The Vow (Black Arrowhead #1) - Dannika Dark Page 0,20
I could see because of the way his jeans were slung low on his hips. His golden skin glowed, though it wasn’t as dark as those who surrounded him.
Someone handed him an axe, and he hefted it for a moment before reaching over his shoulder. His bicep tightened when he threw the weapon with incredible precision. The sharp blade struck the target dead center, and cheers erupted. Lakota had always been athletically gifted—good at pool, a great swimmer, faster than most of the men in Lorenzo’s pack, and not too bad at basketball either. But I’d never seen him throw a weapon before. Not like that.
Lakota’s laugh was expressive, creating curved lines in his cheeks that made him all the more handsome. A cool breeze captured his long hair, and it fluttered behind his shoulders. It wasn’t as straight or long as the hair of those around him, nor was it black, but those wild brown locks were always the one thing I’d loved about him. I couldn’t stop noticing the predatory manner in which he moved his body, the deliberate way he turned his head to acknowledge me only to quickly look down and rejoin the conversation.
Something transpired in that split second of eye contact, and this time, I saw not just recognition in his eyes but also fear.
Shikoba looked between us and tapped his cane against my leg. “You like Sky Hunter?”
My brows knitted. “Who?”
“Lakota. The pretty one who doesn’t wear a braid.”
“Why do you call him Sky Hunter?”
“We gave him that nickname because he carries the sky in his eyes as a reminder of what his white ancestors want.” Shikoba opened his arms wide. “Everything.”
“Is he in your tribe?” I asked.
“No. He is a half blood.”
“And you trust him?”
“Tribal blood will keep his wolf grounded. He runs with my pack and treats them with respect, but he’s not a member of our tribe. There are rogue allies who have befriended my people, but they are not invited to live on this land unless one of my daughters takes them as a mate.” After a beat, Shikoba cracked a smile. “Why don’t I introduce you? He has no woman to speak of.”
To speak of? I pondered that phrasing just a little too long.
“Uh, no. Thanks.” I wiped my brow. “Once I find a motel, I’ll give you my number there. Reception out here isn’t so great on my cell. I hope you reconsider and want to talk further before I leave. Hope respects you. I don’t know much about gemstones, but I trust her judgment enough to know that I want to make this work. Obviously you weren’t expecting someone like me to show up at your door, but I’m a free spirit—not an irresponsible person.”
Shikoba took a seat in one of the rocking chairs. “Free spirits get lost. Safe journey, Melody Cole.”
Discouraged, I plodded down the stairs and across the gravel. Sweat touched my brow, and I discreetly slanted my eyes toward the men, some of whom gave me cold stares. But one man’s gaze managed to set my body on fire, and for the two seconds he locked his eyes with mine, I couldn’t breathe. Then I grew weak in the knees—literally.
When I hit the gravel, I heard Shikoba bellowing behind me. I couldn’t make out what he said—maybe my name or something more along the lines of “Hey, interloper, get off my property! You’re not a lawn ornament.” I pushed myself up with one arm and snapped my head up at the men, who were stirring with quiet laughter. Lakota’s expression had altered, a guarded look clouding his face. Though he turned away as if uninterested, I was certain he was watching out of the corner of his eye. If we were at home, he would have bolted toward me in a heartbeat to see if I was okay.
But we weren’t at home, and he just stood there. Maybe Lakota was scouting for a pack to take him in, or maybe he wanted to mate with one of Shikoba’s women. I’d been quick to assume that he was pretending not to know me because of a job, but what if the real reason had to do with the simple fact that he was embarrassed to know me? I might blow his chances if Shikoba’s tribe lost respect for him because he hung out with white girls. I hadn’t prepared myself for that, and it hurt.
I dragged my knee forward and prepared to stand. Please, please