Under An Alaskan Moon: A Shifter Romance

by Scarlett McLeod

  “There are things I know that Shakespeare never taught me,” he growled, Faye's eyes widening at the feral tone.

  He looked positively wild, his hair all rumpled from where she had been running her hands through it. His eyes snapped at her with such deep lust, and he didn’t even bother to hide it. His strong large body was cradled between her legs. He had that look on his face that made Faye blush with desire.

  “Oh yeah?” she challenged him and used one hand to yank his face up to hers for another deep soul-stealing kiss.”How about you show me then?”

  CHAPTER forty

  The steady drip-drop of the snow melting off the eaves of the house woke Faye. The ceiling fan hummed above the bed as she raised her arms above her head and stretched languorously, the sheet sliding down her body to expose the slender curve of a breast and her waist where her tank top had ridden up.

  The sparkle of the sun reflecting off the large diamond on her finger caused a giddy grin to light up her features as she brought it close to her face to examine it. “I'm engaged,” she whispered softly. “I'm getting married!”

  She giggled and rolled over on her side to find Colin staring at her amusedly. He had one eyebrow cocked with his arms behind his head. She blushed prettily when he chuckled and asked defensively, “What?”

  “Oh, nothing,” he drawled, rolling over and taking all the covers with him as he crawled out of bed and stretched like a jungle cat.

  “Get back here.” She groaned. She scrambled to grab the comforter and cuddle his pillow that was still warm from where his head had been resting.

  She inhaled it deeply and made a face, pulling a strand of his hair out of her mouth that had previously been stuck to the cotton pillowcase. “Bleh,” she grunted, wrinkling her nose.

  He laughed heartily, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he pulled his pajama pants on. He crawled back in bed beside her as he smothered her with his body and shoved his head in the crook of her neck.

  “Oof,” she muttered, burying her hands in his hair with a satisfied sigh.

  “You love to cuddle,” he mumbled matter-of-factly.

  “Well, duh,” she answered, eyes closed.

  “No going back to sleep,” he admonished gruffly, looking up and poking her shoulder.

  She groaned but sat up with a shiver.

  “Are you mine?” she asked.

  “All yours.” He smiled and rumpled her hair.

  She couldn't help but smile back, diving back under the covers and draping herself comfortably over his body. “Comfortable?” he asked after a few beats of silence.

  “Very,” she yawned. “I've got to go to work in two hours.”

  “You know,” he began, “technically, you don't have to.”

  She stared up at him for a moment and then said, “Well, yeah, but we can't just stay in bed for the rest of our lives.”

  “Says who?” Colin quirked an eyebrow at her, making her giggle.

  “Says every employer ever.”

  He nodded and closed his eyes as she started raking her hands through his wild bed hair.

  “Besides,” she said, “I like working.”

  “I knew you'd say that,” he confessed. “I don't like being idle either.”

  She pressed a kiss to his bare shoulder and said, “You know me too well.”

  He rolled over on top of her, his hands finding her sides and raking up and down her ribs until she was hysterical with laughter.

  “Stop! Please!” she begged, trying to grab his hands.

  She was no match for his strength however. He easily pinned her to the bed, her arms stretched above her head, her back arched. She caught her breath while he stared down at her, love in his eyes and a smile on his lips.

  “Kiss?”

  The touch of his lips to hers felt like the sweetest heaven. Her own personal place of euphoria. She leaned up to chase his lips, but he pulled away. With a pout on her face, she pulled her hands from his finally.

  “Breakfast?”

  “Fine,” she grumbled.

  He laughed and followed her as she stomped into the kitchen and pulled on her slippers. They worked like a team: fixing breakfast, walks to and from the stove or oven interspersed with stolen kisses and embraces. A short yet heated makeout session later, Faye was running for the oven.

  “Shit,” she muttered, grabbing a pot holder.

  Colin chuckled behind his hand as she yanked the toast out of the oven, smoke billowing up to the ceiling. “I really need a toaster,” she complained, eyeing the burnt toast with disdain.

