Wind Warrior (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon

Spotted Flower and slammed her fist into the woman’s stomach. WhenSpotted Flower moaned and dropped to the ground, Rain Song stared at her. “You are a miserable person. I do not want you for my friend.”
    Yellow Bird giggled. “Hit her again. I always do.”
    Turning, Rain Song stalked out of the tipi and headed toward home.
    Home?
    When had Tall Woman’s tipi become home?
    That thought frightened her. She was falling into the trap she had promised herself she would avoid.
    I am not Blackfoot!
    I am white!
    That night as Rain Song lay on her mat, she remembered the feel of Wind Warrior’s arms around her. She shivered with delight as she remembered the words he had said to her. No different from the other maidens in the village, she had fallen under Wind Warrior’s spell.
    Her young heart yearned for him. And her mind fought against it. “I am Marianna Bryant. My home is Fort Benton.”
    The next morning the sun peeked out from behind dark clouds and bathed the land in its warmth. By midmorning a heady breeze scattered the clouds toward the mountains.
    Rain Song bent to fill a water jug and hoisted it on her shoulders. She hadn’t slept well because she couldn’t stop thinking about Wind Warrior, and when she did fall asleep, she dreamed about him.
    “I see you have no lasting ill effects from your fall.”
    She whirled around to find Wind Warrior standing behind her. Rain Song found she was shy with himand was having trouble meeting his gaze. Her eyes widened when she saw he carried a small pup in his arms.
    She melted when she looked into the animal’s soft golden eyes. Reaching out, she gently rubbed the puppy’s ear. “Is this your dog?” She met Wind Warrior’s dark gaze. “He is not very old, is he?”
    He took the water jug from Rain Song with one hand while he handed the animal to her. “It is a female, and not a dog, but a wolf cub. The mother died, as did her other cubs.”
    Rain Song’s heart ached for the motherless animal. She nestled it in her arms and it seemed to press against her. “Oh, what a sweet creature you are.” She rubbed its padded foot. “And all alone in the world.”
    “She is not alone if you will accept her.”
    Rain Song’s mouth flew open and there was hope in her voice. “If only I could.” She shook her head. “I do not think Broken Lance would allow me to have a wolf cub,” she said wistfully.
    Wind Warrior watched her gentleness with the cub. “I have already spoken to Broken Lance and he has agreed you may keep her.”
    “Oh!” Hot tears sprang to her eyes and she buried her face in the soft fur, cuddling the cub close. “Sweet little orphan—we are both without parents. We will have to look after each other.”
    Wind Warrior watched her smiling, glad that she liked his gift. He nodded, indicating that they should walk together.
    “There are some things you must understand. A wolf is a wild animal, and belongs to nature. You can be her custodian for a while, but the time maycome when she will leave you to seek her own kind.”
    Rain Song met his gaze and found him smiling at her—her heartbeat bumped up a notch. “For as long as she will remain with me, I shall love her.”
    Wind Warrior saw the bruises on her face caused by her mishap the day before. He wanted to touch her, to assure her he would be watching her enemies. But he did not.
    “Wolves are known for their loyalty,” he told her. “They mate for life, and care for their cubs for years after they are grown. When this one is a little older, she will become your protector—for now you must be hers.”
    Rain Song raised tear-bright eyes to him. “It seems I am always thanking you. Thank you for this precious gift.”
    Today she wore her golden hair loose and it shimmered in the sun. Her lovely young face was turned up to his, and there was such trust in her green eyes that he was overcome with tenderness and longing. She touched a place in him that no other had ever found. “I call her