“We never did find out if Sally tried the candy or not. But she never did look at Derek or the rest of us the same way after that.” Gwen shrugged.
“You all must have run Quiet Thunder ragged.” Katherine lovingly rubbed her stomach. She loved her child so much and couldn’t wait to see what kind of mischief he would get into.
Cara ran into the room, her face pale. “It’s Isanti. He’s had a heart attack. Raven and Derek took him to the hospital.”
§
“How is he, Dr. Rick?” Derek asked when Rick walked out of the treatment room. Raven stopped pacing and joined the group.
“He’s stable. It’s a good thing you and Raven were nearby and got him here so quickly. What made you decide to visit him?”
“I wanted to ask him to design a wedding band for Katherine. He made Raven’s wedding ring.” Derek ran his hand through his hair. Thank goodness he had asked Raven to join him on a little side trip before dinner. They had planned to shadow-walk to a little place in northern Idaho called the Wolf’s Den.
“Is he going to be all right?” Raven asked, his gaze worried.
“Oh, yes, though we’ll need to monitor him. He needs to stop eating so much salt. Some changes in diet and medication should take care of it, for now.” Dr. Rick gripped Raven’s arm.
“For now? What do you mean?” Derek asked.
“I can’t stop the aging process. Do either of you know how old Quiet Thunder is?”
“No, he’s always looked the same to me. His hair was silver when we came to live with him twenty five years ago.” Derek looked at Raven.
“He’s never told us his age,” Raven agreed. “When we asked as kids, he would say something like as old as the oak tree in the yard, or something like that.”
“Isanti will be turning 100 in a few months. He’s lived a long and full life. I’m not saying he’s going to die tomorrow. However, he is reaching an age when the body wears out.”
The shadows in the corner of the room started to waver, and the women of the tribe arrived, with Gwen leading the way. Cara rushed up to Raven. He immediately opened his arms and swept her into his embrace.
Derek turned and found Katherine beside him, tears glittered in her eyes. He pulled her close and rubbed her stomach where the next generation lay. “How is he?”
Epilogue
Six Months Later
“You look beautiful,” Cara said as she placed a white flower in Katherine’s hair. “Come on. We have to get you downstairs. Derek is beside himself. He wants this wedding over with. The lake is so beautiful, the ceremony will be wonderful.”
Katherine smoothed her hands over her baby bulge under the soft chiffon wedding dress and looked at the lake from the bedroom. The day was finally here. It seemed as if everything had conspired against her ever getting married.
During her first trimester, she had been very sick with morning sickness. Then Isanti had his heart attack, and Derek hardly left his side. Katherine offered to go to Vegas and elope, but Derek wanted her to have a big wedding. The baby was almost here, and they were just now able to finish the wedding preparations. The nursery was ready even though the baby’s parents hadn’t tied the knot yet.
She turned with a smile as Stacey rushed into the room. Katherine had asked both Stacy and Cara to be her bridesmaids.
“Are you ready?” Stacey asked. “Everyone is in place. Derek looks amazing in his tribal outfit. Isanti is a strange old man. Are you sure you want him to officiate the ceremony? He looked me up and down before telling Hugh it was okay to keep me. Can you believe it?”
Katherine chuckled. “Yes, I believe it. Isanti gives his blessings to each Shadow Walker mate. If he said Hugh could keep you, it means he likes you.” A feeling of sadness swept over her. What would they do when the father of their tribe passed on?
Cara walked over with the wedding bouquet in her hands. “Are you all right, Katherine? You look a little pale.” Cara frowned. “Maybe you should sit down.”
“I think I’m tired. Let’s get downstairs and get done with the ceremony. The baby is really bearing down, and it hurts. I think Jonathan wants to be born now. My due date isn’t until next week. Everyone says first babies come late.” She shrugged. She had been feeling weird today, probably bridal jitters.
As Katherine walked to the door a pain gripped her. She gasped and bent over, holding her stomach. Oh, God, what was going on?
“Here let me help you,” Stacey said, rushing to her side.
Katherine stared in horror at the puddle of liquid at her feet. Her water had broken. Suddenly, the door was thrown open, and Derek rushed into the room. “You’re okay, baby. I’ve got you.” He scooped Katherine into his arms and headed for the nearest shadow. “Dr. Rick will meet us at the hospital.”
“What about the wedding? What about all the guests?” Another pain rippled through her abdomen, and Katherine moaned.
“You need to relax. Breathe, Katherine.”
The cold and dark of the Shadow dimension enveloped them. Then, Derek walked out into the Isanti, Inc., hospital. Cara and Raven appeared out of the shadows, then Hugh and Stacey. Quiet Thunder appeared next. The room began to fill up quickly as the news spread to the wedding guests.
Another contraction gripped Katherine, and she panted as Derek coached her through it. He held her so gently, it brought tears to her eyes.
