She nodded. “I think so. I’m not sure I have the courage to meet Rinaldi.” Admitting it out loud made her cheeks burn with shame. “If I chicken out, I’d rather the pack wasn’t there to see it. And if I find the courage to fight him and I lose …” She made a vague gesture with her hand. “Well, I’d just as soon no one saw that, either.”
“Kiya, listen to me. You don’t have a cowardly bone in your body. You’re the bravest woman I’ve ever known. You’ve survived every challenge you’ve ever faced, and you’ll survive this one, too.”
Seeing the love in his eyes, hearing the confidence in his voice, gave her just the boost she needed. But later, when they were lying alone together in the dark, her doubts returned.
Wordlessly, Gideon drew her into his arms. Murmuring tender words in her ear, he made love to her until the rising sun chased the darkness from the sky. She waited for him to leave, as he always did, but, to her surprise, he stayed by her side, his arm around her shoulders, his presence comforting her even after he had succumbed to the darkness.
Kay stayed in bed until hunger drove her downstairs. Greta and Brett were in the kitchen. They both looked up when she stepped into the room.
“How are you?” Greta asked.
Kay shrugged, then slid into an empty chair.
“Let me fix you something to eat,” Greta offered. “What would you like?”
“I don’t care. Whatever you’re having is fine.”
“Pancakes, eggs, and sausage okay?” Greta’s smile looked forced.
“Fine,” