Chapter 8

Tyee

I woke up before Jennie and found myself holding her hand. It felt so delicate, her skin is so soft and smooth. It makes me want to trace her whole body. I wanted to get a head start and make sure everything was packed for our journey and I wanted to make sure Jennie had food before our trip. I quickly got dressed, I needed to meet with Nokomis, she's one my gammas meant to serve the Luna. I mind linked her and told her to meet over by the horses so I can get Rain ready.

"Good morning, Alpha." Nokomis was walking towards her horse with an apple.

"Hello Nokomis, I need a favor, do you have any extra dresses for Jennie? You two look to be about the same size."

Nokomis was petting her horses head and looked towards me. " I think I might have a couple laying around. Is there anything else she may need?"

I thought for a moment. "I don't think so, but if you think of anything don't be afraid to grab it. Can you also give these berries to Jennie when you drop the dresses off?"

Nokomis nodded and walked over to the bowl I had picked. "So, did she say anything about me or our pack last night or.... anything I should know?" Nokomis was holding the bowl in her hand. "She has lived a hard life already, but it is not my story to tell." I nodded my head and Nokomis gave a small smile before hurrying away.

I had packed everything up and Rain was ready to go. I just need to get Jennie. I walked into my hut and found her sitting at the edge of the bed struggling to tie her boot. "I'm sorry I just don't know how I'm supposed to tie this.” She sounded frustrated.

I made my way over to her and knelt at her feet. "Give me your leg" I took her leg in one hand and tugging the top of the boot up with the other. I took the strings wrapping it around the boot a couple of times until it was tight but comfortable. I glanced up a few times and caught her staring. Once I finished tying her boot I knelt back. "You look like a Luna."

Jennies cheeks turned red. She had on a tan dress that hugged her soft curves and a silver fur draped around her shoulders. Her hair was put in a braid with small little yellow flowers. "Thank you, Nokomis helped me." She paused playing with her hair. "Thank you for the berries, I can say those are the best ones I've had."

The whole time she was talking all I could think about was our kiss. Even Dakota was riled up. He was keeping his distance though until Jennie knows the truth. I walked over to Jennie, who was still seated on the bed and took her hand helping her to her feet. I leaned forward kissing her on the cheek. "We should get going I want to make it to the springs before midday.

Jennie nodded and followed me out towards the horses. I was checking Rain one more time to make sure everything was secured. Jennie was at Rains head when she offered her a handful of berries she must of saved from earlier. I watched Rain eat it out of her hand and gave her a small whinny to show her gratitude.

Dakota was licking his paw, when he spoke.

"She really is beautiful isn't she? No wonder why you keep getting distracted." I laughed

"Come on Dakota, look at her, she's perfect".

Dakota sat down. "She is, but we can't get distracted. We haven't been to the springs in ages, and if the were-bears find out you mated with a human, let alone the daughter of the man that came to us to help protect their land, they'll be coming after you."

I let out a sigh. "I know, but that's why I have two scouts at the springs now, they gave us the all clear this morning."

Dakota relaxed a little. "That was some kiss last night.. I don't what it is but I feel a pull towards her. Maybe once we get to the springs you can ask about her and see where she comes from."

I gave Dakota a nod before turning towards Jennie.

"Are you ready to go little wolf?" Jennie flashed me a soft smile and stood before me looking for help to get on Rain. I leaned in close almost touching her lips with mine before I tucked I loose piece of hair behind her ear. I grabbed her by the waist and lifted her on to Rain, then I got myself up so I was seated behind her. I reached around Jennie grabbing the reins and gave Rain the signal to go.

 We're about half way there, in the foxes territory now. It's been a silent ride, but for some reason I feel comfortable in her silence. We're just about at the border now between the foxes and the unclaimed territory, when I felt something stalking us. I can't shift now, not yet.

"Dakota do you feel that?"

Dakota pushed forward.

" I do and it doesn't feel friendly, Jennie can't know about us. Be ready to draw your bow".

I took a breath, and leaned close into Jennie's ear. "Jennie, I need you to stay quiet, make no sudden movements. Do you trust me?"

Jennie gave me a small nod.

"Don't get off Rain, no matter what."

I jumped off of Rain and grabbed my bow, nocking an arrow. I see a flash of fur in the distance, lurking in between the trees. Dakota was at the front now, using his vision to get a better view.

"It's about the size of a fox and moving like one. Why is it stalking us? Can he not scent us?" Dakota asked.

I shook my head. "We have a treaty with the foxes so they shouldn't be bothering us. I still can't take the chance with Jennie."

Dakota nodded. I lost sight of the fox when all of the sudden is was running full speed towards us. I flashed my eyes warning the fox of who I am and he just kept running at full speed. Rain was starting to stomp her feet and Jennie was holding on to the reins I can smell their fear creep into my nose. I drew my arrow "Stop I don't want to hurt you". It didn't matter he was still sprinting full speed and I saw his focus on Jennie. "Stop" I yelled.

Nothing. He started to leap for Jennie lunging to knock her of Rain. I jumped at the same time, catching him mid air. We rolled to the ground and if it wasn’t for my size right now, he could easily over power me. I pulled my knife to his throat. "Enough, I don't want to hurt you". The fox started to squirm under me and was giving a low growl. I let Dakota push forward and I let his eyes shine through and he seemed to still.

"Be on your way fox, I don't want to hurt you but I will if you give me a reason". I pressed the blade further into its neck and I felt his body tense. I slowly got up and the fox quickly jumped to his feet and took off. I watched as he stopped a good distance away and picked his head up towards Jennie then turning towards me giving me a small nod before turning around and taking off into the trees. I walked towards Jennie, she was still on Rain and she was just staring to where the fox disappeared at.

"What was that? How did he understand you?"

She looked down at me as I came to the front of her and I grabbed Rains head to help calm her. I thought for a moment.

"There's a lot of foxes in this area." It was all I could think of to explain what just happened.

"I don't think I've ever seen a black fox before, but how did you talk to it? It understood you?"

I just shrugged my shoulders " I guess I've always had a way with animals". With Rain calmed enough I jumped back on, taking the reins from Jennie. She turned her head to speak to me.

"Thank you... for saving me, that was quite the show". I couldn't help but let out a light laugh.

"We're mated now, it’s my job is to protect you". I kissed the top her head, then I hit the reins so Rain would go into a trot. I mind linked the two warriors Ahanu sent to scout and patrol the area to let them know what happened and to make another round before we got there. I linked Ahanu next.

"Ahanu, we just got attacked by a lone fox, he was probably on patrol. It was weird though I showed him who I was and he still chose to go after Jennie".

 Ahanu came back. " Why would he do that? We have a treaty. Did you have to shift in front of her?" Ahanu now amused.

"I don't know maybe you could talk to my father for me, and no I didn't have to shift".

Ahanu let out a sigh through the link. "Tyee you know he hasn't been seen since he did the commitment ceremony with Jennies father. He wasn't happy you chose a human as a mate".

 My father wasn't happy with me agreeing to mate with a human, let alone one that wasn't from our land. "Just try to find him, I'm almost to the springs. I'll see you in a couple days and remind the pack before we come back of the rules until Jennie knows about us". I cut the mind link to focus on the path that's ahead. You could tell it’s rarely used. I focused on guiding Rain through the trees and over grown grass. We have about an hour left now until we're there.