by Elena Aitken
Gabriella almost dropped her spatula. “What? Really?”
Chloe laughed. “Settle down. I’m not pregnant. Not yet anyway. But watching Harper go through it, I might be changing my mind a little.”
“Really?”
“Don’t you think it looks…I don’t know…nice?”
It was Gabriella’s turn to laugh. “I don’t know if I’d use the word nice to describe it. And I’m pretty sure Harper wouldn’t either. But…” She knew exactly what Chloe was talking about. Seeing Harper, with her swollen stomach, knowing there was a cub growing inside her, sparked an instinctual need for her as well. One she never thought she’d have. But things were different with Kade. “Yes,” she said. “I do think it looks nice.”
She couldn’t help but wonder whether Kade would think the same thing.
“You’ve thought about it too?” Chloe asked. “With Kade?”
“No.” Gabriella turned and grabbed the icing bag she’d prepared. “I mean, not really. We’re just so new. Everything is new.”
“I don’t think it matters how new it is,” Chloe said. “You’re fated. But I get it. Give it some time. After all, we are talking about Kade here. Luke said he went to Jacksonville.”
Gabriella shrugged. She didn’t want to talk about it. “He’ll be back.” She knew that to be true.
“Oh, Ella, I’m sure he’ll be home. I mean, of course he will, I’m just—”
“Knock knock.”
Both women turned to see the kitchen door swing in as a man walked in. “I hope I’m not interrupting. But I’m looking for Ella,” he said. “I’m told she’s going to make my dreams come true.”
Gabriella’s mouth dropped open and she looked to Chloe, who burst into laughter before she got up from her chair. “You’ve come to the right place,” she said to the man. “This is Ella and she’s already started making your dreams come true.”
Before Gabriella could say anything, Chloe continued. “Ella, this is Grant. He’s going to propose to his girlfriend tonight. I’m sorry; I assumed you’d already met.”
A giggle bubbled up inside her, but she managed to swallow it down. “Grant.” She wiped her hand on her apron quickly before she extended it. “It’s nice to meet you. And you’re right—I will make your dreams come true, as long as those dreams include a gorgeous cake.” She stepped aside to showcase the cake, which still only had a layer of buttercream on it. “It doesn’t look like much yet,” she said quickly. “But when I’m finished, it will be delicioso and magnifico. I promise.”
“If Ella says it will be perfect,” Chloe added, “it will. But you have to tell us, what’s the plan? We can’t figure it out. Why do you need a cake?”
“I know it’s a little unorthodox, but my girlfriend loves cake. I know,” he continued when Gabriella and Chloe exchanged glances. “Lots of women love cake. But Sandy really loves cake. For me, there was no better way to propose. I’m not sure how much you heard about what I wanted for the cake, but I’m glad to see you haven’t started decorating it yet.”
She put the icing bag down. “All I was told was a delicious and beautiful cake. I was going to cover it with flowers in different colors. But if you have a different idea, I’m all ears.”
“I like the flower idea,” he said. “But I was hoping we could do something a little like this.” Grant dug into his back pocket and handed Gabriella a piece of folded paper. The first thought she had when she looked at his plans was one of panic, but it was immediately followed by excitement.
“Do you think you can do it?”
Gabriella nodded and grinned. “I know I can do this.”
“Can I see?”
Gabriella tucked the paper against her chest, out of Chloe’s sight. “No, mi amiga. Not yet.”
“You’ll see it tonight,” Grant said. “I’m going to pop the question after dinner. In front of everyone. Sandy’s parents are super important to her and coming on this trip for their thirtieth wedding anniversary was her idea. They need to be there.”
“You’re going to propose on their wedding anniversary? That’s so sweet.” Chloe clasped her hand to her chest. “That just seems so romantic. I’m sure she’ll love it.”
“As long as she says yes.”
Gabriella felt tears well up in her eyes. “Something tells me that won’t be an issue. It’s going to be perfect. Now everyone needs to get out so I can get to work.”
He should have said good-bye. Ella would be upset.
