Nikki's Fated [Wolves of River's Bend 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)
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Wolves of River’s Bend 1
Nikki’s Fated
Wolf shifter Nikki Black never expected her love life to mean the difference between lasting peace and all-out war. Especially when her fated, Luke Andres, wants nothing to do with her. Forced to join to prevent bloodshed between their rival clans, Nikki and Luke enjoy a blistering night of passion before facing another complication—Luke’s brother is also Nikki’s destined mate.
Mason Andres is passionate, loving, and sexy, and Nikki falls hard for him, thrilled that he feels the same. She wants the same love-match with Luke, but that’s the one thing Luke can’t risk giving her. Fighting destiny to keep his heart safe from the only woman who can claim it, Luke makes plans that could separate them for good. But when love and passion run soul-deep, fate can overturn even the best-laid plans.
Will Luke admit his love for Nikki before it’s too late, or will his wounded heart destroy the trio’s shot at lasting happiness?
Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-Shifter
Length: 56,719 words
NIKKI’S FATED
Wolves of River’s Bend 1
Suzette Rose Cauler
MENAGE AMOUR
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Amour
NIKKI’S FATED
Copyright © 2014 by Suzette Rose Cauler
E-book ISBN: 978-1-63258-538-7
First E-book Publication: November 2014
Cover design by Harris Channing
All art and logo copyright © 2014 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
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DEDICATION
To readers who love escaping into the world of paranormal romance. We are kindred spirits, and I hope you get lost in Nikki’s Fated.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
About the Author
NIKKI’S FATED
Wolves of River’s Bend 1
SUZETTE ROSE CAULER
Copyright © 2014
Chapter 1
Luke Andres stood at the end of the path in the midday sun, looking too handsome for his own good. As Nikki walked toward him, past rows and rows of witnesses, she could almost believe he wanted to be there. If she didn’t look directly at him, she could almost pretend he genuinely smiled at her approach, thrilled at the sight of his mate in her strapless white gown.
But Nikki did look directly at him, and she couldn’t miss the tight line of tension between his brows and the hard way he held his mouth. Most of the guests probably just saw a nervous smile, but Nikki knew better. She couldn’t pretend he wanted her. He’d been all but forced into that suit. A duty he grudgingly accepted kept him rooted to the spot, waiting to join with her rather than shifting to run as far away as he could possibly get.
“You don’t have to do this,” Levi said quietly as he led her down the grassy aisle toward her mate.
“You’re a good big brother, Levi. The best, really. But we both know that’s not true.” She appreciated the sentiment, but Levi was wrong. If she refused to join with Luke, she would be responsible for starting a war between Clan Raven and Clan Lycan. This union was all that really stood between the alphas of both clans challenging each other to fight to the death and ordering their men into battle over the land called River’s Bend.
Zion, Nikki’s father, was Raven Clan’s aging alpha, and Luke’s father, Grey, was the equally mature alpha of the Lycan Clan. The two clans had spent months arguing over River’s Bend territory, inching closer and closer to battle, but the skirmishes had come to an end when Nikki met Luke and realized he was her fated. The problem was that Luke didn’t want a mate.
“If you refuse to join with him, I’ll back you up. You shouldn’t have to take responsibility for the entire can, not when the rest of your life is at stake.” Levi had always doted on her, and she’d asked him to give her away. She was far too angry with her father to let him walk her down the aisle.
Nikki did believe it was her duty to help unite the clans, yet she couldn’t forgive her father for forcing her hand. Maybe her anger was irrational, but it flowed through her all the same.
“If I don’t join with him, and our father dies fighting their alpha, his blood will be on my hands. Besides, what good would it do to refuse? He’s my mate, so, like it or not, I’ll end up with him sooner or later. Sooner just seems better if it will prevent bloodshed.”
Wolf shifters were destined to mate a certain person, and once they met, the attraction was practically irresistible. They could fight it for a time, but eventually, destined mates ended up together, with rare exceptions. The joining was a ceremony to celebrate the union.
Fate had made Luke Nikki’s mate, a
nd eventually, she would have surrendered to its call, even if her clan’s future didn’t depend on it. The joining was pomp and circumstance, in this case, intended to show members of both clans that she and Luke were committed not only to each other but also to uniting the clans.
