Rivers Recruit (Sanctuary Series Book One)

  Chapter Nine

  Forbidden Fruit

  By the time River got to the house, Shula was already gone. She took a deep breath and knocked on Reuben’s office door.

  “Come in.”

  River closed the door then leaned her back against it. “Paul said that Shula was here.”

  “She was.” Reuben’s chair creaked as he shifted his weight. “She’s determined that you become Eli’s alpha mate.”

  River grabbed the three-legged stool out of the corner and sat down. She folded her arms and rested them on Reuben’s desk. “That’s only because she thinks I can advance Eli’s political career.”

  “Why would she think that?”

  River bit her lip, then decided to trust Reuben with her secret. “My spirit guide is a white wolf.”

  “What!” Reuben stood up, nearly knocking his chair over.

  River leaned back, involuntarily. “I should have told you immediately, but Shula convinced me that you would kill my white wolf to protect me from the zealots inside Sanctuary Mountain. It took me a while to figure it out, but I think Shula wants me to mate with Eli so she can pretend it’s some sort of omen. But I don’t want to mate with Eli, I want Jonathan.”

  River drew a quick breath. She’d delivered that entire speech without pausing for air.

  Reuben’s face drained of color, leaving behind a chalky pallor. He stared at River as if she’d grown a second head.

  She swallowed, hard. “Say something.”

  Reuben dropped into his chair. “I can’t believe it’s true.”

  River hadn’t expected Reuben to support her choice. But she hadn’t expected the news to shake him up quite so badly, either. “Jonathan’s everything Eli isn’t…strong, gentle, courageous, kind, honorable, humble. The way he lets Paul follow him around like a lost pup, answering all his questions about the outside world without ever losing patience proves he’ll make a wonderful father. Eli is an arrogant jackass.”

  “You don’t understand.”

  “I know he’s an outsider and his life expectancy isn’t even a quarter of mine, but I don’t care. None of us know how long we have. I could die tomorrow. And some alpha might commit a capital crime during Jonathan’s lifetime and give him the gift of the wolf to lessen the impact on his family. I know the waiting list is long, and I’m not counting on that happening, but I won’t sacrifice the happiness I have today because of an uncertain future.”

  River wished she’d never felt the pull of her wolf. She wished she were one of the unblessed that would live and age like outsiders and recruits. She could refuse to merge with her wolf when it called again, but since she’d already had pre-merge fever, she’d die within twenty-four hours.

  “River.”

  “I’ll cherish every second of my time with Jonathan—no matter how short that time might be. I’m too much in love with him to mate with anyone else.” River’s heart pounded as she tried to catch her breath. She prayed Reuben wouldn’t fight her decision.

  “Sit down. I need to explain something to you.”

  River took her seat and tucked her hands under her thighs.

  Reuben lifted his gaze to the ceiling. “A long time ago, when I was a young man, not much older than Gabriel, Zebulon did something so horrible, so evil, that very few people even know about it.”

  “What did he do?” A shiver ran down River’s spine.

  “Before Zebulon was selected as high-alpha, another man was chosen.”

  “Who?”

  “Zebulon’s youngest brother, Ephraim.” Reuben scrubbed his face with his palms. “He was fourteen. He hadn’t even merged yet, but he was already bigger and stronger than most men twice his age.”

  “Like Gabriel.”

  Reuben smiled. “Yes, a lot like Gabriel.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “Zebulon’s father, Benjamin, was the high-alpha and nearing the end of his life. Zebulon was the oldest son. He was already over two hundred years old, a powerful alpha, and he’d proven he could sire a full-blood son.” Reuben paused, as if checking to see if River was paying attention.

  “You were the full-blood son.”

  “Yes. Everyone expected Benjamin to name Zebulon as the next high-alpha. So it was quite a shock when we all gathered in the ceremonial chamber to witness him bestow the birthright and he commanded Ephraim to kneel before him instead of Zebulon. No one dared contradict the high-alpha. He bestowed the birthright upon Ephraim in front of his posterity, the high-council and the most influential citizens of New Eden.”

  “What happened to Ephraim?” River leaned forward.

  “When Benjamin died, two years later, Zebulon and a few of his closest allies kidnapped Ephraim. They took him to what was then Denver City. They gave him a new name and documents to prove he was an immigrant. They bought a small farm for Ephraim, then left him to fend for himself.”

  “That’s horrible, but I wouldn’t call it evil.”

  “He hadn’t merged yet. They got him drunk and paid a whore to see to it that he never would. They shortened his lifespan to that of an ordinary human.”

  River crossed her arms over her chest. “How do you know all this?”

  “I was there.” Reuben closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “I didn’t approve, but I was outnumbered. There was nothing I could do.”

