise to let me have some peace and quiet. However, you should know that I do not have any hatred for this village at all. And I already consider Black Wolf to be like a brother to me because he took care of me and was never cruel to me.”

It was a few silent moments as Alice and Emmett stared at each other before Emmett finally sighed.

Looking at Bella, he reluctantly nodded. “Fine. I can see that I’m outnumbered. I’ll take Rosalie and Alice if you want to stay here, Bella.”

Bella grinned as she turned to Black Wolf and gave him a nod.

Black Wolf turned to the council members with his offer. “I agree to trade the two slaves that I own to Emmett Swan in exchange for his sister, Bella Swan so that she may be welcomed back to the tribe as White Swan.”

The council members nodded as Wise Bear spoke to Emmett. “Do you agree to this trade, Emmett Swan? For your sister, you will receive in trade both Mouse Daydreams and Darting Rabbit, nothing else.”

Emmett grudgingly nodded. “I agree.”


“Do you wish anything else in trade for the two slaves you will be giving up, Black Wolf?” asked Wise Bear.

“No. The return of White Swan to the tribe is all that I ask for.”


“Very well then, we will allow this trade,” answered Wise Bear as he motioned to the rest of the council members.

“Let all those here be witness to this trade.” He looked at Rosalie and Alice in turn as he continued. “Mouse Daydreams and Darting Rabbit, you have been given into the care of Emmett Swan in exchange for Bella Swan.We ask that you both go gather your belongings immediately so that you may leave this village with your caretaker.”

Both Rosalie and Alice nodded before leaving the council building with Owl Sees Truth and Jasper in tow. While everyone waited for the others to return Mountain Lion Guides and Black Wolf went to talk to the rest of the council members as Fighting Dog and Porcupine Smiles retreated to a corner to talk quietly together, leaving Emmett and Bella alone for a while.

Emmett pursed his lips as he looked at his sister. “I really hope you know what you are doing.”

Bella sighed. “I do, but even if I make mistakes they’re mine to make. I’m not afraid of this Emmett. I know what I want.”

Emmett shook his head. “Yeah, apparently you do. Even our timid baby sister is adamant on that fact.”

Bella grinned. “Alice is slowly coming into her own too. She just needs time and a lot of space to discover herself.”

At her pointed look, Emmett held up his hands. “I know, I know. I will do my best to give her the space she needs.”

“And?”

“And I’ll try not to be so bossy with her the way I tried to be with you.”

“Good and you have to allow her to make her own decisions and mistakes too. Don’t try to hold her hand all the time or act like the overbearing, protective father.”

“Okay, okay.”

Bella nodded as Alice and Rosalie finally returned with the others. As they moved to stand next to Emmett, Wise Bear acknowledged them.

“Are you both ready?” he asked.

Both Rosalie and Alice nodded.

“Very well then, you are both given into the care of Emmett Swan and Bella Swan is given into the care of Black Wolf.”

Bella walked over to stand next to Black Wolf as Wise Bear indicated.

“Now that the trade is done, you and yours are free to go, Emmett Swan.”

Emmett nodded to the council members. “My thanks.”

Wise Bear gave a nod of acknowledgment before turning to smile at Bella. “Welcome back to the Quedeyona, White Swan .”


“It is good to be back,” replied White Swan as she took Black Wolf’s hand.

As Emmett motioned for Alice and Rosalie to follow him back to where Owl Sees Truth and Jasper were waiting for them near the entrance, Black Wolf led White Swan to the center of the floor to face the council.

“If I may, I would like to formally ask the council for permission to be hand-fasted to White Swan.”


“NO!” screeched Brown Skunk as she entered the room, dragging her bewildered father with her. “The council told my father that they would consider his request! You have not denied it yet!”

She turned to glare at Little Pelican. “Father! Tell them! Tell them that they must answer your request!”

Before Little Pelican could speak up, Mountain Lion Guides interrupted. “While the council has not refused Little Pelican’s request, we must do so now. Other things have come to light that take precedence over that.”

Little Pelican frowned. “Things better than my offer? And what might that be?”

Mountain Lion Guides looked to the other council members before he looked to Black Wolf. “We have discovered that Brown Skunk had been secretly helping White Coyote to build up his bounty in order to be rid of White Swan. Not only that, but Whale Sings overheard Brown Skunk telling Spotted Bat that she had even tried to get Badger Snaps to help her get rid of White Swan.”

With those words, Wise Bear snapped at Vanishing Fox. “Fetch Whale sings and Badger Snaps!”

As Vanishing Fox left, Wise Bear turned to look at Emmett who was still in the room with the others. “Hawk Soars, translate for me. Is it true what Mountain Lion Guides just told us?”

Hawk Soars repeated what Mountain Lion Guides had said, then the words Wise Bear had asked. Emmett nodded as he looked at Wise Bear while Hawk Soars translated for him.

“Yes. I will confess that Brown Skunk came to me and offered to help me build up the bounty to free myself and my sister. She also got her friends to help me out and they all said they would ask around the village to see if anyone else had a job that I could do to earn more bounty. She told me that the only way I could get my sister was if I was free first and she was not hand-fasted to Black Wolf yet. She said the council would not deny a free family member the right to take their own back, she said you do that to keep the peace between us.”

Brown Skunk tried to act all innocent as she said, “I was only trying to help him stay with his sister. I had to make sure that he understood there were only certain ways guaranteed to keep his family with him.”


“Do not try to make yourself look innocent, Brown Skunk!” growled Mountain Lion Guides. “Whale Sings told me exactly what she heard you say to Spotted Bat about your part in all of this!”

As the last words left his mouth, Whale Sings walked into the room. Wise Bear motioned for her to take the center before he spoke to her.

“Whale Sings, could you tell us exactly what the conversation between Brown Skunk and Spotted Bat was. The one that you then told Mountain Lion Guides about.”

Whale Sings nodded. “I was intending to walk through the center of the village when I saw Brown Skunk and Spotted Bat sitting in the shade watching the council building. At first I was just going to keep walking on until I heard them mention Black Wolf’s name. So, I leaned against a wall and listened to them since they were so intent on watching the council building.


I heard Brown Skunk tell Spotted Bat that the council had told Little Pelican that they would persuade Black Wolf to hand-fast to her as soon as he had returned from the raid. She assured Spotted Bat that since White Swan was now out of the way, there was nothing for her to worry about. She also mentioned that she went through a lot to help the pale-face raise the bounty to free White Swan, so I knew she was talking about White Coyote.


