"Do not be afraid, for the women will taunt you. I am son of a chief and many wish to take your place. You must show understanding, courage and be strong."
"Many wish to be your slave?" she asked in awe.
"Yes, it is a great honor. For some being a slave is the first step to being a wife." He informed her.
"I have been thrown into being married. I wasn't given a choice, like you have given. For that I am grateful."
He nodded but didn't look at her.
After all he had taught her, she felt maybe she could handle being his slave. But still, her fear of the unknown worried her some. There was so much she did not know about the Indians.
Lone Wolf was a very handsome warrior. He was strong, and capable of almost anything. Many women would desire him, she was sure. And Hannah knew that jealousy alone could cause her trouble.
But his advice was to be strong, show courage, so she decided she would do her best. After all, this man, this Indian showed her more compassion than anyone else in her life, she would make him proud.
The next morning, they rode toward his camp.
Deer Runner saw him and ran out to greet him, giving Hannah a long, hard glance.
"So, you have brought her." Deer Runner gazed upon her with a frown.
"Yes," Lone Wolf acknowledged.
"Your father is worried." Deer Runner informed him.
"About me?"
"No, about Luki. She is stirring up trouble, she did not take your rejection well." Deer Runner informed him.
"Why would a woman worry over me, when she can have her pick of her own tribe." Lone Wolf asked making a comical face.
"You have shamed her, by not accepting." Deer Runner told him as Lone Wolf dismounted and helped Hannah down.
"There is no shame where there is no love."
"She is the pride of their village. Is this the one you will marry?"
"This is Hannah, my slave… " Lone Wolf announced.
"Slave?" Deer Runner looked at her again.
"Yes, she will do my bidding." He frowned at his friend.
"But what of a wife?"
Lone Wolf turned to his friend and frowned, "It would seem as though I have a shame of my own for I have no wife."
"Your father will be angry."
"Yes, I am sure of it." Lone Wolf nodded as he took the saddle from the horse. "Would you ask Black Feather to give her some clothes to wear so she doesn't look so out of place here."
"Yes, it will be done."
Hannah stood still and listened to Lone Wolf. She hadn't realized what an embarrassing situation he was in. But she could not marry him, she was already married. And she didn't know Lone Wolf. When and if she married again, if she did, she wanted to know the man, like him maybe even—love him. For what Lone Wolf spoke of sounded very appealing.
Still, she felt bad for Lone Wolf. After all, he had gotten her out of a bad situation. He simply sought a wife. She wished him well. Yet, she was his slave now. She wondered how that would go. It couldn't be any worse than with Liam, she thought silently to herself.
A crowd was gathering around him now and she was pushed back and away.