Chapter Four
Shining Star quickly found some clothes to put on and made her way back to the cook fire. Fortunately, Red Bear and White Fox had managed to get a large rabbit and White Fox was already beginning to prepare it for the meal. She said nothing as she joined them and sent Red Bear off to play with the other children.

White Fox waited until Red Bear was gone before speaking. “Did he hurt you badly?” he asked, as he touched her bruised cheek.

Shining Star simply nodded. “You need to run away,” she said. “He is going to tell the council that we've been together. They will never believe we haven't with all the rumors that are going around the village.”

“I'm not leaving you here,” White Fox replied. “You need to come with me.”

“I can't,” Shining Star whispered. “I can't leave Red Bear alone with him. Not yet.”

“Then I stay,” White Fox stated. “I won't leave without you.”

Shining Star took the rabbit from him and began adding the meat to the bubbling broth. “It isn't safe for you to stay,” she said. “If you insist on remaining in the village, I will be forced to sell you.”

White Fox just stared at her.

She returned his gaze. “All I have to do is say that you've made unwanted advances and the council will decide your punishment before selling you to someone from a different village.”

“You wouldn't dare,” said White Fox, as he sat down next to her.

“I want us both to live,” she said. “I will go to the council in the morning if you don't agree to leave this evening after everyone has gone to sleep. My bruises will help me to convince them that what I say is true. You know as well as I do that Lone Wolf is not going to step up and say the bruises belong to him.”

White Fox nodded. “I will leave, but only if you promise to see me off.”

It was Shining Star's turn to sit and stare. “What do you mean?” she finally asked.

“I mean,” White Fox whispered, “that when I leave, you go with me from the village. We will go to the place by the river where you go every month when it's your time. Once we are there, we can say a proper goodbye without having to worry about anyone seeing us.”

“Why?” asked Shining Star. “Why would you risk our lives that way?”

“I may never see you again,” replied White Fox. “Before I let you leave my life forever I want to show you what it's like to be loved by someone who truly cares for you. I want to give myself completely to you so you will always have that memory to give you strength. Don't you want to know what it would be like for us to be together?”

Shining Star simply nodded. “I will meet you by the river when the moon reaches the highest point in the sky. Now take this to Lone Wolf and then prepare your things for this evening.”

As White Fox turned to leave, she reached up and stopped him. “Do not mention my appearance to him. Just give him the food and then go to your dwelling to prepare for this evening. Promise me, you won't make him angry.”

White Fox nodded. “I promise. I will do as you say.” He left and made his way to where Lone Wolf awaited his meal.