chapter 14

*Two weeks later*

Black Wolf walked along the path that led towards White Swan’s home. Glancing up, he smiled when he saw Mountain Lion Guides and Owl Sees Truth strolling along the edge of the forest holding hands. They looked like they were headed towards one of the more private sections of the river where couples often liked to meet.

The day after Owl Sees Truth’s owners had given Mountain Lion Guides permission to court her, he had gone to confide in Fighting Dog since they were best friends. Fighting Dog had been working out with Black Wolf, so Mountain Lion Guides had told them both the news.

Now, two weeks later it was common to see Mountain Lion Guides and Owl Sees Truth having quiet moments to themselves. In fact, it was about as common as seeing Fighting Dog and Porcupine Smiles having their own moments together. Although Black Wolf knew that neither couple had made a huge announcement of their courtships, they did tell anyone the truth when asked.

However, Black Wolf knew that White Swan and Mouse Daydreams still didn’t know about Mountain Lion Guides and Owl Sees Truth, but White Swan probably knew about Porcupine Smiles and Fighting Dog. Owl Sees Truth had mentioned that she wasn’t ready to tell her little sister about them because Mouse Daydreams was still trying to adjust to living with Mountain Lion Guides while dealing with what had happened to them. As for White Swan, Owl Sees Truth hadn’t really been around her in the last two weeks long enough to be able to tell her the news.

As he neared White Swan’s home, he glanced in that direction in time to see her staring after Mountain Lion Guides and Owl Sees Truth who had just disappeared into the forest. He saw the look she wore as she continued to gaze in that direction even after the couple were gone. There was a smile on her lips and a far away look in her eyes.

She turned in his direction and the smile widened, a sparkle replacing the wistful look in her eyes. “Hi Jake.”

He returned her smile. “Hello, Bells. It is a nice day, yes?”

She nodded. “Yes it is.”

He fell into step with her as she walked back towards her home with a basket of vegetables in her arms.

“So, what are you doing here Jake?” she asked in a soft voice.

Black Wolf shrugged. “I thought I would…”

“Black Wolf!” came the call of a young boy as he scampered up to them. When Black Wolf looked down at him, he continued. “The council has called an emergency meeting. All warriors are being asked to go to the building immediately.”

Black Wolf sighed as he gave the boy a nod. “I’m on my way then.”

The boy gave him a polite bow before running off to find any other warriors to relay the message to. Black Wolf turned to give White Swan a disappointed look. She smiled at the way he almost looked like he was pouting.

Patting him on the arm, she gave him an understanding smile. “It’s okay Jake. I’ll see you later.”

Reluctantly, Black Wolf nodded while giving her a wistful smile. “Yes, I will see you later.”

She watched as he stood there for a few more moments as if there was something on his mind that he’d wanted to say, but then thought better of it. He turned to walk away, then stopped to look over his shoulder while giving her a wave.

White Swan returned his wave, watching him until he’d disappeared in the distance. Then she shifted the basket to settle more comfortably in her arms before continuing on her way to her home to wash the vegetables. As she walked, she thought back to seeing Mountain Lion Guides and Owl Sees Truth earlier.

She wondered just what was going on between them now. She knew Owl Sees Truth had taken a liking to Mountain Lion Guides since she’d already mentioned that before, but at that time the attraction hadn’t seemed to be serious. From what she just saw, it was definitely getting more serious.

As she reached her house, she wondered if Mouse Daydreams knew anything about her sister’s relationship since she now lived with Mountain Lion Guides. Then again, Owl Sees Truth might not have told her anything since she knew how her younger sister felt about being in the situation she was in. Not only was Mouse Daydreams having to adjust to living with Mountain Lion Guides as his slave, but she also made no bones about how she didn’t like living among the Quedeyona or any other tribe for that matter.

Sighing to herself, she hoped that Owl Sees Truth and Mountain Lion Guides were truly happy with each other the way Porcupine Smiles seemed happy with Fighting Dog. In fact, she hoped that she and Black Wolf could look that happy some day too. Unfortunately, it seemed that every time one of them wanted to find some time with the other one, something was always interrupting them.

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Black Wolf entered the council building to find it already filling up with warriors and elders. Fighting Dog spotted him and motioned him over to where he stood with a few other warriors. He made his way over to his younger brother’s side just as Mountain Lion Guides appeared in the doorway looking a bit disgruntled.

Then again if Mountain Lion Guides had been interrupted from his sojourn with Owl Sees Truth the same way he’d been interrupted with White Swan, Black Wolf could completely understand why he was scowling. Mountain Lion Guides made his way over to the group and narrowed his eyes in the direction of the council elders.

