Fated Despite The Moon (Wolf River ID. Book 6) Read online

  He looked over at her and smiled.

  A hand shook Makayla's shoulder, and she started awake. "Miss, we're here." It was the stewardess.

  Makayla glanced out the window to find the plane surrounded by towering evergreen trees.

  Idaho.

  Two men waited outside by a monstrous dirty pickup truck.

  The tall dark-haired man with the scruffy beard and broad shoulders she recognized instantly as Jeremiah. Beside him stood a shorter blond in a thousand-dollar suit and expensive shoes. Logan. Logan had been the only fair-haired one of the three Reed boys. But from his clothes he looked more like he'd fit in with her Beverly Hills crowd than the backwoods of Idaho.

  Jeremiah waved.

  Busted.

  She closed the shutter and blew out a breath then ran her fingers through her hair and swiped under her eyes, hoping to remove the worst of the mascara. She was pretty sure she might actually frighten them off with her morning breath, bedhead, and club funk. Maybe she'd get lucky, and they'd ship her right back to LA.

  Makayla shut her eyes and groaned. No use prolonging everyone's torture.

  The stewardess unloaded her bags, and the pilot thanked her then waited for her to deplane.

  She picked up her purse and glanced at her phone. There were no texts. No missed calls. And no cell signal.

  Great. Just great.

  She descended the stairs of the plane and stepped down onto soft dewy grass, wrapping her arms around herself. For early spring the heat hadn't rolled in yet, and at ten a.m. a chilly breeze caressed her bare arms.

  She squinted against the sun and took in the two men. Well, if she had to be married off to someone, she could have done worse than Logan Reed. The years had gotten him far from the scrawny teen that had chased her around the park trying to get her to flash her boobs.

  Jeremiah strode forward. "Kaly girl. Long time."

  She pushed her hair behind her ear. "Yup. And it's Makayla, thanks."

  His jaw clenched but then he smiled. "I know this isn't where you want to be or what you want to be doing, but I think you'll be happy here, and we'll take care of you."

  She nodded. "So I've been told. " She looked at her phone again. Still no signal. "Does this place get cell service?"

  He picked up her bags as if they weighed no more than throw pillows. She hadn't really realized just how strong he was when she’d been a girl.

  "There is some signal in town, but it's spotty."

  Of course.

  "Let's get you settled in the truck."

  She nodded and followed him.

  Logan joined her. "Well, Kaly Marie. You got taller." He threw her a dimpled grin as they walked.

  "And you got better taste in clothing." She returned his smile.

  He chuckled.

  "Let's move. I have stuff to do today," said Jeremiah.

  Logan led her around the truck, and he jumped into the back seat as she slid into the front.

  It surprised her how nice the truck was on the inside. Its completely spotless interior was the exact opposite of the muddy outside.

  "The last time I was in a pickup I was four wheeling in the bed of it," she said. "Almost lost a tooth doing it too."

  Jeremiah slid into the driver's seat and pulled the truck off the landing strip. "You have meetings?" he asked Logan.

  "I'm meeting with two potential clients this morning via virtual meeting, and then I need to head back to the office," said Logan.

  "When will you be back?" she asked.

  "I have meetings the rest of the week but I'll be home for the weekend."

  "You don't live in Wolf River?"

  "No," replied Logan. "I live in Coeur d’Alene. It's about two hours north."

  Sweet! So she wasn't going to be staying in the middle of nowhere after all. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. At least until her mom changed her mind and let her come home.

  Chapter Three

  Caleb pulled his pickup truck up to the front of his parent's large cabin style house and stopped. He stared at the red front door. What the hell was he doing? He'd agreed to marry a woman he hadn't seen since her hair was in braids and ribbons. His father had warned him about Makayla's… predicament, but it didn't matter to Caleb. The moment he'd found out that Makayla needed a mate he'd said yes without even thinking twice. The pickings were slim in Wolf River and always had been. That combined with his painful past… yeah, if he was going to try and move forward he needed something completely different. Bringing new blood into town—or old blood back to town in this case—was good for all of them. It was what they'd been working on for the last decade. And it started with getting the founding families like the Devamar family to come home. Makayla was the first step.

