"Of course not." He grabbed a grape from her tray. "Tomorrow you'll do the same for me."
She snorted. "Yeah, we'll see about that."
"So what do you want to do?" he asked. "It's Sunday."
"I could use some more clothes. And a few other things I lost in the fire."
He nodded. "I'll take you to the mall. Victoria's Secret is a great store."
She smiled. "Oh really?"
He moved the tray and kissed her. "I could help you try things on."
"You want to try on women's underwear?" She cocked an eyebrow.
"No. I want to put it on you." He pressed her into the pillows as he kissed over her neck.
"Well, underwear isn't all that I need."
"What else do you need?" He licked her earlobe making her lose her concentration.
"Clothes."
"I like it when you're naked."
"And toiletries. And makeup. And shoes."
He pulled down her bra strap and nipped her shoulder. "Again. I don't see you needing any of those things."
"And a car."
He stopped kissing and looked up at her. "A car?"
She shrugged. "I need to be able to get around. I have a job. My apartment used to be right around the corner from it. I'm a bit further away now."
"And you want to keep working there?"
"I like it. I like the people. And I need to workout."
He chewed his lip and then nodded. "Okay. If that's what you want to do, you should do it. But a car is something we might need to budget. For now can you just take the Jeep?"
"But what will you do when I'm at work?"
"I'll most likely be at work or school. When I'm done with class I'll walk over and wait for you. I can study there as easily as here. And besides, it'll be sexy to watch you take down full grown men."
"Oh really?" She laughed then flipped him over and pinned him on the bed.
"Yes." His eyes glittered with interest.
"Well then, maybe you should come and watch me."
"I think I will. Maybe I'll even take your class."
"I think you should." She bent in and bit his lower lip.
He growled.
"The next full moon is Thursday," he said. "I was going to head north but as soon as I told Pop you were back, he insisted the entire family would come here and run with us."
"Well," she said. "Then I guess we have more shopping to do than I thought."
"How so?"
"We need to go buy some beds." She hopped off him.
He groaned. "You tease."
She unclasped her bra and dropped her panties to the floor. "I'm gonna grab a shower first. You need one too."
His gaze intensified. "Yes I do because I have a dirty, dirty mind."
Chapter Thirteen
Griffin's mom, dad, and older brothers Caleb and Logan, arrived Wednesday evening, while Dakota was with Scott at her NA meeting after work. Griffin still wasn't thrilled about her spending alone time with Scott, but he understood. She needed to go to her meetings and she needed Scott. Everything was more heightened with the impending full moon but with Dakota at his side he’d been able to keep the worst of the mood swings at bay. She’d been tense when Scott had picked her up but he knew Scott would keep both her and everyone around her safe.
His mom and dad were ecstatic they were back together. There was a huge round of hugs and kisses when he answered the door and there were no leading questions. No wondering gazes. Just simple acceptance.
"Where's Dakota?" asked Jeremiah, Griffin's dad.
"She had an NA meeting tonight. She should be back soon."
"I can run to the store and get some things to make dinner," his mom offered.
"No, Dakota put lasagna in the oven and a salad in the fridge. I just need to drop the bread into the oven in a couple minutes."
Logan opened the fridge and looked inside. "Where's the beer?"
"Sorry," said Griffin. "No more alcohol."
His mom smiled and hugged him again. "I'm glad you're doing what you can to help her."
Griffin smiled. "She's my world, Mom."
His dad clapped him on the back and then hugged his mom. "As she should be."
Griffin looked at his mountain man of an older brother Caleb and his gut clenched. The girl Caleb had wanted to mate with had been killed three years prior. He hadn’t shown interest in a female since, that Griffin knew of.
"How's the house comin'?" he asked.
Caleb nodded. "I'm hoping to get the heat done before it gets really cold."
"That would probably be important." Griffin laughed.
"How's school?" asked his oldest brother Logan.
Griffin nodded. "Good. But I don't think I'll be staying at Boise State past this semester."
"Why not?" asked his mom.
"Well, I'm hoping that Dakota and I can come home. I'll go to a college up north and–" He didn't get the chance to finish his thought before his mom threw her arms around him and hugged him tight.
"We still have land you can build on," said his dad.
"Yeah, there's a nice piece up by me," Caleb said.
Griffin snorted. "I don't know about that. I said I wanted to come home, not be Backwoods Billy."
"Hey." Caleb smiled and scratched his dark scruff. "I may resemble that remark."
Everyone laughed and the front door opened.
Griffin walked into the front room and met Dakota. She wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"How'd it go?" he asked.
“Okay. The kids were a bit rowdy in class today and it was all I could do to keep control, but group was good. Productive.” She gave him a small smile then looked over his shoulder. "Hey Jeremiah. Logan. Caleb. Mary."
They stood for a tense moment and then everyone came over for a group hug. They gathered around Griffin and Dakota, surrounding them in the press of bodies, adding their silent strength and support to the bond that tied him and Dakota together. Warmth passed through them as the familial bond connected them all, as it once had.
When they parted, not a dry eye was to be found. Not even his father's. Jeremiah sniffed and then coughed.
