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Copyright© 2016 Allyson Young
ISBN: 978-1-77339-069-7
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Editor: Audrey Bobak
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This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
BOUND BY DESTINY
Blue Star Shifters, 1
Allyson Young
Copyright © 2016
Chapter One
“Your twenty-fifth birthday is in a few months, River.” Her sister Cassandra lazed across her bed, one long fingernail idly tracing the pattern in the comforter, but River wasn’t fooled. The petite blonde—Cass was a brighter, prettier copy of River—was broaching a taboo subject, and it wasn’t out of malice or prurient curiosity. Little sister was anxious, and River had to admit she had good reason to be. Cass was eighteen and the years tended to fly by, especially since she was aware of River’s anxiety, something she didn’t understand.
“I know when my birthday is, Cass. Which is why I’m packing up and taking a job on the other side of the country long before that day comes. Long before Dad decides to bring males by in order to test my suitability.”
“You know our Alpha won’t let that stand.” Her sister didn’t concede that their father had much say in the matter, and River winced inwardly. She had a complicated relationship with her dad.
“We don’t know that for certain. It’s the first time, to my knowledge, that any female has decided she’s not going to toe the line and be mated against her will.” One would think there had been others, but if so, no one spoke about them. Besides, once the male indicated his intent, the female went into heat—if they were compatible—and a choice was moot. So she wasn’t taking any chances. River planned to leave at a time when there were the fewest of their pack about, and if no one stopped her, it was unlikely the Alpha would make a major effort to track her down. She hoped.
Cass wrinkled her nose and squinted. “You mean that. It would be against your will.”
“I mean it.” In fact, the idea made her stomach clench and her head pound. Being bound to some overbearing male wolf, powerless to naysay him, whether it be for sex or what he deemed fitting behavior for his mate, freaked her the hell out. Not to mention popping out as many offspring as he wanted for his clan. She knew all the single males in their pack and while she liked some of them—as friends—there wasn’t one she could see herself mated to, especially as the remainder were either uncouth or callow. Mating would put them in charge and she shuddered harder at the thought. They could make her do anything…
“But what if you run into a lone wolf? Or there’s some other pack in the place you’re moving to, or thereabouts? They’ll seek you out.”
Evasively, River replied, “I’ve got a few ways around that, Cass. You’ll just have to trust me on it.”
Little sister frowned, but didn’t press, instead tried to look at the issue from a different viewpoint. “Mom was okay with it. I mean, she went into her bind willingly and she and dad cared about one another.” Cass’s pretty face took on a hopeful cast.
River was of two minds about how willing her mother had been, but then she’d been older when Mom died. Cass likely didn’t remember the not-so-happy times the way she did when their father had exerted his will and Mom didn’t have a choice. She’d heard the noises her mom made, the begging and the pleading. Noises that caused River to pull the covers over her head and wish she could sleep as soundly as her sister. Not that she was going to say anything about it to Cass. Better her sister kept her good memories without taint.
“They did care,” Cass insisted, and River realized she had been lost in thought. A shiver etched its way up her spine when she considered that any male who mated her could demand the same accommodation. It had spoiled her relationship with her father, building a distance between them. When he’d somewhat recovered from the loss of his mate, he initially tried to breach the gap with River, before obviously preferring his younger, less-resistant child.
“Of course, they cared,” she proclaimed, injecting a sincerity into her voice she didn’t feel. White lies were acceptable if it diminished her sister’s anxiety and kept happy memories intact.
“He didn’t seek out another mate after we lost her, because he was attached to Mom. Wolves want sons, River. And all he has is us. So it had to be his feelings for Mom that got in the way of accepting another mate.”
River smiled and nodded. Maybe that was true. Her father never said, at least not to her. She frowned and then immediately erased it. Cass had to know what transpired between a bonded pair. All wolves did once they left childhood behind. It wasn’t like the pack held secrets, but the way certain behaviors were couched as being normal and acceptable meant her little sister didn’t view it the way she did. She thought everything was consensual.
River hadn’t let her own perception spill over, because until recently she hadn’t figured out a way to avoid it. Another cramp hurt her belly. Perhaps she should tell Cass about her concerns sooner than later and not wait until she was established elsewhere and could send for her.
Before she could open her mouth, Cass gave her a watery smile and slipped from the bed, making her way to the door. “I’ll start dinner.”
It was interesting that she and her sister hadn’t speculated beforehand. Why hadn’t she thought that maybe her dad was too broken-hearted to mate again? Because you can’t fathom how a man could loan out his mate to other males and truly care for her. It isn’t like the experimental sex a lot of the young wolves take part in. That you avoid. She gave her head a little shake to dislodge all the fleeting thoughts. One thing was for certain—she wasn’t having a conversation with her father about any of this. He’d already announced her fate from his point of view at the dinner table a few weeks ago.