“Any idea why this emergency meeting has been called?” he asked.

Fighting Dog and Black Wolf shook their heads as Fighting Dog answered him. “All I know is that a few warriors and elders from some of our allied tribes rode in earlier this morning. They’ve been meeting with our council since then.”


“Well whatever it is that they met about, it’s probably the reason we are all here now,” replied Black Wolf.

The other two nodded in agreement as others continued to walk into the building. Everyone seemed to be waiting around in small groups, chatting idly among themselves. It was apparent the council wasn’t going to start explaining anything until they were sure everyone who needed to be there was present.

Finally, after several more minutes the council called for silence in the room. As the noise died down, Black Wolf looked around to see who was all there. He could see his father standing near the council seats with the rest of the council members. His mother was standing in a group that wasn’t that far from her husband’s group. He noticed that most of the people she was standing with were either elders of the tribe or spouses of the council members.

Then looking around the rest of the room, he realized that it was full of nothing but the council, the important elders, and the warriors. That meant that whatever the meeting was about, it affected the entire village since those in important positions were in attendance.

“People of the Quedeyona, I thank you all for coming as quickly as you could,” began Eagle Feather, one of the council members. He was standing on a dais where he was projecting his voice as loud as he could so that everyone could hear him.

“We have called you all here this day because there has been misfortune for several of our allied tribes. It seems there is a group of tribes from the southeast who have come to raid our allies. This group has many in number. Too many for any of our allies to fight off alone. As such, those that have already been hit have traveled among the rest of us not only to warn, but to ask that we all band together and head off to defeat our enemies.


From what we have been told, our allies have already been sending their willing warriors and some elders who are experts in warfare to a camp that is to be the site of the war. We have all discussed this at length and feel it is our duty to send our own warriors and elders to this camp before the next sunrise. There is no time to waste since the raids continue even as we speak.


Now, we must decide which warriors will stay behind to protect our tribe and which we will send to war. We must also decide which elders will go as part of the war council. That is why we have called you all to this place. We must make the decision as soon as possible so that those who will go to war can have the last part of this day to prepare for tomorrow and to spend time with their loved ones.”

The moment he was finished with his speech, the room began to fill with many voices. It was apparent that while many did not like the sudden need of a decision, it couldn’t be helped. They all knew war would wait for no one.

That being said, it was also obvious that no warrior would refuse to go since doing so would bring shame on himself and his family. And as the council began to make the list of which elders and which warriors would be going off to war, Black Wolf turned to look at his younger brother and their group of friends.

While every one of them wore the proud faces of a warrior, there was some sadness in the eyes of those who would be leaving a loved one behind. It was the same look Black Wolf was certain was in his own eyes.

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White Swan glanced up as she heard a knock at the front door of her family’s home. Since she was in the process of tidying up the room and the remains of the family dinner, Squirrel Gathers went to the door to pull back the flap. A smile spread over White Swan’s lips as she saw Black Wolf standing in the doorway.

He nodded to Squirrel Gathers in greeting then asked if Crow Flies was within. She replied that he was and asked him to wait while she went to fetch him from his room. White Swan continued to clean up the area even though she was aware of Black Wolf’s gaze following her as she moved around.

A few moments passed before Crow Flies appeared in the room with Squirrel Gathers behind him. He greeted Black Wolf as he stepped outside to talk to him for a bit. Since the flap had been allowed to fall back into place, White Swan couldn’t hear what they were talking about. All that reached her ears were soft murmurs of a conversation between the two men.

The conversation didn’t last too long since the flap was once more pushed aside as Crow Flies entered the room again. He went up to White Swan as she finished stacking the dirty utensils in a basket, waiting until she looked up at him.

With a soft smile he spoke to her. “Black Wolf has requested that you accompany him for a walk to the horse’s compound. I have given permission, if you are willing. May I tell him you will be along shortly?”

A little stunned and curious as to why Black Wolf wanted to see her at this time of night she nodded her assent.

Crow Flies grinned at her. “Then I will relay your answer while you go get ready.”

As he returned outside, White Swan went to her room to freshen up since she was covered in soot and grease from the preparations and what-not of the evening’s meal. A few minutes later, dressed in a clean hide-skin dress, she pushed the flap open and stepped outside where Black Wolf and Crow Flies were still chatting.

The men turned upon hearing her, prompting Crow Flies to give Black Wolf a nod. “Ah, here she is, Black Wolf. I will leave you to your walk now.”

He gave White Swan a smile as he walked back into his home, leaving her alone with Black Wolf. As she glanced up at Black Wolf, he stepped to her side, motioning towards a nearby path.