Caleb hugged Dakota and whispered in her ear. Followed by Logan and finally their mother.
"Come on," said his mom. "Let's get dinner on the table."
Dakota nodded and squeezed Griffin's hand before following her into the kitchen.
Griffin, his father and brothers watched them go.
"She looks good," his father said.
"She does." Griffin nodded.
"But there's something different. A pain that pours from her and darkens her eyes."
Griffin swallowed hard. "I've put her through a lot. We've put each other through a lot. But it's behind us and hopefully our future will remove all traces of that pain."
Jeremiah's gaze connected with his and he nodded. "I hope it does, son."
Something about his father's solemn words caught Griffin’s attention. Questions he'd refused to give voice to pushed their way back into his mind.
"You guys are going to be just fine," Caleb said.
"You have to be," replied Logan. "Because I'd really hate to have to kick your ass if you screw things up again."
The brothers laughed.
* * *
After being with everyone for dinner, and several hours afterward, Dakota retreated outside for a break. She walked into the back yard to the unfinished gazebo and lay down on the bench, looking up at the stars. Bowgie walked over to her and laid his head on her stomach.
Group had been good. But things hadn't been as good with Scott. She'd told him about her conversation with Griffin, about his decision to move forward without talking about the past. Scott believed, that for them to truly move forward, they needed to talk it out. Everything. Every last thing, get it in the open, once and for all. But he didn't know Griffin.
"And how has that worked for you so far?" Scott asked.
"Relatively well."
She looked at her hands and stayed silent.
"That's what I thought. If he truly wants to help you, you need to tell him the truth."
"Hey, can I sit?" Caleb walked toward her and she sat up.
"Sure." She scooted over as his large brawny form took up half the bench. She pushed her hair behind her ear and scratched Bowgie's head.
Caleb reached over and scratched Bowgie too.
"I like it without the roof," he said. "You can see the stars."
"I was thinking the same thing."
A silence fell between them. Of all Griffin's family, she'd been closest to Caleb. He'd called her weekly, to check in on her, when Griffin was away. And after the separation, he'd called her every few weeks, just to see how she was. She'd missed that.
"So, how are ya?" he asked.
"Good." She nodded. “The moon is getting to me but Griffin and I are doing good."
"Yes, but how are you doing?"
She glanced at him sideways. "Some days are better than others. I have more good days than bad. But there are still things… I struggle with."
"Does Griffin know that?"
"Some of it. He wants a clean slate so we can move forward and so I'm trying."
"But?"
But there were some things that took a lot longer to get past.
"Caleb, do you think there are some secrets that are so bad they are better left hidden? Knowing they will, most likely, eat you up inside forever. But also knowing, if you tell them, they could eat up the person you love even more?"
Caleb stared at her and then looked up to the moon. "That's hard to answer. I don't want to see you carrying a burden alone. But I don't want to see Griffin hurting either. Being bonded means sharing the load though. All of it. No matter what."
"Even if it means someone could get hurt."
"Yes."
Damn. Everyone lately was telling her to say something, even though Griffin had made it perfectly clear that he wanted to move forward not back. The problem was, she didn't know if she could move forward until they went back.
"I'm here for you if you need me." Caleb patted her knee.
She nodded. "Just promise me something."
"Anything."
"You’ll be there if I decide to tell him. I'm afraid, when I do, there won't be anyone that can help him keep it together."
"I promise. Day or night. You let me know and I'll hop on a plane and be down here as fast as I can."
The knot in her stomach loosened a fraction.
"What about you?" she asked. "How are you doing?"
"I go to work. Come home from work. Work on the house. Go to sleep. Get up. Do it all again."
"Well, maybe when Griffin and I get up there, we can help you with that."
"I'd appreciate it. The pack still owns most of the land up there. If you want, I can help you guys build a house near mine."
"That'd be nice. I miss being in the woods. Not too many neighbors. Space to roam and plant stuff."
"See, that's why I always liked you. You were a nature girl. I could never live in a big city like this. Too much noise."
"And people."
"And traffic."
She smiled up at Caleb and laid her head on his shoulder. "It's good to see you."
He pulled her into a bear hug and kissed her head. "It's good to see you too, sis."
The back door opened and Griffin stepped out. "Hey! You trying to steal my mate?"
Caleb chuckled. "Boy, if I wanted her she'd be mine already."
"Oh you think so?" Griffin strolled across the lawn with a smile on his face.
"Oh no.” Dakota shook her head.
Caleb stood and met Griffin in the middle of the lawn. He stripped off his flannel, revealing muscles even larger than Griffin's. Griffin whipped off his t-shirt and shucked his shoes.
"Well, come on big brother, show me what you've got?"
The two circled each other, like giant bears, ready to rumble.
Logan peeked his head out the back door, his perfectly styled, sandy hair and designer jeans a testament to the fact he would not get involved.
"Mom!" he called. "They're at it again."
Griffin attacked first. He lifted Caleb up and slammed him onto the grass; shaking the ground beneath the gazebo.
Caleb laughed as Griffin tried to pin him. "Is that all you have baby brother?"
Mary came to the back door in time to see Caleb and Griffin wrestling.
