The Vow (Black Arrowhead #1) - Dannika Dark Page 0,108

found, we can never be lost.”

He pushed down on my head, a smile tugging at his lips. I realized he wanted me to kneel or something, so I got down on my knees. Then he glared at Lakota, who quickly dropped to his knees beside me.

Shikoba held the cup between us. “Offer this to your mate to drink.”

Lakota took the chalice first and gingerly cupped the back of my head as I took a sip of what I thought was wine but turned out to be something more like moonshine or pure gasoline. I coughed and gasped when it slid down the back of my throat like fire. Shikoba rocked with laughter.

When it was my turn, Lakota took a sniff and glared at me. “Are you going to be okay to drive?”

I tilted the chalice. “Drink up, husband.” Some of the liquid dribbled out of the cup and down his chin as I made him finish every drop.

As soon as we completed the ritual, Shikoba said something in his language, then everyone whooped and hollered. They slowly dispersed, a few of them singing as they went back to their normal routine. I suspected their mating rituals were more elaborate and probably took up the whole day. Ours was more like a drive-through mating.

“It’s not our traditional ceremony,” Shikoba explained privately when we stood. “You’re not of our tribe, but it’s the joining in front of witnesses that makes it official.”

I snorted. “And the moonshine?”

He shrugged. “A muscle relaxant for nervous wolves.”

Taking his hand, I bowed my head. “Thank you for honoring our deal. This means a lot to Hope and me, and we look forward to a long relationship with you and your tribe.”

The lines in his face cracked. “We have all done each other a good turn,” he said, shifting his gaze to Lakota.

I reached into my pocket and handed him the turquoise turtle pendant. “Can you give this to Koi’s mother? Crow stole it, but I want her to keep it.”

He palmed the necklace and then leaned in close so no one could hear. “You might have fooled them, but you haven’t fooled me.”

Lakota furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”

“You two know each other. I may be old, but I’m not blind.”

My shoulders sagged. “If you knew all along that we were friends, then why did you mate us? We could have made another arrangement.”

His eyes twinkled as he looked up at a passing cloud. “My son is not the only one with a sense of humor. When you first came to me, you gave up too quickly. You accepted your fate without sacrifice or a fight. That is not the way of the world, young wolf. This mating will teach you more than you know about choosing your battles. Have a safe journey.” With a wink, he followed his tribe into the house.

I ambled up to the Jeep and set my purse and the bag inside.

“Wait!” someone yelled.

I glanced back at Kaota jogging after us, his long braid flapping behind him.

He handed me something large wrapped in cloth.

“What’s this?”

“My apology. You’ve honored my brother, and I hope you can forgive me. If my words aren’t enough, then maybe one day this will save your life, and we’ll be even. I’m an old wolf, and I don’t always admit when I’m wrong.” Kaota bowed. “Safe journey.” Without another word, he walked away.

Lakota watched me unfold the cloth. “What is it?”

I held up a wooden bow—a finely crafted weapon, far superior to the one his friend had broken in two. It didn’t have all the old memories, but maybe it was time to make new ones.

“That’s an excellent bow,” he remarked. “But I’m still going to knock his lights out for handling you the way he did.”

“What stopped you from doing it before?”

“Bad luck to pick a fight on our wedding day.”

I set the gift in the backseat and shut the door. As crazy as the past few days had been, I hated to see it all coming to an end. We stood there for a beat, listening to the rustle of leaves overhead and Shikoba’s tribe singing in the house.

A small yellow butterfly flitted over Lakota’s head, and I smiled.

His eyes steered up. “Butterflies signify change when they land on you. It’s good luck. That’s what my mother’s tribe believes.”

After a brief dance, the butterfly caught a breeze and floated away. I watched wistfully as it disappeared into the trees. “I guess it’s time to go our