Chapter 9

JENNIE

We finally arrived to the springs and it was unlike anything I've ever seen before. The grass was soft green and blew with wind. There was a small hut made out of mud with a straw roof that sat close to the water. The water was crystal clear that had a turquoise hue to it. Trees surrounded the spring as if to protect it. There were butterflies and bumble bees fluttering by and the birds were singing.

"I had no idea nature could create something this beautiful".

Tyee leaned close to my ear and whispered. "That's how I felt when I first saw you".

I couldn't help but blush, luckily, he couldn't see my face. "My mother would have loved this.”

Tyee was walking us over to the hut. "Where is your mother? How come she wasn't there with you and your father?"

I felt my eyes start to water. I wished nothing more for my mother to be here, to talk about everything. I just wanted her to hold me like when I was a small child. " She died a year ago now.”

Tyee dismounted Rain but kept his eyes on me and grabbed my hand. " Your mother will always be with you. She loved life? And Earths gifts?"

I nodded.

"Then she is with you when the birds sing their first song in the morning, when the waters talk back, she's the butterfly ng by, she is the flowers that bloom in the spring". Tears pricked my eyes and I felt my throat swell. That is the most comforting thing I've heard since my mother passed. I could only give me a small smile afraid that if I spoke, the tears I've been holding in for the past week would all come to surface. Tyee grabbed me by my waist to help me down. As I was coming down I slipped and missed stepped and landed right into Tyees arms. My face was pressed against his bare chest and it felt like I could've spent eternity there. I grabbed on to his vest and steadied myself and placed a small kiss on his cheek. I pulled back and met Tyees gaze.

I cleared my throat. "Where should we put our things?" I started to look around.

"Just go put your feet in the water I'm going to check out the hut and feed Rain, and then find us some food''.

I walked over to the waters edge and started undoing my boots. I think I'm just going to go bare foot the entire time were here so I don't have to try lacing those bloody awful things again. I leaned back putting my hands into the grass, then I put one foot in at a time. The water was pleasantly warm. This place feels like magic. I guess while we're here I can try to find out more about Tyee. I'm afraid once he finds out about my past he won’t have me. I still bare the marks my father gave me. I laid back into the grass letting the sun warm face before I drifted off. I woke to Tyee lying next to me propped up on one arm and his hand brushing the hair from my face.

"Little wolf, I brought you lunch." I gave a quick stretch before I propped myself up. Tyee handed me a large leaf filled with some kind of meat and some kind of fruit "What is this?" Tyee was already taking a bite.

“It’s white fish with some berries and a piece of honey comb." It smelled delicious. I picked up a bit with my fingers like Tyee had done a moment ago and took a bite. Wow. "This is the best meal I ever had." Tyee let out a laugh.

"When did you get all of this? How long was I sleeping for?" Tyee put his leaf down next to him, with majority of it almost gone.

"You were out for quite some time the sun has already moved passed mid day and is closer to sunset time, this place has a way of knowing what you need."

I knew I was exhausted but I don't usually take naps. I took a few more bites of food before I noticed Tyee staring at me. I shot him a look. Why is he staring while I eat, doesn't he know that's rude? Tyee let out a laugh.

"Calm down little wolf, I'm just glad to see you eating."

I dropped my shoulders and moved my leaf away from my face. "Why do you call my that, little wolf?"

Tyee gave me a small smile before he started. "You remind me of a wolf, you're strong, and others can sense it".

I'm not strong though, I allowed my so called father to beat me, kill my child, and my lover. I put my head down in defeat.

"You are though, I can feel it, little wolf. I need you to finish eating though because there's something else we have to do before it gets dark out." I put down my leaf, I'm curious now. Tyee stood up and took off his vest and I could see every single ab that lead to an impeccable chest. He knew what he was doing, I could tell just by the way he was looking at me. I leaned back.

"What are you doing?" Tyee slid off his pants and he stood tall. I almost let a gasp escape. I didn't know men could be that big down there, it was most certainly impressive. Tyee shifted his weight.

"We're going for a swim, it's only fair since we are now what you call husband and wife to see each other the way the moon goddess made us."

Oh my lord, this is crazy. He is right though, he is my husband so there’s no harm in it. "Okay, but you get in first then turn around."