"Well, at least they're outside. I can't tell you how many holes I've patched over the years."
"Thirty-six," said Jeremiah, joining the crowd.
"You guys are a couple of animals," Logan called.
"Oh yeah," said Griffin. "As if you could take either of us."
Logan snorted and shook his head. Griffin looked at Caleb and then at Dakota. "Come on. Two on two. Me and Dakota against you and Caleb."
"No way," said Logan. "I don't want to hurt Dakota. We just got her back."
Dakota stepped out of the gazebo. "Excuse me, pretty boy? I'm not as fragile as I look."
"Trust me." Griffin winked at her. "She's tough enough to handle you."
Logan shook his head. "I'll pass."
"What? Are you afraid you'll get shown up by a girl?" Dakota pulled off her hoodie so she stood in her sports bra and yoga pants.
"Really, I don't want to hurt you," Logan said.
"All right," said Caleb. "Dakota and I against you and Griffin."
"Wrestle you?" asked Logan.
Jeremiah appeared behind Logan, circled his waist and carried him out into the yard. "From the way you're acting," he said. "I'd think you were scared."
Logan's eyes flashed and Jeremiah laughed. "Nice try boy, but there's no way you could take me and you know it. You may be next to lead, but not for a good thirty years."
Logan licked his lips and turned back to the group.
Griffin stood by Logan and Caleb gave Dakota a high five. "You know. I think Logan's afraid to get his two hundred dollar jeans dirty."
She laughed but before she could blink, Logan leaped at Caleb. He body hugged his younger brother, taking him to the ground. Dakota looked on in awe and then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Griffin lunge at her. Stepping back she grabbed his wrist, and twisted his arm out. She planted a foot behind his knee and brought him down.
"Go Dakota!" Mary yelled. "Get 'em Logan."
Griffin looked up at her and smiled. "Nice." He twisted his arm and brought her in toward him. Then grabbed her around the waist and kissed her nose.
She took advantage, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his torso, then spun around, so she was on his back, with her arm to his throat.
"Holy crap! How did she do that?" asked Logan.
"The girl has moves," Caleb replied before slamming Logan to the ground and getting him in a leg lock.
Bowgie ran circles around them all, barking and jumping.
Griffin flailed and tried to pull Dakota off his back, but she kept her arm pressed to his throat, cutting off his air.
Finally, he arched back and then threw his weight forward. Dakota slipped upward, he grabbed her around the waist and tossed her to the ground. The wind was knocked out of her and he pinned her to the ground. A shockwave of fear rocked through her core as Griffin loomed over her. She fought back the panic and slowed her breathing, refusing to give in. She swallowed hard, trying to focus on his face, which swam in and out of view.
"Am I hurting you?" Griffin asked.
She tried to form words but it was too much. His grip slackened on her wrists and he touched her cheek. She fought just to stay lucid.
"Hey, are you okay? Did I throw you too hard?" His eyes held concern.
"Get off her. Give her some air." Caleb pulled Griffin aside and she sat up shakily.
"Are you okay?" Logan asked.
She looked between
them and grounded herself in the present. "Yeah. Yes." She laughed. "Sorry. I hit my head when I went down and I think I just got dazed for a second."
Griffin helped her to her feet and pulled her close. "I'm sorry babe. I didn't mean to."
"I know." She hugged him tight. Over his shoulder Caleb stared at her.
"Come on," said Mary. "Let's get ready for bed."
"I've got to be on shift in an hour," said Griffin. "I should probably shower."
Dakota nodded and he kissed her head before jogging into the house with Logan. She took a deep breath, looked around and picked up her hoodie as well as Griffin's t-shirt. Caleb grabbed his flannel off the ground and threw it over his arm.
"Dakota."
She stopped and turned back to him. He licked his lips and took several steps forward.
Bowgie trotted over and sat at her side.
"What's up?" She tried to keep her voice light.
He took a deep breath. His body shook and anger wafted off him, stronger than she'd ever seen.
"Why didn't you tell him?" he demanded. "Why didn't you tell me?"
She stared up into his face and her gut plummeted like she'd gotten on a roller coaster. He knew. Of course he'd know. He'd been through it with Franny. He'd held her hand, and watched her deteriorate mentally until she'd finally succumbed to her despair.
Dakota fought back the tears that threatened to consume her. There was no use lying to him.
"What good would it have done?" she asked. "He would have broken every rule to get back here. Lost his commission. Ruined his career. Maybe been court–martialed. And for what? There was nothing he could do. Nothing either of you could do. And If I'd told you, you would have told him. You would have felt too guilty not telling him. It was better that I just dealt with it alone until he was stateside. Besides, I did this to myself. It was my fault–"
Caleb moved to her so fast she barely tracked him. "Don't. Don't you dare. No one deserves that. You should have come to me. Come back to Wolf River. I started a support hotline. I could have helped you."
"I know," she said. "I called. You did help me. You kept me going on the worst nights."
He stared at her for a minute and his eyes widened. "You're caller 182."
She nodded.
Sadness clouded his eyes. He looked at the house and then at her. "You need to tell him."
Reclaimed From The Moon (Wolf River, ID. Book 3) Page 11