"And the white woman, have you met her?"
"You could say that."
"Does she desire you?"
"No!"
"Then why bother, you could start a war."
"I doubt it, she's a slave to a white man. He will never know I took her."
"Will you bring her here?"
"Yes… I will."
"Do you desire her?"
Lone Wolf looked away, "There is a connection, somehow, but I do not know if it is love or not."
"Love! Is
that what you seek?"
"I am human, Deer Runner. My blood runs as hot as any man. She is beautiful beyond words. But I don't think she realizes it. And she sees me as nothing more than an Indian."
"And you want her?"
"Yes… but not until I have her heart. If I cannot have her heart, I will not take her as a wife. If it is not to be, then I will choose among our people for a bride."
"Little Feather cares for you, do you not return that?"
"I think she is a wonderful person, I think she has a pure heart, a lovely heart, but…"
"You have no love for her?"
"No, and sometimes I wish I did. For I know she will make someone a good wife."
"And how will you accomplish getting this white woman to love you, my friend?"
"I have no idea." Lone Wolf snickered.
"You are half white, and I can understand it. Most won't though."
"I know that."
"White women were taken when we were at war, but now, we have a peace. It will be harder for you to take her now."
"Yes, you are right. But the Great Spirit has shown me."
"Then I wish you well, my brother." Deer Runner said, slapping him on the back. "For I do believe that you want a true love like I and Black Feather and your father and mother had."
"Thank you," Lone Wolf smiled. "I knew you would understand."
He thought about Luki for a moment. Not many men would turn her away, as he had done. She was beautiful, every inch of her. And if he were truthful, for a second his blood did run hot for her, seeing her, all of her. She was desirable. She had a body any man would enjoy holding. But her heart was hard, her kiss even harder. She knew nothing about love. And he didn't want to be her teacher. She would seduce him like a witch, if he let her. He would not be controlled by any woman, and he knew Luki sought control, using sex as her weapon.
He thought about the white woman. If he made her his slave, she would hate him. But how else could he take her. Until she was ready to submit to him, he wouldn't take her, he knew that. Something inside him stirred at the thought of taking her. He desired her, he knew that, but was it love?
She'd been mistreated, and he could not add to that mistreatment.