“Come, let us go for a walk, yes?”

White Swan nodded, falling into step with Black Wolf as they began to make their way towards the horse’s compound. They were half way there when Black Wolf reached out to take her hand into his. She graced him with a smile, but otherwise the two of them stayed silent as they continued to walk down the path.

The moment Black Wolf had found out that he was one of the warriors chosen to go to war, he knew he was going to seek out White Swan. He knew he needed to talk to her before he left. All he was hoping for was that Crow Flies understood why he had wanted to talk to White Swan at that time of night. Luckily for him, he had. Especially since most of the men in the village already knew about the impending war.

Crow Flies knew because both of his sons had also been chosen to go. In fact, his sons had just finished telling him the news right before Black Wolf had shown up asking to see White Swan. While most would have found it strange for a warrior to come asking to take their slave out for a walk, Crow Flies knew this wasn’t just any walk.

While Black Wolf hadn’t come and told him outright, Crow Flies knew Black Wolf’s interest in White Swan ran deep. He was certain that Black Wolf had feelings for White Swan in the same way he had feelings for Dragonfly Takes Flight. That much was obvious when the young man looked at White Swan when he believed no one was aware of it.

That was why he’d allowed Black Wolf to take White Swan out for a walk. Because he knew Black Wolf needed to be with White Swan before he had to leave for what could be a very long time. He knew they would both need time with each other just like all the other warriors needed their time with those who were close to them.

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White Swan glanced at Black Wolf out of the corner of her eye. They had arrived at the horse’s compound some time ago, but all that time Black Wolf had remained silent. He had yet to let go of her hand as they both sat on a small haystack just outside of the fence that kept the horses together.

At first, she hadn’t minded the silence since it had been nice to simply walk at his side while he held her hand. She had assumed that they would talk once they were at the compound where there would be less chance of anyone seeing or hearing them. However here they were, where he was just sitting looking lost in thought while idly playing with the fingers of the hand he held.

Finally deciding he wasn’t going to say anything unless she spoke up first, she gave his hand a gentle squeeze, then waited for him to look at her. When he did, she gave him an encouraging smile as she asked him what was on his mind.

Black Wolf stared at her for a few moments before he pulled their clasped hands into his lap, making her move closer to his side. When she was sitting as close to him as possible, he seemed to gather his wits about him before he began to talk.

“Bells, I know we have not had time to spend with each other, but I think it is time to just tell you the truth.”

White Swan gave him a puzzled look. “The truth?”

He nodded. “I want you to know how I feel about you. How I’ve felt about you since the first day I ever saw you.”

White Swan blinked as she realized that he was being serious. “Jake?”

He gave her a smile as he continued. “Even then, at such a young age you had a fire inside of you. I remember thinking that you were the most interesting girl I had ever seen. You were so full of life, more so than any other girl in the village. You were standing there being brave and strong to all of the strangers in the village and all I could think of was how much I wanted to touch your hair.”

With those words, he did reach up to run his fingers through her hair. White Swan smiled at him as his fingers moved from her hair to cradle her cheek in his hand.

“And when I returned from the white man’s school and saw you again, you were all grown up…and I still wanted to touch you hair.”

She blushed. “Oh Jake…”

He leaned closer to her as his voice came out in a husky whisper. “I also wanted to touch your skin just like this…and your lips.”

He brushed his own lips over hers before continuing. “Then when I had the chance to do all that, I began to realize that I wanted more.”

He looked into her eyes as he held her face in his hands. “I wanted to be able to touch you whenever I felt like it and I wanted you to want to touch me.”

She smiled. “I do Jake.”

He touched his nose with hers for a moment before he leaned back to look into her eyes again. “I’m glad Bells, but I want to be able to do this with you in front of everyone…but only if you are willing.”

“If I’m willing?” she asked.

He nodded. “Yes, I would like the honor of courting you, Isabella Marie Swan. I want the world to know how I feel about you, that I hold you in my heart. Will you allow me to do that?”

She didn’t even have to hesitate with her answer. “Yes, Black Wolf,” she replied as she covered his hands with hers. “I would love that very much.”

Black Wolf graced her with a full blown smile right before he leaned in to take her lips in a tender kiss. White Swan could feel just how much he loved her from that kiss alone. She could feel it all the way down to her toes. That was why she didn’t stop him when he lowered his hands to slide them around her waist before pulling her into his lap.

He settled her comfortably so that she sat sideways with her legs stretched out on the haystack. She leaned her side into his chest as he held her close to him while he trailed his lips across her cheek. She laughed softly when he nuzzled her neck, feeling him smile against her skin.

