The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 59

We do not have much time," Chief Red Hawk leaned back. "I hope to lead my men on the warpath before the new moon. The winter winds will be upon us soon and the French are on our rivers. This is the time to strike."

Chief Long Knife was thankful he had stalled in his answer. He had no quarrel with the French. In fact, the opposite was true. He owed them a debt of gratitude for introducing him to his new God. Without Brebeuf… Chief Long Knife's jaw hardened at the thought. The need to avenge his friend's death still lay beneath the surface.

"My wife was taken from me while I was leading my men on a hunting trip. She was great with children and I have not found her or my son since the raid." Chief Long Knife left out the fact it was this man's people who had taken his bride. "My baby with my new wife is not yet seven moons old. I will not leave the women and children unprotected again to fight the French."

Chief Red Hawk frowned. He had expected this new chief to defend the French. It was no secret the man before him was Wyandotte and an ally of the French. His reply, however, was unexpected.

"You lost your wife?" Chief Red Hawk repeated, stroking his jaw. "What was her name?"

Dark Star leaned forward. Chief Long Knife refused to discuss his wife with her...and had never mentioned they had a child together. Talons of jealousy squeezed her heart much too tight.

"Gentle Doe."

Chief Red Hawk searched his memory. Yes, he remembered the beautiful Wyandotte woman who carried a child when they had raided Chief Long Knife's tribe. His wife? Well then…

"I do not know what became of your woman, but yes, I do remember her. She is no longer with our tribe…"

"Where is my wife?" Chief Long Knife's face hardened. "My son?"

"She was traded with another tribe. Gentle Doe was a great beauty and her husband is a widower. He is a good man. Do not fear that she is mistreated. She and your child will be cherished."

"Where is she?" Chief Long Knife repeated, his voice a threatening growl. A kind husband or not, he couldn't bear the thought this man knew where she was.

"In the south. That is all I know."

Chief Red Hawk studied the young chief with knowing eyes. Would he lead this tribe south on a reckless endeavor to bring back his wife? And to what end? He now had a second wife and a baby son. It would only cause trouble and heartache. Was Chief Long Knife a fool after all?

Dark Star met Chief Red Hawk's eyes and looked away, but not before he saw a tear tumble down her cheek.

****

"I told you nothing good could come from falling in love with this man," Jaira pointed out, apparently aware of the exchange between the chiefs. "You really didn't think you would get away with being married to two men... "

Dark Star's mortification couldn't have been any greater than to have had a public audience. She had never really wanted to learn the truth about her husband's first wife and especially not like this. She pushed all thoughts of Gavin from her mind.

She couldn't exactly begrudge Chief Long Knife from having a previous marriage as well. So what bothered her so much then? The answer was painfully simple. Her husband loved his wife far more than she could remember having ever loved Gavin and, unlike Gavin, there was more of a chance of Gentle Doe entering their lives than of Gavin coming to the past - at least she hoped Gavin never would.

Never before had Dark Star doubted her husband's love, her very future now on shaky ground. Would he leave to find this woman who clearly still held his heart? Dark Star struggled to breathe, the heartache so intense.

Jaira's timing was way off, her words barbed. Gretjen sighed. "Your husband loves you. Trust his heart. He will do what's right."

Dark Star knew Gretjen meant well and sought to comfort her, however, it was impossible to guarantee his love. What if it was only animalistic desire they had shared all these months? What if her precious Torris was only the result of baser instinct, second best in his father's eyes? Only Chief Long Knife knew the truth. That truth she may never be privy to, and at that moment Dark Star wished again Arlana had never sent her that accursed necklace.

Casting Jaira a disappointed look, Gretjen guided Dark Star towards the shadowed rear of the longhouse.

"Feed Little Torris and I'll see to our guests," she smiled down at the newborn who'd chosen to wail in protest, oblivious to his mother's heartache.

Squatting on the soft pile of furs, Dark Star blinked back tears as she settled her son against her chest. Tears rolled down her freckled cheeks dampening Torris' downy head. Torris only shrieked yet louder struggling to obtain milk that refused to flow.

Dark Star's shoulders trembled as she cried, unable to hide her sorrow and now she was failing her baby as well. Waves of depression washed over her, constricting her chest in an unrelenting grip.