Then she mentioned that she was glad White Coyote had come through since she had not been able to convince Badger Snaps to take White Swan. It seems Brown Skunk believed Badger Snaps wanted White Swan for himself, but was too afraid to stand against Black Wolf. In any case, she vowed that Black Wolf would be hers.”

Brown Skunk again tried to look innocent as she spoke up. “As I said before, I only helped White Coyote out because he seemed to want his sister with him very badly. As for my father’s request, no one can argue that our union would not be a good one for the tribe! I come from a strong bloodline, as does Black Wolf! I know you all agree, otherwise you would have denied my father’s request already.”


“Brown Skunk,” interrupted Wise Bear, “while we cannot deny that it is a good thing to help someone like White Coyote keep his family together, nor is it a bad thing for the bloodlines of yours and Black Wolf’s to be combined, that is not the point here. It seems that despite your good intentions, you went about trying to achieve results in a very devious way.”

He motioned to Badger Snaps who had walked in during his speech to the woman. “Badger Snaps, now that you are here, would you please tell us exactly what you and Brown Skunk discussed when she went to you for help in dealing with White Swan?”

Badger Snaps nodded before giving a slight scowl to Brown Skunk. “Brown Skunk came to tell me that she could help me get what I wanted. She was under the impression that I wanted to make White Swan my woman. I will admit that my actions and behavior towards White Swan while she had been my father’s slave were suggestive and lewd. All I can say to that is that I was immature and did not see the error of my ways at the time.


However, once I returned from the war with the southeastern tribes, things had changed. I no longer was interested in White Swan and respected that Black Wolf was interested in her.


Brown Skunk insisted that the council would never allow their future chief to take a lowly slave as his woman. She said that the council were not aware of their courtship and that he was simply playing with the slave.


I informed her that my father, Crow Flies, knew of their courtship since he allowed Black Wolf to call on her often. I was also certain that Black Wolf’s family, including his father were aware of their courtship. Even if the rest of the council did not know, I am certain Bright Wolf did.”


“Is what he says true?” Wise Bear asked Black Wolf.

“I do not think my father knew that I intended to ask for the right to be hand-fasted to White Swan,” replied Black Wolf. “But he knew that I was courting her. He saw my feather in her hair. So did my mother and brother.”

Fighting Dog nodded. “Those that are close to Black Wolf saw the feather in White Swan’s hair. We knew what it meant.”

Brown Skunk finally snapped at the room. “Oh please! It matters not if the slave wore his feather! That is over and done with! What matters now is that the council tells Black Wolf what a mistake it will be for him to hand-fast to that slave! It would be an embarrassment to the entire tribe!”

Mountain Lion Guides rose to his feet. “I do not see it as an embarrassment, Brown Skunk. You do forget that White Swan is no longer a slave!”


“She is too! Black Wolf just traded her for the two slaves he had!”


“I traded my two slaves for Bella Swan, so that she could return to our tribe as White Swan. I never said she would return as a slave, just as White Swan.” replied Black Wolf.

Brown Skunk gaped at him before she turned to Little Pelican. “Father! Do something! Are you going to let them shame us like this?”

Before Little Pelican could say a word, Wise Bear stood up. “Little Pelican, I would suggest you take your daughter out of here before she does something more to embarrass you. I am sorry to say that the council will be refusing your request to hand-fast Brown Skunk to Black Wolf. Despite what some of us may feel, it seems that the relationship between Black Wolf and White Swan is much too intimate for the council to come between.”

Little Pelican frowned. “Too intimate? What does that mean? She simply wears his feather!”


“No,” replied Black Wolf, “I have been with White Swan in the way that a child between us is now very possible. The council knows I would be remiss to set her aside should she be carrying my son.”

A gasp came from Brown Skunk as she whirled towards White Swan. Screeching, she launched herself at her rival. “Why you shameful bitch! How dare you use your deceitful ways to trap our chief in your web! If they won’t put you in your place, I will!”

Before her outstretched claws could reach White Swan, Black Wolf was there. He grabbed her forearms, shoving her back towards her father.

“Little Pelican,” he growled. “Remove your crazy daughter from my sight before I do more than banish her from the village!”

As murmurs rose around the room, Black Wolf went on. “As the chief of the Quedeyona tribe, I invoke the right to banish Brown Skunk from our village on the grounds that she just tried to harm my intentional bride. Should she ever succeed in laying a hand on White Swan, her punishment shall be death! As it is, she is not allowed anywhere near me nor my family, which includes every single person in this village. You and your family are more than welcome to join her in her banishment if you should choose to do so.”

He turned to sweep his gaze over all of the council members. “Is there anyone here who refutes my decree?”

Wise Bear and Mountain Lion Guides immediately began to shake their head, which prompted the rest of the council to follow along. It appeared none of the other ones wanted to go against those three most powerful men.

Wise Bear spoke up next. “It shall be as Black Wolf has decreed. Little Pelican, please remove your daughter from this village immediately. Her name will be stricken from our records.”

Little Pelican knew there was nothing he could do to change their minds. Their votes were in, all of them seeming to support their new chief fully. With a sigh, he wrapped his arms around his daughter, dragging her out of the room. Her screeching threats continued to echo around the room even as they became fainter the farther away she was from the council.

After a few moments, Wise Bear looked to Vanishing Fox and Hawk Soars. “You two will accompany Horse Dances to Little Pelican’s home. All three of you are to make sure he packs up his daughter, then you will escort her and anyone else who chooses to go with her out of the village. Once she is gone, return here to inform us of all who have gone with her, if any.”

Horse Dances rose stiffly from his council seat, joining Hawk Soars and Vanishing Fox as they strode out of the building to do as Wise Bear instructed. Once they were gone, Wise Bear returned his gaze to White Swan.

Giving her a smile, he asked, “Now that all has been taken care of, let’s return to Black Wolf’s request. White Swan, do you accept it?”


“I do,” replied White Swan without any hesitance.

“Then it is our pleasure to give Black Wolf permission to be hand-fasted to White Swan.”

Black Wolf grinned before moving to stand before White Swan. He took her hand in his, then spoke loud enough so that even all of their friends and family could hear.

“White Swan, I know we have already done this before, but I want to do this where everyone can see and know just how much I love you.”

Once more he went down on one knee the way he’d done the night before the raid. “Isabella Marie Swan, would you allow the Great Spirit to bless a marriage between us?”

White Swan gave him a dazzling smile. “Yes, Black Wolf. I will.”

As their friends and family cheered them on, Black Wolf rose to his feet to pull White Swan into his arms for a kiss that would finally start the event that had been a long time in coming.

Their new life together.

chapter 30

A/N: Warning, this chapter has a rating of MATURE!