  “What does this have to do with Jonathan?”

  “He’s a McKnight.”

  River’s heart beat faster. She stood up. “What name was Ephraim given?”

  “He tried to dig his way back inside Sanctuary Mountain, but never succeeded. He did, however, discover gold. He also took a wife who bore him many sons. Unfortunately, most of them died young. None of them ever merged.”

  “Reuben.” River smacked the surface of Reuben’s desk with an open palm. “What was his name?”

  “Charles Ephraim McKnight.”

  River’s knees buckled.

  Reuben guided her to his chair behind his desk and helped her sit down. “Do you know if Jonathan has mated yet?”

  River shook her head. “No.”

  Hope blazed in River’s heart as she considered Reuben’s question. If Jonathan hadn’t mated yet, he could still merge with a wolf, extending his lifespan to centuries instead of mere decades.

  Reuben knelt in front of River and placed his hands on her knees. “If Jonathan merges, it will lengthen his lifespan, but it will also reveal his true identity to Zebulon.”

  “Will he try to harm Jonathan?”

  “I have no idea how he’ll react. There’re only a few people that know about Ephraim’s exile. Zebulon and his allies started a rumor that Benjamin was senile when he ordained Ephraim. Since the boy died before he merged, it wasn’t a difficult story to believe. As long as the people that know the truth don’t make a big deal out of it, Jonathan should be safe.”

  “How can I choose? If Jonathan doesn’t merge, he won’t live past his first century. If Zebulon feels threatened, Jonathan won’t live past his first summer.”

  “It’s not your decision to make.”

  River’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s Jonathan’s.”

  Reuben nodded. “The wild pack has been hunting near the eastern rim. Gabriel and I will trap a wolf for Jonathan. Take him to the shepherd’s hut and wait for us there.”

  “Will you explain this to him? Including the risks?”

  “I’m not his sponsor.” Reuben wiped the tears off River’s face with the pads of his thumbs then opened his desk drawer and pulled out his journal. He opened it, flipped to a page near the front and slid it across the desk. “There’s more. Listen to your heart. You’ll know what to say when the time is right.”

  Jonathan

  The next morning, River woke Jonathan up an hour before the rooster crowed. He groaned as he rolled over onto his stomach. Hours of archery practice, on top of daily horseback rides and chores had taken a toll on Jonathan’s body. He’d never been so tired and
sore in his life. Martial arts tournaments and boot camp paled in comparison.

  As the fog of sleep cleared from his mind, Jonathan remembered that Gabriel had left yesterday to search for the goat herd. They had the room to themselves. He grabbed River’s wrist and pulled her onto the bed. He was under the quilt and she was on top of it, but she still refused to let him kiss her.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Reuben’s in his office next door.”

  Damn. “What’s he doing up so early?”

  “He says he couldn’t sleep.” River gave Jonathan a quick peck on the lips then opened his door. “Get dressed, grab your bow and meet me in the stable.”

  “The stable?” The archery range was only a ten minute hike from the house.

  “We’re going hunting.” River grinned then stepped into the hall, pulling the door shut behind her.

  When Jonathan entered the stable ten minutes later, he was surprised to find Eli’s horse, Old Red, with a wooden frame strapped to his back. Sugar and Hot Sauce were tacked up and ready to go.

  River nodded at two leather-bound bundles on the ground. “Can you get the packs on Red for me? They’re a little heavy.”

  She wasn’t kidding. Jonathan grunted as he hefted one of the packs and swung it onto the frame attached to Red’s back. “Good grief, River. When you said we were going hunting, I thought you meant for the day. How long are we going to be gone?”

  “We’re not coming home until we have what we need. It could take weeks.”

  “Just the two of us?”

  “Yes.” River averted her gaze and checked Sugar’s left front hoof for the second time.

  “Are you sure that’s okay with Reuben?”

  “It was his idea.”

  Jonathan scratched the stubble on the side of his face. Shaving with a straight razor was too nerve-racking to do it every day. “What about Eli? He’s going to be pissed off if he finds out.”

  River guided Sugar’s foot back to the ground then dusted her hands off on the seat of her pants. She turned around and folded her arms over her chest. “Since when do you care what Eli thinks?”

  “Since never.” Hope warmed Jonathan’s chest. “What all did you pack?”

  “Food, blankets, buffalo hides, extra clothes, a dutch oven, skillet, hunting knives, bows, arrows…”

  Not only did they have everything they needed to survive in the wilderness, they had an excuse in case they ran into a patrol of enforcers.

  “What about the quarantine?”

  “It’s still in effect, but we’ll stay away from the settlements.” River handed him a red bandanna then tied one around her own neck. “Wear this. It’ll warn anyone we meet to stay away.”