  He hopped from the driver's seat and headed toward the front of the house. He pulled on his red flannel, straightening it. Should he have changed? Dressed up more? What was the point? He was who he was, and it wasn’t like he was suddenly going to start dressing like Logan to work construction. He glanced at his boots making sure he didn't track mud into his mother's house.

  A peel of laughter rang out as he opened the front door. His gut clenched as he sniffed the air and caught three different scents. His father’s, Logan’s and a scent resembling the girl he’d known as a child. Only it had morphed with age. Matured. Deepened. Sensualized. His wolf sat up for the first time in over five years and paid attention.

  He followed the sounds of laughter and talking through the hallway to the kitchen where the group sat at the table.

  Makayla glanced up at Caleb, and her smile faltered a bit as she looked him up and down. Suddenly he'd wished he'd changed out of his work clothes before heading over. Her straight blonde hair hung down just past her shoulders, and her heart shaped face had a tan California kiss. Only her bright blue eyes belied what she’d been through in the past year, eyes rimmed with shadows and puffy bags as if she hadn’t gotten a good night sleep in months.

  "Caleb, there you are." His father rose from the table. "Coffee?"

  Caleb shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and shook his head. "No thanks. I've had enough this morning."

  His father walked over and embraced him then squeezed his shoulder. "Caleb heads our construction company here in town. He's been rebuilding the bed-and-breakfast and oversaw the building of the theater and new school as well as all the new shops."

  "Wow." She didn't sound impressed as she sipped from his great grandmother’s teacup.

  Logan stood. "Well, I should get going. Much to do. But I'll be back on Sunday for dinner."

  Logan hugged Caleb. "Good luck," his brother whispered. "You're gonna need it."

  Caleb's eyes never left Makayla. "I believe you."

  Logan chuckled then hugged their dad before turning back to Makayla. "I'll see you the end of the week. Welcome home."

  Her brows furrowed. "Wait. You're leaving me here?"

  The three men looked at each other.

  "Not here," said Jeremiah. "You can't stay with me. How would that look? A young pregnant female in my house? No. You're going with your betrothed, Caleb."

  Caleb saw the wheels turning in her head as she looked between the three of them. Her gaze fell on Caleb, her unhappy expression making his gut twist.

  "Caleb?" She gave him the once over as if inspecting an inferior prom dress.

  Logan bro hugged Caleb, and then headed out the door.

  "Yes," said Jeremiah. "Caleb is the one who offered to take you on." A hard-protective edge came into his father's voice. One Caleb recognized all too well. His father was a good and benevolent man, but speaking against his family or his pack wasn’t something he tolerated-at all.

  Her gaze went to the door. "I just thought…"

  "Logan will lead our pack after I am gone. He couldn’t possibly take on a female in your… situation. And not to be indelicate, my dear, but not many wolves would. Caleb is a strong, loyal man and the hardest worker I’ve ever known. You are fortunate he agre
ed to this."

  Caleb didn’t want it to start like this. “Dad—”

  "Well, if I'm such a burden why did you agree?" Her eyes burned with anger and shame.

  "Because it's the right thing to do," Caleb spoke up. Left to his dad, things might very well spin out of control until Makayla refused the marriage and ran.

  She gripped her teacup so tight he feared she’d crush it; and if that happened his mother would lose it.

  The front door opened. "Hello? Where is everyone?" called Caleb's mom.

  "We're in the kitchen," his dad replied.

  His mom entered, her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail and her clothes covered in dirt.

  "Hi. Sorry I wasn't here when you got in but I ran late at the garden center. Spring planting is huge with people up here." She crossed the room and took Makayla's hands in hers. "I won't hug ya, but look at you. All grown up. You're what? Twenty-three now?"

  "Twenty-five," Makayla replied.

  "Twenty-five. My gosh how time flies." His mom shook her head. "So pretty. Just like your mama."

  "Thank you." Makayla's voice held a subdued nature.