“I hate this. And I hate him.” Levi’s huge arm muscles tensed as he talked, and Nikki smiled a little. At least her brother was loyal. And Adam, too. Standing in the front row of witnesses, he looked just as tense as Levi. She knew if she said the word, her brothers would whisk her away from there and then return to help their clan fight the war that would immediately ensue. But she’d never let that happen.
“Be happy for me, brother,” she whispered, trying to sound more positive than she felt. “I’m marrying my mate today. How many spend decades waiting for their fated to come along? I’m lucky. The waiting is over for me.” They came to a stop before Eli, one of Raven Clan’s officiants, and Nikki looked over at Luke, taking in his broad chest and wide shoulders, the chiseled jaw, and the dark hair that kissed the top of his collar, curling slightly upward at the ends. He was incredibly tall, with powerful hands and a smile that made women go weak in the knees. Not that he’d ever use it on her.
“Besides,” she continued, pretending not to care that she was on the receiving end of one of Luke’s scowls, “I’ll tame him one way or another, just like I would any other unruly animal.”
Nikki took pleasure in the tightening of Luke’s jaw. She knew he’d heard her, which was the whole point of calling him an animal. If he didn’t want her, she’d be damned if she’d let on that she wanted him. Eli had clearly heard her, too, as evidenced by his raised eyebrows, but the man was smart and kept his mouth shut.
* * * *
The joining passed quickly. It was the standard “do you take this male, do you accept the members of Lycan Clan as your new family, will you obey him until death parts you?” and then it was over. Honestly, it had all passed in a blur, with Nikki hardly remembering most of what she agreed to. The kiss was equally disappointing. Though her lips tingled at the feel of Luke’s pressed against hers, it was over in mere seconds. A quick, perfunctory kiss, and she was Mrs. Andres, and Luke was walking off toward the outdoor bar. All that was left was consummation of the joining, and then their clans would be united as one. Nikki hated to admit it, but she did look forward to that, at least. If she had to be shackled to a mate who didn’t want her, at least she could enjoy the mating. And, as rumor had it, Luke was an amazing lover.
Standing in the reception line with the sun warming her face, Nikki put on the performance of her life. She endured congratulations after congratulations and plastered a smile on her face for all of the camera-happy guests to see. She was determined that only those closest to her would know how she really felt. Unfortunately, Luke didn’t seem to have the same idea. He only managed to keep up appearances in bits and spurts.
They were as opposite in this as they had been in their reaction to meeting and discovering that they were meant to be together. She’d been excited and happy at first, despite the fact that he came from an enemy clan. Luke, on the other hand, had reacted with shock and then confusion. That had turned to outright anger when his father told him he had to claim her as his mate, sooner rather than later. It seemed Luke liked his carefree life and was entirely disinterested in being tied down to any one woman, destined mate or not. He’d blown off every attempt she’d made to get to know him, at times acting so much the asshole that she’d eventually given up trying. Three months had passed since they’d met, but his attitude hadn’t changed. He’d gone through with the joining, however, under his father’s orders, and now they were stuck with each other.
Nikki had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t noticed Jackie standing at the end of the reception line, waiting to greet her. Looking wildly around, she hoped for any distraction she could use as an excuse not to make nice. But short of an explosion, she couldn’t think of a polite way to get out of it. Jackie was her first cousin, her aunt’s eldest daughter, and they’d often played together as children. Jackie was tall, blonde, blue-eyed, and exceptionally intelligent. Their families had expected them to grow up as close as sisters, and for a time, Nikki had wanted that, too. The problem was, Jackie had grown up and become a bitch.
“Well, well, well, Nikki. You sure do clean up nice.” Jackie smiled sweetly, but the claws would come out at any moment. This shifter’s striking beauty was only skin deep.
“Thanks, Jackie. It’s good to see you.” Nikki hugged Jackie, as was expected of her, letting go almost as soon as she embraced her. She skipped the customary kiss on the cheek. That, though such a little thing, was simply too much.
“It was a beautiful ceremony, but I wouldn’t have gone strapless, not with your shape. I think a sweetheart neckline would better suit you, and something to cover up those arms. It’s just not feminine to have so much muscle. But, I guess you chose the best you could, without much help.”