  Awesome. Jonathan couldn’t have planned it better himself. They were going to escape.

  The sound of Gabriel’s off-key singing snapped Jonathan out of his reverie.

  “The moon is full, the wild wolf calls, oh bring my love to me…”

  Gabriel continued to sing, as he dismounted and led Lightning through the open stable doors. “The seasons turn, the fever burns, oh bring my love to—”

  Gabriel stopped short when he looked up and spotted River and Jonathan trying not to laugh. His cheeks flamed as he grinned back at them. “I didn’t see you guys.”

  River snorted and rolled her eyes. “Obviously.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Jonathan and I are going hunting.”

  Gabriel’s eyes widened. “Alone?”

  River jammed her fists on her hips. “Yes alone. It’s part of Jonathan’s training.”

  Gabriel frowned, pulling his eyebrows together. “Does Pa know?”

  River’s eyes flashed purple. “Why don’t you go ask him?”

  She wasn’t answering the question, but whether or not she’d actually gotten Reuben’s permission didn’t matter. They weren’t coming back.

  “Why are you so angry?”

  “Did you find the goats?”

  Gabriel lowered his gaze—obviously and wisely—deciding to abandon his interrogation of River. He led Lightning into his stall then slid a feed bag over his nose. “I picked up the herd’s trail near the pass, but an avalanche blocked half the canyon, including the tunnel.”

  Jonathan felt the blood drain from his face. “What does that mean?”

  River handed Gabriel one of the scraps of buffalo hide they used to groom the horses then turned around and leaned against the stall door. “The last time this happened, the pass was closed until the middle of June. No one could get in or out. We’re going to have to rely on venison and elk to get us through the winter. It’s a good thing we’re going hunting.”

  Jonathan closed his eyes for a moment and swore under his breath. When he opened them, he noticed that not only were River’s eyes purple; they were glowing. In broad daylight. Not a speck of brown remained in her irises.

  She fisted her hands and locked her elbows against her body. She shouldered her way past Jonathan, stomping out of the stable with long, jerky strides.

  “River, wait.”

  She ducked her chin and ran.

  Damn it.

  Gabriel slowed his rhythmic swipes over Lightning's back and looked at Jonathan with wide eyes. “What’s her problem?”

  “I wish I knew.” Jonathan was pretty sure his reaction to the closed pass had tipped her off; but he wasn’t going to confess that to Gabriel.

  “Even if you don’t know what you did, you still need to go apologize. River can hold a grudge forever.”

  “Most women can.” Jonathan rested his hand on Saucy’s rump as he walked behind him. “Wish me luck.”

  Jonathan caught up with River halfway between the stable and the house. The look of betrayal on her face broke his heart. “I wasn’t going to leave without you.”

  He’d haul her ass out of there, kicking and screaming if he had to. He gripped her shoulder and leaned over to capture her gaze. “I’d never do anything to put you in danger. You know me better than that.”

  “I don’t know you at all.” She jerked away from him. “I thought you liked it here. I thought you liked me.”

  “I do like you. I more than like you, but I’m barely surviving here. Do you have any idea how hard it is to mount a horse or wash dishes or even get dressed with this thing?” He held up his claw. “I appreciate the thoughtfulness and all the effort that went into creating this, but it can’t compete with my myoelectric prosthesis.”

  River narrowed her eyes. “I’m sorry we can’t compete with all your pollution-spewing, world-killing gadgets.”

  “My prosthesis is not a gadget and it runs on rechargeable batteries. It doesn’t pollute anything.” Jonathan’s emotions had hit too many extremes in too short a time. Learning he was trapped until spring was bad enough, but getting the news half an hour after the high of thinking he was going home was devastating. And now River was criticizing him because he missed his prosthesis?

  “You’ve never had real shampoo or toothpaste or electricity or toilet paper so you don’t know what you’re missing. I do. I miss movies and television and computers. I miss jeans with zippers and t-shirts and underwear.”

  River’s eyes flashed. Normally, her glowing, purple eyes made Jonathan horny as hell. Not this time.

  Her lips parted, but only for a moment. She slammed her mouth shut and flared her nostrils. The clouds of steam billowing out her nose into the frigid air reminded Jonathan of a raging bull in a Saturday morning cartoon. If he weren’t so upset, the sight would have made him laugh; but it only added fuel to his anger.

  “I miss salads and fresh fruit and vegetables that don’t come out of a glass jar. I miss milk and orange juice and Lucky Charms and peanut butter. I miss Red Bull and Skittles and Midnight Milky Ways. I dream about food every, single night.” Jonathan tilted his head back and yelled at the sky. “What I wouldn’t give for just one lousy apple!”

  He could have continued his litany of everything he mi
ssed for another ten minutes, but when he glanced at River and saw her eyes sparkling with unshed tears, his anger evaporated.