Chapter 30
Black Wolf reached between their bodies, fingers finding her sensitive spot in order to quickly bring her to her end. He could feel her legs lifting higher until they wrapped around his waist even as she keened her pleasure to the surrounding forest. A few more strokes of his fingers and she was coming apart beneath him.

As her walls gripped his throbbing hardness tighter, he grunted while he thrust harder into her welcoming depths. Just a few more stokes was all it took for him to release his seed into her body.

She held him tight even as he threw his head back, yelling out to the night. “Bellsssss!”

A few moments later, Bella was still leisurely moving her hips against his when he collapsed on top of her, finally feeling sated. He buried his face in her hair as she trailed her fingers up and down his back, soothing him. They remained that way until their hearts and breathing seemed a bit normal again.

Slowly, Black Wolf rolled to his side, taking her with him so that they faced each other still. He reached for a few of the furs to cover their rapidly cooling bodies with, even as he tugged her closer to him. He could hear her soft sighs of contentment as their hands continued to caress and soothe each others skin.

Smiling, he brushed his lips against her forehead, glad that Jasper had delivered his message to Bella after visiting with Alice. The thought of his conversation with Alice earlier that evening flitted through his mind too.

He was grateful that Alice seemed to be on his side as he whispered to his woman, “I love you, ko’nali.”

He could feel her smiling against his neck. “I love you too, Jake.”

As he lay on his back, she settled against him with her head on his shoulder. Neither of them said much as they simply basked in the joy of being together for the moment. Black Wolf knew he would need to let her go soon so that she could return to Jasper’s cabin before Emmett discovered that she was missing.

The thought of having to do that only made him tighten his hold on her as he closed his eyes against the pain. He hated that they had to keep meeting in secret that way. He wanted nothing more than to have her permanently at his side and in his home, but there was nothing either of them could do at the moment. Emmett was not going to let his sister marry a savage Indian no matter how much Bella begged him to.

Bella let out a sigh, alerting Black Wolf that she was probably thinking the same things that he was. Her words only confirmed that.

“Jake, I’ve tried talking to Emmett since the last time I saw you, but he still won’t listen to me.”

He hugged her as he whispered, “I know, Bells.”

She lifted her head to look into his eyes. “I’ve tried to be nice to him for the past few weeks, Jake. I talk to him about nothing, being polite and all, but when I try to bring up the subject of you and me, he won’t hear it. I just don’t know what else to do.”

Black Wolf cupped her cheek, letting his thumb trail over her lips. “We’ll just have to wait a little longer,ko’nali, when he comes to the village to get your sister and Mouse Daydreams, the council and I will talk to him again. I think this time, he’ll listen to what we have to say.”

She swallowed as she searched his eyes for reassurance. “You think so?”

He nodded as he smiled at her. “I know so. Trust me, Bells. I have a plan that I think will work this time.”

Her smile made his heart swell as she lay her head back on his chest and hugged him. “I trust you, Jake. I know we’ll be together soon.”

********************************************

Brown Skunk paced outside of the council building, waiting for her father to come out and tell her that she was finally going to get her greatest desire. She knew her father was disappointed that he had not been given a seat on the council. Instead, that seat had gone to the younger Mountain Lion Guides. While the council had explained their reasons why the young warrior had been chosen over Little Pelican, even she knew the man was a close friend of Black Wolf’s.

That alone was enough to tell her that Black Wolf had to have had some say on who the remaining council seat went to. Plus, now that Mountain Lion Guides was on the council, that was one more vote in Black Wolf’s favor. Brown Skunk sincerely hoped that the rest of the council could be persuaded by her father so that even with Mountain Lion Guides backing up Black Wolf, she would still get what she wanted.

A noise made her stop pacing long enough to look up at the entrance to the building in time to see her father come striding out. She hurried to his side with a hopeful look on her face only to see him frown up at her. He shook his head, letting her know the council had denied his request once again.

“But…why…”


“They said they need more time to think this through.” He muttered. “Seems they want to give those Danasga fugitives a chance to know the Chief, thinking maybe a hand-fasting with one of them might bridge a truce between that tribe and ours.”

She gaped at him. “What? Is that what they said, really? How can they turn us down, father? How can they not see that a union between your daughter and the Chief would produce strong bloodlines?”

He sighed as he came to a stop and looked at her. “I don’t think they really mean that. This seems like they are just waiting until the Chief is ready. They did not outright deny my request, which means they are still considering it.” He reached out to pat her arm, trying to placate her. “Don’t worry daughter, I believe they will soon come to see that my offer is the best course to take. They will make that decision soon, you’ll see.”

Without another word, he walked away from his pouting daughter.

Brown Skunk watched him go before she turned back towards the council building. So, they didn’t accept her father’s offer, but they didn’t refuse it either. There was still a chance that she would be hand-fasted to Black Wolf then. She tried not to get too excited as she made her way through the center of the village.

All she could do now was wait for Black Wolf to come out of the building before making her next move.

**********************************************

Black Wolf stiffened as he noticed Brown Skunk sashaying towards him. Great, he thought, just what I need to deal with after getting the council to delay accepting Little Pelican’s offer once again.

He kept on walking, keeping his gaze away from the annoying woman in the hopes that she would give up when she believed he hadn’t spotted her. His efforts were futile when she called out his name.

“Black Wolf! Oh Black Wolf, I have been looking all over for you!”

Black Wolf barely missed running into her as she planted herself directly in his path. Gritting his teeth, he tried to keep his voice polite.

“Hello Brown Skunk, what can I do for you?”

She gave him a demure smile as she moved closer to him. “Well, I just thought it would be nice if we could spend some time together. You know, it would benefit us to get to know each other better since the council is thinking of hand-fasting us to each other.”

Black Wolf resisted the urge to growl at her. “Brown Skunk, the council may not have told your father no, but I have no intention of tying myself to you. You know as well as I do that the council cannot make that decision for me. In the end, it is my choice and I have already chosen White Swan.”

Brown Skunk stepped back with a scowl on her face. “White Swan? Who is White Swan? How could you have chosen someone who does not exist?”


“You know who she is. She may not be here right now, but she will be back.”

Brown Skunk laughed in his face. “Do you really believe that? You know as well as I do that her brother will never let you have her! She is gone for good Black Wolf! You will never have her! You need to let go of your fascination with the pale-faced slave and set your sights on someone worthy of you. You are the chief of the tribe after all and we all know the tribe will not agree to letting you be with a lowly slave!”

He quirked his eyebrow at her. “That is true they may not like me being with a slave, but she is no longer a slave, is she? No one will mind if I take a free woman as mine.”

