Landon hurried over to give Gabrielle a hug and kiss. He leaned over and kissed her belly. “I’m glad you could get away from the clinic.”

  “Dr. Mitchell is taking care of the clinic and the animals if there’s any kind of emergency. I wouldn’t miss your birthday celebration for the world,” Gabrielle said.

  Everyone was thrilled Gabrielle was their new veterinarian in town and even gladder that Dr. Mitchell, though retired, helped out whenever Gabrielle needed him to.

  Nate and Nicole’s parents, Nelda and Gary, hugged each of the Wolff siblings, and everyone wished them a happy birthday. Nelda wore a swing dress with a petticoat—all in pink with high heels to match—and her hair pulled back into a French twist. Gary was having fun as a greaser, sliding his hand over his slick hair periodically to be in character. Kayla loved them for joining in on the fun, and she thought Nate looked so much like his father, dressed the same except a younger version.

  Soon Darien and Lelandi arrived to participate in the celebration. So did Tom and his wife, Elizabeth, and Jake and his wife, Alicia. A couple of the Silver cousins who were living in town came too: CJ and his mate, Laurel, and Brett and his mate, Ellie.

  Kayla hadn’t expected so many members of the Silver family to come to their birthday party, but it was great having them. They had all this food, the music, dancing, and everyone was dressed in just the right clothes for the period. Some of the guys were wearing camp shirts, wide-legged pants, two-toned oxfords, and fedoras.

  Even Rosco joined the party in a fifties greaser leather jacket. Buttercup was wearing a pink skirt, only instead of an applique of a poodle on it, it had one of a little black kitten.

  Kayla snapped a couple of pictures of Rosco and Buttercup, thinking this would be a fantastic idea for a Valentine’s party next year.

  “Jailhouse Rock” started playing, and Nate took Kayla back to the dance floor, where most of the couples joined them in the dance. Even Jake did with his mate while Roxie was taking some video of the dancers. “Splish Splash” played after that.

  While “Oh Carol” was playing, most of the dancers started to eat dinner. “Dream Lover” followed, adding to the fifties ambience.

  Jake took a moment to shoot some photos of everyone, including Rosco and Buttercup.

  “This is just too cool,” Kayla said. “So much fun.”

  Everyone agreed. Then as soon as “All Shook Up” started to play, the partygoers headed back to the dance floor, doing the jitterbug and then swing dancing to more of the music.

  Kayla realized the twin brothers Kemp and Radcliffe Grey, who were ski instructors during the winter but in charge of the zip line for the summer, had slipped into the party with their hair greased back, wearing sneakers, jeans and T-shirts, and black leather jackets. Both twins were vying to dance with Roxie, the only one who didn’t have a partner.

  Kayla loved that they had shown up to dance with her sister, and it looked like Roxie did too. Nate’s family must have invited them so Roxie wouldn’t feel left out. Though Blake, Nate, and Landon all took turns dancing with Roxie too.

  After dancing to a few more oldies, Kayla and Nate sat back down to eat some more. “I love dancing with you. The food is great too. And everyone looks wonderful in their costumes,” Kayla said.

  “Yeah, this has been terrific. I helped with some of it, but Mom and Nicole were the driving force behind it.”

  She noticed a few lodge guests peeking in to see the party that was going on. A few were snapping some shots of them in their costumes on their phones.

  She laughed. “This is definitely something I’m going to set up for a promo for next year.”

  Nate smiled at her and grabbed another fry. “Do you always think in terms of promos?”

  “Often.”

  “About tonight… Do you want to come home with me, and we’ll leave together in the morning to head out to the cabin?”

  “Yeah. I kept thinking I might need to do some work at the lodge tonight, but I don’t think anyone’s going to let me. So I’ll go home with you. My gear’s all packed and sitting by the front door of the house. I’ll just need to grab an overnight bag with some things for this evening.”

  “Okay, great.”

  They danced some more before the band played “Happy Birthday.”

