Staking a Claim

by Devon McKay

  McKinley and Knik were headed in her direction, making their way through the busy crowd. She opened the door wider, comparing the striking pair. Quite the contrast, Denali’s wife, as pretty as McKinley, was shorter with a round hourglass figure, whereas McKinley was slimmer lacking the shapely curves.

  The women rushed in full of excitement about the day as she welcomed them into Blake’s cabin.

  “I made you something special for your wedding dress.” Knik produced a light brown sash.

  Sam reached out and touched it gingerly, admiring the numerous, colorful beads sewn into the soft leather material. “You made this?”

  The woman nodded, handing the sash to her.

  She took the present eagerly, and her heart jolted, the beat pounding loud in her ears. This was all feeling a little too real. No doubt, when they returned to Blake’s cabin, this would just be a big joke. But at the moment, she couldn’t help but feel her nerves taking control.

  “It’s beautiful. I can’t believe I am actually going through with this,” she said faintly.

  “You may need to sit down.” McKinley led her to the bed. “Your face has no color. Have you seen a ghost?” The girl laughed at her own joke. “We don’t actually believe in ghosts,” she clarified, while separating a section of Sam’s hair for a braid. “Spirits, yes, but they come to us in the form of animals. And we welcome them, not turn away in fear like gashatna,” McKinley explained. “Besides, there are worse things than marrying Wolf.”

  The woman sighed dramatically and received a motherly pat on her shoulder from her sister-in-law. Confused, Sam spun toward McKinley, causing her to drop the half-finished braid.

  “You are able to choose your husband,” Denali’s sister explained. “I may not be so lucky. I didn’t tell you this, but this potlatch is where I will meet my future husband. Well…the man my family wants me to marry. It’s my choice, but I don’t want to let my father down.”

  Doesn’t seem fair

  Sam turned back around as McKinley tugged and pulled at her partially braided hair. Nimbly, she finished plaiting the locks and pinned them on top of her head.

  Sam couldn’t resist touching the coiled tendrils and wished she had a mirror, certain the coiffure resembled a golden crown. Another custom? A fleeting image of the princess in Denali’s story came to mind.

  “He will be here for the festivities. What if he is horrible?” McKinley wailed.

  Sam stood to face her. Sudden tears appeared and streamed down the pretty woman’s cheeks.

  “Fat with large moles or two heads. His name is Matanuska. Can you believe it? My future husband is named after a body of water.” Another loud sob escaped the broken-hearted girl.

  “Isn’t Knik named after a river? And what about Little Su?” Sam interjected.

  McKinley glanced at her sister-in-law. Immediately, bright pink spots colored the young native’s cheeks, and she reached for the woman’s hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. Such a title is actually quite respectful, especially one like the great Knik or even Matanuska. I guess I’m just feeling a little sorry for myself.”

  Knik wiped away a tear and hugged the woman gently. “No apologies. I understand,” she said in comfort to McKinley. “I was lucky. I chose Denali for myself. I’ve always loved your brother. You, too, will grow to love your husband,” she encouraged. “Besides, you are just scared. You will see. He will be just as handsome as we have heard. You will be just as blessed as your brother and I. The only one who will be fat…is you.”

  Vanity showed its ugly face and McKinley snapped up her head. “Me?”

  “Yes, you…fat with babies.” Denali’s wife laughed, rubbing her stomach.

  Sam joined in with the laughter, but the words held a shattering awakening. She was quite fortunate, too…already in love with Blake. She was marrying the man who held her heart, even if the union would be recognized only for the village.

  And kids? She was starting to welcome the idea. Funny. She’d never once thought about having children before Blake.

  Something McKinley said speared through her thoughts. If the potlatch was set up for the girl to meet her future husband, then it couldn’t possibly have been planned for her wedding to Blake like she had assumed.

  Or like he’d led me to believe.

  She recalled his earlier words about the culture and living together. Doubts began swarming, taking over logic.

  “Oh my word, I think Blake tricked me,” she exclaimed, garnishing the other women’s attention.

  “What?” McKinley said with a surprised expression.

  “I can’t believe this. He said we had to get married because it was the custom. But this potlatch is for you, isn’t it McKinley? It was set up for you to meet your future husband, and possibly get married. The wedding dress…this celebration…it wasn’t initially for Blake and I to get married at all.”

  Wide-eyed, McKinley nodded. “I thought you knew,” she admitted.

  “The wedding dress…it was actually for you wasn’t it?”

  “Yes, but I never planned on wearing it. In my heart, we were always making it for you. I will not be getting married today,” McKinley confessed. A thoughtful expression graced her face. “Please don’t be too angry with Wolf. The raven people are known for being tricksters.” She placed a comforting hand on Sam’s. “He loves you.”

  She shook her head unsurely. Could she believe that? Blake had never actually voiced those three words.

  “It is obvious you love him, too,” McKinley continued. “I think it’s romantic. He took a chance and seized the moment. I know you’ve been tricked, but there can be a happy ending.”

  Sam stood abruptly and began to pace. Tricksters indeed. Why did the man feel as if he had to resort to such a ploy to get her to marry him in the first place? Or was this some kind of sick joke? Perhaps he thought it wouldn’t go this far? That she wouldn’t call his bluff and go through with the ceremony?

  How dare he toy with her emotions?

  She was going to kill him. But first, she’d teach Blake a lesson he’d never forget. If the man wanted a bride…he was in for one hell of a shock.

  “So, who’s going to help me with my wedding dress?”

  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 l
oudly, 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

  ~*~

  Another Devon McKay title

  available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.:

  COWBOY ON THE RUN

  Thank you for purchasing

  this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.