She gaped at him for a moment before hissing at him. “You don’t have a chance! Her brother would never allow it! He made sure of it!”

Black Wolf leaned in to glare at her. “With your help, of course.”

This time she had the grace to look sheepish. “Whatever do you mean?”

He looked around before he grabbed her arm, yanking her into the recess of a building, away from prying ears and eyes. Once he was sure they were alone, he leaned in again, this time not holding back his harsh growl.

“Get this straight, Brown Skunk! I will never take you as my woman! Do you hear me? I know what you did to help White Coyote take White Swan away! I know everything, you did! From the things you did with White Coyote to trying to get Badger Snaps to help you! Your treachery knows no bounds, but it will not help you trap me!


Mark my words, woman! I will get White Swan back! And I will get the council to refuse your father and allow me to hand-fast myself to White Swan! I am the chief of this tribe and I will get what I deserve! You cannot win with your conniving ways! Try anything and I will make sure the entire village knows what you did!


Now, go away and leave me alone! But remember, try anything and I will make sure you suffer for it!”

He let go of her before whirling around to stalk away from her as she stumbled back from his heated words. He left her leaning against the wall, stunned that he had even spoken to her that way. He knew, she realized. Somehow he knew everything she had done to try to get the slave out of the way so that she could be the one at his side.

Frowning, she looked around to make sure no one had witnessed their little interlude. Straightening her dress, she took a deep breath as she tried to figure out how it was that Black Wolf knew the truth of all she had done. She knew she had to find out the answers, then she had to figure out a way to fix it all so that there could still be a chance to be hand-fasted to him.

He may have told her outright that he didn’t want her, but she refused to take his threats to heart. One way or another, she would be his wife, no matter what it took, she would one day be hand-fasted to Black Wolf.

**********************************************

It was nearly a week after Alice and Black Wolf talked then he had met later with Bella in the forest, that the unexpected finally happened. Emmett decided that he had earned enough to free his baby sister and Rosalie, so he told Jasper he was going to the Quedeyona village to do it. No amount of warnings from Jasper could keep him from going. Jasper kept telling him that he had heard Rosalie and Alice’s worth had gone up which meant Emmett still needed more bounty.

However, Emmett believed he would succeed in getting at least one of them out. Not even Bella’s declaration that she was going to the village with him and Jasper could keep Emmett away. He did try to force Bella to stay behind, but she turned out to be more stubborn than he was, eventually wearing him down.

So Jasper entered the village on horseback with a serious looking Emmett and Bella sharing a horse behind him. The three of them dismounted just inside the village where a couple of boys who recognized Weasel Tracks came to take their mounts from them. Jasper grinned at the boys as he gave them a bag of sweets as payment.

As the three of them walked through the village towards the council building, Jasper caught sight of Alice who was half hidden behind a house where she was motioning for him to join her.

He quickly turned to Emmett and Bella. “Ya two know how ta get ta the council right? I need ta make a couple o’ stops while I’m here.”

Emmett nodded. “I’ve got it.”

“Okay, I’ll meet ya later then,” replied Jasper as he watched the two of them walk off.

When he was certain they weren’t looking, he made his way over to the house Alice had ducked behind. As soon as he saw her, he gave her a puzzled look.

“Alice? What ya doin’ out an’ about?”

Alice waved her hand dismissively. “The scouts gave us word that the three of you were approaching, so I came hoping I could talk to you without anyone else knowing. Especially since Emmett is here!”

“Emmett?”

She nodded. “He’s what I want to talk to you about. Well, him and Black Wolf and Bella, among other things.”

She looked around to make sure no one else was nearby before going on.

“I talked to Black Wolf the night after you left and found out some things about Emmett that I don’t think Bella knows about. For instance, Mountain Lion Guides and Black Wolf are sure that Emmett was riding close by on the way to the Danasga raid when Black Wolf told his friends that he was gonna ask for Bella’s rights after they got back from the raid.

Mountain Lion Guides claims he also saw Emmett doing some things during that time that makes it seem like Emmett was planning on sabotaging Black Wolf’s plans. And if Emmett thinks about the Quedeyona the same way Rosalie does, then I know he’s trying to keep them apart!”

She continued to fill him in on the conversations she had with Rosalie ever since she had met her. Then she told Jasper that putting Rosalie’s conversations with the one Jasper had with her, then the one Black Wolf had with her that evening all added up in her mind.

Alice was convinced that Emmett had planned all along to take Bella away from Black Wolf the same way he planned on taking Rosalie and Alice. Only Bella didn’t want to go since she had found a home among the Quedeyona, but Emmett would not allow one of his sisters to become a savage if he could prevent that.

The more Alice told him, the more it made sense to Jasper. He knew Bella had some idea that Emmett had heard Black Wolf’s announcement to his friends, but he didn’t think she had come to the same conclusion as Alice had.

Not only that, but it seemed Alice had even heard how Brown Skunk had helped Emmett raise the bounty in order to free both him and his sister. “But Jasper, I don’t think she just helped my brother out. I think she tried to do something else.”

Jasper frowned. “What do ya mean?”

“Well, there have been a few times that the council has met where I’ve seen her waiting outside. I know her father was inside during the meetings. Something tells me that her father was trying to get the council to do something. I don’t know what that something is, but I think it has to do with Brown Skunk and Black Wolf.”

Jasper sighed. “Yep, sure sounds like it. Betcha it had somethin’ ta do wit a hand-fasting too!”

Alice gasped. “Are you saying they’re trying to convince the council to hand-fast Brown Skunk to Black Wolf?”

Jasper nodded. “That’s what I’m saying! I know that Brown Skunk an’ she ain’t a good one neither! Why she’s just as bad as her namesake!”

Alice frowned. “Oh boy, now I understand why Black Wolf has been so grouchy when he’s come from council meetings lately. Guess he doesn’t like that they want him to be with someone he’s not interested in.”

“Alice,” Jasper waited until she was looking at him. “I think we should tell Bella what we just talked ‘bout. In fact, I think we should tell her right now while Emmett is talkin’ ta the council, so he won’ interfere.”

Alice nodded. “Right. I just wanted to run it by you first. To make sure it was a good idea.”

“It’s a great idea,” replied Jasper with an encouraging smile. “Bella should know tha truth ‘bout Emmett, an’ I think it’s best that it come from ya since you’re their sister. O’ course, it also helps that ya have nothin’ ta gain by tellin’ her this. I think that’s why Black Wolf hasn’ told her anything ‘bout Emmett. He doesn’ want ta make her think he’s trying to pit her ‘gainst her own brother.”

