Natural Born Enemies (Cedar River Series)

by Murray, Gemma K.

  Aunt Alicia tossed a piece of garlic bread at me, “You’ll do no such thing. This town loves you. I love you. We want to do this for you.”

  I continued to eat my meal in silence.

  As Auntie cleaned up the kitchen, she said, “Why don’t you take Luna to dinner tonight? I think it would do the two of you some good to get out for a while.”

  Was the town that worried we wouldn’t make it? Everybody seemed to be pushing us together at every chance they got.

  I went back to the office to call Luna.

  “Full Moon Sweets,” was the answer.

  “Is Luna around, Kelsie? This is Adam.”

  “Sure, Adam, hold on a second, she’s with a customer.”

  I could hear the buzzing of the conversation in the store. The bell over the door tinkled as the door opened.

  She was breathless as she said, “Luna, here.”

  I smiled, “Yes, but I wish Luna was here instead.”

  “Adam,” she sighed.

  I could hear the smile in her voice as she said my name. “What are you doing tonight?”

  “I have to go to my folks’ for dinner, why?”

  I ran my hands through my hair, “I just thought we could go to dinner if you weren’t busy.”

  “I really need to talk to my folks, Adam. They are a pretty big part of my decision here.”

  “I understand. Listen, it’s not a big deal, Luna.”

  “Why don’t you meet me at the apartment around eight o’clock?”

  I smiled, “Sure, I can do that.”

  “Before I forget, Mom wanted me to ask you what you want her to bring to the clean-up tomorrow.”

  My mouth watered at the thought of Madeline McIntyre’s macaroni and cheese casserole.

  “Mac and cheese, please,” was my answer.

  Luna laughed, “That’s what I told her. Mom said she remembers you going through almost an entire pan of it at some community function when you were younger.”

  “Your mom’s mac and cheese is the best.”

  “I love you, Adam.”

  “I love you, too, baby.”

  ***

  I heard a knock at the front door and I went to answer it. Aunt Alicia was upstairs lying down for a bit. Rockwell McIntyre stood on the opposite side of the door.

  I opened the door and said, “Come in, Rock. Is there something wrong?”

  Rock grinned, “I just thought I’d stop by and see how the new Alpha is settling in.”

  I shook my head. “Auntie called you, didn’t she?”

  Rock laughed, “She may have said something to Maddie.”

  “Beer or coffee?” I asked.

  Rock looked at his watch, “It’s after noon. I’ll take a beer.”

  “You know where the office is. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  I pulled two beers from the fridge and popped the caps off.

  Rock was looking at the books on the shelves when I walked in. “Roman always did love to read. He wouldn’t read the normal stuff boys read. No sir, Roman read the classics.”

  I handed Rock his beer. “He had a stash of nudie magazines and comics behind the classics though.”

  Rock snorted, “Roman? You’re serious?”

  I laughed, “Yep, I found them when I was working on a report for school. They were tucked behind Tom Sawyer and War and Peace.”

  Rock reached up and pulled the two books off the shelf. Behind them sat a Spider-Man comic book and a Penthouse. Rock chuckled at bit before tucking the books back in their hiding place.

  “How’s being the Alpha suiting you?”

  “I never wanted this, Rock. I sure as hell never wanted this for Luna.”

  Rock sat down in one of the leather chairs in the center of the room. He took a long draw on his beer before he spoke.

  “That’s the other reason I’m here, Adam. My daughter is more important to me than anything else in this world with the exception of Maddie. She’s hurting right now.”

  I sat down across from him. “I know she is, Rock, but I don’t know how to fix it.”

  “Neither do I, son. I wanted her to marry a wolf and add to the pack, but she wanted this young cat who couldn’t keep his hands off of her.”

  I leaned forward and put my elbows on my knees, letting the bottle hang between my legs.

  “However, I am seeing what she saw in this cat. He’s a good man with a very promising future,” Rock continued.

  I looked up at the man who had hated me for years. “Thank you, Rock. It means a lot.”