  "Well okay then, let's get on with this, I have stuff to do today," said his mom.

  "Get on with what?" asked Makayla.

  "The bonding," replied Jeremiah. "It is the first of three rituals to mate you and Caleb. First comes the bonding. Then the turning. And finally the mating. Usually they are done all in the same month but as you are with child and cannot turn, the rest will have to wait. This, however, can be done now. It will bond you with Caleb and make sure all the other males know they are not to pursue you, and females are not to pursue him."

  She stared at Caleb, her face paling. "So, we won't actually be getting married until after the baby is born?"

  "That's right."

  Caleb's chest tightened, and his wolf growled. It was written all over her. If she didn't have to marry him today, it gave her time to figure a way out of the rest of the ceremony.

  * * *

  This was not the wedding Makayla had ever dreamed she would get. Standing in a huge log cabin living room wearing a pair of black slacks and a silk blouse, surrounded by flannel shirts and jeans.

  Caleb was a mountain man if she'd ever seen one. Tall and broad shouldered like his father, he had his mother's dark hair and eyes, and a scruffy beard befitting a man who lived in Wolf River, Idaho. She had to admit the shaggy hair and scruff held its appeal. As did his tapered waist, and the mild bad-boy edge giving off the distinct, “not interested” vibe. Even so she preferred her men in expensive suits and fast cars. Not flannels and trucks. She’d learned this lesson from her dear Baby Daddy.

  Makayla fidgeted as Jeremiah led them to a small area set up near the fireplace, with a table adorned with a deep blue tablecloth. On it rested dark wooden box, a red cord, and a cup with something in it.

  "We gather today in the sight of wolves and God to bond Makayla Marie Devamar to Caleb Jonas Reed. Blood to blood, body to body, and heart to heart. Together they bind their blood and their lives from this day forward until they do part this mortal coil and return to the Earth from which they were formed."

  Jeremiah turned to Mary, Caleb's mom, and she opened the wooden box, producing a large, ornately carved silver knife.

  "Whoa! What the hell is that?" Makayla asked.

  Jeremiah's solemn gaze fell upon her. "The Blood. The Moon. The Bite. This is the first part of the binding. Blood to blood.” He handed the knife to Caleb. Caleb pressed the blade into his palm and a small pool gathered there.

  Makayla's stomach roiled, and her skin broke out in a cold sweat. She plucked at her blouse and took a deep breath. "I didn't realize anyone still did this part."

  "Here in Wolf River we keep to all the Blood Born traditions. It's our heritage. It's who we are."

  Caleb held the knife out to her but she shook her head.

  "Here," said Mary. "Let me help you."

  Makayla stared at the knife trying to keep on her feet. Mary took it from Caleb and lifted Makayla's hand. Makayla fought against the urge to scream, watching the process as if a spectator. Mary pressed the sharp point of the knife into Makayla's palm and blood welled in the center. Her sight blurred and her mouth dried completely.

  Mary handed the knife to Jeremiah and picked up a red ribbon. Caleb placed his palm on Makayla's. Mary wrapped the ribbon around both their hands. And tied it on top.

  "Blood to blood you are now united," said Jeremiah. "If any soul should want to divide this union, they must do so with blood." He pressed their tied hands between his then nodded. "It is so."

  "It is so," repeated Mary.

  "It is so," said Caleb.

  "It is so." Makayla barely got out the whisper before her knees gave way and everything went black.

  * * *

  Caleb caught Makayla around her waist before she hit the floor. Jeremiah chuckled and shook his head.

  "That girl is nothing but trouble," he said. "I should have told her mother no."

  Caleb's mother felt Makayla's forehead with the back of her hand. "She's broken out in a cold sweat. We should lay her on the couch. Jeremiah, get the girl a glass of water."

  Caleb locked gazes with his dad who rolled his eyes. His mom unbound their hands, and Caleb picked up Makayla and laid her on the couch. Her beautiful face grew waxen and paler than before. He’d known she would most likely not be too keen on the idea of mating him, but he’d not expected her to be so resistant that she’d faint.

