His eyes widened at her words. Was he offended she wondered. Had she made a mistake? All her What ifs had gone with the wind when he embraced her.
“You love me?” His words came out in a whisper.
She nodded. “I do. I don’t even know why I came back. I know you may want to be with someone like Anika. Or want me to be in your harem...” She glared at him as he burst into laughter. She was trying her best to muster words, and he was taking light of the situation.
“I don’t have another woman,” Bear Claw said. Yes, there were some chiefs with harems, but he had no interest in one. One woman was more than enough for him. “I don’t want any one else but you Hannah. I love you.”
It was her turn to be stunned. Her heart leapt in joy. He had no idea how happy his words had made her. She had come here with blind faith, fearing that he would turn her back. The man she loved, loved her? How could she ever have doubted him?
“Thank you for coming back. When you left, it was like I had been destroyed. I was unable to function. To survive. I wanted to come for you, but what if you did not want me?”
“I will always want you,” Hannah smiled. She hugged him again, and noticed him stiffen. She pulled away from him and noticed the bruise on one arm. “What happened to you?” she asked with concern.
“A mountain lion injured me,” Bear Claw said dismissively.
“A lion!” she screamed. How had that happened? She glared at him. What had he done?
He looked away sheepishly. He felt embarrassed. “I was angry and went hunting,” he simply said.
Now her hands were on her waist and she pushed at him playfully. “You could have gotten killed.” She shuddered to think of him being killed by the wild animal. She would not have met him when she returned.
“I am sorry. I know better,” Bear Claw said. What he had done was very stupid. If he had died, he would never get this chance to confess his feelings and be with Hannah. The gods were right, they knew better and made things fall in place in their own time.
She squealed as he lifted her up. Her legs wrapped around him as their lips met in a kiss. She had missed this. She had missed them being together in every way possible. She caressed his face and smiled.
“I am yours,” Hannah said.
He growled in agreement. “You are mine.”
They rode back home together. He refused to let go of her and so she sat in front of him, the other mare behind them.
She told him about her suspicions that Anika had given her up to the constable. He frowned. He had never expected her to do such a thing, but jealousy was a strong force that would push others to do harm. She had played innocent, meanwhile she had established ties somehow with the white devils. How much had she told them, or would she reveal to those people if they offered her gifts?
“I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” Hannah said, noticing his pensiveness.
“No one will,” he assured her. Despite Anika's betrayal, she was still concerned about her. She had a beautiful heart.
The gates opened at their arrival. There was a cheer as they rode in. The people had come out to welcome them. He could not have been happier in that moment. These people had come to love and accept his woman. And he knew tonight, they would all swear allegiance to the woman he had chosen as his mate. For as long as she lived, they would protect her and not hurt her.
Hannah smiled as the children surrounded her chanting welcome greetings. She had missed the village. These wild yet peaceful lands had become her home. Deer Fawn came up to her and the ladies hugged.
“I knew you would come back,” Deer Fawn said.
“She said you could not leave the chief, that you were in love with him,” Black Bird said.
Hannah smiled. She had always been observant and had been right. How could she leave him when he was a part of her?
He came to her side and she could not help but be amused at how the ladies greeted him with respect. She respected him, but all these reminded her how powerful he was.
He pulled her to him and kissed her. A cheer of victory went up from the crowd. Hannah’s face turned red while Bear Claw looked smug. In the presence of his people, he had shown her to them.
“My mate!” he announced with a loud voice that carried through all.
The people began to chant a native mating song, reserved for the chiefs. The chants flowed amongst the camp. Hannah leaned onto him and felt more content than she had felt in a very long time.
Tonight was another excuse for a feast. It was a night of celebration for the return of Hannah, and the smile that had returned to their chief’s face. For he had chosen his mate, and she was deserving.
Hannah smiled as the women danced around the fire. She clapped and sang, word for word. Bear Claw was proud, she knew his language more than he thought. It was a gift to him, she said.