  He lowered his voice. “I miss my family. My parents have already lost one son. Do they have to lose another?”

  “At least you’re alive.” River blinked. Another tear leaked out of the corner of her eye. “If you run away, the council will kill me.”

  “Not if you come with me.”

  River lunged towards him.

  Jonathan braced himself, expecting her to shove him or pummel him with her fists.

  But instead of attacking him, she fell into his arms and buried her face in his shoulder. Her warm breath tickled the side of his neck and tightened his abs.

  “I’d go with you if I could. But I can’t.”

  Jonathan cupped the back of River’s head in his hand. “Why not?”

  “As my guardian, Reuben’s responsible for everything I do.”

  “So, you’re sort of like his recruit?”

  “It’s worse.” River clenched her fists in Jonathan’s shirt. “If I ran away, the council would rule that Reuben’s failure to control me is proof that his sons aren’t being raised properly. They might foster Paul with another family since he’s young enough to be retrained, but Gabriel is too close to adulthood. They would put him to death.”

  “Someone needs to clean out this den of vipers.”

  “That someone is you.”

  “Me?” Jonathan had expected River to rip him a new one for breathing such treasonous blasphemy; not volunteer him for the job.

  River licked her lips and took a shuddering breath. Her whole body trembled.

  Jonathan recognized her mixed emotions. He’d seen the same look of quiet desperation warring with pride and hope in Dad’s eyes the day he and Franklin deployed.

  She lifted her gaze to Jonathan’s and cupped his cheek in her palm. “You are a son of Ephraim.”

  Jonathan shook his head. “I don’t know what Gabriel told you, but it’s not true.”

  “Gabriel didn’t tell me anything. Reuben did.”

  Jonathan felt betrayed, but didn’t hold it against the kid for sharing his theory with his father. Jonathan would have done the same at his age. “Just because some guy at church declares I belong to the tribe of Ephraim doesn’t mean I’m the savior of New Eden.”

  “What do you mean some guy at church? I’m talking about the fact that you are a descendant of Charles Ephraim McKnight.”

  “That doesn’t prove—whoa. Who told you that?” Jonathan hadn’t mentioned anything about his great-great-grandfather.

  “Reuben.”

  “How the hell did he know?”

  “He knew him.”

  “That’s not possible. Charles Ephraim McKnight died over a hundred years ago.”

  River swiped tears out of her eyes. “I’m supposed to guide you to the truth, step by step. But I’m messing everything up. It’s all out of order.”

  Curiosity was killing Jonathan, but River was shaking like a leaf. He didn’t want to cause her any more stress. He wrapped his arms around her and held her against his chest. “It’s okay. You can tell me as much or as little as you want.”

  “Zebulon is our leader. Everyone’s afraid of him. Even the high-council answers to him. My people have suffered under their rule for too long. It’s time for a change.”

  “If we can find a way out of here before they open the mountain, we could notify the authorities about what’s going on. They could rescue everyone before Zebulon and the council even know we’re gone. They won’t have a chance to pass judgment on Reuben or Gabriel.”

  River pushed away from Jonathan. “And you think Reuben and Gabriel are going to welcome government invaders into New Eden with open arms?”

  “If they knew that they were trying to save them…then yeah, I think they would.”

  “You’re wrong. They won’t tolerate outside interference from your government.” River’s eyes overflowed. She swiped the tears off her cheeks and threw her shoulders back. “They would fight until their last breath. So would Paul. So would every man, woman and child. There’d be no one left to rescue.”

  “My government doesn’t kill children.”

  “Even if the children are filling them full of arrows?”

  Arrows wouldn’t pierce body armor, but Jonathan couldn’t guarantee that a soldier or an FBI agent wouldn’t return fire just because the enemies weapons were ineffective. The government didn’t exactly have a stellar record when it came to cults. New Eden would be worse than Waco and Ruby Ridge combined.

  “I can’t take on all of New Eden by myself, but if I can recruit a few good men, like Reuben, to help me, maybe we can cut the head off the serpent.”

  River flung her arms around Jonathan. “I’m scared.”

  Jonathan didn’t believe in New Eden’s legends. But he did believe in defending the oppressed.

  He’d enlisted in the army to fight against tyranny. He’d gone halfway around the world to do it and failed. And here it was again, right in his own backyard. He gazed into River’s blazing eyes, full of hope, faith and courage and found something he could believe in. Something worth fighting for. Maybe he could even believe in himself again. “All it takes for evil to succeed; is for good men to do nothing.”

