The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 64

"Jaira didn't come here with me in the first place so I have no idea where she is going. We live four hours away from each other by car!"

When both her companions looked at her as though she were speaking another language, Adelaide realized her mistake. How could they understand? These women belonged in the past, Adelaide alone to the future.

Adelaide shook her head, "I fear the men were sent on a wild goose chase and I am no closer to returning to my husband than I was yesterday."

Dark Star gasped at Adelaide's words. "You can't mean it! You can't seriously want to leave our chief after all this time and return to your first husband. He hasn't even tried to find you!"

"What if he couldn't?" Adelaide mused aloud, speaking more to herself than to anyone else. She nibbled her lower lip remembering all too well details of her marriage she had no intention of sharing with her friends. There was every chance that even if he could have found a way through some magical time portal, he would have moved on with his life. That wasn't the issue. It was up to Adelaide to do the right thing whether or not Gavin was waiting for her open arms.

"And have you thought of Toris? You will destroy your husband if you take his son from him." Brown Sparrow was frowning, yet empathized with Adelaide's dilemma. What would she do if Guillaume had been looking for her all this time when she had assumed he had died? Would she turn to her first husband leaving Falcon behind and take their unborn child with her? The thought made her blanch and knees buckle.

Gretjen reached out instinctively to steady the slender brunette.

"I think you need to tell him the truth," Brown Sparrow rested her hand on her protruding stomach, "He deserves to know everything and there is no doubt he is wise and fair. It is much better to tell the truth in this matter than run off and cause him to worry, let alone break his heart. Your husband is responsible for the entire tribe. This decision, if you make the wrong one, will affect all of us."

Adelaide didn't say a word, averting her eyes as though afraid Brown Sparrow could see into her soul.

It was more complicated than being married to two men. Chief Long Knife may be wise, and no, she wasn't questioning his wisdom or leadership skills...it was a matter of his heart. Could he make the right decision when his heart belonged to another? Hardly.

"I guess we will have to wait and see if the men are able to find my sister." Adelaide shrugged, hoping to signal she wanted the conversation to come to an end.

Gretjen shook her head, "They haven't been gone long. If you speak to the chief now, he can put an end to their quest. I don't know what lies ahead, but we should have all able-bodied men with us. If this isn't about Jaira, and clearly it isn't, then they need to be summoned back I should think…"

Before Adelaide could respond, she signaled for Hans to join them. "Hans, go to your father and ask him to get the chief to wait. It is important."

Hans was fast and darted off without a moment's hesitation and within seconds, the entire tribe came to a standstill, Chief Long Knife turned to Adelaide with concerned, questioning eyes.

Ready or not, it was now or never. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she walked toward the chief, her eyes fixed on the hand he held out to her.

And the tribe waited.

****

"Are you alright? Our son?"

Looking down at the peaceful features of his sleeping son, Chief Long Knife returned his focus to Adelaide.

"We can go slower if it is too much for you."

Slower would be perfect. Or even better, if they turned around and forgot all about traveling to reunite him with his long-lost love. Adelaide decided to keep her thoughts to herself.

"I am worried about the men you sent out today. It was kind of you to think of my sister's well-being, however, this is the second time she has left the tribe of her own accord. She is not happy among us and knows the dangers out there but chose to take the risk rather than remain with us. I believe it would be better for the men to return so they can help those who are here - who trust you and your leadership, unlike my sister."

A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of the chief's lips. "So you stopped the entire tribe out of concern for my scouts? You truly have a heart for my people. Come, we will continue and you will walk by my side. We have not had much time together over the past few weeks…"

Adelaide looked up in shock. He was very good at playing the part of a devoted husband. Of course he couldn't show up rusty, and who better to practice on than the mother of his child? Keeping her mouth shut, Adelaide simply fell into step beside the tall warrior, listening as he instructed another warrior to fetch the scouts he had sent out mere hours before. Was he embarrassed to have changed his mind in front of those who looked up to him? His face was unreadable.

"Something else troubles you," Chief Long Knife turned, observing her intently studying his features. They hadn't spoken much since he assumed the role of Mohawk chief, something both knew he never wished. The strain of the past few weeks lingered in shadows haunting his brown eyes, but right now, his entire concern was for Adelaide.

"Why are we going south? Why are you moving the entire tribe and what is the rush to arrive before the snow comes?"

Taken aback, Chief Long Knife looked away and in the fleeting moment when he turned his face from her, she had all the answers she needed.

"It's okay…" she croaked, her voice catching in her throat, constricted with unshed tears, "Forget I asked."

And with that, she stepped backward, blending into the crowd that was steadily stepping forward toward Adelaide's nightmare and farther from the children she had left behind. Taking a deep breath, it was now or never.

Without a word, Adelaide watched in silence as the tribe she had lived amongst for months milled past her. She wasn't as close to Small Bird as Brown Sparrow was to her mother-in-law and at this moment, Adelaide thought that might be for the better. One less tearful goodbye.

When the last of the women had passed her, Adelaide sprinted towards the forest, clutching Toris to her heart. She needed to make up for lost time, and there wasn't a moment to waste.