“I’ll be talking with Alpha Reeves, River. He’ll have an idea who to send your way. I want grandchildren before too much longer, and you’ll soon be of mating age.”
Cassandra knew River planned to gainsay their parent, but could be counted on not to tattle. Sibling loyalty was strong in their household, seeing as River had stepped in when their mother died and their dad had foregone parenting at a time when they needed him the most. Even Cass’s relationship with him, though more solid, hadn’t recovered from his neglect.
Once again, she speculated. How much should she share with her sister as to why she was so resistant to being mated, aside from being placed in the subservient role in such an arrangement? Squeezing her eyes shut, she decided not to upset Cass further. It was enough she thought River was simply being independent, and there was enough time to rescue her sister.
She double-checked her list of items yet to pack. Her suitcase was tucked in the closet, away from prying eyes, though her father never set foot in his daughters’ rooms. There were but a few things to add, and it would take only minutes to stuff them inside. And then she’d be out the door and on her way to the train station—in two days’ time. She wasn’t home free yet, but the relief of having a plan, well in advance of her birthday offered a modicum of relief.
As she put the list away, she heard the front door open and several male voices filled the air. River frowned. It wasn’t poker night, or at lea
st not her father’s turn to host it. Smoothing her hair and straightening her shirt, she put a smile on her face and went to greet their guests. It was imperative everything appeared as normal as possible—until the day after tomorrow. If he’d invited people for dinner without letting either her or Cass know, something he tended to do, she wondered how she could help stretch the meal her sister would have started.
“River! My girl!” Reginald Fortuna beamed at her. She tried to hold her smile, but something in her father’s face caused a tiny blossom of worry to burgeon. With a sinking heart, she recognized one of the other men with him—Jericho Reeves, their Alpha.
“Hi, Dad. Mr. Reeves.”
“No need to be so formal, River. You’ll soon be calling me Dad. Or maybe Father, if you prefer.” Her Alpha smiled so widely she could see his canines.
A clatter behind her announced the fact that Cass had heard the pronouncement as a pot fell to the floor. River fought to keep her knees solid and cautiously ventured a look at the big male towering over both her parent and her Alpha. She took in his forbidding countenance and thick, black hair before realizing a pair of pale-blue eyes had scanned her from head to toe and probably read her thoughts at the same time.
Her wolf rolled over submissively and whined in response to a rolling wave of heat that scorched River’s insides, and it took a huge effort to keep herself in check and show nothing other than a calm query. Wolves had a notoriously good sense of smell, but she trusted the supplements she’d been swallowing twice a day to manage her hormonal response, or at least to dumb it down. It appeared she’d been successful because those eyes narrowed slightly and her father looked confused.
So did her Alpha, who turned to stare at her dad. “I thought you said she was but a few months shy of her twenty-fifth birthday. Jett is an Alpha. And as such, highly potent.”
“She’ll be of age in under three months,” her father muttered. He gestured toward the unnamed male. “River, this is Jett Reeves. He’s come to our pack to take a mate. He has his own pack—Blue Star—but our Alpha is looking to cement ties. Jericho and I decided you are mostly likely the perfect choice, and so we brought Jett over. He just… That is, he staked his claim. But you…”
“She should have morphed, or at least shown evidence that she’s nearly ready.” Reeves senior frowned and stared as she struggled to cope with the information dropped on her. When had his son left Paradise? She knew all of her Alpha’s offspring and wouldn’t have forgotten a male such as Jett. Perhaps she’d been too young to remember. She was able to make a minimal response and hoped it distracted them from the fact she hadn’t overtly jumped into her heat when Jett pushed his claim. “Welcome back. I’m sorry I don’t remember you.”
“I have never lived here. My mother and I, and the rest of my pack reside several territories away.” His deep voice was void of any inflection as River took in the surprising fact that a she-wolf had been allowed to live separate from her mate. But the Alpha had a mate here, too, and several, older mated sons…
“I didn’t realize wolves could have two mates.” The impertinent observation fell from her mouth before she could think better of it. Her father choked and her Alpha huffed.
“My mother isn’t his mate. But Jericho has recognized me as his offspring and I’ve agreed that we become allied.” Jett engaged her directly, ignoring the other males, and she was shocked by it. But then, he was an Alpha in his own right, apparently, and as such could make the rules.
She managed a tiny nod, shelving the mystery. Should she say something about being honored by the inference she was to have been the sacrifice to bind the two packs? She didn’t think she could lie convincingly, so she stood there like a brainless idiot.
“Are there two more for dinner?” Cass piped up, moving to stand beside her, and the comforting press of her sister’s hand gave her strength. “I’m Cassandra, River’s sister.”
“My little sister.” She didn’t miss the flash of amusement in those artic-blue eyes as Jett recognized her protective tone.
“We’ll stay,” proclaimed their Alpha. “We have some things to straighten out.”
