Canyon Wolf Bride

by Alisha Paige

  From everything Paige had told him about Coming Wind’s conversation, Havasu Canyon seemed pretty remote, but beautiful. Coming Wind had described breath taking waterfalls and Sean had already formed some very vivid images of things he’d like to do among the falls with his new lover.

  They stopped twice along the way for rest breaks and to grab a burger, though neither of them finished their lunch being too anxious to get back on the road.

  It was early afternoon when they arrived at Hualapai Hilltop to begin their journey on horseback into Havasu Canyon. They had been instructed to pack lightly, since a pack mule would carry their bags down into the canyon for them. Paige re-packed at least half a dozen times, each time taking one or two items out.

  Unfortunately, she wouldn’t have the luxury of taking most of her wardrobe and choosing what she’d wear once she got there. She would have to take just enough clothing for the trip and nothing more, plus her make up and toiletries as well as Sean’s bags.

  The pack mule could only carry 140 pounds and she was sure her luggage was nearly that the first time she packed and ended up with three large bags. Once she saw the tiny duffle bag that Sean brought with him, she wished she would have thrown a few extra items in, but that was okay, she would rough it.

  Sean shook hands with the Indian guide waiting for them, then helped him load the bags onto the mule. Paige wanted to jump up and down when the guide led her to her horse. The guide patted the tawny horse on his side.

  “What’s his name?” Paige asked.

  “Marshall,” the guide answered with a wide smile.

  She had loved pony rides as a kid and this was a full grown horse out in the wild blue yonder. Sean laughed at her when she grabbed the reins and bounced in the seat when he’d helped her into the saddle.

  “You look like a kid at the fair,” Sean said as he stuck his foot into the stir ups, mounting his own horse.

  “I love horseback riding,” Paige exclaimed as her horse took a few steps. Paige quickly tightened the reins shooting him a startled look.

  “How long has it been since you’ve gone riding?” he asked.

  “Since I was a kid at the fair.”

  All three of them laughed as the Indian guide clicked his tongue at the horse, slapping his rump to get him going. The guide made his way down the trail and instructed Paige to follow behind with Sean and his horse taking up the rear.

  It was eight miles to Havasu canyon. The ride into the canyon was breath taking. They lost one thousand feet in the first mile that led into red rock country where huge red boulders stood boldly against a clear blue sky. The winds swept through the canyon at incredible speeds, whistling and sand blasting them until they reached a narrow canyon with high walls.

  Paige pointed to a large lizard perched on a high rock near a giant blooming cactus. She looked back at Sean. He smiled back as he shielded his eyes with a large hand to gaze at the lizard who seemed to be expecting them.

  Further down the trail they reached Havasu Creek where the unbelievably turquoise water trickled, making a lyrical tinkling sound. The guide led the horses down for a drink while Sean retrieved his water bottle, handing it to Paige for a drink first.

  “I didn’t realize how thirsty I was,” Paige said in between breaths after taking a long drink. “Or how out of shape I am,” she replied, rubbing her jeans.

  “I’m starting to get a little sore myself,” Sean replied pulling her horse’s reins closer to his horse.

  “Give me a kiss,” Sean said in a low voice.

  Paige leaned over between the two horses and kissed him while holding to the reins.

  “Mmm. Thank you. I’ve needed a kiss for the past four or five miles,” he joked.

  Paige continued to rub her legs and stretch them out of the stir ups a bit. Sean noticed and pulled her leg out, rubbing her thigh while the horses took a drink.

  “I’ll give you a massage tonight,” he suggested while he continued to massage.

  “Only if you promise to let me give you one first.”

  “That’s a deal, little lady.”

  Sean released her leg, leaning over for another kiss. His kiss lingered this time and when he finally drew away, she let one hand go of the reins, pulling his face back to her for another kiss. Sean finally forced himself away from her teasing lips, drawing in a ragged breath.

  “You better stop that or I’ll have to lead our horses to the nearest cave.”

