Chapter 4

Sabine

For the first time in months I woke up with a big smile on my face. All my muscles were sore but at the same time I was feeling refreshed. 

I stretched my limbs before pushing away the animal skins that were serving me as blankets thinking about the dream I had. Everything felt so real. 

“You know the wolf was real…” Inna’s voice echoed in my head but before I replied mom's voice brought me back from my thoughts.

“Sabine, are you awake?” She asked me softly

 “Yes mom, I am” I replied yawning.

“Hurry up outside, dad and I have something to tell you” mom said seriously, peeking through the wagon slit.

“I’ll be there in a few” I mumbled as I saw her smiling before leaving me to get dressed. 

I quickly replaced the nightgown I slept in with my green dress that had purple and yellow flowers on it. I just love how the soft fabric embraced my skin keeping me warm. I  hurriedly put on my boots and grabbed my coat before I left the wagon.  I didn’t know what my parents wanted to talk to me about, but something was telling me that I was not going to like it. 

As I was coming down from my wagon, flashes from my dream with me taking the path towards the woods were rushing back. It was like something magical was pushing me to go further, deeper into the dark forest. With no destination in mind I started wandering with no guidance other than the Moon. At first I was afraid but as I got used to the dark, the silence became my friend. As the icy breeze brushed my face I facepalm myself for not being dressed properly, I was naked but I couldn’t feel the cold, even my bare feet were not disturbed by the frozen ground I was stepping on. 

I don’t know how much I walked, maybe a mile, maybe ten or maybe more. All I knew was that I had to keep going. As I was strolling through the forest a powerful pine scent mixed with rain hit my nostrils. For a second my heart skipped a beat and I knew I had to find the source of the smell.

I somehow felt revived so I started running towards the direction I believed the scent was coming from. After taking some turns and changing direction a couple of times I found myself standing in front of something that looked like building debris and a big black wolf appeared out of nowhere in front of me. 

I know I should’ve been afraid, but something about the wolf made me stay on my tracks and wait. There was something in his eyes that told me he was not going to harm me and I felt the need to get closer to him. 

I reached my hand to pet him and that’s when I knew the mix of pine and rain scent was coming from him. We played together, we ran together…it’s weird now but I felt like he was the missing puzzle of my soul.

I sighed looking towards the forest. Something inside me already missed the wolf and wished that the wolf was real like Inna said…

“Sabine, we are waiting for you” dad’s annoyed voice filled the air.

As I turned my head and started walking towards my parents, I could see everyone’s eyes on me. Some of the women were actually smiling at me while the men were nodding approvingly. 

“Take a seat” dad said, filling his pipe with tobacco without looking at me. 

“Here” mom pointed to the seat next to her on an old stump.

“Sabine, I have been talking to your mother for a while now, trying to figure out what is best for you. As my daughter you have a duty to fulfill towards your family and our group. We know that when you turned sixteen the idea of being married was too much for you, but keep in mind your mother and I got married when we turned twelve.” Dad paused for a moment choosing his next words. “Because you are almost eighteen, it was hard for us to find you a good husband. Nobody wants an old bride” dad continued shaking his head. 

“But dad, I…” 

“No. It’s been decided.” Dad interrupted me. “You’re going to marry Mika. He is one of my best commanders, the group knows and respects him so he will be a good leader” dad added in a stern voice.

“He is old” I barely heard myself saying. 

“You are not young anymore either.” Dad shook his head. ”I know he is experienced but he would make a fine husband. He will take care of you and our pack will follow. “ Dad continued looking at me.

“He has a big wagon, nicely decorated,” mom added quickly.

“And if I don’t want to marry him” I blurted out trying to come out strong.

“You have no say in this. The elders approved this union. You’re going to marry Mika and I suggest you to be on board. You are my daughter and like I said earlier you have a duty to fulfill. Tonight we will announce the good news to the group and celebrate the engagement. The wedding will take place after we reach the caves and settle down.” 

I could see my dad’s lips moving but I couldn’t hear what he was saying. I was feeling numb. Nothing was making sense to me. I know It was my duty to get married and give our group a new young, stronger leader, but Mika was almost my father's age. He was not young or handsome… he was not even rich. 

Mika was one of those people who knew where his interests lay. He was friendlywith the right people, just to gain certain benefits because of their friendship. Some of the people were saying that he was cruel and had a mischievous mind; others said that he was just hungry for power. 

As my mind  was trying to find a solution, I felt a pair of eyes checking me out, making my skin crawl. I looked around just in time to find Mika’s lustful eyes taking me in. When our eyes met I heard Inna's voice cursing inside my head.

“Hell No! We have to run away! You can’t marry that …” I sighed pushing her back in my head, thinking how people choose between love and duty. 

Nothing about Mika was appealing to me, he wasn’t that smart and definitely not my type, not like I had one.  He was slender and had medium height. His black raven hair was short cut while his thick mustache was long so he could roll with his fingers. He always wore a hat and had one of those toothpicks on the corner of his mouth. Because he smoked, everytime he was around all I could smell was the strong tobacco scent.

 I sobbed thinking about what kind of life I would have married with a man like Mika.

“Hello little Dove,” Mika said, approaching me. He was smiling showing me his yellow crooked teeth. “I guess your parents told you the good news!” He continued and I just realized that my parents were gone and  I was alone with him. 

I nodded trying to smile. Until I was able to come up with a plan it was better for me to keep my future husband happy.

“Tonight you’re going to be mine, I hope you are still intact. You didn’t fool around didn’t you? Your dad promised me a virgin” he continued laughing. 

As I looked down feeling disgusted, trying my best not to puke Mika was examining me like I was some kind of merchandise.

“See you tonight my little Dove” he added before bending down and kissed my cheek.