  Then gifts were opened. The brothers and sisters got everything from ski clothes for the upcoming season to housewares and supplies for grilling.

  After the night’s revelry, the Wolff siblings thanked everyone for the beautiful party, and then Kayla, Roxie, Nate, Rosco, and Buttercup went to their house while everyone else went home to theirs.

  Nate parked his car at Kayla’s place so he could pack up her things. He was glad she was staying the night with him. It would be nice to wake up with her and have breakfast with her too.

  “That was so much fun,” Kayla said, detaching Rosco’s leash from his collar. “I’ll be right down after I change into regular clothes.”

  “It was great,” Nate said. “I’ll take your bags out to the car.”

  Kayla called out, “Thanks.”

  Roxie released Buttercup on the floor, and Rosco curled up in his bed. Buttercup hurried to join him and snuggled up with him. She had her own bed, but she preferred sleeping with him.

  Nate thought the two of them were cute, the huge Saint Bernard and the orange tabby cat sleeping together.

  “That was the best birthday party ever! Having Kayla’s celebrated along with ours worked out just great,” Roxie said.

  “See? I told you so,” Kayla called down from upstairs.

  “It was,” Nate said.

  “You were right,” Roxie yelled up to her.

  He finished loading up his car with Kayla’s camping gear, and she came down to join him with her overnight bag. “That’s the way we’ll celebrate my birthday from now on. One big family birthday party.” Kayla gave Roxie a hug before she left with Nate.

  “That works for me. Have a great time,” Roxie said to the two of them.

  “Thanks, we will,” Kayla said.

  Rosco lifted his head to see what was going on, but he was too worn out after the party to get up and say goodbye. Buttercup was already sound asleep.

  Then Kayla and Nate left and climbed into his van.

  “Have you got anything in mind to do tonight?” she asked.

  Nate smiled at her. “You betcha.”

  Once they arrived at his apartment, they took out her overnight bag, leaving the rest of her gear in the van for the night, and headed inside and locked up.

  Then she was kissing him, and he was so ready for the next phase of Kayla’s birthday celebration. Before they got carried away, though, he took her into the bedroom and motioned to the blanket-covered hope chest at the foot of his bed. She’d never even noticed it when she’d been there the other night. He was glad about that.

  Wanting her to see the chest for her birthday first, he pulled the blanket off it with a flourish. “Happy birthday.”

  “Ohmigod, it’s beautiful. You… You made the chest?” Kayla looked thrilled, and he was glad she appreciated it.

  “Yeah, and Nicole and Mom made the wolf quilt-covered pillow seat.”

  “How? All of it’s just gorgeous.” She pulled him in for a hug, her warm body tight against his, and immediately his hardened against her delectable softness.

  She was just so perfect for him, and he loved her inside and out. “The picture of the wolves was digitally created and then transferred to the fabric. Then they quilted the rest of the pillow seat cover.”

  “It’s just exquisite. The hand-carving of the wolf howling and the mountains in the background on the front of the chest is gorgeous too. It looks just like me.”

  He smiled. “It is. It’s you, telling the whole world you are there. Big as life.”

  “It’s amazing.” She had tears in her eyes as she released him and opened the chest and smelled the fresh cedar. “I just love it.”

  He pulled her into his arms for another hug and kissed her. “It’s not supposed to make you sad.”

  “No one has ever done anything this special for me for my birthday. It’s just gorgeous.” She hugged him and began pulling off his shirt, and he knew she was ready to celebrate her birthday in another way. “Hmm.” She ran her hands over his bare abs, and he began removing her shirt, kissing her neck, ready for the intimacy to evolve between them.

  He pressed his lips against her soft mouth. He wasn’t falling in love with Kayla. He was already there. She was his one true love.

  He lifted her off the floor and she wrapped her legs around his hips. Then he sat on the bed, Kayla on top of him. She and he were kissing, her svelte body grinding against his arousal, and he was so ready to just say screw it and tell her he wanted to mate her.