It wasn’t the first time the thought had crossed his mind. It had been on repeat in his head since he drove out of the garage and down the road. The very last thing he ever wanted to do was upset Ella.
He shook his head. Even thinking that way was evidence of why he needed to make this trip. He wasn’t himself. He wasn’t acting like himself or making any sense. He’d never been the type of guy to think that way. Ella changed him and so completely. But it had all happened so quickly and instead of being calm and at peace the way a mate was supposed to make him, it had just made him crazier.
Because you’re not mated. Axel’s voice replayed in his head.
“Dammit.” He slammed his hand on the steering wheel and pressed harder on the gas pedal. He didn’t want to admit it, but Axel was right. It pissed him off. But he couldn’t mate with Ella. He couldn’t claim her—even if it was exactly what would save his sanity—knowing what he knew about mating: it would destroy them. And he couldn’t let that happen. Not to anyone else he cared about.
Which was exactly why he needed to make this trip. It had been over a year since he’d spoken to his grandfather. Over a year since the Jackson brothers had been cast out of the clan. It was long past time that Kade found out exactly why their grandfather would kick them out for something they hadn’t even done. It had been Kira, Kade’s twin sister, who’d run off. She’d been the one to go against their grandfather and taken a mate he didn’t approve of. They’d done nothing to deserve the treatment they’d received.
Except fail to bring her back.
As he drove, he finally allowed himself to go back to that day in his mind and replay the series of events that had led them to their new life on Grizzly Ridge.
Ryan Dixon was from a grizzly clan in Colorado. The last clan of grizzlies in Colorado. They were known to be very private and had a reputation of being secretive, and some even thought of them as dishonest. A reputation they did nothing to overturn as they successfully hid their existence from the general population, who believed there were no longer any grizzlies left in Colorado. Ryan had been traveling with a group of cousins and friends. The rumor was they’d been on the prowl for suitable females to further their population. As a general rule, bear clans were very hospitable and friendly to travelers. But their grandfather was firm about his dislike for the group and made it clear to all females in the Jackson clan that they weren’t to go anywhere near the Dixons, who’d set up a camp just outside of Jackson Valley.
Kira, being the hardheaded female she was, took their grandfather’s orders as a challenge and within twelve hours, had snuck out to meet the Dixons and see what all the fuss was about. Of course, she’d been the fuss. And it wasn’t even twenty-four hours later that she was gone.
Almost immediately the brothers had been called in for a meeting and told in no uncertain terms that they were to bring Kira home or pay the price for the dishonor brought to her and their clan if they failed.
They’d failed.
The Dixon boys made it as far as Yellowstone before they’d caught up with them. It had been Axel who found them first and convinced Ryan to give them a meeting with Kira. The fact that they had to bargain and barter to talk to their own sister had only pissed Kade off. She was his twin sister, for God’s sake. It wasn’t right. But if he’d thought that was strange, the meeting was even stranger.
The three brothers sat across from Kira and Ryan, who had his arm wrapped tightly around her, holding her so close to him that it made Kade want to tear his arm off.
Of course, every other member of the Dixon clan was there as well. It had felt more like a standoff than a discussion between siblings. The air was thick with tension, and it was clear there would be a battle if the wrong words were uttered by either party.
At any rate, it didn’t get that far because Kira hadn’t wanted to leave. Being the oldest, Axel had done the talking.
“Kira Jackson,” he addressed her, his tone formal and serious, not at all like an older brother who was battling for his little sister’s well-being. “We’ve been sent to bring you home.”
“She’s not—”
“Let her speak, you—” Luke had to put a hand on Kade’s shoulder to shut him up and keep him from charging the man who sat next to his sister. Kade sat back and waited.
When Kira finally spoke, she wouldn’t look at him. Her focus was on her oldest brother. “Axel, I appreciate you guys coming down here to find me and I’m sure Grandfather has given you all kinds of orders but…” She held up her hand to stop the protest on Axel’s lips. “I’m okay here.” She glanced at the man on her left. “More than alright. I’m happy here. This is where I need to be.”