Alice grinned at that before straightening up, then walked away from the house. Jasper followed her as they headed to the council building where they spotted Bella waiting in front with Black Wolf. For a moment, Alice wondered why Black Wolf was outside instead of with the rest of the council talking to Emmet until she really looked at them. Even from the distance, Alice could see their heads bowed toward each other as if they were having an intimate conversation that they didn’t want anyone else to hear.

It wasn’t until she was almost next to them that she could see that they were also holding hands which had been mostly hidden by their closeness plus the building behind them. She smiled at their need to be close to each other regardless of who came by, which only made her feel better about telling Bella how sneaky their brother and Brown Skunk were being, even though she regretted having to interrupt their moment.

As soon as the couple turned to look at her and Jasper, she began to tell Bella what she knew. “Bella, listen I think there’s something you should know about Emmett. After talking to Jasper and Black Wolf a couple of times, I know Emmett planned all along to keep you and Black Wolf apart.”

Bella nodded. “I know Alice. I realized that the day he freed me.”

“Yes, but did you know that he tried to kill Black Wolf during the Danasga raid after he overheard Black Wolf tell his friends that he was going to ask for your rights when he returned to the village?”

Bella’s eyes went wide as Black Wolf mumbled. “Not on purpose!”

When Bella looked at him Alice added, “Black Wolf told me Mountain Lion Guides kept Emmett from succeeding and Mountain Lion Guides was the one who told Black Wolf what Emmett had tried and all of his suspicions about what Emmett was up to.”

Bella narrowed her eyes at Black Wolf as he held up his hands in a placating gesture. “It’s only Mountain Lion Guides’ suspicions. That does not mean I believe anything. Maybe Emmett wasn’t really doing what Mountain Lion Guides thought.”

Bella still didn’t stop glaring at Black Wolf for a few moments. Then shaking her head she said, “Just tell me what Mountain Lion Guides told you word for word, Jake.”

Black Wolf grimaced. “Okay, but I’m only repeating…”

Bella stopped him from going on. “I know! You’re giving Emmett the benefit of the doubt, although I don’t know why! Just tell me.”

So Black Wolf told her exactly what Mountain Lion Guides had witnessed Emmett doing as well as what Mountain Lion Guides said he thought Emmett was up to during the raid. When Black Wolf was finished, Jasper spoke up to put in his two cents.

He told Bella what he’d told Alice. Emmett was probably trying to play the role their father once had as the protector of the family.

Then Alice also said that while Emmett may have been doing what Jasper thought, he was also trying to save Bella from becoming a savage the way he believed Leah was. Emmett thought that he had a chance to save Bella since she was the one closest to turning more than Rosalie or Alice.

Not only that, but both Alice and Jasper told Bella that they believed even Brown Skunk had a hand in helping Emmett collect the bounty he needed to free them. When Bella saw the grimace Black Wolf was wearing, she got him to tell her what he knew.

Finally Black Wolf told her what else Mountain Lion Guides had told him. Apparently Whale Sings had wanted to tell Bella that Brown Skunk had been behind helping Emmett free them, but Whale Sings had also heard Brown Skunk admit that she had even tried to recruit Badger Snaps to help out. Thankfully, whatever that was, Badger Snaps had refused to join in her scheming.

By the time Black Wolf, Alice and Jasper were done saying their parts, Bella was furious.

“I’m going to kill my brother!” she growled.

“He was only looking out for you, Bells.” said Black Wolf in a gentle tone.

She shook her head. “Oh no he wasn’t! This was all about him!”

At that moment, Emmett walked out of the council building wearing a scowl on his face.

“Can you believe they told me I don’t have enough money to buy the freedom of even one of them! How…”

Bella walked right up to him, slapping him so hard that the sound echoed around the area.

“How dare you think you could get away with what you did! You conniving snake!” She growled.

Emmett massaged his reddened face where her hand had made contact. “What did I do?”

“Don’t play innocent with me, you jerk! You knew Black Wolf and I wanted to get married! You knew I wanted to stay! But instead you did everything you could to take Black Wolf out of the picture and when that didn’t work, you brought my freedom with the help of that greedy, no good…skunk!”

“Bella…”

Her voice rising with every point she made, she continued on. “You bought my freedom even though you knew Alice would have been better off going with you! Even Rose was a better pick than me!”

“I was not going to leave you here to be brainwashed by these savages!” roared Emmett.

“The only savage here is you!” retorted Bella.

Both her and Emmett continued their heated argument with Black Wolf trying to keep Bella from advancing on Emmett while Alice bounced between them, trying to keep her siblings apart. All of them were too involved to notice that Jasper had ducked into the council building sometime during the argument.

“I promised our parents that I would look after both of you!” Emmett shouted.

“I don’t need looking after Emmett!” snapped Bella. “I’m old enough to make my own decisions and I choose to marry Black Wolf! You can’t stop me! Not by buying my freedom and certainly not by attempting to harm Black Wolf! You can’t keep us apart like that! You wasted your money on me for nothing!”

“Well it doesn’t matter anymore since I still can’t afford to get Alice or Rosalie free!” Emmett hissed between gritted teeth.

Black Wolf pulled Bella to his side before stepping up to face Emmett. “Actually, you might still be able to free them.”

Both Emmett and Bella gave him incredulous stares, but for completely different reasons.

“What?” they both uttered.

Black Wolf glanced at Bella for a moment before he looked back at Emmett. “What the council hasn’t told you is that I am now the owner of both Alice and Rosalie.”

As Emmett gaped and Alice grinned, Bella snickered. The sister’s reactions spurred Black Wolf on.

“I would be willing to trade them both to you in exchange for Bella’s hand plus the bounty you were going to buy them with.”

As Emmett sputtered with indignation, Jasper walked back out of the council building and pulled Bella aside.

“I just spoke ta Mountain Lion Guides an’ he confirmed my suspicions. All ya have ta do is tell tha council that not only did Black Wolf an’ ya arrange ta ask for a hand-fasting when he got back from tha raid, but the two o’ ya been intimate. That right there is Black Wolf’s claim to ya, if ya be consenting.”

“Oh really?” Bella replied, sounding smug.

Jasper nodded. “Especially since ya been intimate afore Black Wolf left to tha raid. The council don’t wanna take no chance that a ‘lil chief be running ‘round without them knowing, if ya get my drift.”

Emmett could do nothing but gape at Bella in stunned silence, giving her the opportunity to grab Black Wolf’s hand as she marched into the council building to do just what Jasper suggested.

Alice shared a grin with Jasper as he winked at her conspiratorially. Things were getting much more interesting now.