  River

  The fire in Jonathan’s eyes frightened River. It was too easy to get caught up in the excitement of legends, prophecies and promises. What if Jonathan was right. What if it were all nothing but a huge coincidence? What if he was only a man? A fragile human? If he tried to merge with a wolf, the beast would kill him with one snap of its jaws. Why did Jonathan want to risk his life to get rid of Zebulon. He had no love for New Eden. He’d leave tonight if River agreed to go with him. And may the almighty Alpha forgive her, she wanted to. If it weren’t for Reuben, Gabriel and Paul, she’d do it. She’d leave with Jonathan and never look back.

  Shame heated River’s cheeks. The people of New Eden deserved better than that. So did Jonathan. He had no idea what he was getting into. He didn’t know the true nature of his enemies. Or even his friends. It wasn’t fair to let him make such a commitment until he did know.

  River wanted to tell Jonathan everything, but she knew in her heart he wasn’t ready. If he were a son of Ephraim, why hadn’t the almighty Alpha given him a better sponsor? Someone like Reuben, or even Shula? She was scary, arrogant and manipulative, but she’d know how to turn a naive recruit into a general. River did not. And her ignorance could cost Jonathan his life.

  He tucked a strand of hair behind River’s ear then trailed his fingers down her neck. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Everything.”

  She tried to ignore the sparks Jonathan’s touch ignited and studied his face. He wasn’t ready for this challenge. Neither was she. But something had brought them together at this time, in this place and under these circumstances.

  Whether it was part of some divine plan, or nothing but pure dumb luck, River and Jonathan were in this together. And isn’t that what she wanted? River smiled as she recalled the words she’d used to persuade Reuben to let her mate with Jonathan. I won’t sacrifice the happiness I have today because of an uncertain future. I’ll cherish every second of my time with Jonathan—no matter how short that time might be.

  Jonathan kissed River’s forehead. “Do you still want to go hunting?”

  “More than anything. Get the horses and meet me at the house. I want to get something before we leave.” River couldn’t replace Jonathan’s fancy, mechanical hand or his family, she couldn’t protect him from the dangers of her world, or let him return to his own, but there was one thing she could give him.

  She hid the surprise in Old Red’s pack while Jonathan was distracted; trying to mount Saucy from the right. Something he tried—and failed—to do every time they went riding. Reuben had warned him not to use his golden claw to mount Saucy. If it got tangled in his mane, it would spook the horse and Jonathan wou
ldn’t be able to free himself.

  Saucy was just as stubborn as Jonathan and refused to let him mount from the wrong side. River had offered to help him train the horse, but Jonathan’s stubborn streak prevailed. He’d insisted he could do it himself.

  Jonathan finally gave up and climbed onto the porch railing so he could mount from the left. He nudged Saucy into a trot, moving with the horse instead of bouncing all over his back.

  River rode up next to him and smiled. “Your riding skills have improved.”

  “I still can’t believe you guys don’t use saddles.”

  “Some of the wealthier citizens do. But it’s an unnecessary barrier between the horse and rider.”

  “At least you use hackamores.”

  River tied her reins in a loose knot and dropped them onto Sugar’s neck. She held her hands out to the side and used her heels to guide Sugar in a tight circle around Jonathan and Saucy. She edged Sugar closer to Saucy, matching his pace exactly. “Not when I’m hunting.”

  Jonathan’s eyes widened. “Why not?”

  “It’s a little hard to draw a bow with one hand.” She pantomimed the action.

  “Tell me about it.”

  River laughed. “I keep forgetting you only have one.”

  “I’ll take that as a complement.” Jonathan’s grin flashed his dimples. “So, where are we going?”

  “East. There’s a shepherd’s hut on the ridge. You can see the city lights from there. It’s amazing.” And she was definitely feeling a pull in that direction.

  “We can see Denver?”

  “Red Cliff.”

  Jonathan coughed, obviously trying to cover a laugh.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You’re so cute. Red Cliff isn’t a city. It’s hardly even a town. If you blink when you drive through it, you’ll miss it.”

  “Well, at least I’m not so cute as to believe I could see all the way to Denver.”

  Neither of them said much during the long ride, but it wasn’t surprising considering all they had to think about. They arrived at the eastern ridge just before sunset. River slid off Sugar and dug the sack containing the feed bags, oats and grooming supplies out of the pack on Red’s back. “Go fire up the stove then get these packs off Red while I take care of Sugar and Saucy.”

  Jonathan groaned and slumped forward, dropping his chin to his chest.

  “Fine. I’ll do it myself.” River threw the sack on the ground then yanked on one of the ropes tied to the packs. Jonathan was willing to go to war for her, but he was too lazy to light a fire?

  Red turned his head and looked at River as if to complain about her rough treatment. She patted his shoulder. “Sorry, boy. I’m just tired and I can’t seem to get any help.”

  “River?”

  “What!”

