The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 82

"Gavin won't let me keep my son."

Adelaide turned and slowly began walking back to the wooden building that was now her home.

"Gavin? He's your husband?!"

"One and the same," Adelaide admitted. It was apparent that Gavin had already left an impression on George.

"There is no comparison between your husbands," George mused aloud.

"I'm in such a predicament," Adelaide sighed, "And it isn't wise for us to be seen speaking alone for long. My husband is a jealous man. Or maybe I should clarify now that you know the truth. Gavin is an insanely jealous man and I don't want to cause problems for you. I'm not sure if you are aware, but your wife, Gretjen is here as well. She is taking care of my son in the camp of Chief Red Hawk and his people. She was here with the chief not an hour ago. Look, there is nothing I can do right now, but you don't have to stay here now that you have found me. Go back to your wife and children. That is where you belong, not here...I mean unless you want to stay..."

Adelaide bit her lip to end her sudden rambling.

"I can't make this decision for you, Dark Star, so I will pray God gives you wisdom. He has promised to give wisdom when we ask and I know you need a big helping of it right now. I understand why you chose to leave. I'm not sure what I would have done in your situation, but you need to know that Chief Long Knife loves you. He would take you back should you decide to return to him. But if it is your choice to remain here with Gavin, I also understand your choice and, with your permission, will explain your decision to our chief. I believe he needs to hear the truth to heal the sorrow in his spirit. You understand?"

Adelaide nodded, her head lowered.

"Chief Red Hawk is going to bring my baby to his father within the next few days. I am not sure where they are camped right now but you are more than welcome to remain at the fort tonight. Gretjen will be coming back tomorrow so I can spend a few more moments with Torris before..."

"I don't believe we've been properly introduced, but it appears you know my wife quite well..." Gavin interrupted their conversation as he approached, his scowl speaking volumes.

Adelaide instinctively stepped backward crashing into George. The innocent action only confirmed Gavin's suspicion.

****

Waves of nausea tormented Adelaide as she stood braced against her husband's anger, but not a sound emerged from her pale lips. Oh, she knew how bad this must look and reluctantly stepped away from George's strength at her back towards her husband. It did little to change his mood.

George spoke up, breaking the unbearable silence. "Dark Star told me everything..."

"Oh really? She told you how she brought nothing but death to the fort? It wasn't bad enough that she came marching in here with another man's baby." His lips curled into a bitter snarl.

George's brows gathered in a frown. His first impression of Gavin had been less than ideal but now that they stood face to face his gut feeling was confirmed. The man was a weasel. What Dark Star had ever seen in him was anyone's guess but this wasn't the time to let his mind wander.

Adelaide was unaware of what had become of Becky as she looked up into her husband's face, etched with unmasked rage.

"What is done is done Gavin," Addy struggled to find her voice. "I know from teaching the children history that I am not the first married woman to have been kidnapped by natives and married off to one of the men. It is a fact of life out in this wilderness. I didn't throw myself at my second husband. In fact, I fought our marriage for months. If Maggie were with me, she could testify to my faithfulness and love for you. Gavin please, you know if I had tried to escape, the children would never have survived..."

A darkness passed over Gavin's features at the mention of his children. He had all but blocked them from his mind...or at least had attempted to.

"Well, it looks like they didn't survive regardless. Seems to me they might have had more of a chance if you had at least tried to come back to me."

There it was. Gavin speaking for her conscience.

"I've received my punishment," the words caught in Addy's throat, "And it is more than I can bear."

A better man would have pulled his grieving wife into his arms, but Gavin wasn't such a man. Bitterness laced each word as he pressed on, regardless of how distraught his wife was.

"Did you get pregnant with that half-breed before or after our children lay in the ground?"

"Before..."

What else could Adelaide do but answer honestly?

"Then there is no mercy. Your bastard was spared while our children won't be returning. Or have you forgotten them so quickly..."

It wasn't exactly a question. Gavin's words sliced through her heart, twisting and tearing her soul.

"Enough..." George stepped forward, his fist clenched into a tight ball as he fought the urge to land that same fist squarely between Gavin's eyes.

"And who do you think you are coming between my wife and I?" Gavin turned his attention back to the towering blonde. "Let me guess...you're in love with my wife too."

"No, I am not, but I will not stand by as you speak to your wife in such a manner. It was out of loyalty she chose to return to you and seek your mercy and forgiveness. Are you blind to the love she has for you even after all this time?"

Gavin looked between George and Adelaide who was now as pale as the clouds floating leisurely above their heads.

In their clashing, neither of the men had noticed Adelaide trembling or the color draining from her face until she slumped over. Gavin stood speechless for a moment as George instinctively swept Adelaide into his arms moments before she fell to the ground.