A/N: Stay tuned for the climatic battle! LOL, okay so it's not a battle per se, but yes, this fight between Emmett/Brown Skunk and White Swan/Black Wolf is coming to an end. There are now just two more chapters and an epilogue left.....

chapter 29

Over the next few weeks leading into the Moon of the Crow, when the ice began to melt beneath the winds of spring, Bella did her best trying to talk to Emmett more. Hoping she could get on his good side by being nice to him, she took her time doing so until the right moment came along when she would bring up the Black Wolf situation. When that moment came, she carefully brought up the subject, telling him she wanted to be with Black Wolf.

However, Emmett still didn’t change his mind as he continued to say that heathens were beneath them then steered the conversation in another direction. Bella didn’t push the issue, but didn’t give up either. Instead, she continued being nice to him, biding her time until she could bring it up again.

During those weeks that Bella worked on her brother, Jasper continued to visit Alice in the Quedeyona village. But the more he went to see her, the more changes began happening. At first, he went as a go-between messenger for Alice and her siblings, but as time went on, he began going to see her because he liked her company.

Even Alice was looking forward to Jasper’s visits because although she was friends with Rosalie, the girl was a little too talkative and rambunctious for the quiet Alice. Plus, Alice didn’t really hate the Quedeyona the way Rosalie always voiced her disgust of the savages. Alice thought some of them were rather nice, especially Black Wolf and Fighting Dog.

Alice liked the way the two of them always seemed to be considerate of her, keeping their voices down so as not to frighten her, plus they always asked her to do something instead of ordering her like her previous owners had. They even asked Rosalie rather than ordered her, but she still said she hated all savages.

She was glad Jasper was Black Wolf’s friend since that meant she got to see him whenever he came to the village because he always tried to stop and say hi to Black Wolf and her even if he wasn’t really there to see them. To Alice, Jasper was a lot like Black Wolf yet there was something more to him too.

She wasn’t sure exactly what it was about him, but she knew he was the one she felt the most comfortable with. When he visited, he usually did the most talking since he always had entertaining stories to tell her, but he also was comfortable simply sitting in silence with her. She did talk to him, but he never seemed to expect her to have something to say. She liked that he didn’t pressure her to open up.

In the end it was that fact that actually helped her to open up to him alone. Soon, she looked forward to his visits because it meant she had a friend she could talk to about whatever she wanted to, all the while knowing he wouldn’t judge her for it. So, with each later visit she began to tell him more about her life growing up among the Danasga knowing he wouldn’t repeat it to anyone else.

When she heard the rhythmic scratching on the door flap that afternoon, she knew it was Jasper come to see her. With a smile, she put her sewing aside, then went to greet him.

Pulling the flap aside, she moved out of the way to let him in. “Hi Jasper! How are you today?”

He grinned at her as he stepped inside. “Just fine, tho’ a bit parched.”

“Oh! I can get you some water,” she motioned to the jug in the corner of the room.

Jasper waved her away. “I’ll get it an’ join ya for a chat.”

Alice nodded as she went back to her seat while Jasper got himself a cup of water. When he sat down across from her, he noticed her sewing supplies.

“Not botherin’ ya, am I?”

She shook her head. “I was just doing something to pass time until you got here. It doesn’t have to be done right away.”

“Really?” He looked at the pattern she had been working on. “That looks mighty good. I didn’ know ya could sew like that.”

Looking bashful, she answered him. “It’s just something I like to do to pass the time. It’s relaxing actually.”

Jasper smiled at that. “Well I’m glad ya got somethin’ ya like ta do.”

Alice nodded in response. Soon they fell into a comfortable conversation until she eventually got around to telling him about her day, especially about having to put up with Rosalie’s complaining.

“I think I’m getting to the point that if Emmett gets enough money for just her, he can come get her and leave me here. At least then I know I’ll have some peace and quiet.”

Jasper chuckled. “Oh come now! Are ya sayin’ you’d stay here instead o’ going home wit your brother an’ sister?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying! I know they worry about me, which means they would hover over me and never leave me alone. At least here, Black Wolf let’s me have my space.”

Jasper gave her a curious look when she mentioned Black Wolf. The way she softly said his name said a lot about her acceptance of him as a person. Knowing that, he decided to bring up a certain subject.

“Alice, did ya know Black Wolf was courting Bella?”

She looked up from her sewing pattern, scrunching her face as if trying to remember something. “You know, I think Emmett and Bella were arguing about something like that the evening I was brought to this village, but I can’t remember everything they said.”

She tilted her head as she asked, “Was he really? Courting her like my father once courted mother?”

Jasper nodded. “Yep. The Quedeyona do it a bit different than we do, but it’s about tha same.”

“What’s different?” asked Alice.

“Well, for one thing, when tha man asks tha woman if he may court her an’ she says yes, he’ll give her one o’ his feathers ta wear. It’s like an engagement ring, but not like an engagement.”

When Alice scrunched up her face, Jasper chuckled. “A feather? Not like an engagement?” she asked.

“Yep. See every family has a feather that is recognizable as theirs only, like a coat o’ arms from overseas. It may be tha color, shape or size o’ tha feather that is recognizable. That feather is seen in their clothes an’ other belongings. The women put it in their hair. So, when a man courts a woman, she wears his feather in her hair. That way everyone sees she is taken by that man.”

“But why is it not like an engagement then?”

“ ’Cause tha man an’ woman can call off tha courtship if they want to. A courtship here isn’t serious like an engagement is to us. Once we’re engaged a wedding usually follows, see?”

“Oh,” replied Alice.

“Well that doesn’t always happen with tha Quedeyona. Sometimes it does, but when it doesn’t, tha woman gives tha feather back an’ they are free to court others. No one looks down on those who break a courtship, not like when we break an engagement.”

Alice nodded. “I remember mama used to say if a woman broke an engagement she lost the respect of society. Even though she was more likely still pure, not many men wanted to court women who had a broken engagement.”

“Yep. See why it’s different? We tend ta have stricter rules.”

“I see. So, Bella had a feather from Black Wolf?”

Jasper sighed. “To tell tha truth, she still has his feather. Black Wolf ne’er took it back.”

Alice’s eyes got large. “Really? But she’s gone! How can he court someone else if she still has his feather?”

Jasper looked her in the eye and said, “They still want ta court each other. Bella ne’er wanted ta leave this village, but Emmett got his way.”

Her eyes got even wider, but Jasper could see it was simply from surprise, not disgust. Since she didn’t seem upset so far, he decided to plow on.