  Whenever he was with her like this, that inferno just started to build between them. He kissed her lips, and her mouth pressed his for more. He was eager to fulfill her need. He slipped his tongue between her parted lips, stroking her tongue with long, luxurious strokes, loving her reaction to him. He was the luckiest wolf in the whole wide world.

  He reached behind her to unfasten her bra, slipped it off her shoulders, and tossed it aside. Then they were back to kissing again, her beautiful breasts pressed against him. God, she felt so good.

  She moved off him and ran her hands over his crotch and his erection straining against his pants. His arousal jumped against her exploration, and she smiled infectiously.

  He unfastened her shorts, pushed her onto her back, and pulled off her flip-flops and shorts and then her panties. She quickly unfastened his belt, unzipped his pants, and tugged them off. He yanked off his shoes and socks. Once she removed his boxer briefs, Nate and Kayla were sandwiched naked together again, kissing and hugging, their hearts beating furiously. She was irresistible.

  He loved how physically connected they were, how passionate she was with him, just like he loved being with her.

  Then he separated enough from her that he could move her legs apart and found her wet and receptive. Again, he wanted to jump the gun and just ask her to mate him despite also wanting to hold off until they were at the cabin tomorrow.

  When it came to going all the way with Kayla, it was difficult to contain his craving. But he wanted to make the mating location even more special. He began stroking her clit; she writhed under his touch, and he loved it. She gripped his shoulders, her mouth connecting with his in a hot, searing kiss.

  This was the best—leaving their cares behind, connecting with each other on a hot note. He continued to stroke her until she began to tense up and arch her back. He stroked her faster, harder, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

  She cried out loudly with her orgasm and pulled him hard against her body, snug, then mischievously wriggled against him. He groaned. She smiled and pushed him off her, then slid her hand down his chest. “You are so hot.”

  “So are you, honey.”

  Then she closed her hand around his sex and began stroking him, kissing his throat, his chin, his cheek, and he was lost in her love. Cupping her face, he kissed her deeply, but she was slowing her strokes and he wanted her to speed them up. He was dying here.

  He moved his hand over hers and tightened her strokes on him and quickened them. She smiled and kissed his mouth, then without further guidance from him, she began stroking him harder and faster.

  Then he was coming, and he couldn’t hold back. With release, he groaned out loud. “Kayla.” That’s all he could get out. He still desired telling her he wanted to mate her. He wanted to take her to the cabin right this minute, but someone else was staying there through tonight. He smiled and kissed her. “I’m going to hit the shower, and I’ll rejoin you in bed in a couple of minutes.”

  “No. Way.” She was out of bed in a flash. “You’ll get lonely or might lose your way back to me.”

  He chuckled. “Never, but this is even better.” He knew he should have just mated her. He swept her off her feet and hauled her into the bathroom, kissing her the whole way.

  She was the only one for him.

  Chapter 13

  After eating breakfast tacos the next morning, Nate and Kayla packed up the van with his hiking gear and the groceries Nate had bought the day previously. She and he were sweating from the exertion. It was hot out—92 degrees the last time he’d looked on the weather app. And then they finally got on their way. At least they had a cool, air-conditioned van to ride in.

  “Have you been out to the cabin before?” Kayla asked, wiping her brow with a tissue.

  “Once since I’ve lived here. Someone broke into the cabin while it wasn’t being used in the wintertime, and the pack leaders gave me the job of searching for clues to learn who had done it. I tracked three men and two women’s scents to the bed-and-breakfast. They’d gone for a long hike, broken into the cabin, eaten a bunch of the food, vandalized the place, and stolen some things from it. We found them in their guest rooms, laughing about the whole thing. Our local judge insists on speedy trials for out-of-towners, and our wolf lawyers do a great job of seeing justice is served. The party of thieves had to clean up the cabin and pay hefty fines for vandalizing it and for stealing property. Plus they all have criminal records now. If they get caught committing any further crimes, they’re in the system.”

  “Good. That’s what I like to hear.”

  “The pack usually doesn’t have any trouble at the cabins, but they have safes to lock up any valuables for when guests are hiking or swimming and away for a while.”