Tyee let out a playful laugh before walking into the spring. Once he was in the middle almost chest deep, I signaled him to turn around. I took off my dress and placed it next to his pants. I walked out to meet him and once I was deep enough for the water to cover my breasts I gave him a small splash. Tyee reached behind me and I froze. He circled me so he was behind me and pulled out the string that was tied into my hair and released my braid, so my lose curls came down.

Tyee came back in front of me. "That’s much better." I crossed my arms covering my chests. "I figured since were naked it would be easier to tell each other our truths."

I gave a nod in agreement still covering my chest. Tyee began by talking about his father and how he stepped down from chief and him taking his place. He talked about when he was a small child, he was training as a warrior. His mother died giving birth to him. He asked me silly things. Like what my favorite flower was, if I had a favorite food, my favorite child hood game.

Time slipped by us and it was nearly sunset. Tyee interrupted our conversation. "It's time to get out now, I gotta get a fire going inside the hut and for out here."

I nodded "Okay, but you have to turn around so I can get out."

Tyee laughed and splashed towards me. I watched him walk out and he was truly a beautiful man, tall with broad shoulders, a face carved by the Gods themselves. I guess out of all the husbands father could have picked for me, he's not bad at all.. It helps to feel an instant pull towards him too. After Tyee pulled his pants on he turned around and waited for me to walk out.

As I made it to the bank I put my foot on to the grass and noticing a small black disgusting looking creature on my leg. "Tyee!!! What is that? Get it off, get it off!!"

Tyee was standing in front of me already squeezing the wretched thing to get it off. "Relax, it's just a leech, they won't hurt you, they just want your blood."

I gasped. "You're joking! No thank you get it off now."

Tyee gave a final pinch and threw the leech back in the spring. Tyee took a step back and he was scanning my body up and down before stopping at my stomach before meeting my eyes. It clicked that I was still naked. I instantly turned around, using my hands to cover my breasts. Tyee had walked right back into the water so he was standing in front of me..

"Jennie who did that to you. Tell me." He was grabbing my arms and looked genuinely worried. "Tell me Jennie, who hurt you."

I let out a sob. I had no idea where it came from and Tyee just pulled me into his chest and wrapped his arms around me.

"Jennie tell me who hurt you."

I finally answered after taking a deep breath. "It was my father."

Tyee was petting me now, trying to calm me. "Why would he do that to you?"

I could hear the anger in his voice. I didn't answer. "Jennie! You're my mate now, tell me!"

I tried to turn away from him but his grip was starting to tighten. I let out another sob. "I had just found out I was pregnant and the man before you, Simon...." I took a long pause. "My father was upset, I didn't know he had arranged for us to be married. So when we found out I was pregnant, Simon told my father he would take care of me and the baby and he wanted to marry me." I took another deep breath. "My father went into a fit of rage. He shot Simon then turned his attention towards me and beat me so I would miscarry, that way I was free of child and could marry you."

Tyee hugged me tighter.

"Are you not mad? I am not pure, I was pregnant with another mans baby."

Tyee let out a breath. "I am mad but not at you. You had another life before me and I can not change that. We value you life in our pack and your father murdered that of an innocent child and killed a man his daughter loved."

I shook my head. "I did not love him, although, I did care for him deeply." Tyee nodded.

 "Jennie I need you to tell me about your father. Who this man truly is".

I was finally able to pull back from Tyee. " I will but first can I put my clothes on and you can build that fire".

Tyee looked down at me and immediately let go realizing I was still naked. He took a step backwards and I can see by the look in his eye he was taking every inch of me in. There it was again. The flash of gold.

"What is that?" I asked, suspiciously.

"What is what?" he turned away from me.

"Your eyes they appear to be gold at times, but it's just a flicker. It happens very quickly." I started to put on my dress while he was turned around. He cleared his throat.

"I was born with it, it's something I've always had."

After I finished putting my dress on I took a few steps so I was standing in front of him.

 "Can you control it." I was curious.

He shook his head.

"How peculiar" I can't believe I just said that out loud. Luckily Tyee just laughed, probably at the look I had on my face. He put his arm around the small of my back and started to guide me towards the hut.

"I'm going to catch us dinner and start the fire for out here, I started the fire already for the hut, hang out in here until I come back."

I nodded and walked into the small mud hut. It was cozy, there was a small fire stove made of clay that was going. In the corner there were a bunch of furs piled on top of each other, I assume that's our bed. I don't see any extra furs laying around either. Does he mean to sleep next to me tonight? I don't think I would mind that. I grabbed one of the smaller furs and wrapped myself with it and sat in front of the fire.