“Wow, look at all the shadows in the room,” Stacey pointed. “They’re moving, what is that?”
Katherine turned her head to see shadows wavering everywhere, each wave signaling the arrival of a tribal member.
“That’s love, Stacey. The whole tribe is coming. Love in the shadows.”
“Please, give me room. I’m a nurse you know.” Nurse Eschback waded through the crowd until she could see Derek holding Katherine in his arms. “Mrs. Sloane, it’s your time. Follow me. We’ll get you settled in room two.”
“Wait, I want to be Mrs. Darkwood when this baby arrives. Please, Isanti.” Katherine reached out to the tribal shaman. “Marry us.”
The older man made his way forward and began the ceremony. “Do you Derek Red Hawk Darkwood take Katherine to be your lawfully wedded wife …”
§
Derek handed his son to his mother. I have a son. He leaned down and kissed Katherine’s forehead and watched, delighted as she put the baby to her breast.
“I’ll be right down the hall if you need anything,” Dr. Rick said, slipping out the door.
“I didn’t get a chance to thank him.” Katherine sighed and returned her attention to the baby in her arms.
“Are you ready to let the crowd in, Mrs. Darkwood? The whole tribe is going to want to celebrate Jonathan’s birth.”
Katherine groaned. “I look terrible.”
“You look beautiful, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“You’re biased. I’m the mother of your child.” Katherine chuckled. She glanced at the wedding band on her finger that sported a flying hawk with yellow diamonds for eyes.
“You are my wife, my reason for breathing. I knew that from the first moment I saw you.”
“Let the tribe in, Red Hawk,” Katherine said. “Jonathan is the first born of the next generation. I’m sure Isanti is going to want to see him.”
Derek caressed her cheek and went to the door. He opened it to find his family, his tribe, on the other side, all waiting with bated breath.
“It’s a boy.”
Derek smiled as the whole tribe let out a yell of approval.
§ § §
Coming Soon
Wolfe’s Mate
Book Seven of the Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series
Esme Fortescue is struggling to find her balance when her brother accidently turns her into a lycan while trying to cure her cancer. Then Esme is shot and almost dies. But the lycan mating bond snaps into place, and between her mate and the lycan healer, she is able to shift and heal her injuries. Now her brother is working on trying to return
Esme to her human state, while her lycan mate visits her in dreams that leave her wanting. Still struggling to find herself, Esme wonders if real life can live up to her dreams?
Jared Wolfe has had to wait six months before he could leave to find his mate in Paris. With the death of his beloved father and mother and taking over as the new Alpha of the Quebec Province, he has had his hands full. Unable to stand the separation from his mate, he visits with her in her dreams. Can his newly changed mate handle the responsibilities of being the Alpha female of his pack?
Aerial Magic
Book Two of the Witch Guardian Romance Series
Elise Delaire, the Guardian healer, goes to the bonding ceremony of her best friend. While there, Mabel Avery, the commander of the Guardians, introduces her to Curtis Brant. But when Elise shakes Brant’s hand, she realizes that not only is this man not who he says he is, he is also her Destined One.
Owen Avery is on a mission from the queen of the Fae. Apprehend the rogue Fae who is now being called the Red Wizard. Everything is going according to plan until he shakes hands with the delectable Elise. Not only can she see through his disguise, but her touch causes his magic house tattoo to take on color, proving that she is his Destined One. Is he willing to give up his immortality and his home, the land of the Fae, to claim her?
Also by Caryn Moya Block
Shadow of My Heart
The Shadow Walker Romance Series Book One
Raven Darkwood, Shadow Walker, leader, and shaman of the Nuni Nagi Tribe, as well as CEO of Isanti Inc., the conglomerate his tribe owns and manages, is also a spy for the government. His mentor Isanti Quiet Thunder has prophesied the perfect mate for him. But how can he find her when he doesn’t have time to date? And how can he bring an innocent into his crazy violent world?
Cara Hamilton wants nothing more than to be with Raven Darkwood, CEO of Isanti, Inc.. But she quickly finds Raven lives and works in a dangerous world and that is before she learns of his special ability to walk into another dimension. Can she conquer her fear and put her trust in Raven and his tribe?
Destined Magic
A Witch Guardian Romance Book One
Garrett Amhurst, a member of the Witch Guardian Police Force, investigates a claim of blood magic at the Blue Dolphin. He is surprised to find his “Destined One” is the owner. She isn’t guilty of participating in the illegal rituals. But her sister is and it’s Garrett’s job to bring her to justice.
Gabriella Ross, Water Witch, knows her sister is hooked on the magic high of blood magic. But she can’t turn her in to the Guardians. They would strip her sister of her magic. Gabriella would do anything to save her little sister, including stepping in front of a bullet.
