Chapter 30

Blake knocked on his cabin door out of respect. He was a few minutes early, but he just couldn’t wait any longer to see his future wife. Guilt had wrenched at his gut as he paced in Denali’s cabin for what seemed like hours.

Why had he lied about the tribe’s customs? There were no ill-feelings toward their living arrangements, no expectations. He simply wanted her for his wife. Why on Earth he couldn’t have just proposed like a normal person was beyond him.

No, he knew the truth. Because Sam might’ve said no. Love and marriage didn’t happen in his world, not to people like him. Rarely did women stay in his life. Hadn’t his own mother been proof?

Except here at the village. He’d always been loved and cared for. He’d known she wouldn’t refuse his proposal if it were customary in the village. She’d never do anything to offend the Kenaitze’s beliefs. At least, that was what he’d banked on when he introduced the farce. And now, he was paying for the lie with every breath he took.

Was it so selfish to want to include her in this part of his life? To live such an impossible dream just for a few moments before his bubble burst, and she returned back to her world?

Before she left him forever, he was determined to have her share his name, regardless of the minor deceit. He continued to justify his actions, ignoring the inner voice telling him how wrong it was.

When he could take no more, he’d walked the short distance to his cabin where Sam awaited.

The door opened, and he was accosted by an icy stare. She had figured out the truth. Blake closed the door behind him, silently bracing himself for war.

“How dare you. Of all the low down, rotten things you could do.”

Sam threw a boot at his head, missing by a mere inch. It hit the wall loudly, bouncing back toward her and landing on the floor with a clunk at her feet. She picked it up, now armed with a boot in each hand.

He couldn’t help but smile and held back a low chuckle. This he could handle, welcoming her wrath. Guilt had been far worse.

Relieved of hiding his secret, he let his guard down, barely dodging the other boot aimed at his head. The blow still hit its mark, striking him painfully on the shoulder. He did release a laugh then, his other hand automatically comforting his throbbing shoulder.

She was a sight to see, his future bride, wedding dress clinging to every curve, the cloth stretched across her breasts, beads swaying with her heavy breathing. Anger flashed in her eyes, vibrant, with the deep, green shade of passion. How could he not want to spend the rest of his life with her?

He stepped forward cautiously. “At least let me explain.”

“Explain what? That you lied to me? Why would you do such a thing? Why would you trick me into marrying you? I don’t get it, other than you want to make a fool out of me in front of the entire village.” She kept him at bay with the boot, gripping the weapon by its laces and swinging it ominously in the air.

“No, Sam.” He sobered, the situation no longer humorous. Taking two steps, he grasped her by the shoulders, forcing her to hold his stare. “I would never do something to embarrass or humiliate you. I’m sorry I lied. I got caught up in the moment. Honestly, it just seemed like the right thing to do at the time.”

“The right thing to do would have been not lying to me.”

He nodded, inhaling a deep breath. She was starting to calm down, and he admired the way her anger came and went, never lasting more than a few minutes.

Her gaze, still holding a glint of fire, softened. “Do you really want to marry me? Or was that a lie, too?”

Her stare penetrated deep into his soul, probing depths impossible for anyone else to reach. How could she ever think otherwise?

He answered her with his mouth, the kiss electric. Ever present, his desire for her was a constant rumble beneath his skin. Sam responded wantonly with lust equal to his.

She pulled away breathless. “You didn’t have to pull a stunt like this to get me to marry you. You could’ve just asked. In fact, I’ll bet Denali has a story for this.”

“Actually, he does,” Blake admitted, grinning ruefully, “The Raven and His Trickery. It’s one of his favorites, especially because the tribe is considered to have come from ravens. I’m kind of surprised he didn’t tell it to you yet.”

“McKinley did,” she confessed, turning away from him. “I know all about the sneaky little bird.”

Blake halted her with a firm grip on her shoulders. “The truth is…I love you.”

She spun around to face him, sincerity pooled in the jade depths. “I love you, too. Why else do you think I’m wearing this beautiful dress? Just to give Denali ideas for another story?”

A low rumble escaped him. “You may be onto something. The Wolf’s Bride has a nice ring to it.” He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. Stepping back, he grazed her bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. “Sam, I simply couldn’t bear the thought of you leaving. I know how selfish it was of me. I don’t even know what I was thinking…it’s not like you could just keep your job and relocate.”

She held his gaze, apparently undaunted by the suggestion. “Umm, actually I can,” she said thoughtfully. “In fact, I’ve been considering the possibility a lot lately. Opening my own branch isn’t such a farfetched idea. That is, if my job is no longer a problem for you,” she stated.

Blake shook his head. “Absolutely not. Not anymore. I was…difficult. Maybe even a little impossible at times. But I know you. Your ad will be tasteful. Classy. I believe you will showcase Alaska in the best way possible.”

“Thank you.” She grabbed onto his hands. “I’d like to talk more about this wedding now. If we did this little ceremony, are you telling me our vows wouldn’t be considered binding in Alaska?”

“No, they would be. At least in the village.”

Sam took a step closer. “Would the vows be binding here?” She traced a circle over his heart with her index finger.

Speechless, he nodded.

Appearing satisfied, she headed to the door.

Blake held his ground and stopped her. He wanted to be sure this was Sam’s decision and not something she felt deceived into doing.

“As much as I want you to be my wife, this isn’t necessary. We don’t actually have to go through with the ceremony. The truth is, I just couldn’t let you get away. Other than the occasional arranged marriage, the tribe encourages those to marry the one who owns their heart.”

A slight smile pulled at the corner of her lips indicating she knew all there was to know about the native customs and beliefs.

Suddenly, Blake felt like a fool. “You knew?”

She nodded. “Well, not at first. But I caught on. And just so you know, I was already considering making my mark here. You know, sticking around?” She stepped forward, filling the gap between them.

“Staking a claim?” Blake questioned, encircling Sam’s hips with a firm grip and pulling her even closer.

“Yes. But I’m not sure exactly how to go about it. Do you stake a claim like this?” Tilting her head, she leaned up for a kiss.

“No, like this.”

His words brushed against her mouth, and his lips grazed hers. The kiss deepened. Dizzy with desire, he lost himself in her taste. He continued kissing a trail along her jaw line and back to the sensitive skin behind her ear.

Teasingly, he nipped at her lobe before grabbing her hand and leading the way to the elders. Bursting with joy, he glanced down at the little lady by his side. She was the perfect partner…and definitely staked a claim on this Wolf’s heart.

A word about the author…

Living in Alaska for 27 years gave Devon McKay many exciting stories to tell about the state. On various occasions, she has been chased by a mother moose defending her young, stalked by a bear, endured temperatures of forty below, and once was even trapped in an avalanche. Devon loved every minute of it!

After writing her first novel, Cowboy On The Run, she now calls a small ranch in Ohio home, with her loving husband and teenage son. Although the farm life is slightly more laid back than the dangers of Alaska, Devon enjoys the slower pace of the country lifestyle, which gives her plenty of time to follow her passion of writing.

https://devonmckay.weebly.com

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Another Devon McKay title

available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.:

COWBOY ON THE RUN