“Are you sure?” Axel looked at the men surrounding them, and Kade growled. There was no way Kira was okay. There was no way she would have left without saying good-bye. Her family was everything to her. The four of them were incredibly tight. They’d had to be since their mother and father had left them so young. Especially her and Kade. She wouldn’t have left without telling him. Not unless she was forced. It didn’t sit right with Kade. Not at all.
He waited on the edge of his seat for her answer. His eyes focused on her, willing her to look his way and speak to him.
She kept her eyes fixed on Axel when she said, “I’m sure.”
“You didn’t say good-bye.” Kade blurted it out before he could be stopped. Luke tried to hold him back again, but he wouldn’t be contained. He jumped up from his seat and went to stand in front of his sister. He stopped short of grabbing her and pulling her up in front of him, but only because the man next to her bared his teeth. “Kira, you wouldn’t leave like that unless it was—”
“What I had to do,” she interrupted him. “Kade. I’m sorry.” She stood then, on her own, and grabbed his hand. As she looked him in the eye, he saw right into her soul and the reality hit him in the gut. “Kade, I’m sorry.” She squeezed his hand. “I really am. But you know you wouldn’t have let me go. There was no other way.”
He hated that she was probably right. “I would have,” he said. “If it’s what you really wanted. Kira, you know I’ve only ever wanted you to be happy. I wouldn’t be able to stand it if you weren’t.”
Her smile was so sweet, but it didn’t quite sparkle the way it usually did. Just remembering the way she looked at him, the smile that was so her, but at the same time…not quite, still made his gut twist.
“I know,” she’d said. “But Grandfather wouldn’t have let me go.” She turned and waved toward their brothers. “You know that. I mean, look. He sent you all to come and get me. I’m a grown woman. I’m more than capable of making my own decisions, but only if it’s what he wants. I can’t live like that. And he doesn’t know Ryan the way I know him.”
“Kira.” He shook her hands, forcing her to look at him again. “How can you possibly know him? You just met him.”
And that was when her face changed and he’d seen it for the first time. Love. She was in love with him and there was nothing he’d be able to say. She wouldn’t be coming home with them.
“He’s my mate.”
“No.”
“He is, Kade. I know it. I feel it.”
He looked to Ryan for the first time and immediately wished he hadn’t. Kade’s fist itched to punch the smirk right off his face. Kade forced himself to look back at Kira to keep himself from doing just that. “Did you….have you…”
She shook her head. “We haven’t mated yet.”
Kade swallowed hard.
“He says he wants it to be special and—”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
“If you’re not mated, there’s still time.” Luke appeared at his side and reached for Kira’s arm, yanking her toward him. Immediately, the room exploded. The Dixons jumped to attention. Ryan reached for Kira, but not before Luke pulled her behind him.
“Kade,” she hissed at him, as if it had been his decision. “Do something.”
“Let her go.” Ryan stood tall in front of the Jacksons. His arms crossed over his chest, he looked menacing, but Kade had no doubt he could take him. It was the rest of them he wasn’t so certain about. Not when there was only three of them against at least a dozen.
“You’ve not mated her,” Luke said. “You have no claim on her.”
It was the wrong thing to say. Ryan roared, but in the next moment, the roar faded, and the infernal smirk was back on his face. “I’ll claim her right here,” he said. “In front of all of you and there won’t be a fucking thing you’ll be able to do to stop me.”
Behind him, Kade heard Kira gasp and a noise something like a sob escaped her. Kira didn’t cry.
Looking at the man his twin sister professed to love, and hearing her distress behind him, something in Kade snapped. It was the exact moment he broke. “No.” He put a hand on Luke’s shoulder before he turned to Axel, who’d make the final call. “No,” he said again. Axel looked at him, respect on his face, and stepped to the side, giving Kade the floor again. “There’s no need for anyone to get worked up.” Each word he spoke broke his heart a little more, but it was what needed to be done. He reached behind him for Kira, who took his hand. He pulled her gently until she stood next to him. “If my sister tells me that she loves you and you’re her mate, I won’t stop her.” She squeezed his hand, but he couldn’t look at her. “And neither will my brothers.”