  A sultry laugh escaped Paige’s throat as she eyed him with mischief. Her mind wandered into a canyon cave, watching herself make love to him in the desert. He flashed her a sexy grin as similar, but more visual images flitted through his male mind.

  The guide turned his horse toward the trail as they began the last leg of their journey. They traveled the next two miles in silence, enjoying the sunshine and the gorgeous scenery until the noise of a helicopter roared into the sleepy canyon. Paige and Sean glanced up as the guide explained that the helicopter was delivering supplies to Supai Village below.

  Click clacking over a foot bridge that crossed the blue green water, two huge rock spires loomed in the distance. The guide pointed to the daunting formations.

  “This is called Wii’igliva, which means ’Watchmen,’” he explained.

  The rocks signaled the end of their trek into the canyon. Paige was relieved to spot the village and could only think of dismounting Marshall and stretching her legs.

  Reading her mind, Sean knew she was anxious to rest, breathing a sigh of relief at the site.

  “We’re almost there, honey,” he called to her.

  “I’m okay,” she answered with a weak voice.

  The sun in the heat of late afternoon was unbearable. She wished she would have had the foresight to wear a sun hat.

  “I’ll take you to the lodge,” the guide called back as they entered the village, both of them hot, tired and wind blown.

  The horses instinctively slowed to a trot as village life came into view. Indian boys and girls played in the dusty street, which reminded Paige of an old western. There was a general store, a café, a small school, a church and a post office that read “Mule Train Mail” on its sign.

  The lodge was a welcome sight and within minutes they were off their horses and led to their room where they collapsed on the bed, taking a much needed nap together before meeting Coming Wind.

  ****

  It was evening when a guide arrived at the lodge to escort Sean and Paige to Coming Wind’s home. Paige was surprised at the chill in the air as they walked the short distance to meet Coming Wind for dinner. She had worn a simple white cotton sundress and sandals. Sean had worn jeans and a white, long sleeved button up shirt.

  Coming Wind was waiting for them in a chair on the small porch. He stood as they made their way up the walk lined with flowering cacti.

  “Welcome to my home, Mrs. Wellington.”

  Paige took Coming Wind’s extended hand. He kissed the back of it before shaking hands firmly with Sean.

  “This is my boyfriend, Sean Wilson.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Wilson,” Coming Wind responded as he guided them into his home.

  The modest home was dimly lit with low lighting and a small fire in a round rock fireplace in the main living room.

  “This is my wife, Blue Flower.”

  Blue Flower took both of Paige’s hands in her own and bowed to her. She was a beautiful, small woman with long, flowing black hair cascading down her slender back. She was dressed in a traditional Indian frock, beaded with turquoise and shell. Tiny moccasins adorned her feet. She looked much younger than Coming Wind. Paige wondered how many years separated the two.

  A young boy entered the room dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, looking like a regular kid, missing two front teeth.

  “This is my son, Red Hawk.”

  The boy smiled, shyness showing on his brown face as he ran to his mother’s side, hiding behind her arm.

  “Say hello to our guests, Red Hawk,” Comin
g Wind commanded with a gentle voice.

  Red Hawk waved, breathing a tiny hello before ducking back into the safety of his mother’s arm.

  “He’s so shy around strangers,” Coming Wind explained. “Please have a seat.”

  Blue Flower entered the kitchen and began setting the table as Sean and Paige took a seat on the coffee colored couch decorated with a cow’s brown and white hide. Red Hawk disappeared down the hall. The pitter patter of his bare feet echoed on the wooden floors.

  “Your home is so cozy,” Paige said.

  “It’s very simple, but we love it. We’re very happy here. I hope the lodge is comfortable enough for you. I would have loved for you to stay in my home but we don’t have an extra room,” Coming Wind explained.

  “The lodge is very nice,” Sean replied.

  “How was your trip down the canyon?” Coming Wind asked.

  Paige and Sean exchanged glances.

  “Was it difficult?”

  “It was beautiful. I think I got a little tired at the end of the trail, but I’m really glad we rode horseback instead of taking the helicopter,” Paige answered.

