Spotted Bear was asleep beside the outdoor fire, but not alone. A pack of wolves were sleeping around Spotted Bear, some cuddling close to him.
All had their eyes closed but one.
Candy gazed incredulously at the beautiful white wolf that was gazing back at her with mystical luminous blue eyes. In them was no fear at all from Candy’s presence.
Then as Candy stood rigidly still, the white wolf rose to his feet and came to Shadow. He nudged her side with his nose, which seemed to be a silent command for Shadow to make a choice: the male wolf or Candy.
When Shadow stood her ground beside Candy, the white wolf bared his teeth and let out a small growl. Then he returned to take his position beside the fire with the others.
By now Spotted Bear was awake.
He sat up and smiled at Candy, gazed at the sleeping wolves, then rose and led Candy back inside his tepee.
“Sit,” he said softly, gesturing toward the pelts beside the fire. “I have a story to tell you.”
Intrigued, still in awe of the wolves outside, Candy sat down beside him. As Shadow rested her head on Candy’s lap, she listened to a remarkable story of survival—Spotted Bear’s.
“After I was scalped and left for dead among the others who died that day at the hands of the Sioux, White Wolf and his pack came and dragged me away,” Spotted Bear said. “I was barely conscious, but I knew the company I was in and was afraid. I had already lost too much blood to fight off the wolves. I expected to be their next meal. Instead, White Wolf and the others took turns cleaning my head wound by licking it. Eventually I fell into a deep sleep. When I awakened, I found a fish awaiting me. Although it was uncooked, I ate it ravenously, then crawled to a bush heavy with berries and ate their nourishment.”
“This is incredible,” Candy said as Spotted Bear paused long enough to slide another log onto the fire.
“After a few days of rest and healing, I was able to start a fire,” Spotted Bear then said. “The wolves brought me slain rabbits, which I cooked over the flames of the fire, happily sharing the cooked meat with my new friends. I realized that all who knew me, my family, my warrior friends, even my chief, would never allow me near them again. I was a scalped man, a walking dead, a Ghost. My only friends now were wolves.”
“And you stayed with them??
? Candy said, marveling at the story and touched deeply by it.
She stroked her fingers through her wolf’s fur, so glad that she, too, had been blessed to know the goodness of wolves.
“I stayed with the wolves and in time I was strong enough to build myself a better shelter and eventually this tepee. Eventually I was able to go on a real hunt,” Spotted Bear said. He pointed to his bow and quiver of arrows. “I made these during my many idle hours. They have been good to me. They have brought down many a buffalo and deer. My knife helped me prepare the animals for food and hides.”
He sighed heavily. “I have been a happy man with my wolf friends, and thus far no one has come near my home,” he said. “Some of the wolves are always close by to protect me and scare away anyone or anything that might prove to be my enemy.”
Candy was stunned by the story.
So much about it and the man was mystical. How fortunate it was that she and Spotted Bear had become friends. She was relieved that he had brought Shadow into his life and treated her as a friend along with the other wolves.
Spotted Bear reached out and stroked Shadow’s fur. “White Wolf led Shadow to this home, and I believe they have since mated,” he said quietly. “So even when you return to my Wichita village with Shadow, do not expect her to stay long. She has followed the call of the wild and found her true place among my wolves. But know that you will be welcome anytime, for White Wolf now realizes that you are a friend and someone very important to Shadow.”
Spotted Bear smiled. “I like the name Shadow,” he said. “It fits this wolf’s personality.” He frowned. “But I cannot understand a name like Candy. Why did your mother and father give you such a name?”
Again Candy found herself explaining her name and wishing it were different.
“Return now to your bed of blankets,” Spotted Bear said. “Sleep some more. Tomorrow I will take you back to your home among the Wichita, but I can go only so far. I cannot be seen with you. The Wichita might then see you as taboo since you had contact with a Ghost. I will point the way, then return to my own home.”
“I am going to talk to Two Eagles about you and how wrong it is to treat you in such a way,” Candy murmured.
“Thank you, but it would be words wasted. Take my advice—never speak of me to any red man,” he said thickly. “Or you may find yourself shunned, too.”
Candy was stunned that Spotted Bear could not trust Two Eagles enough to go home to his people.
“Two Eagles is now chief,” she blurted out, only now realizing that she hadn’t shared that news with Spotted Bear. “His father died a short while ago. Surely Two Eagles wouldn’t send you away. He would be happy to know that you are still alive.”
“Two Eagles is chief?” Spotted Bear gasped.
“Yes,” Candy said. “So don’t you see? Surely Two Eagles will welcome you home with open arms.”
“It is sad that Two Eagles’s father is dead, but I am glad that he is now chief, for he will be a good leader,” Spotted Bear said.