The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 58

"Would you like to hold Torris?" Dark Star gently tapped her infant's back, her eyes meeting Jaira's.

Jaira shrugged, turning away. "Ya, no thanks. I can't wrap my mind around how God chose to give you a child conceived in sin whereas I remain barren. I was married for years and yet my womb remains locked up. I don't get it and holding your baby is just a slap in my face."

Dark Star hadn't realized how Jaira was feeling and immediately felt bad.

"I'm so sorry, Jaira, I never meant to flaunt anything in your face or make you feel bad."

Jaira didn't respond. What could she say? At that moment her faith began to quiver. Hadn't she been adamant in her fervor for righteousness? Why was she punished with what her heart longed for most while those who lived in sin were rewarded? Something was off and completely unfair. No, she didn't even want to look at her new nephew.

Within a moment, Strong Oak appeared at Jaira's side. Lowering his voice, Strong Oak cautioned, "The baby is our future chief. Watch your words. Not everyone will be so forgiving, or understanding as your sister."

"I can't express how I feel?" Jaira crossed her arms, but a tear trickled down her ashen cheek, "I've done everything God requires and yet I cannot have a child...life isn't fair."

A tenderness shadowed Strong Oak's eyes, "I understand your pain. I lost my children to the sickness that came."

Jaira looked at her husband through tear-blurred eyes, their pain something that united them. Ironic? Perhaps.

Strong Oak tenderly brushed away Jaira's tears, "We will have more children."

Jaira lowered her head. He clearly was able to have children. Instead of comforting her, his words only made Jaira feel worse. When he realized it was her womb that was locked up tighter than Fort Knox, how would he feel about her then?

"I can't get pregnant," Jaira hung her head.

A cocky grin teased the corners of Strong Oak's lips, "I am your husband now. We will have a baby."

Jaira blushed crimson, Strong Oak laughing in response. Strong Oak's laughter enveloped her heart. Jaira would never admit it, but she could have been married off to someone far worse.

****

Jaira knew if she was honest with herself, she could fall in love with Strong Oak. After all, he was her husband. Yet, as long as Eagle was out there, she could never give Strong Oak her heart.

Strong Oak, however, had other plans. He'd have Jaira's heart if he could make her forget William and...what was his name? It didn't matter. He had no idea that William was easy enough to forget. Their marriage had been loveless since nearly the first day after they'd signed the marriage license.

Eagle, however, was another matter. He was long gone, but his memory lingered in the shadows of her mind, his wild, untamed scent in the fragrance of the surrounding forest.

Jaira refused to give up hope Eagle would return for her, lifting her in his brawny arms once more. Yes, as long as Eagle was somewhere out there, Jaira could never give in to Strong Oak.

****

Outside the longhouse, Chief Long Knife stood holding Peter-Torris against his bronze, chiseled chest. His son was pale with satiny hair belying his mixed heritage. Coral streaks laced the darkening sky; a balmy breeze caressing father and son.

In his arms, he held the tribe's future chief. If things went according to plan, Peter-Torris would someday lead the Wyandotte tribe. Long Knife's chest clenched in strangled sorrow. He couldn't grieve the loss of his identity - of his people.

Peter-Torris' elder brother should have been chief. Chief Long Knife swallowed hard and then swallowed again. It was the Iroquois Nation who had taken his bride and unborn child and now, with a stroke of bad luck, he was a chief in the same nation that had robbed him of his heart. Chief Long Knife couldn't keep to himself forever. He would need to meet with the other chiefs sooner than later. Surely they knew where his bride was located.

****

He may be able to find her now, but then what? What of Dark Star and the babe he now held in his arms? Chief Long Knife was faced with a dilemma. What if Gentle Doe had remarried and was happy? Perhaps she had forgotten him? No, that was impossible. Surely every time she looked into the child's face she would remember the passion they'd shared - his undying love. What would she think of him now and how quickly he'd remarried? She would understand he needed to quickly produce an heir.

A nagging twinge of guilt strangled him. He couldn't pursue this train of thought. Dark Star trusted him with her heart. She'd be justified in feeling betrayed if she knew he still loved his first wife and wanted to find her - even to simply look upon the face of their child just once. That would never be enough, and he knew it.

Holding Peter-Torris closer, Chief Long Knife vowed no one would take this child from him. He'd learned his lesson the hard way. Never would he leave the women and children unguarded again.

The warriors in his tribe still couldn't be trusted to be loyal. He had realized too late there was a mutiny among his men.

Chief Long Knife's faith wasn't as strong as Kajirowirago's. It was only because he didn't trust his own men's loyalty that he didn't avenge Brebeuf's murder. He wouldn't ever forget.

All in good time…

Peter-Torris wrinkled his nose a moment before emitting a hearty cry.

Masking his raging emotions behind the mask of a warrior's unflinching strength, Chief Long Knife returned to the longhouse.