  His mom covered her with a blanket and slipped off her shoes. "Give her time Caleb. She has been through quite an ordeal. This can't be easy for her. A girl used to living in the city comes here to be married the first day? It's a lot to take in."

  "Is the baby okay?"

  Mary smiled and squeezed his arm. "Listen. You can hear its heartbeat, strong and proud."

  Caleb focused on Makayla, and the whooshing sound of a rapid heartbeat just below hers made him smile.

  "She doesn't even show yet," he said.

  "It happens sometimes. We’ll take her to see Doc next week after she's settled a bit."

  His mom linked arms with him, resting her head on his shoulder. They stood in silence for a minute both watching the rise and fall of Makayla's chest.

  "Be patient with her. She'll come around."

  He nodded and stared at Makayla. He got the feeling he was going to need lots of patience.

  An hour later Caleb drove Makayla to his house, through main street and headed toward the hills.

  "There's the market." He pointed. "And that's The Hairy Dog bar. That's the library. It's small but it's connected to all the libraries in Idaho, so you can get just about any book or movie you want. And that's Josie's café. The coffee is good but the pie sucks."

  Makayla pulled out her phone and glanced at it. "Is there anywhere around here that gets cell signal?"

  "The best signal is in the library but if you hang on a minute, we'll pass by the church, and you can get a little for about a mile."

  She looked around. "How do you live up here with no cell signal?"

  "I've never had one so I don't know any different."

  She stared at him incredulously. "You’ve never had a cell phone?"

  He shrugged. "No need. I'm either at home, at work, at Josie's, at the Hairy Dog, or at church. Wolf River is a small town. If people need to get a hold of me, they know where to find me."

  She laughed. "I don't even know how to respond to that." Her phone beeped repeatedly in rapid succession.

  "Your mom trying to get a hold of you?"

  She snorted. "Not likely." Her fingers flew over the phone, her long nails clicking on the screen faster than he thought possible. "It's my friends Rachael and Mindy. We'd just gotten home this morning when I was informed I was being married off, so they have no idea where I am."

  She continued to type furiously as he drove down the road.

  He furrowed his brows. "Wait. You only found out
this morning?"

  Her fingers stopped, and she looked up at him. "Yeeesss." She stared at him. "How long have you known?"

  Uh-oh. No use lying to her. "A week."

  "A week?" Anger flashed in her eyes like lightning. She clenched her jaw and went back to her phone.

  He slowed slightly as the end of the pavement drew closer. "We're gonna hit the end of the cell zone."

  She didn't respond. Instead she typed even faster.

  He came to a crawl as the road faded into dirt. He stopped the truck at the edge of the asphalt and waited.

  Her phone beeped several times, and she scanned the screen.

  "Everything okay?"

  "Peachy." Her fingers flew again then she tapped the screen off. "Okay. I guess the rest can wait."

  He nodded, and she pushed her hair from her face giving him a glimpse of her slender neck. His wolf paced at the sight.

  She leaned her head against the window and closed her eyes.

  Caleb continued down the road. Gradually the road grew bumpier and the truck jolted, making Makayla open her eyes.

  "How far out do you live?"

  "Not much further."

  She stared out the window. "There sure are a lot of trees here."

  "Well, this is a forest."

  "And you live in it?"

  "Some people enjoy solitude and nature to busy malls and traffic jams."

  "I'm guessing there aren’t any health food stores around here, either."

  "No, but I whip up a mean steak."

  "I'm a vegetarian."

  Of course. "Moscow is an hour west. They probably have one there. If not Coeur d’Alene is two hours north. We could drive there next week if you want."

  "An hour to a real store?"

  He shrugged. "The local market supplies all we need. Or we grow it ourselves. Or hunt it."

  She eyed him incredulously. "You hunt for food?"

  She really had been removed from the ways of wolves.

  They hit a giant hole, and she flew out of her seat and grabbed the door handle.

  "Sorry. I've been meaning to throw some dirt in that hole for months now. I’ll try to get to it this week." He came to the mailbox and stopped. "This is us. I'll get you the address in case you want to send a letter or need something delivered."