by Devyn Quinn
One of the men broke away from the group, walking out to meet them. As he approached, Jesse and Robin shifted back to human. By this time Dakoda was accustomed to seeing them walking around buck naked, without a hint of embarrassment. Once she’d gotten over the sexual connotations behind their nudity, she’d found herself quite comfortable with seeing them without so much as a stitch on.
The man walking toward her was a taller, broader version of Jesse. This, she recognized, must be his brother, Joseph Clawfoot, acting chief of the Tlvdatsi clan. As he met the group, the chief folded his arms across his chest like an angry parent about to scold an errant child. His face brewed a combination of anger and relief.
“Jesse, Robin,” he said tightly. “I see you have returned home, and brought a visitor.” He eyed Dakoda’s ranger uniform, frowning severely as he recognized the implications. An outsider, an outsider representing the white man’s law, had come onto their land. “You both know it is expressly forbidden to bring an outsider into camp without permission.”
“Aw, cut the Big Chief crap, Joe, and give us some slack. She already knows we can shift. And if you’ll take your head out of your ass for a minute, you’ll be able to tell for yourself she’s one of us.” He paused, then added, “One of the very few females—which we were all told to welcome with open arms.”
Chief Joseph’s face softened. “It is true we receive women with open arms.” He looked at Dakoda, addressing her for the first time. “You are welcome in our camp.”
Dakoda nodded, without offering her hand. “Thank you, Chief. I am honored to stand among your people.” Even though she was the law, she had no authority on these people’s land. As a tribe recognized by the federal government, they had their own rules, regulations, and laws to abide by—and their own methods to back them up.
The chief’s nostrils flared. “You do carry the scent of one of our own,” he said slowly. “Therefore I hope these two young men who accompany you have not unduly accosted or coerced you into doing something you didn’t wish to do.” He pierced each young man with a stern look. “They have been warned about venturing off our land in pursuit of the fairer sex.”
Dakoda quickly shook her head, hastening to explain. “That’s not quite what happened, Chief. My partner and I were in pursuit of poachers, when we discovered they had trapped a cougar.”
Hearing her explanation, Joseph’s dark eyes began to brew thunderclouds. “The Barnett brothers,” he spat bitterly.
She nodded. “Yes. Unfortunately, in our attempt to take them into custody my partner, Gregory Zerbe, was gunned down by Waylon Barnett. I was myself taken hostage and locked in a cell with your brother, who subsequently revealed himself to be more than a cougar.” Her mouth quirked down as she imagined giving the same report to any of her superiors. Tell the truth and they’d look at her like she’d lost every marble in her head. She’d quickly be put on administrative leave and sent to a psych ward as soon as possible.
“That must have been quite a shock for you,” the chief said, watching her reaction closely.
Dakoda shook her head. “Not half as much as seeing my partner murdered in cold blood.” Mouth suddenly going dry, she shuddered. “I’ll admit it was an incredible thing to witness, but once I got over the shock, I was damn grateful to have someone on my side. It was through our imprisonment that we learned the cougars are sold to private owners wishing to own, ah, unusual animals.”
Chief Joseph nodded. “We are aware of what the poachers are doing to our people,” he said quietly.
His admission hit her like a blast of icy water. “Then why haven’t you gone to the authorities?” she asked, stunned.
The chief didn’t look encouraged. “The laws outside this land have little meaning to us—or the men who hunt us. The white government doesn’t care about preserving our heritage or our people. To them we’re just interlopers taking good land away from the development of more vacation resorts. In a matter such as this, one so sacred to our very hearts, we fight for ourselves. And we welcome no outside interference.” He directed his gaze toward Jesse. “My brother is aware of the dangers that can befall us. And when he gets stupid and careless, he gets into trouble.”
Jesse’s head dropped at the verbal thump. “It wasn’t like I went out that day, asking to get caught.”