  “You really do. You do this every time.”

  “And you're no help.” She threw him a sharp glare that she softened with a smile a second later.

  “Takes two to tango, my love.” He smacked her ass on the way to the fridge and grinned as she yelped and jumped in surprise.

  “Well then,” muttered Faye.

  ***

  Heidi looked up from her book as Colin and Faye stepped through the back door of the shop. “Hello there, lovebirds,” she called merrily.

  Faye blushed but hugged Heidi warmly and helped herself to a cup of coffee while Colin greeted Heidi.

  “Where's Reggie?” asked Colin.

  “He should be here shortly,” answered Heidi. “He had to pick up some nails from the hardware store. Thanks for helping us out, by the way.”

  “Not a problem,” Colin assured, patting her shoulder.

  “Faye,” asked Heidi curiously, “whatever happened to that big wolf you rescued?”

  Faye nearly choked on her coffee, her eyes brimming with mirth as she shot Colin a quick glance.

  “Oh, he's fine and dandy,” she said finally. “Living his best life terrorizing my chickens. He's at home.”

  Heidi shook her head with a resigned air. “Only you would be crazy enough to invite a wild animal into your house, girl. Well, I'm glad it all worked out.”

  “Me too, Heidi. Me too!”

  Reggie showed up a few minutes later, and he and Colin went to work on a greenhouse Reggie was building for Heidi. Since the winter months were mostly over, people started trickling into the shop in greater numbers, and that kept Faye and Heidi busy for the better part of the morning.

  When lunch time arrived, Heidi closed the shop. She and Faye headed to the The Krazy Moose. It had been a hot minute since Faye had been there.

  “How's your friend, Suzanne, doing?” asked Heidi as they walked in.

  “Actually,” began Faye, looking around to see if she could spot the one person she had kept in contact with since high school, “we haven't spoken in months.”

  “Oh?” Heidi's brow wrinkled in concern. “What happened?”

  Faye shrugged with a sigh. “Life happened. We grew apart, and the only reason we stayed friends for so long was to use each other when we needed something. We outgrew each other.”

  “That's so sad,” murmured Heidi as they sat down at a booth. “I'm sorry.”

  “No,” assured Faye. “Don't be. We grow and move on from different people. They outgrow us sometimes, and sometimes we leave them behind. It's just how things work. Doesn't mean it's all bad. Sometimes, losing people in your life makes you focus and cherish what you have.”

  “Since when did you get so wise?” Heidi laughed.

  Faye smiled wistfully. “I grew up.” She shrugged.

  Heidi suddenly got teary-eyed, and Faye looked up at her, alarmed. “What are you crying about?”

  “Oh, nothing.” Heidi quickly wiped her eyes.

  Faye shot her another quick look of concern but then saw Mardi, the woman whose shoes Wolfie had chewed, approaching their booth. She grinned wickedly.

  “I may be grown now,” she quipped, “but I'm still petty enough to admit that having Mardi be our server is funny.”

  After they had placed their orders, Heidi leaned forward conspiratorially. “She's the one who was always giving you trouble?”

  “Yep,” answered Faye with a wink. “It's funny
to watch her have to be polite to me.”

  ***

  When they tumbled into bed that night, both Faye and Colin were too exhausted to do little more than murmur goodnight and fall asleep wrapped in each other's arms. But the next morning, when she awoke, rejuvenated and fresh for the day, Faye looked up at his still sleeping face and marveled at how good her life had become.

  What had been an empty day to day mundane life had turned into something rich and filled with love and laughter. She gently reached up and ran her fingers over his beard before rolling over on top of him to pepper his face with good-morning kisses.

  He stared up at her sleepily when she pulled away a few moments later.

  “Good morning, wife-to-be,” he said softly.

  With a soft smile, Faye leaned down and softly laid her lips to his in a chaste kiss. Happiness saturated the look she gave him.

  “Good morning, future husband of mine.”