  “Yes, well tomorrow you will get to see the falls and I think you’ll really enjoy that,” Coming Wind replied.

  An image of Paige naked in his arms beneath the waterfall in the sparkling sun flashed into Sean’s head though he doubted the waterfall would be more beautiful than her. He made a mental note to make sure he carried that dream out to full fruition before they left the canyon.

  “I can certainly see where you get your inspiration to paint,” Paige added.

  They visited for half an hour while Blue Flower prepared dinner. Paige felt her stomach growl and realized she was ravenous from their long trip. Coming Wind made them feel very welcome and spoke on a variety of topics, even mentioning to Sean that he enjoyed watching him in the Olympic Games, very impressed that he was entertaining a star athlete.

  After a delicious meal of chuck roast, new potatoes, summer squash, and homemade oven-baked bread, the men retired to the back yard for an after dinner smoke while Blue Flower and Paige sat by the fire drinking coffee.

  Blue Flower was quiet spoken, but very attentive and inquisitive about Paige’s job and life in Colorado. Paige liked her right away. Soon they were laughing like old friends.

  The men finally came inside, smelling of pipe tobacco and desert wind, laughing heartily, patting one other on the back as if they’d taken a fresh dose of testosterone while outside.

  Coming Wind promised to show them the falls the next day as they said their goodbyes.

  “Such nice people,” Paige said as they held hands, feeling like a school girl on a summer camp out, walking back to her tent.

  “I really like them, too. Coming Wind is nothing like Dark Horse. The two men are like night and day,” Sean replied.

  Paige shuddered. Sean wondered if the chill came from the night air or the mention of Dark Horse. He wrapped a large arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

  “It’s gotten even cooler,” Sean replied as he glanced up at the half moon.

  Even though there were two weeks before the next full moon, he would have to hunt soon. He would make sure they were in bed before nightfall and slip out while Paige was sound asleep. He hoped to wear her out with a long session of hot love making before feasting on the carnage of desert wildlife.

  A hunt was long overdue since the last full moon proved fruitless, leaving him hungry for raw, red meat. He had gone to the supermarket and bought twelve steaks to hold him over until the next month’s kill, but they did little to curb his appetite for fresh blood.

  They reached the lodge and wasted no time in climbing into bed naked. Sean had every intention of taking Paige up on that massage and then returning the favor, but exhausted they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

  Paige dreamt of the waterfalls while Sean slept fitfully, experiencing horrible, strange visions of wolves surrounding him during a kill.

  ****

  Coming Wing and Blue Flower were at the lodge bright and early to escort Sean and Paige to Havasu Falls on horseback. Paige winced at the thought of riding horseback, but Coming Wind assured her they would be at the falls within fifteen minutes.

  “We can always hike, but it’s a good two miles away,” Coming Wind explained. “I’d forgotten how sore your legs can get if you aren’t accustomed to riding.”

  “No, I’ll be fine. I feel like such a baby,” Paige replied, embarrassed that Coming Wind and Blue Flower had gone to all the trouble to bring two extra horses of their own.

  “Don’t be silly,” Blue Flower added. “If I were visiting you, you would have trouble getting me to ride in a car. They just seem too fast to me. You just aren’t used to it.”

  “She’ll be fine,” Sean replied, feeling her embarrassment.

  Sean helped Paige mount her horse, then mounted his own. Coming Wind turned his horse around while Blue Flower guided her horse beside his as they led the way to the falls. In no time they arrived at the hundred foot splendor as it cascaded down red canyon walls into a blue-green pool surrounded by lush trees. Both Sean and Paige fell silent at the sight as the roar of the falls swirled in their ears. A sideways rainbow reflected brightly down the center of the falls, adding a magical touch.

  “Isn’t she beautiful?” Coming Wind asked proudly.

  “Gorgeous,” replied Sean.

  “Heavenly,” Paige breathed. “I have never seen water that color before.”

  “These waters are where we get our name,” Coming Wind explained. “Havasupai translates into people of the blue-green water.”