“Yet you went outside our boundaries, and you got yourself trapped,” Joseph reminded. “Though I know the call of the cougar in your heart, as a cat you have no defense against men walking on two legs and carrying guns. Our only answer is to arm ourselves as they have. If that means you must deny a part of your nature, then so be it. Finding a mate isn’t worth your freedom, or your life.”
Jesse hitched a shoulder, mumbling something unintelligible beneath his breath. “Yeah, but you have your woman…”
Though his words were rushed and mumbled, Dakoda couldn’t be exactly sure what he’d said. Though she had yet to see a female face among the crowd, it helped knowing there were women around somewhere. She wanted to talk to a Tlvdatsi female, ask a few questions, and explore a few concepts that had been brewing in the back of her mind for the last few days. Asking a man wouldn’t work. She wanted to talk to another female, woman to woman.
Meanwhile, there was another matter she had to handle. As a ranger. Not as a woman or as one who’d recently uncovered her lost heritage, but as a member of law enforcement.
“You might not advocate taking a legal stand against these men, Chief,” she started to say. “But since they killed my partner, I’m afraid I’m going to have to go after them—with or without your sanction.”
The chief looked conflicted, but held firm in on the stance he’d taken. “You are within your rights to do so,” he answered tightly. “But you must find a way to do it without involving my people or bringing our secrets to the outside world. Moreover, you must also do it without betraying your own knowledge that you belong among us.”
Talk about the rock and the proverbial hard place. Between these two crushing forces, she’d be ground down to bonemeal.
In the interest of securing the cooperation she needed to get back into town and make contact with the authorities, Dakoda decided a path of diplomacy might yet be the best course to follow. There was no sense in alienating the Tlvdatsi with the uniform she wore. She would do better to rely on the common bond of bloodline.
I am one of them, she reminded herself. It would also give her a chance to better understand and explore their world. Perhaps in understanding more about her heritage, she could better comprehend her own feelings, the impulses and desires that had driven her to flee close ties throughout her life.
Dakoda couldn’t miss the tension in his stance. “I’ll do my best to honor your request,” she said quietly, breaking the silence between them. “In the meantime, I would wonder if you have a cup of hot coffee. I could certainly use the caffeine, and it would give us a chance to talk.”
Chief Joseph’s face broke into a wide grin. “Forgive me. I have been rude.” He held up an arm, indicating one of the nearby cabins. “My wife will be more than glad to loan you a change of clothes and get a meal into your belly.”
Jesse rubbed his hands together. “Anything Kathryn can whip up sounds good to me.”
The chief caught his brother’s arm. “Getting dressed first would help. When you are decent, you can join us.” He eyed Robin. “As for you, your father wants you home, as soon as possible.”
Robin nodded. “Yes, sir.” He scurried off, shifting and disappearing into the shadows lengthening across the land.
Jesse glanced down at his naked body. “Hey, I may be nekkid, but I’m always decent.” Nevertheless, he trotted off toward one of the cabins.
Dakoda couldn’t help watching as he walked away, admiring the grace in his casual gait, not to mention the delicious sight of his ass when viewed from behind. He had the cutest dimple on one cheek, one she’d been hankering to take a little bite out of.
She shivered, remembering how it
had felt to have sex with him. They hadn’t touched each other since Robin had joined them, agreeing it was unfair to be together when her scent was so strong. Jesse had explained how it could drive a man wild, until they were ready to fight, to kill, for the right to claim a female. Holding on to the human side when the cougar called was almost impossible for some.
Having agreed, Dakoda had to brutally suppress the memory of his hard frame pressed against hers. Five long days of hell, aching for his caress, for the penetration of his cock into her hungry sex. She almost hadn’t been able to stand the tension, to the point of giving consideration to the idea of letting both men have their way with her. But although the idea appealed, she wasn’t sure she was ready to take the step toward multiple partners. She knew it was common practice in a society where females were scarce, and to share her favors would be considered a gift to the men she chose.
