Chapter Sixteen

Feeling invigorated by her new purpose, Erin got up with a burst of energy as soon as the head servant announced that dinner was ready and served at the makeshift longhouse that had been erected only a few hours earlier. Only the Smallchief family and about a dozen elite warriors were to eat in the longhouse, while the guards, low-ranking warriors, and servants would dine outside.

The sitting arrangement in the longhouse was done in order of hierarchy – the Prime Alpha at the ‘head’ of the table, his wife sat on his right-hand side while his first son sat on his left. Erin was flanked on both sides by her mother-in-law and Zanisck, with Danshak sitting opposite her across the table. They were all seated on the ground where a large quilted fur had been laid to create a barrier between hard cold earth and their bodies. The bowls and plates of food were arranged in rows in front of them on top of a long mat that served as the dining table.

Vak Smallchief picked up a piece of roasted meat