Page 49 of Fated Despite the Moon

"My cousin Natasha is the first in generations. We aren't sure why."

Silence fell between them again.

"Do you have any girl names you like?" she asked.

Caleb's mind whirled. She was asking him what he thought? "Uh... I kind of like the name Madeline."

She nodded. "Maddie. I like that. Or maybe Olivia."

"Olivia's great."

Caleb could hardly believe he was in bed with Makayla. After Franny's death he never thought he'd find someone to share his bed, let alone his heart.

She tucked in closer to him and began to snore lightly. Caleb kissed her on the head and closed his eyes. He'd found his mate. He only hoped when the time came for them to complete the ritual, she felt the same.

* * *

Makayla spentthree days with Caleb entertaining her, every moment he was home until they fell asleep in her bed. Then either Mary or Dakota would distract her all day while Caleb was at work. The downstairs was full of small gifts and bouquets of flowers from the pack of Wolf River and friends and business associates of Caleb and Jeremiah's, wishing her and the baby well. By Friday, Makayla couldn't take one more day in bed. The moment Caleb left for work, she shot out of bed and headed down to the kitchen. In less than thirty minutes, Dakota walked in the door.

"What are you doing?" she asked Makayla, like a scolding parent.

"Trying to not go insane."

"You're supposed to be in bed."

"No. Doc said I was supposed to rest for a few days. Well, a few days are up, and if I don't get out of bed, I'm going to lose my ever-loving mind. So, I'm baking."

Dakota waddled over and set her bag on the counter. Makayla could see she wanted to argue, so Makayla grabbed her cookbooks, then pulled out the ingredients she needed from the cabinets and fridge.

"All right," Dakota finally said. "What are we doing?"

They spentthe entire morning cooking and baking food for the picnic the following day. Together they chatted and cooked and listened to old country music and hung out as if they'd always been friends. It was the most natural thing Makayla had ever done with another woman.

"So, do you work?" Makayla asked, as she prepped another pie crust.

Dakota grabbed an onion to chop for her potato salad. "Not right now. I worked before we moved back to Wolf River."

"What did you do?"

"I was a self-defense instructor at a Brazilian Ju Jitsu studio."

Makayla looked over at Dakota. "I could see that."

Dakota laughed. "Really?"

"Sure. How long have you and Griffin been mated?"

"Since I was eighteen. He was getting ready to leave for the navy, and we mated before he left. We've been together since I was a sophomore in high school."

"Wow. Did he do any tours overseas?"

Dakota nodded. "Three."

"That must have been lonely. I can't imagine what that would be like."

Dakota stayed silent for a long minute. "It was tough... on both of us."

"But you're both here now and having a baby. That must be good, right?"

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