Given the curious gazes following her and Joseph as she walked, she wouldn’t lack for a choice in partners. To her surprise, many of the faces she glimpsed didn’t look a bit Indian to her. Along with some white faces, she spotted a few blacks and Hispanics. Apparently the gene carried by the Tlvdatsi traveled through many races and colors. With her own light brown skin, she’d fit right in.
Chief Joseph couldn’t fail to notice the look she gave his brother. Lifting a single brow, he bent close. “You’ve been intimate with him?” he asked in a level voice meant to be heard by no other ears except hers.
Dakota threw him a shocked glance. Oh, hell. She hoped she hadn’t worn the expression of a starving mongrel drooling over a piece of forbidden steak. “Is it that obvious?”
Joseph’s gaze was fixed on her, watching her closely. “I’m afraid so.”
“It’s true we’ve been together,” Dakoda admitted slowly. “And I won’t deny your brother has a certain attraction.”
Joseph’s brow climbed higher. “But?” His voice was neither cold nor judgmental.
“But in the time we’ve been together, he’s dropped a lot on me with regards to what it means to be a part of the Tlvdatsi clan. It’s not enough to know who you are—what you are capable of—it’s an entirely different way of life.”
“One you’re not sure you’re ready to embrace?” he asked.
With a sigh of relief, Dakoda dropped the pretenses. She had a feeling the chief expected her to speak her mind freely and without restraint or the worry of offense. “Exactly. I mean it’s all so…”
“Strange?” he finished.
Dakoda had to smile. She couldn’t help but like this straight-talking man who clearly had the best interest of his people in mind. Considering the many obstacles they faced, he was probably more than right to be cautious of outsiders—even an outsider who carried the thing these men were so desperate to obtain: A pussy.
As harsh as the judgment was, it was also a true one. The whole of the clan’s survival depended on these men finding suitable women to join their lives. Otherwise the bloodlines that made shifting possible would die out. Were that to happen, their people’s last ties with the old ways would also become extinct.
Dakoda scrubbed her hands across her face as she met the chief’s penetrating gaze with her own. “Strange doesn’t even begin to describe what I’ve stumbled into this last week.”
The shit was hip deep.
And still rising.
22
Dakoda watched as Kathryn Dayton-Clawfoot bustled around her kitchen, preparing the evening meal. She worked efficiently, gathering the items she wanted and putting them into an order that would produce enough bounty to feed a bevy of hungry people. She’d already refused any help, saying a guest should sit and relax.
As Kathryn tended to the food, Dakoda looked around the neat, cozy cabin. Oil-burning lamps were positioned throughout the room, providing a soft and welcoming glow, in addition to the fire crackling in the nearby hearth.
The kitchen and living room were an open arrangement, decorated with heavy old-style Americana furnishings, including a picnic table covered with a red-and-white checkered cloth, along with matching benches. The ancient stove shared space with a more modern cabinet and sink arrangement, an odd combination of old and new that somehow meshed together just fine. A bedroom and bathroom completed the cabin’s space, an arrangement of perhaps six hundred square feet. It was small, but quite comfortable.
I could live in a place like this, Dakoda thought approvingly. It’s nice. Very homey.
Kathryn slid a pan of freshly mixed biscuits into the oven portion of a wood-burning stove. “My goodness,” she said, fanning a hand in front of her perspiring face. “If I’d have known we were going to have company, I would have made something better than plain old leftovers. Just give me about twenty minutes and the biscuits will be done. At least those will be fresh.” She gave the pot bubbling on top of the stove a stir with a big wooden ladle.
Dakoda drew in a deep breath, taking in the hearty scent of a rich meaty stew. She’d watched Kathryn peel extra potatoes, carrots, and onions to add to the leftover venison, as well as add a dash of salt and pepper. As far as she was concerned, it wasn’t leftovers at all. An extra day’s cooking usually tenderized the meat and thickened the broth, locking in the flavors.
“It smells great,” she complimented, taking another sip of hot black coffee laced with lashings of sugar and real cream. “You don’t have to go through any special trouble for me.”