  Coming Wind led them around the falls. Paige was surprised to see Red Hawk bounding toward them with four other boys his own age. A handful of hikers and local families dotted the area. Some were swimming while others were enjoying a picnic or taking photos.

  With the horses tied, Coming Wind gave them a guided walking tour around the falls before lunch. The wind had picked up quite a bit, sending spray from the falls, cooling them off as they explored the scenery.

  Sean and Paige walked hand in hand along the canyon walls as Coming Wind pointed to various interesting landmarks. Blue Flower was an expert on any and all variety of desert fauna and flora and even told legends of particular wildlife and plants.

  Sitting on a homemade quilt, they enjoyed the lunch Blue Flower had packed of Indian bread, cheese and fruit. Paige reclined onto Sean’s chest as she nibbled on grapes and decided that this was the happiest, most serene moment of her life.

  She was more relaxed than she’d been in years. Looking around the canyon at the spectacular view of the falls was spell binding, but the chemistry that sizzled between her and Sean was even more captivating.

  She was in love for the first time in her life. So, this is what it felt like. Star crossed lovers finally made sense to her. They weren’t crazy people, they were in love. She now realized that she had never loved Rob like this, but more importantly, she had never been truly loved. Love was a powerful thing and she felt blessed to have been given the chance to experience it. She was amazed that she had survived thus far without this kind of love in her life.

  The magnificent landscape surrounding her was truly one of God’s greatest creations as well as the man whom she had come to love far more than she ever thought possible. Having both of them within her sights and within her reach at the same exact moment was heart stopping.

  Sean swept her hair aside, planting a tiny kiss on her shoulder. She closed her eyes as she took a long drink of water, savoring the tingling sensation that his kiss produced. The wind teased her hair and the sun tickled her nose while her man held her. She thought she could simply die happy right then and there.

  The afternoon was spent lying near the falls and listening to Indian stories. Coming Wind spoke of his ancestors and of his love for his native land. He explained how the federal government had stripped the Havasupai of their land and forced them to live on a 518 acre
reservation in 1882. It wasn’t until 1975 that the U.S. Congress reallocated their original hunting grounds.

  Coming Wind’s tribe thrived mostly on tourism now, though his artwork had brought a lot of attention to his people and their land. Many art patrons who enjoyed his work were drawn to Havasu Canyon to meet the famous artisan and experience the inspiration that Coming Wind had enjoyed his whole life.

  It was late afternoon when Coming Wind suggested that they retire to the village for a rest before dinner. Sean inquired about the other falls located in the canyon, asking how far they were. Navajo Falls was within walking distance. Coming Wind gave him directions before leaving for the village with Blue Flower.

  Leaving the horses tied at Havasu Falls, Sean and Paige hiked a short distance to nearby Navajo Falls. Obscured by trees and vines, they were upon the falls before they realized it. They followed the sounds of rushing water to dense, lush foliage surrounding a pool of aquamarine depths.

  Water cascaded down the red rock in several white ribbons. Sean held his hand out to help Paige cross a fallen tree that led closer to the cool waters. The roar as each separate wall of water rushed over the edge of the canyon walls echoed simultaneously through the lush vegetation. Paige could see why the Havasupai worshipped this land. They lived in paradise.

  Once inside the circle of plant life and spilling waters, the outside world of the canyon seemed far away. They were completely alone. Paige thought it a great pity that the incredible sounds and sights were only theirs for a moment. The beauty and magic at the falls seemed to be too much for only the two of them to enjoy. It almost seemed like a gift of nature, like they had discovered it themselves.

  Sean led her to the waters edge where he kissed her in the sunlight, openly, as way of an introduction to the waterfall. The falls loomed so grand behind them, it was if they were on a stage and it was their backdrop, complete with prisms of light for effect, a total surround sound.

  Sean slipped her cotton sundress off of her shoulders, revealing her peach colored bikini. Kicking his jeans off, Paige realized his bathing suit had been forgotten. She giggled at the sight.