Slowly he pulled away, but kept one arm around her back to support her. Looking down into her eyes, he asked her once more. “Are you sure about this?”

White Swan cupped his cheek with her hand. “Yes, Jake. I want to be with you. I want everyone to know that I hold you in my heart too.”

He let out a sigh as he lowered his forehead to hers. “I am glad,” he whispered.

She smiled as he straightened up to unravel a feather that hung from his jerkin.

Holding it up for her to see, he smiled. “So that everyone will know that I asked to court you and you accepted.”

At her nod, he indicated her hair as he asked her, “May I?”

It was then that White Swan realized what the feather she’d seen both Porcupine Smiles and Owl Sees Truth sporting in their hair meant. Looking up at Black Wolf, she asked him a question to confirm her suspicions.

“Porcupine Smiles wears Fighting Dog’s feather in her hair, doesn’t she? And Owl Sees Truth wears Mountain Lion Guides’ feather too?”

Black Wolf gave her a proud smile over her observations. “Yes, Mountain Lion Guides asked to court Owl Sees Truth the night he claimed Mouse Daydreams as his slave.”

White Swan beamed at him. “So, he took Mouse Daydreams in because of his feelings for Owl Sees Truth then? He wanted to take care of them both.”

Black Wolf’s smile matched her own, clearly proud that she had deduced this all on her own. “That is what he told Fighting Dog and I. And that is what he told Owl Sees Truth. He holds her in his heart and as such, it is his duty to protect those she is close to.”

White Swan chuckled. “Mountain Lion Guides is a good man. I know he’ll do right by Owl Sees Truth.”

Black Wolf nodded. “Yes, I believe that too.”

She covered the hand that held the feather as she looked into his eyes. “Your brother is a good man too…for Porcupine Smiles, but I think I’m getting a great man in you too.”

At Black Wolf’s chuckle she asked, “So this feather means…”

“It means that the woman who wears it has given the right to court her to the brave who gave it to her. No other brave has the right to approach her for her affections in any way. And the brave who gave it to her has made the claim that he will court only the woman who wears his feather.”

She nodded, amazed at the fact that Black Wolf was telling her that once she accepted that feather, it meant he was no longer available to anyone except her. By giving her his feather, he was sending a huge sign to the entire village that he was serious about being a part of her life while making her a part of his.

The fact that he wanted the world to know his intentions towards her while not caring about what anyone else thought of it made her heart swell with pride. Just like her, Black Wolf was strong enough to know what he wanted, standing up for himself despite knowing that things could get difficult. Especially since he was not only a warrior, but also the eldest son of the tribe’s chief. Everyone knew Black Wolf was to be the future chief, but they didn’t know that he was currently interested in a lowly slave like her.

Knowing all of that, White Swan gave him a definitive nod, then leaned in to give him a quick kiss on his lips before leaning back to look in his eyes. “I accept, Black Wolf.”

He grinned at her acknowledgement of his tribal ways as he took his feather and braided it into her hair. Once it was done, he sat back watching as she fingered it for a few moments before he took her lips in another deep kiss. This time the kiss grew heated, making White Swan lose all thought of anything until she was so focused on the way his kiss made her feel that she never even realized he was holding her in a near death grip.

When Black Wolf finally came up for air, White Swan looked up at his face to see that the smile and joy had faded a bit. Now she could see that there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Frowning at the sudden turn in his mood, she ran her fingers along his arm. “Jake? What is it?”

He sighed as he leaned in to give her a tender kiss. His lips lingered against hers for a few moments before he pulled back to rest his forehead against hers. “There’s a reason why I didn’t want to wait any longer to ask you. And I’m afraid of what you might think…”

White Swan wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “Just tell me, Jake.”

“I’m leaving for war in the morning, Bells,” he said in a rush.

When she didn’t respond to that, he continued. “That was why I was called to the meeting this morning. Some of the other allied tribes have been raided by a group of southeastern tribes. All of our allies are sending warriors and elders who are good at making war to a camp where we will band together to go after the southeastern tribes. I don’t know…”

White Swan placed a finger against his lips. She knew what he was trying to say. He had been one of those chosen to go to war. And that meant it could very well be a long time before they saw each other again. Now she understood why Black Wolf had come to see her at so late an hour. With that looming over his head, Black Wolf didn’t want to leave their relationship unfinished.

“I understand Jake.”

He closed his eyes. “Do you?”

“Yes,” she whispered as she pressed her lips against his. “And I want you to know that no matter what, I will be right here…waiting for you to return to me.”

She heard his exhalation of breath right before he enveloped her in his arms, taking her lips in a passionate kiss so that he could give her something to remember him by.