  CHAPTER forty-one

  Colin nervously tugged on his tie. The blasted thing felt like it was choking him.

  “For the love of God, Colin, stop messing with your tie,” Nikolai fussed, slapping Colin’s hands away from his neck.

  Colin glared at him weakly, fisting his hands at his sides and anxiously locking eyes with Justin who was standing beside him as well. He looked dapper in a plain black suit and bow tie with a small blue forget-me-not rounded out by a circle of baby's breath attached to his lapel.

  Justin nodded at him encouragingly.

  Nikolai patted him roughly on the back. “You got this, Colin,” he said gruffly, biting back the witty comment he wanted to make.

  Justin leaned over, his lips quirking in a devious smile. “If she shows up,” he said quietly.

  Nikolai frowned at him. “And I was actually trying to be nice.”

  “For once,” muttered Justin. He noticed the panicked, wild look in Colin's eyes and choked on a laugh. “I was just joking, brother.”

  “Good going.” Nikolai slapped Justin a tad too hard, making the latter stumble.

  The crowd who was watching tittered as Justin quickly righted himself, fixing his suit while glaring daggers at Nikolai.

  ***

  Behind the double doors, waiting for her cue, Faye waited nervously in all her white finery and veil. Heidi fluttered nervously beside her. Reggie was leaning up against the wall, scratching his beard thoughtfully. Emma, looking adorable in her light lavender little flower girl dress, cautiously tugged on Faye's dress, asking for her attention.

  Faye bent down, tucking a brown curl behind the little fairy's ear. “What is it, baby?”

  “Will my Daddy do like Uncle Colin?”

  Faye was confused. “Like Uncle Colin? What do you mean?”

  Caterina frantically motioned for Heidi to start her walk down the aisle from her position by the door, but neither Emma nor Faye noticed until Heidi grabbed Faye in a hug and whispered dramatically, “I'll see you on the other side.”

  Faye laughed before turning her attention back to Emma who twisted her hands in her dress.

  “Will I have a Mommy for Daddy?”

  Faye almost choked on a sob at the innocent question.

  “Oh, for heavens sake,” Caterina scolded, “stop being so emotional. Like you’re actually pregnant.”

  Faye smiled conspiratorially. “Well, actually,” she began in a whisper.

  Caterina's eyes got huge before she exclaimed, “Faye, don't say that stuff. I might actually believe you!”

  “But—”

  Faye quieted. Caterina's back was already turned.

  She turned back to Emma who was waiting for her answer. “I don't know, baby,” she said honestly. “Maybe one day.”

  Emma nodded, not satisfied but content with the answer for the moment.

  “Alright, Emma, you little bean,” Caterina said hurriedly. “It's time for you to go see your Daddy. Are you ready?”

  Emma nodded confidently, her demeanor surprising Faye a little. With her head held high, she marched down the aisle, a bouquet of white rose buds in her tiny hands. Justin positively beamed as his little princess reached him and held out her arms to be picked up, drawing a collective 'aww' from the audience.

  Caterina pushed her red hair behind her ear and said softly, “I'll see you in a minute, sister.”

  Faye smiled as Caterina adjusted her veil one last time before slipping behind the doors and slowly making her way to the altar of the small chapel.

  The afternoon sunshine beamed through the stained glass window above the altar, filling the room with radiant light. White rose buds with a drapery of blue adorned the end of each pew lining the aisle. Caterina and Martha had done an excellent job with the decorations. It was lovely, Faye thought. The small chapel Faye had chosen was the same one her parents had married in. While their union hadn't lasted, it made Faye feel a little bit closer to her father. She peeked through the window on the door and saw Colin standing at the altar, waiting for her. He looked deliciously handsome. She knew without a doubt they would last.

  Yes, they would have their battles.

  Yes, they would fight and bicker and most likely shed tears over each other.

  She grinned.

  But the makeup sex would be out-of-this-world amazing. She loved him, and she knew she would go through whatever it took to be with him.

  Reggie stepped up beside her as the first notes of the Canon in D played. “You ready, darlin',” he asked gruffly.

