She had no choice but to follow but wanted to reason with his actions. "I do not know why you have done this. It makes little sense. You cannot believe that I could love you. I need to see to Big Knife's wounds." She admonished him. Glancing over her shoulder at Big Knife. But already, Naomie was tending him. Sasha stared in disbelief. He was no longer looking at her, but at Naomie. It dawned on her that she had lost Big Knife, and that confused her.
Sasha felt a sensation of betrayal. Still, her father had given his blessing and she now belonged to Black Wolf.
"There are others that will see to him." Black Wolf declared boldly.
"I do not love you! You know that!"
"I did not expect you to." Black Wolf smiled as he patted her hand around his waist. "But love will come in time."
"How would you know such a thing?" she challenged his thinking, almost in tears from the disappointment.
"I have had both visions and dreams. It will come sweet Sasha." Black Wolf had gone several miles before he stopped and jumped off his horse. He removed her from the horse then stared down into her tearful eyes. Her misery was evident. "I am chief of my tribe. I need a woman who can match me with wit, charm, and good sense. I challenge you to challenge me always in my decisions. To argue your good sense to me."
"You want my help making your decisions?" She gasped.
"No, I merely want a woman who can make me see the other side of a point. Sometimes you are too close to the problem to see the answer. I want a woman who can make me rationalize what I am about to do? So I may make a wise decision always for my people."
Sasha stared now with wonder. He sought council with her.
"I am a healer, not a council!" she declared.
"To be a healer you must be wise. Wisdom is what I seek."
"Then you have no need of me as a woman?" She asked hoping his answer would be negative.
His smile returned as his glance swept her. He bowed his head with a slight smirk. When he looked up at her, his smile was back in place.
"I have every need of you as a woman, perhaps even more than as council." He smiled gently into her distraught face. "You will be my one and only wife. You will fill my loins with happiness and give me many children." He announced. "Someday!" he added with a sexy smile.
She gasped, fisting her hand over her mouth she stared at his audacity.
"Even knowing I truly love only one man; you expect this of me?" she asked her limbs trembling from his words.
"Yes, for you will be my wife. And in time love will grow between us."
"Impossible!"
He twisted his head in question. "You will see. And you must admit you are already challenging me. It is good."
He then hoisted her upon her horse, and they rode.
Black Wolf thought about what she said, and knew he was in for a fight. She did not love him, or even act attracted to him. She would be a wonderful foe, and he looked forward to every battle with her.
She glanced at him as they neared his camp. "You will take me against my will?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady and firm.
"No!" he stopped the horse to look at her. "I do not rape women." He stopped and frowned at her once more. "But I plan to win your heart first. Are you afraid of me?"
"Should I be?"
"I'll let you decide that for yourself." He smiled.
Chapter Four
A small crowd gathered to greet them at his camp. Sasha felt intimidated at their stares. The women seemed eager to know more of her. They crowded around her.
When several women came closer, Black Wolf smiled, "She is to be my wife." He told them.
The women backed away immediately, some with shock on their faces.