  “I’m happy to help, but I don’t think I can get down without my legs collapsing the second my boots hit the ground.”

  River’s anger dissolved. She kept forgetting that Jonathan wasn’t used to riding for more than an hour or two a day. She rested her forehead on Red’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” Jonathan’s voice was quieter than usual and heavy with more than just physical exhaustion. “Stress can make even the best of us cranky. We’ve both had a lot dumped on us lately.”

  “I didn’t mean to be cranky.” River sighed. She didn’t mean to do that either. “If we don’t get a fire going in the stove soon, we’ll have to share a bed to keep from freezing to death.”

  “That’s not exactly motivating me to light a fire.” The right side of Jonathan’s mouth curled into a crooked grin.

  River needed to be careful. They couldn’t mate until after they’d merged with their wolves. But she needed to encourage Jonathan so he’d be ready when the time came. “You can share my bed, but you’ll have to use your own buffalo robe.”

  Jonathan slid off Saucy, holding onto his mane until he managed to straighten his legs. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Then why did you suggest it?”

  “I didn’t.” Jonathan grabbed a log off the woodpile stacked against the hut and cradled it in his left arm. He paused in the doorway, then turned around and flashed his dimples at her with a wicked grin. “You did.”

  Jonathan

  Jonathan chuckled as he pulled the door shut. The look on River’s face was priceless. He hoped she knew he was just teasing her. She’d been extremely moody the past couple of days. He assumed it was because of that whole “son of Ephraim” theory. How long had she known about it? Or maybe she had PMS. Man, he hoped not. If that’s what had her panties in a wad, he was in big trouble. River had never mentioned her monthly cycles, and for that Jonathan was grateful. Carrie had complained for a week before hers and every day during it. Which meant she was a total bitch fifty percent of the time.

  Well, whatever was causing River’s problems, he needed to apologize for being such a dick when he learned the pass was closed. He also needed to be sure he had a roaring fire going in the stove before she finished with the horses.

  The stove inside the hut was similar to the one in the quarantine cabin, but not identical. Jonathan raised the lever controlling the flue, and stacked the wood the way Gabriel had shown him, which was exactly opposite of what he’d always been taught. But he had to admit, the upside down, log cabin stacks burned better and longer than anything he’d ever done in Boy Scouts. It took him awhile to create enough sparks to ignite the dry leaves with a flint, but he wouldn’t have been able to do it at all without the prosthesis that Reuben and River had made for him. Another twinge of guilt pinged his conscience. He shouldn’t have compared the “golden claw” she was so proud of to his robotic prosthesis. Talk about rude. He had some major sucking up to do.

  Jonathan closed the stove door then went outside but River was already gone. He wrestled the packs off Red’s back and put them inside, then followed the trail River and the other two horses made in the snow to a barn at the edge of the forest.

  Sugar and Saucy had their noses buried in feed bags. Red nickered a greeting, but the other two horses didn’t even look up.

  River gave Sugar one last swipe over her right flank then handed Jonathan the scrap of buffalo hide. “I’ve already taken care of Sugar and Saucy. Can you rub Red down, or are you too tired?”

  “I’m fine. And I’m sorry about being such a jackass earlier.”

  River wiped her brow with her forearm. “We’re both exhausted. Let’s just take care of the horses, light the stove, grab a bite to eat and go to bed. We’ll both feel better after a good night’s rest.”

  “I already built a fire in the stove. So that’s one less chore we have to do.”

  They were about halfway to the hut when River slipped her hand around Jonathan’s arm. “I thought you said you lit the fire.”

  “I did.”

  “There’s no smoke coming out of the chimney.”

  As soon as he opened the door, Jonathan realized his mistake. Instead of opening the flue, he’d closed it.

  They coughed and laughed as they fanned the smoke out of the hut with a buffalo hide. The campfire smell lingered even after the air cleared but it wasn’t unpleasant.

  River grabbed a couple of leather bags from the pile of stuff Jonathan had unloaded off of Red’s back. She handed one of the bags to him then tossed the other one onto the bed next to the window and sank down beside it. She pulled a chunk of jerky out and tore into it.

  Jonathan flopped onto the other bed, next to the door, and shoved his hand into his food sack. He was so hungry, even the tough-as-a-boot jerky River was gnawing on looked good.

  He froze when his fingers brushed against something cold, smooth and round. No. It couldn’t be…could it? His throat tightened as he gazed at the small, misshapen, bright red apple. He lifted it to his face and closed his eyes as he inhaled, savoring the aroma. When he opened his eyes he found River staring at him.

  She blinked
then lowered her gaze and picked at the wool on her buffalo hide. “I know it’s not what you’re used to. You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want it. ”

  “Oh I want it alright. It’s just so…” Jonathan’s voice cracked, “…unexpected.” He couldn’t wait to bite into it. “Where’s yours?”