  “With all my heart,” she answered, beaming up at him. “Thank you for doing this. You’re the only person I could think of to give me away.”

  “It's my pleasure. Just wish your daddy could’a seen you. You're a pretty picture.”

  “Oh Reggie,” Faye engulfed him in a hug, fighting back tears and wrinkling her dress for the millionth time.

  “None of that,” Reggie ordered, swiping gently at a tear rolling down her cheek, “or that crazy sister-in-law of yours will shoot me.”

  Faye giggled somewhat hysterically, and Reggie muttered something under his breath about her marrying into the biggest wackiest family he'd ever met.

  The double doors into the sanctuary opened wide, and Faye rested her hand on Reggie's arm and fell into step beside him. The look on Colin's face was priceless when she raised her eyes to meet his.

  His mouth fell open a bit before he remembered where he was and composed himself, his gaze scorching a trail up her body, making Faye blush. His eyes glowed golden for a moment, and the look of appreciation that reflected in Wolfie's eyes made her heart skip a beat.

  Colin beamed at her, the sappy grin on his face speaking volumes of the happiness in his soul, making tears spring in Faye's eyes. She was an emotional mess.

  After Reggie placed Faye's hand in Colin's, she didn't really remember much else of the ceremony. It whirled by in a blur. She spoke her vows, and Colin spoke his, promising their lives to one another with the words 'I do'.

  The wedding bands slid on their fingers, and with a sweet kiss, they sealed their vows. The chapel erupted with clapping and cheers as they were announced.

  Faye squeezed Colin's hand happily.

  “May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Colin Byrd!”

  Colin whooped loudly, making everyone laugh before he swooped Faye up in his arms, making her shriek. “Colin!” She half laughed in protest.

  But he didn't hear her. He immediately headed for the limousine outside with her in his arms, her veil fluttering behind her in the wind.

  The reception held at Heidi and Reggie's backyard was full of laughter and good times. It was the perfect day for a perfect couple. Sure, Heidi's new puppy that Faye had inspired her to get chewed up half the table cloths and howled the remainder of the evening when he was banished to the bedroom where he couldn't cause anymore damage. But, all in all, it couldn't have been better.

  Faye donned a simple white frock and slipped back into her heels. It was time to leave. Colin was taking her on a quick honeymoon/tour of Euro
pe, and she was thrilled. She realized that she had the capability now to see it as many times in as many years as she ever wanted. But the human fragility in her demanded that she savor every moment each and every day. She wanted to live as if each day was her last.

  “That’s for you, Dad,” she said quietly, taking a bud out of her bouquet of roses and setting it on his tombstone. Colin waited for her by the gate, the setting sun casting a halo around his head.

  She glanced up at him and then turned back to her dad. “He’s waiting for me. I’ve got to go, but I’ll be back soon. I hope you found peace wherever you are. I love you.” She brushed her hand over his tombstone one last time in farewell.

  She made her way back to Colin. No tears, she reminded herself, no tears. Colin wrapped his arm around her waist when she was near enough.

  “Are you ready?”

  She nodded, taking a deep breath. “Yes,” she smiled, “I am ready.”

  “Then the future is ours, Madam.”

  CHAPTER forty-two

  Faye rolled over onto her back in bed, feeling more satisfied than she ever had in her twenty-four years of existence. Apparently, post-coital bliss was definitely a thing. She stretched out languorously, wincing at the tenderness. Despite that, she couldn't wipe the shit-eating grin off of her face as she pulled the blanket up over her shoulders and giggled gleefully. As her thoughts turned to what had happened the night before, she felt her face turn red. She knew it would be good, but she had no idea.

  It was amazing!

  Colin was amazing.

  She turned her head as a particularly loud snore left the man laying to her left. He was passed out on his belly with one arm thrown carelessly across her stomach. Midday sunlight filtered through the hotel room window, making his hair appear like it was a living, glowing thing. His face was turned towards her, his kissable lips in a pout.