  “Luna is a little headstrong, if you haven’t noticed,” he said with heavy sarcasm.

  “Your daughter is stubborn? I must have missed that about her,” I replied.

  Rockwell laughed a good belly laugh, “The stubbornness comes from her mother.”

  I laughed with him.

  “Her mother tells me Luna will be joining us for dinner tonight. Something about needing to figure out what she’s going to do. Do you have any idea what this is about?”

  I shrugged, “I honestly don’t know unless she wants your approval before she does anything.”

  Rock nodded, “She’s never needed my approval before.”

  “Yeah, but becoming my mate could sever her ties with the pack, if you don’t approve.”

  “What about the pride? Do they approve of there being a wolf as their Alpha’s mate?”

  “Everyone I have talked to have said they support us. In fact, most of them are saying it’s about damn time. A lot of the pride members see this as a way to bring the pack and the pride back together.”

  Rock nodded, “What about you, son? What do you want out of this?”

  I looked Rock in the eye and said, “Your daughter’s love is all I want. Anything else is just an added benefit.”

  Rock held my gaze for quite a while. When he spoke finally, he said, “I do approve of you as Alpha, Adam. If my daughter wishes to stand beside you and rule the Pierce Pride, then I’m fine with that as well. My wish is only for my daughter’s happiness. I would like to see the McIntyre Pack and the Pierce Pride back on friendly terms again.” He lowered his head and added, “I’m just sorry it wasn’t back to normal before Roman died.”

  “I know. We just always assume there will be another day to heal the wounds. Sometimes there isn’t a tomorrow.”

  “Will you come to dinner tonight?” Rock asked.

  “No, I think Luna needs to spend some time with the two of you. She and I have plans afterwards.”

  Rock and I walked out to the barn where the equipment was stored. In Roman’s office was a list of upcoming jobs plus a couple of bids he needed to make. “I’ll go out with you to make those bids, if you’d like. With the pride and pack back on friendly terms, maybe we can start working together like we used to.”

  I shook his hand and said, “I’d like that.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three- Luna

  I dressed up slightly to go to dinner with my parents. I wanted them to see me as the adult I had become not the child I used to be.

  I packed up some chocolates to take to my dad. As I was leaving, the phone rang.

  “Hello?” I answered.

  “Why don’t you stay here tonight?” came the response.

  “Well, Adam is expecting me to be there tonight,” I said with a straight face.

  “Dammit, Luna!” he replied.

  “Oh, Adam, it’s you.”

  “Yes, it’s me, who else would it be?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe Johnny Depp decided to finally give me a call.”

  Adam snorted.

  “Don’t you want to stay here?”

  Adam said, “It appears there is going to be a clean-up party tomorrow whether I want one or not. I’d rather be able to sleep in for as long as I can and if we’re here, then I can sleep a little later.”

  I considered it for a little bit. “I could, I guess. I’ve got the cupcakes to pack up before I head to Mom and Dad’s. I’ll just use some of the cloth
es I keep there.”

  “I’ll see you later then. Be careful, the roads are a little slick in spots.”

  “I’ll be careful. I’ll see when I’m done, okay?”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  ***

  The drive was not too bad. The sun had melted some of the snow during the day and the puddles were frozen over now the temperatures had dropped. A few spots were a little icy, but I was careful.

  The guard at the pack’s gate waved me through as soon as he noticed my car. I waved back and pulled onto the drive to the house. The entire house was lit up. My dad stepped onto the porch to see who was there. “My little moon,” he called out.

  “Hi, Daddy,” I called back. I pulled out his box of chocolates and my purse.

  “Don’t you look nice?” he said as I climbed the front steps.

  “Thank you. I brought you some candies.”

  “I’ll have to hide these in the office otherwise your mother will take them away from me.”

  My mother’s nose was excellent, “Luna, you better not have brought your father chocolate. His doctor says he needs to lose some weight.”

  Dad shook his head at me and ducked into the office.