Nikki silently fumed, refusing to get into an argument with Jackie on her joining day, and especially in front of all the other guests. There was nothing wrong with her arms or her dress, but Jackie still managed to make her question herself. “I like the dress and how I look in it, but thanks for almost complimenting me.” She moved to walk away, but Jackie grabbed her hand.
“Did I hurt your feelings, cousin? I honestly didn’t mean to. You know me. I can’t help but speak my mind, but I would never want to hurt you. I should have come to help you. Those friends of yours aren’t happy unless you look trashy. I’ve always said they’re not real friends.”
Nikki stared at Jackie and shook her head. She never failed to veil insulting remarks in fake sweetness, and not too long ago, Nikki would have fallen for it. Now, she knew better. After all the ways Jackie had tried to hurt her, she had no more patience, cousin or not. “Don’t you ever stop, Jackie? As pretty as you are, you’d think you’d have something better to do.”
Jackie had the nerve to look shocked. She was almost a decent actress. Almost. “How can you say that? I’m only concerned for you. And you need someone in your life to tell you the truth. Without a mother…”
That was one word too far, and Nikki took a step toward Jackie, bristling with the urge to slap her. “Not another word. Don’t say another word about my mother.” She willed herself to unclench her fists and relax.
The guests closest to them had turned to stare, obviously noticing the tension, though Nikki had made every effort to keep her voice low. Taking a deep breath, she fought to control herself, and then did what she’d become so skilled at doing over the last couple of years. She walked away.
Heading over to the bar for a drink, Nikki shook the encounter with Jackie off, reminding herself that the bitch wasn’t worth her anger. She didn’t see Luke, but didn’t bother wondering where he’d gone. In fact, not having to see him was something of a relief. Though, intellectually, she knew he was far from Prince Charming, her body craved his touch, as was typical for mates. If he wasn’t around, she didn’t have to pretend to ignore him and she didn’t need to fight her desire to touch him.
“I’m proud of you, my daughter.” Zion slid onto a bar stool next to her. “I know this was difficult, but you’ve prevented a war and saved many, many lives.”
“So glad I could help,” she said. She was in no mood to listen to any of her father’s rationalizations.
He gave her that look she hated, the one that said she was being foolish. “In time, you’ll forgive me for pushing you into this. He’s your mate. You would have ended up with him eventually. And I’m sure he’ll come to make you happy.”
“I did what you asked. Do I really have to listen to this, too? Do me a favor, and give it a rest.” Nikki was the only one who talked to Zion this way. As the alpha of Raven Clan, he commanded respect, even from those who didn’t agree with him, but she’d always been Daddy’s little girl, and that bought her some leeway. The fact that he still needed her to play the happily
joined didn’t hurt, either.
Under normal circumstances, Nikki wouldn’t give her father the cold shoulder for long, but nothing was normal then. She was angry that he hadn’t allowed her more time to get to know her mate, angry that he didn’t seem to understand how hurtful it was to be rejected by the one person whose body was meant to crave yours, and pissed, above all, that he wasn’t her mother and didn’t know the right things to say. Mom had died three years ago, and Nikki felt her absence every day. It was even worse at a time like that when she really needed motherly advice and comfort.
“I know you miss your mother. She was better at this sort of thing than I am.” It was as if he’d read her mind.
“Don’t. Just don’t.” Nikki blinked away tears. She didn’t want to think about how much she missed her mother at the moment, and she didn’t want him to say anything that might diminish her anger. She needed to hold on to that for the time being. “Just go be with your precious clan and leave me alone.” It was a struggle to keep her voice low, but it wouldn’t do to let the guests hear her yell at her father. Even she wouldn’t go that far with Zion.
“Nikki—” her father began, clearly not getting that she didn’t want to talk to him.
“Excuse us.” A large hand reached between them to take Nikki’s arm. “They’re playing our song.” It was Luke, and Nikki wouldn’t have been more surprised if one of the guests suddenly sprouted wings and flew away. He was asking to dance with her? Was that a smile she saw? Nikki actually looked to the sky for the lightning that was sure to strike at any minute.