  “I don’t have one.”

  “Don’t you like apples?”

  “There’ll be more next fall.”

  River didn’t have a local grocery store with fresh produce shipped in from all over the world. When they ran out of something, it was gone.

  “Is this what you went back inside the house to get?”

  She nodded.

  The memory of his earlier rant shamed Jonathan. He could barely speak over the lump in his throat. He patted the spot next to him on the bed. “Everything’s sweeter when you share it.”

  River chewed her lower lip as she crept across the room like a frightened deer. She looked so vulnerable.

  A desire to protect her at all costs swept over Jonathan. Other, less honorable, desires surfaced when she sat down beside him and licked her lips.

  He smiled and handed her the apple. “Ladies first.”

  He’d given her the first bite as a gentlemanly gesture, but when she closed her eyes and moaned, he nearly came undone. He felt like Satan himself in the Garden of Eden as he stared at the juice running down her chin.

  Jonathan wanted to lick it off her face, but River beat him to it.

  “Your turn.”

  Instead of taking the apple, Jonathan grabbed River’s wrist and ate out of her hand. A symphony of flavors exploded across his tongue.

  Even though he’d witnessed River’s sensual reaction when she tasted the fruit, he was unprepared for his own. His eyelids drifted shut. “If the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden tasted half as good as this, I don’t blame Adam and Eve for giving in to temptation. Anything this delicious has to be a sin.”

  “I agree.” River brushed her fingertips across Jonathan’s chin, just beneath his lower lip, then popped them into her mouth. Her little sighs of pleasure as she sucked the juice off her fingers drove him crazy.

  Jonathan reached behind his back; but he wasn’t in his own bed. There was no pillow to cover his lap. He shifted his hips and hoped River kept her eyes on the apple.

  She was too naive to know what she was doing. They hadn’t even French kissed yet. Jonathan wanted to take things slow with River, but she was obviously ready for the next level.

  He waited for her to wipe the juice off her chin again; then grabbed her wrist before she could stick those pretty little fingers back in her mouth.

  “My turn.”

  He smiled when River’s pulse quickened beneath his fingertips. Her eyes widened as he pulled her hand towards his mouth then fluttered shut as he sucked the juice from her fingers. They were both trembling before he finished.

  River slid her fingers out of Jonathan’s mouth, down his chin, over his Adam’s apple, onto his chest. “Oh, Jonathan, what am I going to do?”

  He stroked her jaw with the back of his knuckles. “What do you want to do?”

  River

  “I…I want…” River couldn’t catch her breath. There wasn’t enough room in her chest. This feeling, this desire, was stronger than anything she’d ever felt before. It was even stronger than the pull of her wolf had been. “I want…”

  Jonathan rested his forehead against hers. “Me, too.”

  “Kiss me.”

  “As you wish.” Jonathan pulled the strip of leather holding her braid out of her hair. He unwound the plait, running his fingers through the strands until her hair fell in loose waves down her back, past her hips. He cupped the back of her head then brushed his lips across hers. The kiss started out the same as all the others; soft, gentle, tentative, then built in pressure and intensity. Jonathan pulled her closer and slid his tongue over her bottom lip.

  River’s eyes flew open.

  Jonathan stopped and dropped his hand. “Was that too much?”

  “No. Just…unexpected.” River smiled as she repeated Jonathan’s words, then grabbed his face with both hands and pressed her mouth against his.

  Jonathan smiled against her lips.

  This wasn’t supposed to be funny. River pulled back.

  Jonathan tangled his fingers in her hair and held her head in place. “Don’t interrupt me when I’m kissing you.”

  River didn’t usually like to be bossed around, but Jonathan’s alpha attitude made her entire body quiver.

  Jonathan licked her lower lip again, but this time River was ready for it. She wasn’t ready when he slid his tongue into her mouth, but at least she didn’t startle like a frightened rabbit. It took less than a second for her own instincts to take over. She chased his tongue with hers and smiled when he trembled. Jonathan tasted like apples…only better. River couldn’t get enough.

  Jonathan tilted his head and pursued her lips from a slightly different angle. Time stood still, then raced ahead as they explored each other’s mouths.

  Jonathan pulled away and searched River’s eyes. “Are you okay?”

  River’s heart raced. Her breath came in shallow, rapid gasps. Her skin burned with fever. But she’d never felt better. “I’m fine. Are you?”

  Jonathan quirked the side of his mouth into a lopsided smile, flashing a single dimple. “I’m so much better than fine.”

  “How many women have you mated with?”

  Jonathan’s dimple disappeared as his smile faded. “That’s kind of personal.”