  “Rockwell McIntyre, don’t you lie to our daughter,” she called from the kitchen.

  I walked through the kitchen door, giving Dad time to hide his stash. “Mom, how are you?”

  “Luna Irene, so help me, I should turn you over my knee for bringing him candy.”

  I gave her what I hoped was an innocent look, “I forgot, Mom.”

  Mom kissed my forehead, “Sure you did. Go tell your dad to stop ruining his dinner and come eat.”

  I walked down the hall to my dad’s office. I used to spend a lot of time here when I was a kid. It still smelled of leather and cigar smoke. Cigars were the other things Mom had forbidden, but Dad snuck them when he thought she didn’t know. I knocked on the door.

  “Maddy, I’m not doing anything wrong!” came his growl from the other side of the door. I had to suppress my giggle as I opened the door.

  “Sounds like you’re pretty guilty, Dad.”

  “Oh, Luna, it’s you. Come sit down.”

  “Mom says dinner is ready and you’re supposed to stop ruining your appetite.”

  Dad snorted, “I’ve never ruined my appetite. Not when it comes to your mother’s cooking at least. Besides, I’ve only had one or two candies.”

  I held out my hand for the box which he surrendered.

  “Daddy!” I scolded him in whisper. “You’ve had more than a couple of candies. Mom is going to kill me!”

  “If you keep quiet, she’ll never know,” he said in a conspiratorial whisper. I arched an eyebrow at him. “Stop that, Luna. Your mother taught you that trick and I despise it.”

  I laughed. “Let’s go eat before Mom comes in looking for the contraband I brought you. Then, we’ll both be in trouble.”

  ***

  Dinner was full of news from within the pack and from around the community. Mom’s pot roast was delicious as always. I helped clear the table while Mom cut into the cake she had made. She knew I loved red velvet cake with her special frosting.

  Dad began to teasingly complain about how horrible he has it since I’m not at home any more.

  “Would you like to forfeit your cake, Rock?” Mom asked.

  Daddy bowed his head and grinned at me, “No, ma’am.”

  He turned his face up so Mom planted a kiss on his lips. “I love you, Maddy.”

  Mom looked at him with a smirk, “I love you, too, Wolfie.”

  I saw the look they exchanged and I wasn’t sure what it meant.

  Dad cleared his throat, “I talked to Adam today. It seems he’s settling in to the Alpha position fairly well.”

  I took a careful bite of my cake, studying both of parents to see what was going on. “He’s got a lot on his plate right now, but I think he’ll figure it out.”

  “We talked about getting the pack and pride back on friendly terms. We’re going to start working together on construction jobs as well.”

  I laid my fork beside my plate and folded my hands on the table. “What’s going on here?”

  Mom smiled, “Your dad and I have been doing some talking. We’ve both talked to Adam and we’ve given him our approval.”

  I felt the color flush from my face. “Your approval on being Alpha, right?”

  Dad took a drink of his coffee. “Yes, it was on being Alpha, but I actually told him I may have been wrong.”

  I choked on my coffee, “You said what?”

  Dad looked at me with a wide-eyed stare, “What’s with everybody being so shocked?”

  I looked at my mom who was giving my dad that look. The look where she thinks the answer to the question is obvious.

  “It isn’t unheard of for an Alpha to admit to being wrong.”

  “No, but no one ever remembers the McIntyre Alpha admitting he was wrong,” Mom said as she took a bite of her cake.

  Dad hung his head, “There has never been a time when I’ve been wrong before.”

  It was Mom’s turn to snort.

  “Anyway, I think Adam is a damn fine man. You being willing to turn your back on the pack certainly gave me a reason to take a second look at him. If Roman believed he would be a good Alpha, then I have to reconsider my position on the relationship he started with my daughter.”

  My mouth hung open. My mother nudged me with her foot. I shook my head and returned my dessert.

  “I went over to see Adam today and we talked about a lot of things. Luna, honey, you’re going to have some big decisions to make, but your mom and I are behind you. Adam says the pride will stand behind him as well. Everybody is willing to accept the change we see happening. What about you? Where is your head at on this issue?”