“Did ya know that Black Wolf had planned on asking tha council for Bella’s rights when he got back from tha raid on the Danasga? He had promised Bella tha night afore he left for tha raid an’ she’d agreed.”

“Wait! So, he promised my sister he’d ask if he could marry her?”

Jasper nodded.

Suddenly realization dawned on her face. “But Emmett beat him to it and took Bella before Black Wolf could ask.”

Again Jasper nodded. “Yep. Black Wolf tried ta get the council ta negotiate wit Emmett, but Emmett refused ta let Bella go.”

“But he freed her!”

“True an’ as tha eldest Swan, Emmett’s tha head o’ tha family. That means Bella has ta listen ta him. Tha council knew that, so if Black Wolf wants ta marry Bella…”

“He has to go through our brother,” finished Alice.

Jasper nodded his confirmation.

Alice twirled a stray piece of hair around her finger as she processed everything Jasper had told her. She even tried to remember the exact words Bella had used the evening they had all been reunited once again, but she couldn’t remember. Still, she was getting the feeling that Bella had been telling Emmett to mind his own business.

As Alice continued to ponder, Jasper spoke up again. “Alice, I know it’s none o’ my business, but how do ya feel about your sister being wit a native?”

She blinked her eyes as she came out of her musings, then gave him an honest look. “Honestly, I don’t think it’s my place to judge. After all, Bella has always been the stronger one and that hasn’t changed. So I know she can make up her own mind and her own decisions. But then, it is Black Wolf she’s seeing. He’s been nothing but kind to me which makes me like that Bella likes him. If he’d been one of us, he’d been what mama called a gentleman.”

Jasper grinned at that, glad that Alice seemed to like Black Wolf despite her fear around almost everyone else. “I’m glad ya like Black Wolf, Alice.”

She shrugged. “He makes it easy to like him.”

Suddenly she frowned as a thought occurred to her. “Emmett was his slave too, wasn’t he? So why didn’t he like Black Wolf? Unless…he was mean to him?”

Jasper sighed. “Black Wolf was ne’er mean ta Emmett an’ from what I got from both him an’ Bella, Emmett doesn’t like any natives at all. He sees them as heathens an’ savages. Nothing but filthy redskins.”

Alice shook her head. “Sounds like my brother is trying to act like the big man. You know, the tough man who’s not afraid of anything. He puts down what he thinks is beneath him.”

“Yep, that’s what it sounds like, but I also think he’s trying ta live up ta your pap’s example. I think he believes that’s what he’s got ta do.”

“Maybe, but he’s forgetting that it’s Bella. Even when we were younger, Bella always stood up to him. Not because she wanted to, but because she knew she was in the right.”

Jasper nodded in understanding.

They were both quiet for a few moments before Alice stated, “I guess Black Wolf is still trying to find a way to get my sister back?”

Again Jasper nodded.

“Before he left, Emmett told me he was gonna come back for me and Rosalie when he got more money,” Alice announced.

“That’s true. He’s still working wit me an’ saving what he ken so he ken come get ya.”

“I know, but what I don’t understand is why just Rosalie and not her sister, Leah, too?”

Jasper winked at her. “Seems he an’ Rosalie have been friendly, ya see. An’ since Leah is married to a native, she’s pregnant on top o’ that. Emmett thinks it’s too late ta save her.”

She scrunched up her face. “Save her? He thinks we need saving?”

“That’s how he said it ta me.”

Alice rolled her eyes. “What an arrogant idiot! I really do hope Black Wolf or Bella can come up with something to put him in his place!”

Jasper chuckled, she looked adorable with her hands on her hips. “I hope so too, Alice. I hope so too.”

************************************************************************

Darting Rabbit sat quietly just inside the door to Black Wolf’s home listening as Mountain Lion Guides and Owl Sees Truth talked enthusiastically about the coming birth of their baby. After Jasper had left, Darting Rabbit had gone back to sewing until it had been time to prepare dinner.

Just as she had started, Mouse Daydreams had arrived with the clean utensils and the vegetables she’d gathered from the garden. As Darting Rabbit set to cutting up the vegetables while Mouse Daydreams went back outside to start the cooking fire, Black Wolf had returned home. He quickly informed them that he was having guests for dinner which meant they had to prepare enough for five people instead of the usual three.

It hadn’t been that hard to prepare more food, especially since Black Wolf helped out. While the girls started with what they had, Black Wolf ran to the garden for a few more vegetables before stopping by his brother’s home to trade for some venison.

By the time Owl Sees Truth and Mountain Lion Guides had arrived, the meal was almost ready. Black Wolf had sat in the front room entertaining them until Mouse Daydreams and Darting Rabbit served them. Once the three of them had what they needed, Mouse Daydreams and Darting Rabbit had gone outside to serve themselves.

Later, after the meal was over, Mouse Daydreams and Darting Rabbit had been invited back inside to join in the conversation. That had been pleasant as Mouse Daydreams talked to her sister, but when the topic had switched to their baby, Mouse Daydreams had quickly tensed and become moody. In no time at all she had excused herself to stalk to the room she shared with Darting Rabbit.

Feeling a little awkward, Darting Rabbit had moved closer to the door where she sat quietly, listening to the three friends talking. She liked Owl Sees Truth because she reminded her of Bella. They both seemed to be such strong-willed, confident women. Mountain Lion Guides was much more intimidating than any of the other Quedeyona she had met, but he’d been very nice to her, so she knew she could trust him.

What really made her relax in his presence was the way he smiled at Owl Sees Truth and the way he was always more animated when he talked about his baby. She knew that anyone who looked at his wife the way he tenderly looked at Owl Sees Truth, couldn’t be that bad.

Soon, they were saying goodbye to Black Wolf, Owl Sees Truth even tried saying goodnight to a still moody Mouse Daydreams to no avail. As soon as they began to walk out, Owl Sees Truth stopped to ask Darting Rabbit how she was holding up, telling her that she was always welcome at their home if she ever wanted to go by.

Darting Rabbit timidly thanked them as Black Wolf saw them out. Alone in the room, she moved to finish cleaning up.

“Uh! How disgusting is that?”

Darting Rabbit glanced up to see Mouse Daydreams standing in the doorway to their room with her arms crossed over her chest while glaring at the front door. As she went back to cleaning, she heard Mouse Daydreams continue to complain.

“How can anyone be excited to have a baby out in this wilderness? There’s no physician or wet nurse around for miles! And on top of that, it’s gonna be a half-savage baby! Gross!”

Darting Rabbit sighed. “I’m sure it’s not as bad as you make it sound.”

“Yeah, right!” She sighed. “I can’t wait for Emmett to come and rescue us! I really hate this place and I hate seeing my sister turn into one of them!”