“Kade.” Her voice was a whisper. A plea for him to look at her. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t.
Slowly, he extended his arm, with the hand that held Kira’s, and offered it to Ryan. “If it’s what she wants…she’s yours. We won’t force her to come with us. But only if it’s what she wants.”
“It is,” she whispered.
Ryan didn’t take Kira’s hand right away but looked to Axel, the alpha, for affirmation. Kade knew he’d back him up. So would Luke, despite his show. Ultimately, all they wanted was what was best for Kira. No one was going to force her to leave if that’s not what was best.
Kade didn’t look, but Axel must have nodded and given his consent, because in the next moment, Ryan reached out, took Kira and roughly pulled her toward him, and away from Kade. He still wouldn’t look. With a single nod, Kade turned and walked away.
Leaving his sister behind.
Reliving it again, Kade’s gut clenched the way it always did when he thought about his sister. He missed her with a physical ache that his brothers couldn’t understand. They’d never be able to comprehend what it had been like to walk away from her that day. He’d known it would kill her to leave the man she’d chosen, and he wouldn’t do that to her. Even if it meant that walking away from her had killed a part of him.
His bear had died that day. At least as far as he was concerned, it had. It was the bear, the clan, the idea of mating, instincts…everything that was bear had caused him to lose the one thing that mattered the most to him: Kira.
He’d vowed then and there that his bear would never again control his future.
But that was before.
Kade navigated his truck down the highway and took the turn that would lead to Jackson Valley.
Before Ella.
Axel and Luke were right; he needed to figure things out. He needed to come to terms with not only his bear, but also the loss of Kira. And he needed to do it before it destroyed him.
The sign said fifty miles to Jacksonville. It would be another fifteen after that to Jackson Valley, where he’d find his grandfather. Kade didn’t know what else he hoped to find, but with any luck he’d
find at least some of the answers he needed.
Chapter Eight
“It’s time.”
Harper whispered in Gabriella’s ear.
“Si.” She nodded and gathered up the plates in front of her. “Who’s ready for dessert?” She addressed the entire table, which consisted of Grant, his soon-to-be fiancée Sandy, her parents of course, as well as both of Sandy’s sisters and their husbands. It had been a nice group to have at the Ridge. Their entire family had filled the guest rooms in the Den and the entire building with laughter, fun, and a sense of family that she’d missed since leaving Argentina.
“Oh, I don’t know.” Sandy rubbed her stomach. “I’m so full. That was an amazing meal.”
“It really was,” one of her sisters agreed. “But if dessert is even half as good as that roast was, I definitely want some.”
Gabriella smiled and winked. “It’s better.” She stacked some more plates. “I made a traditional Argentinean dolche de leche—”
“Argentinean?” Chloe looked at her with a question. “I thought you were from Peru?”
“Oh, I…” Gabriella stumbled over her words, but recovered quickly. “I am. But a lot of the recipes transfer and mingle between families.” She put on her brightest smile and beamed at Sandy. “It really is the most delicious dolche de leche cake you’ve ever tasted. You simply must try it.”
“You had me at cake.” She laughed and Gabriella could almost feel the relief wash over Grant, who looked a little more tense as each moment passed. “I never say no to cake.”
There was shared laughter around the table while Gabriella escaped to the kitchen. She dropped the dishes by the sink and moved to the walk-in fridge to get the cake she’d only just finished preparing before dinner. It was perfect. Grant had asked her to create figurines for the top. Which she’d done with modeling chocolate. It was a challenge for sure, especially because she didn’t have a lot of experience creating figurines. But they’d turned out perfectly. Using a photograph, Gabriella had created the characters to look just like the couple. The little chocolate bride stood on top, dressed in her parka and holding a pair of snowshoes and a mug of hot chocolate. The groom was on one knee, his snowshoes still on his feet, holding out a ring. The actual ring Grant had given Gabriella to include. It was perfect and adorable.