Setting the heavy iron pot to a side of the stove where the food would be kept warm but wouldn’t cook anymore, Kathryn beamed. “Oh, but I do. You don’t know how good it is to see a new face around here, especially another female. Even though our tribe has grown these last few years, I’m afraid the men still outnumber the women ten to one.” Wrapping a pot holder around the hot handle of the tin coffeepot brewing on the stove, she walked over to refill her own cup. “More?”
Covering the cup with a hand, Dakoda shook her head. “I think three cups is enough. One more and I’ll be jittery all night.”
“Must have been tough spending a week out there with almost no supplies.” Tossing the pot holder aside, Kathryn sat down across from her. “I still can’t believe those bastards were going to sell you and Jesse.”
Sipping her coffee, Dakoda nodded. “It’s not an experience I want to repeat anytime soon,” she agreed.
“Nobody wants to see those lowlifes coming.” Kathryn curled a lip in disgust. “I had my own run-in with them, one I don’t care to remember.”
Her words piqued Dakoda’s interest. “Really?” By the look on the other woman’s face, it hadn’t been pleasant. But then again, Dakoda couldn’t imagine a single pleasant thing about the Barnett brothers. If any men deserved to be behind bars, those two were prime candidates.
Kathryn shivered as if her skin were crawling with lice. “They caught me alone when I was working with a team from the Wildlife Resources Commission to verify sightings of cougar. I got separated from my group and had to spend a night alone. Of course, those sons of bitches came into my camp and made themselves welcome in a most undesirable way, if you know what I mean.”
Dakoda knew exactly what the other woman meant. No further details were required. She licked dry lips, nodding in concurrence. “Those sick fucks tried to rape me, too,” she said quietly. “Jesse stopped them.”
Kathryn briefly closed her eyes. “If it hadn’t been for Joe, I probably wouldn’t be here today.” Her admission carried enormous tension. “As shocking as it was, I have to admit seeing a pack of cougars arrive and tear hell out of those two was the best sight of my life.”
Dakoda’s pulse started to pound. “Do you feel safe here now?” she asked. “I mean, don’t you worry they’ll come back?”
Kathryn shook her head. But her lips trembled a little before she pressed them together. As confident as she wanted to appear, it was clear the experience still brought back bad memories. “The boundaries of our land are pretty closely guarded. The Barnetts and their vermin cousins know not to ve
nture onto reservation property.”
Dakoda nodded her understanding. “But when you venture out, it’s a whole different ball game?”
“It’s a war between them and us,” Kathryn admitted slowly.
Anticipation ratcheted up another notch. “Yet you don’t go to the authorities?”
Kathryn sighed deeply. “It doesn’t work that way, Dakoda. These are a separate people of a separate nation. As small as it is, they have the right to govern and protect themselves as they see fit. Just as the Barnetts hunt us, our men strike with their own retaliations. The law you represent doesn’t exist in these mountains. It never will.” A roll of her shoulders indicated a shrug. “Though I don’t always agree, that’s just the way it is.”
Dakoda tapped her mug with a fingertip. “Another thing you’ve had to adapt to, I suppose.” She knew most law enforcement problems on the reservations stemmed from limited resources and jurisdictional confusion. The Tlvdatsi settlement was geographically remote and involved enormous tracts of land unmarked by any boundaries. Local authorities like her were also limited in their ability to effectively operate on tribal lands.
On the other hand, tribal law enforcement members were hampered by their limited authority over non-Indians—they could detain, but not arrest, non-Indians on their reservation, but they really couldn’t pursue non-Indians off-reservation. As it was, the Tlvdatsi didn’t appear to have anyone functioning as a peace officer.
It was a frustrating stalemate between the Indians and the outlaws, and even though she was stuck right in the middle, neither side welcomed her presence.
Kathryn made a strangling motion with her hands and laughed. “And still adapting every day. Sometimes the last few years have felt like centuries.” She reached for the coffeepot, refilling her own empty mug. “Anything else I can get you while we’re waiting for the biscuits?”