  “I know. And I’m sorry for asking, but it’s important.”

  He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t have any sexually transmitted diseases. I promise.”

  “Are you a virgin?”

  “Yeah, but just barely.”

  “What does that mean?” Either he’d mated or he hadn’t.

  “I’ve messed around a lot, but never quite made it to home base.”

  “Home base?”

  “This is first base.” He kissed her lips then nibbled a trail of fire down her throat. “Sex is home base.”

  “What’s between first base and sex?” River’s voice sounded faint and breathy to her own ears.

  “A whole lot of fun stuff.” Jonathan slid his hand under River’s tunic and stroked the skin beneath her breast. “This is pretty close to second base.”

  River trembled.

  Jonathan slid his hand to her waist. “Do you want me to stop?”

  “No.” River’s skin felt as if it were on fire, but she wanted more of his heat. “Are you getting hot?”

  Jonathan’s grin displayed both dimples. “You have no idea.”

  “I’m burning up. Do you mind if I take off my vest?”

  “Not at all.” Jonathan’s eyes dilated as he watched River remove her vest. His nostrils flared. “Do you mind if I take off mine?”

  Instead of answering, River untied his vest with trembling fingers then slid it off his shoulders.

  Jonathan used his golden claw to remove it the rest of the way. He dropped it on the floor then raised his eyebrows. “How about the shirt?”

  River nodded and raised her hands to the drawstring of her tunic.

  Jonathan grabbed her wrist. “I meant mine.”

  River’s face burned even hotter. “I keep forgetting that you aren’t used to naked breasts. Have you never watched a woman nurse a baby?”

  Jonathan’s cheeks reddened. “I try really hard not to. And most women are pretty modest about nursing in public. They cover themselves and their babies with blankets.”

  “Even during the summer?” River loosened the drawstring of Jonathan’s tunic and pulled it off over his head. His sleeve got tangled in his golden claw.

  Jonathan tugged it free. “Yes, even in the summer.”

  River ran her hands over Jonathan’s chest.

  He stiffened and inhaled through his teeth when she touched the leather strap that
held his golden claw to his body like a harness.

  River lifted her gaze to meet his. “May I remove it?”

  He nodded.

  His skin was rubbed raw under the harness buckles. “Oh Jonathan. Why didn’t you tell me this was hurting you?”

  “It’s not that bad.”

  “I should have padded it.”

  “You can do that?”

  “Didn’t you notice the felt pads on the pack frame Red carried?”

  “I guess not.”

  She traced around the raw spot on his collar bone. “I don’t want you to wear your claw again until these sores heal.”

  “That’s going to make it kind of hard to hunt. I can’t hold my bow without it.”

  River smiled. “I doubt if you’d be able to hit anything.”

  “Hey! I’ve gotten pretty good. I hit the target nearly every time now.”

  “Shooting a live animal is a lot different from shooting a target.”

  Fine lines appeared around Jonathan’s eyes and mouth. His brow furrowed. “It can’t be any harder than shooting a man.”

  Even with the constant reminder of his missing hand, River had forgotten that Jonathan was a soldier. He hadn’t mentioned it since he’d told her about his brother’s death. “Have you ever killed a man?”

  Jonathan lowered his gaze from River’s face to the floor.

  She instantly regretted her tactless question; but Jonathan answered before she could apologize.

  “We were coming back to base. I caught a flash of something in the trees with my peripheral vision. Probably the sun hitting the barrel of his weapon. He must have seen me flinch or something. He got off a round before I dropped him, but he didn’t hit anyone.

  “We did a sweep but didn’t find anyone else. Just that damn kid. He couldn’t have been more than fifteen. I can’t help but think he wouldn’t have fired if I hadn’t spotted him.”

  Jonathan returned his gaze to River’s face, but his eyes remained unfocused. “There were others, but that’s the one I can’t get out of my head.”

  River cupped his cheeks in her palms. “You had no choice. You had to defend yourself and your fellow soldiers.”

  Jonathan nodded.

  River wanted to wash all thoughts of war and killing from Jonathan’s mind. He would have to kill again before the people of New Eden were free from Zebulon’s rule. She already held his face in her hands so she pulled him closer and pressed her lips against his.

  River had thought that Jonathan’s kisses couldn’t be any more passionate before his confession. She was wrong. He slid his hand under her tunic again and caressed her back.

  Her head spun. She needed to lie down.

  As if he’d read her mind, Jonathan laid back on the bed, bringing River with him.

  His heart pounded beneath her ear. A low rumble came from deep inside him. It vibrated against her cheek. If River had any remaining doubts that Jonathan was the son of Ephraim, that growl erased them. She’d never heard a sound quite like that before, but she knew what it meant. Mine.

  She’d just been claimed by an alpha male.