  I sat quiet for a few moments. “I’m not sure, Daddy. You just handed me a lot of information. Adam was willing to walk away from me.”

  My father narrowed his green eyes and said, “He was trying to protect you, his mate. He did exactly what I would expect him to do.”

  I hadn’t looked at in the perspective my father was seeing. I continued, “I want to stand with Adam as Alpha of the pride, but I was scared they wouldn’t accept me. Then, there’s you and your stubbornness. I was willing to walk away from the pack, but you’re still my parents. Should we have children, I want them to know you. Are you willing to accept grandchildren who are half wolf/half puma?”

  Dad reached for my mom’s hand and held it tight, “Any child of yours is our grandchild. I don’t care if it comes out a mermaid, I still want to be able to spend time with them.”

  Tears welled up in my eyes and I looked at my mom, “Are you serious?”

  She nodded. My heart lifted as I realized what this meant. I was truly free to claim Adam as mine.

  “Thank you, both. I came here tonight to try and convince you to not turn your backs on me. You hand me this news and I’m overwhelmed.”

  Dad rested his arms on the table and leaned in, “It’s not going to be easy, princess. The pumas say they will be accepting of you, but there are some who will talk trash behind your back.”

  I studied his face, “I know, Dad, but a good Alpha still continues to do their job. You taught me that.”

  Dad smiled, “I know this isn’t what you’ve ever desired, but Adam will make a strong mate and a wonderful father.”

  I brushed away a tear as it fell, “I’ve been trying to tell you that for years.”

  Dad smiled and took my mom’s hand in his.

  Chapter Thirty-Four- Adam

  I was pacing the floor, waiting for Luna. I was anxious to see her and to talk over our future with her. I had bought her a ring a few weeks ago when I thought I’d be a deputy for the rest of my life. I had Bowie put the ruby in the sterling silver setting in his parents’ safe when things started happening around town. Last night, I’d had Papa get it out for me.

  I pulled the ring out and look
ed at it in the light. The stone winked back at me and I could only imagine what it would look like on Luna’s hand. I hoped she would like it.

  I heard her car pull up in front of the house and my heart leapt into my throat. This was an all or nothing situation. I took a deep breath and slid the ring back into my pocket. I opened the door to step out on the porch. The cold air bit through the silk of my shirt. Her face betrayed nothing as she stepped out of her car and glanced at me, standing beneath the porch light.

  I walked down the wooden steps to help her with her bag. That was when her eyes lifted to mine and I caught a glimpse of mischief behind those yellow-green eyes.

  “How are you, dear?” I asked, taking her overnight bag from her.

  “I would guess you’d know since apparently you and my father are all buddy-buddy now,” she said with a hint of humor.

  I took her hand and led her up the steps to the house. “I hadn’t talked to him when I called to ask you to dinner. He stopped by after that.”

  She looked at me with disbelief. “Yeah, sure, I bet that’s exactly how it happened,” she replied sarcastically.

  I let her inside, closed the heavy wooden door tight, and turned off the porch light before turning to face her.

  Her face was lit up with happiness when I turned around.

  “You’re a little tease, Luna,” I said as I pulled her into my arms.

  “But it’s so much fun,” she said, lifting her mouth to mine.

  I took her lips and claimed them as my own. Her moans fueled my desire and her hands tangled in my hair. Reluctantly, I pulled away. “Babe, we have to talk.”

  She took my hand and followed me into the living room. I had built a fire in the fireplace earlier, lit a few candles, and dimmed the lights.

  “Ooh, romance,” she sighed, sitting down on the sofa.

  “I was afraid I’d have to soften you up after an evening at your parents’,” I said.

  She straightened her sweater and tucked her feet beneath her. “Adam, I’m sorry for the last few days. I’ve been so caught up in my own trouble to see what you’ve been dealing with. I owe you a huge apology.”