Her apparent lack of hormonal response was likely right at the very top of those things, as though there was something lacking in her. River knew she’d have to pop a few more pills before they sat down to dinner. “It will be ready in about half an hour.”
Jett and Jericho nodded. Her father led the two men toward the living room after casting River a baffled look. She could feel the shakes coming and willed the males out of sight, turning to follow Cass into the kitchen. He’d triggered her heat, but perhaps it wasn’t full onset. She could only hope, because if not, the next while was going to be difficult. Traveling would be nearly impossible while hiding such urges. The symptoms would draw unwanted attention, especially that of other wolves. She cursed that Jett under her breath.
“What’s going on?” Her sister hissed the words.
“Dad and our Alpha have decided to hand me over to an Alpha out of our territory.” River couldn’t keep her hands from trembling as she yanked open the freezer door and rummaged for more steaks.
“I thought that’s what I heard. Oh, River. What are you going to do? It’s one thing for you to move away on your own and yet stay in contact. If that Alpha takes you, I’ll probably never see you again!”
“Shh. Don’t even think that too loudly. I’ll figure it out. We’ll get through dinner. And then I’ll leave first thing tomorrow.”
Cass whimpered and wrung her hands. “So soon? I can’t stand it…” The younger woman narrowed her eyes and tilted her head. “That Jett pushed his claim at you, River. I felt something and I’m years away from a heat. You didn’t break a sweat, and you didn’t… I mean, there was no uh, sexual response.”
“I know.” Don’t ask, please don’t ask.
With an excited clap of her hands, Cass said, “But that’s great. If you didn’t react, then you aren’t compatible. That gives you a little more time at home.”
“Well, if not him, they’ll come up with another, especially now that Jericho will be intrigued. I’ll be at the top of his list to get matched. So best I leave as soon as possible. But we need to get a meal cobbled together. Slice some potatoes and onions and lace them with butter and spices. We can microwave them while the steaks cook. I’ll stick the frozen ones on first and set the table.”
Wolves liked their meat blued, so everything should be ready in the time frame she’d set. The sooner she fed the men and dealt with the questions coming her way, the sooner she could see the back of them and get gone herself. Maybe leaving tonight wasn’t out of the question. Panic welled and she tamped it down, knowing it would deplete her energy.
Cass hustled to prepare the potatoes and she lit the barbecue, pausing only to surreptitiously take another handful of supplements. She dry-swallowed them while on the privacy of the patio, knowing they would give her some ease, and breathed in a great lungful of air against the inevitable interrogation.
Jett Reeves was an impressive alpha male, and one any female wolf would lust after and willingly accept his claim, but River was fully aware that such a specimen would command a large following of single males. She wasn’t about to be handed around like a party favor, and the thought of being separated from her small family forever—even including her father—made her want to hurl. Anything could happen in Jett’s home and she wouldn’t have a single person to support her.
“The potatoes are ready.” Little sister’s voice floated out from the kitchen.
River started. “Okay, thanks,” she called over her shoulder, throwing the thawed steaks on and turning the others to sear the opposite side. Within a few minutes, the meat was done and she forked them onto a plate. They could rest while she set the table.
“Want me to call them?” Cassandra was back to looking nervous.
As the eldest, River should be the hostess, but she didn’t want to rack up any brownie points. Jett needed to find her tota
lly unsuitable. If she appeared lacking in social graces, an obvious requirement for an alpha’s female, as well as not morphing into heat given his effort to bring it on, surely he would consider someone else. There were other females in her age bracket who were ready, and more importantly, willing to mate. It was ridiculous to experience a stab of disappointment that one of her peers would fall at his feet. “Sure.”
Cass scampered off, and River took a seat as far away from where she assumed her father would seat Jett and her Alpha. She wanted the peace and quiet of her room to ponder the very different relationship Jett’s mother had had with Jericho. She might even allow herself to think about Jett’s rugged good looks, tall, muscled frame, and the way he’d almost stirred her. But that wasn’t an option for now. Her wolf shifted uneasily beneath the masking layer of the supplements but remained acquiescent.
The men filed in and she pasted a vacuous look on her face, glad she hadn’t changed her simple work clothing, though from the look her father shot her, she would hear about that later, in addition to anything else he regarded as behavior unfitting. The Alpha sat at the head of the table and after a little shuffling, her father went to the other end as Jett conceded it, taking a seat directly across from her. Crap.
To her surprise, the younger Alpha offered a quick blessing, in particular for the animal that gave up its life to provide them sustenance. Her assessment of him hitched up a notch, but she kept her eyes focused on her plate, thinking of her very nearly packed suitcase as the platters were passed around. The subsequent quiet was filled with the sounds of utensils against china while the food disappeared. Every morsel stuck in her throat as she braced herself for the questions that didn’t come.
“Good meal.” Jett spoke to both her and Cass, though how she knew that without daring to look at him was a mystery.
Bound by Destiny (Blue Star Shifters Book 1) Page 1