She was just about to speak up when the flap was pushed aside as Black Wolf walked in.

He smiled down at Darting Rabbit. “Thank you Alice, the meal was great. You too, Rose.”

Mouse Daydreams shrugged before turning around to go back to her room.

“Rose? Shouldn’t you be helping Alice clean up?”

Mouse Daydreams stiffened before whirling around. Stalking into the room, she grabbed up a small pile of dirty utensils then stalked outside without a word.

Black Wolf sighed as he moved to kneel next to Darting Rabbit. “Here, I’ll help too.”

Darting Rabbit nodded as she continued to clean the room with Black Wolf’s help. They worked in comfortable silence for a while until she noticed that Black Wolf seemed to be slacking off. Glancing up at him, she saw the faraway look in his eyes. Guessing at what he was thinking of, she hesitantly spoke up.

“You must miss my sister a lot.”

Her soft voice pulled Black Wolf out of his daydreams, making him look at her to see the understanding smile she wore. He returned her smile as he nodded.

“Yes. Yes I do.”

Darting Rabbit’s smile grew wider. “Jasper says she misses you too.”

Black Wolf sighed. “I guess so, but I know she misses you. So does Emmett.”

Darting Rabbit shrugged, knowing he was trying to make her feel good too. Instead, she let it go as she said, “I can see why Bella likes you.”

Black Wolf quirked an eyebrow. “You can?”

“Um hm. You actually take the time to listen to everyone and you don’t act like you are the one in control. Emmett’s the exact opposite and he’s so stubborn, but Bella can be stubborn too.”

Black Wolf grinned at that. “Yes she can, but that is one of the things I like about her.”

“Really? What else do you like about her?”

Black Wolf put down the rag he’d held and sat back to stare at the roof.

“There is not much I do not like about her, but I guess what I like the most is her strength and her smile. I like the way she can stand up to everyone, including me. But she is also friendly to everyone here, greeting them with a smile that shows on her whole face.”

Darting Rabbit couldn’t help the wistful pangs that filled her chest when she saw the look on Black Wolf’s face paired with his words. It made her wonder if she would ever have anyone who would have feelings for her the way Black Wolf had for Bella.

“Bella was always that strong and friendly,” replied Darting Rabbit in a hushed voice, as if she was hesitant to disturb Black Wolf’s musings. “Even when we were little, I remember her always being the one to protect me when Emmett picked on us. She is a lot like I remember our father was. I was always the weak one.”

Black Wolf turned to look at her with a gentle smile. “You are the baby of the family, Alice. Of course they protected you. But never think that makes you weak. You still have it inside of you to be as strong as you want to be. Do not let anyone tell you how you should be, but be the way you feel the most comfortable being.”

Darting Rabbit nodded, but shyly looked down at her hands. To prevent her from feeling anymore awkward, Black Wolf moved on.

“Did you know I intended to ask the council for the right to become hand-fasted to Bella as soon as I returned from the Danasga raid?”

“Yes. Jasper told me. He also said Bella had known you would and she wanted you too.”

“Yes. We discussed it the night before I left, but when I got back, the council was too busy listening to the results of the Danasga raid. I had to wait until the next morning as soon as they were done with the raid.”

“But Emmett beat you to it.”

Black Wolf sighed. “Yes. I did not know he was against Bells staying here with me until it was too late.”

Darting Rabbit frowned. “But how did he find out what you and Bella were going to do?”

“Mountain Lion Guides told me that Emmett heard us talking as we rode to the Danasga village. That is when I announced it to my friends.”

“So Emmett was riding with you?”

“He was not with the group, but Mountain Lion Guides thinks he was close by. Mountain Lion Guides also told me what he believes Emmett was up to during the entire raid. It seems Emmett might have been planning this all along.”

“What was he planning?”

Black Wolf sighed. “Please understand that I am only telling you what Mountain Lion Guides told me he witnessed. I do not know if Emmett really meant it the way Mountain Lion Guides believes he did.”

Darting Rabbit nodded. “I understand. Just tell me Black Wolf.”

He proceeded to tell her what Mountain Lion Guides had witnessed Emmett doing during the raid. How he had not been protecting Black Wolf’s back that well. It had seemed as if he had purposely left Black Wolf open to be injured or worse. Then towards the end, Emmett had seemed to be looking for chances to slip Black Wolf up. He had even appeared angry when Black Wolf had won the last important dual with the Danasga leader.

As Black Wolf continued to repeat everything Mountain Lion Guides had told him about the day of the raid, he kept telling her that he wasn’t making a judgment on Emmett despite what Mountain Lion Guides had said. She could tell he was doing his best to let her know he didn’t hate Emmett for what he’d done, but she knew he was going easy on her brother mostly for Bella’s sake. Honestly, she didn’t mind since all that really mattered to her was how he felt about Bella, plus the fact that he would treat her right when they were together.

When Black Wolf had finished his story, Darting Rabbit knew Emmett had done everything exactly as Mountain Lion Guides claimed he was doing. Even though Black Wolf seemed to be giving him the benefit of the doubt, Darting Rabbit believed her brother had purposely tried to get Black Wolf out of the way. But when that had failed, he’d done the only thing he knew that would keep Bella from Black Wolf. He’d gone to the council to quickly buy his and Bella’s freedom so Black Wolf would have no chance to claim her.

With a sympathetic smile, she reached out and took Black Wolf’s hand in hers. Black Wolf looked up with a shocked expression. Darting Rabbit knew he knew that she was not one to initiate physical contact. Still, she was no longer scared of Black Wolf since she was starting to think of him as family. He was the older brother she had always wanted. Fiercely protective, yet gentle to those he cared about.

“I’m sorry Black Wolf, but I think I agree with Mountain Lion Guides. My brother was up to no good. I remember his anger when he was arguing with Bella the evening I came to this village. He really didn’t like that she wanted to stay and that she didn’t share his dislike of all of you. He was furious that she didn’t seem to pay attention to his warnings and commands.”

Black Wolf let that sink in before nodding. “I see. I guess that is part of the reason why he chose to free her before you or Rosalie. To him, she seemed to be the one who was in the most danger of becoming one of us.”

Darting Rabbit gave a sad nod. “Yes. I’m really sorry Black Wolf.”

“Do not be.” He squeezed her hand affectionately. “I am still going to find a way to be with her. I know she wants to be with me. I promised her I would find a way.”

Darting Rabbit held his hand as she gave him an encouraging smile. She was glad that Black Wolf was keeping his promise to her sister and prayed that soon the two of them would be back together and happy.