A Siberian Werewolf Christmas
Book Six of the Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series
Margaret Brady knows she must be out of her mind to go to Siberia for Christmas. But her intuition won’t let her turn down the invitation of her best friend, Violet Volkov. When she meets the good looking Vyacheslav Putyatinov, she knows just what she wants for Christmas.
Vyacheslav “Slava” Putyatinov thinks any human woman coming to the Siberian Lycan village will be trouble. But one unmated could be a disaster. When he is put in charge of the American siren he finds trouble can lead to desire.
A Siberian Werewolf in Paris
Book Five of the Siberian Volkov Pack Series
Valerii Belikov, Siberian lycanthrope, knew that under the baseball cap and grubby jeans “Little Joe MacDonald” was actually Josephine. He didn’t know why she was hiding, but when the mating bond snapped into place after she was injured, he never expected her to run away. Josie is his mate, the one woman meant to be his, and should have known they couldn’t live apart. He could accept her hiding, but there was no way he could give her up.
Josephine Chevalier knew this day would come. Her father’s killers had found her. To keep her pack mates in England safe, she needed to run. It was time to return to Paris where it all started five years ago. Now if only Valerii, the man she wanted above all others, would stay away. Looking down at the golden cord tying their hearts together, she knew nothing would stop him from coming. How could she keep him safe?
My Magic Mate
Book Four of the Siberian Volkov Series
Brencis Solovyov, a Siberian lycanthrope, isn’t looking for a mate. When he visits the local metaphysical store, he is repulsed by the owner’s purple hair and combat boots. And when she gives him a potion that accidently poisons him, he fears for his life. The fact that she is his mate can only be a trick of destiny. After she claims to be a witch, he knows she is truly crazy. But there is something magical about the woman, and he isn’t the only one who has noticed her strange powers. Can he keep her safe from the danger surrounding her? Will he get over his prejudice and let his magic mate cast a spell of love on him?
My Mate’s Embrace
Book three of the Siberian Volkov Series
Anton Volkov, Siberian lycanthrope, is following the scent of Laurel Harris, who is running away from her abusive stepfather. When Anton finds her, he is surprised to realize she is his mate, the one woman meant to be his. But the Russian mafia is also on her trail. In order to rescue Laurel, Anton must first get this troubled woman to trust him. Can love heal her wounded heart?
“The Siberian Volkov Series keeps getting better with each book. I found myself totally engrossed in this story.” Night Owl Reviews
A Siberian Werewolf in London
Book two of the Siberian Volkov Series
Grigori Solovyov, Siberian lycanthrope, goes to London to track down a Russian mobster who is stealing from the pack. Then, Melisande Reule walks into his hotel, bringing his wolf howling to the surface. He knows he has found his mate. But when she is targeted by a Russian assassin, Grigori must fight to keep her safe and at his side.
“I absolutely loved this second installment in the Siberian Volkov Pack series. It had everything that made me fall in love with the first one. The story line is great.” Night Owl Reviews
Alpha’s Mate
Book One of the Siberian Volkov Series
A trip to Moscow brings Siberian lycanthrope, Dmitry Volkov, and his pack members out of hiding. He’s looking for answers to the pack’s breeding problems. But he never expected to find them in the delectable Violet Anderson. With rogue lycans causing problems in the pack, can he bring a fragile human woman home as his mate?
Wildlife photographer Violet Anderson is stopping in Moscow, before she goes on assignment to shoot the elusive Russian Gray Wolf. When she meets Dmitry at a local hotspot, the sparks fly. The animal magnetism tells her she might have just met the man of her dreams. But Violet has a couple of secrets of her own, and following a wounded animal to its lair has never been a safe thing to do.
“This is the beginning of a new werewolf series that promises to be phenomenal.” Night Owl Reviews
About the Author
Caryn Moya Block burst onto the paranormal romance scene with her debut e-book "Alpha's Mate" in January of 2012, which won the "Global E-book Awards for 2012" in contemporary romance. She was also named one of the "Top 50 Indie Authors for April 2012" by E-Readers Reviews. Caryn continues to publish paranormal romances, writing three different series, and has become an Amazon Bestseller.
Caryn loves romantic movies and stories that end "Happily Ever After." She is an avid reader and writer who currently resides in the Virginia Piedmont. Her pack consists of her husband of over thirty years, two grown sons and a beautiful daughter in law and granddaughter, one cat, one turtle, and four Shetland Sheepdogs. She suffers from "Multiple Sheltie Syndrome", because one is never enough. She has been intrigued with the paranormal since seeing her first ghost at three years of age. If you enjoyed this story, please leave a review. For more information go to: http://carynmoyablock.com/, https://www.facebook.com/CarynMoyaBlock or you can write to her at: [email protected].
p; Caryn Moya Block, Love in the Shadows
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