Her mother came into the room shortly after Danshak’s departure. Erin still hadn’t recovered from the shocking turn of events in the last couple of minutes since she woke up. Either someone was playing a cruel joke on her, or she was developing some sort of mental problem. Or she was truly in a different dimension, even though that was most likely impossible.
“How are you, my dear child?” Her mother asked. In this era, Bernice Brown had waist-length hair, dressed in leather and fur clothing with a woolen quilt thrown around her shoulders. She even looked younger here than she did in the future, that is, if this was really the past.
“Here, drink this. It will make you feel better,” she said and offered Erin a bowl of broth that didn’t smell so good.
“Um, thank you, but I’m fine,” said Erin, trying not to wrinkle her nose at the unattractive smell wafting out of the bowl.
Her mother smiled. “
Erin thought for a moment before speaking again. “Do I love Danshak?”“Well, from your behavior towards him since your betrothal, it does not seem as if you do. You have spoken harshly about him many times, but I believe that with time, you might grow to love him. Danshak is a good man and a strong werewolf, you are lucky to have him as your mate.”“He doesn’t seem to be fond of me either.”“I know, and that can change when both of you get to know more about one another,” said her mother, optimistically.“But if we don’t like each other, why did we agree to be mated?”“Well, that decision was not up to either of you. Your father saw an opportunity to become a member of Vak’s family and he took it. He may not be next in line to become the supreme leader after Vak is dead, but he has secured our family a spot in the ruling clan. There is no higher position for a werew
Erin thought for a moment before speaking again. “Do I love Danshak?” “Well, from your behavior towards him since your betrothal, it does not seem as if you do. You have spoken harshly about him many times, but I believe that with time, you might grow to love him. Danshak is a good man and a strong werewolf, you are lucky to have him as your mate.” “He doesn’t seem to be fond of me either.” “I know, and that can change when both of you get to know more about one another,” said her mother, optimistically. “But if we don’t like each other, why did we agree to be mated?” “Well, that decision was not up to either of you. Your father saw an opportunity to become a member of Vak’s family and he took it. He may not be next in line to become the supreme leader after Vak is dead, but he has secured our family a spot in the ruling clan. There is no higher position for a werewolf to attain than that.” This piece of information seemed even extra s
It was midday when her eyes finally fluttered open and she regained her consciousness. She could guess what time it was by the position of the sun, even though she couldn’t fathom how she knew that fact.“She is awake,” whispered a female voice beside Erin. She turned her head and came face to face with a younger version of her present-day/future sister-in-law, Aubrey Silver.“Aubrey, is that you?” Asked Erin.“Who do you speak of? You know that is not my name,” said the Aubrey lookalike. “Have you still not recovered?”“Don’t trouble her, Abna,” said Erin’s mother. She sat at the edge of the bed and placed a warm hand on her daughter’s forehead in a universal gesture of manually checking body temperature. “You do not have a fever, thank the gods. Your sister will go fetch you a bowl of food for you to eat. Perhaps it was hunger that made you faint.”Her
Abna stopped brushing her hair and returned the comb to the box, then she picked out a small stick from it and presented it to Erin. The thin stick was frayed on one end as if someone had been chewing on it.“What’s this for?” Erin asked.“Oh, please stop with the jesting now,” said Abna impatiently. “Clean your teeth quickly, so that we can go outside together to meet your in-laws. We cannot keep them waiting any longer.”“Yes, boss,” Erin muttered under her breath and stuck the strange little stick into her mouth. It tasted familiar although she knew for a fact that she had never used a chewing stick before in her life.A beautiful young woman entered the room with her hands clasped in front of her as if awaiting instructions from them.“Good morning, my ladies,” she greeted politely. “Your mother sent me to get your things for the trip.”“Good morning, Sei
“I heard you were not feeling too well this morning,” said the Prime Alpha. “Do you feel better now?”“Yes, sir,” said Erin unsurely. How did they address the supreme leader in this era? Was it sir? Your majesty? Or your Lordship?“Please, pardon her manners, my Alpha King. She is clearly still in recovery,” her father spoke up from behind her.Vak responded to the apology with an understanding smile, but Erin could see that her new husband, Danshak, wasn’t too pleased with her slip up judging by the scowl on his face as he regarded her with hard eyes.“I apologize, my Alpha King,” said Erin quietly. It wouldn’t do to offend her father-in-law and shock the entire clan with bad manners on her first day of joining the ruling family.“You will ride in the wagon with your maid,” said Vak. “I do not believe that you are strong enough to ride on your mare just yet.
Erin was taken aback by his harsh words and her temper bubbled to the surface, propelling her to her feet. “I should be satisfied with having you as a mate? What is that supposed to mean? Listen, I am the prize here, not you. Your father needed mine in his army and that was why you were thrown into the mix to keep my father happy and yours secure in the knowledge that he has a strong warrior backing him up. You should be grateful to me and my father for agreeing to this alliance, and not the other way around. And as for expectations… you don’t have what it takes to be tender or loving, even if you tried because you don’t know what any of that means. You can’t give what you don’t have, so don’t bother your head about that. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to return to the wagon for the next leg of this trip. I can see the riders in front already mounting their horses. You should go and join them.”She swept past hi
Feeling invigorated by her new purpose, Erin got up with a burst of energy as soon as the head servant announced that dinner was ready and served at the makeshift longhouse that had been erected only a few hours earlier. Only the Smallchief family and about a dozen elite warriors were to eat in the longhouse, while the guards, low-ranking warriors, and servants would dine outside.The sitting arrangement in the longhouse was done in order of hierarchy – the Prime Alpha at the ‘head’ of the table, his wife sat on his right-hand side while his first son sat on his left. Erin was flanked on both sides by her mother-in-law and Zanisck, with Danshak sitting opposite her across the table. They were all seated on the ground where a large quilted fur had been laid to create a barrier between hard cold earth and their bodies. The bowls and plates of food were arranged in rows in front of them on top of a long mat that served as the dining table.Vak Smallchief picked up a piece of roasted meat
Before Erin could even guess what Danshak was up to, he reached where she sat on the mat and pulled her to her feet by her arm, then crushed his lips against hers in a brutal kiss that was both an expression of lust and frustration. His unexpected onslaught met with fierce resistance from her as she pushed him away from her with her palms on his hard chest.“You brute!” She spat angrily. “What the hell do you think you are doing?”“I think I am taking what is mine, as I am supposed to do.”“I am not yours and I will never be, not with this kind of behavior.”“Oh, you are one to talk. Were you not the same one laughing recklessly and flirting shamelessly with my brother not long ago in the longhouse? Why are you suddenly acting shy now?”Erin fought to keep her temper under control. “I’ve already told you, I wasn’t flirting with your brother! What is wrong with you?”Danshak glowered at her in anger. “First you embarrass me publicly, then you come here and insult me as if I am a lowly