  “Okay, that’s good to know. I didn’t bring my purse, but you could put your wallet in there while we’re running as wolves or out hiking.” She looked out at the pine trees and sighed. “The first thing I want to do after we arrive at the cabin is swim in the lake. It’s so hot out.”

  He felt the same way. “I’m all for that.”

  Up ahead, they saw two men walking on the private road, carrying hiking packs, tents, and sleeping bags, scruffy, bearded, both dark-haired. Nate pulled over onto the shoulder of the road. “Hey, this is private property out here.”

  The one man shrugged. “Didn’t see anything posted.”

  “No trespassing signs are posted all over.” Nate hated when people who trespassed on the pack’s private land always claimed that. Hunters, hikers, you name it. But the land was privately owned, and they didn’t want humans trespassing on it, should some of the pack members want to run in their wolf coats during the day—or night.

  “Well, we’re on our way out of here. Nice to meet you. Have a great day.” The men continued to hike back toward town as if they could do whatever they wished and get away with it. Not in their pack territory.

  “They lied about not seeing the no trespassing signs, don’t you think?” Kayla asked.

  “Yeah, I’m sure of it.” Nate called Sheriff Peter Jorgenson on Bluetooth. “Hey, Kayla and I are about a half mile from the Silver Falls cabin, and we ran into two human hikers who are trespassing on the private road. They both have dark-brown hair and beards and are wearing jeans and hiking boots. One is wearing a black T-shirt; the other has a gray T-shirt.”

  “They are loaded down with camping gear,” Kayla added. “So it appears they’ve been in the woods for a while. With the van window open, we smelled their pungent, sweaty body odor. We could smell they’d been drinking—beer, whiskey—and smoking pot too.”

  That was the thing about their sense of smell. It was heightened as wolves, and they could smell odors more intensely. Nate might have brushed it off because he just wanted to enjoy this time with Kayla, but they had to let trespassers know there were consequences for trespassing. Otherwise, they were bound to do it again and share with others that they had done it, and then the trespassing could spiral out of control. They had to think of their wolf pack’s safety above all else.

  Peter said, “We’ll intercept them on the road.”

  “Great.” It was always a good idea to be vigilant to keep their wolves safe.

  As soon as Nate and Kayla reached the cabin, she sighed with relief. “We’re here. I haven’t gone camping since I moved to Silver Town.”

  “Neither have I. Each of us just needed the perfect camping partner.”

  She smiled. “We sure did. Now, let’s hope it’s a success. What if we find out we don’t make compatible camping partners?”

  “Not happening. We’re going to have a blast.”

  “We will.”

  With a couple of boxes of groceries in hand, Nate climbed up the steps, set the boxes on the porch, and unlocked the front door. He opened the door and set the boxes inside on the island counter in the kitchen while Kayla hauled in more groceries. Then he grabbed the straps of Kayla’s hiking pack and eased it off her shoulders and set it down on the floor. They finished unloading the groceries and his backpack from the van. He shut and locked the door while she got them some water to drink.

  “Boy, this is going to be so nice,” she said, looking around at the cabin.

  “It sure will be.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

  “Really great. No interruptions.”

  They drank their fill and then put away all the perishable groceries. Afterward, they carried their packs into one of the bedrooms with a beautiful view of the blue lake surrounded by woods on three sides.

  The cabin had three bedrooms so that families could stay there in comfort. A large fireplace took up most of one wall, perfect for winter and chilly nights. The living area had three brown couches, one that folded out into a bed for additional guests, and a bookcase filled with books and board games for all ages. A stack of blankets could be used for cuddling on the couches on cold nights.

  The cabins were about half a mile apart, and each had electricity and running water, but none of them had Wi-Fi. The cabins were meant to be a getaway for wolf families and friends and not a place to conduct business. It was a way to reconnect with their wolf halves and with nature—though they had all the comforts of home life too while staying at the cabins, more so than if they went tenting. Which, for mating, worked out better for them.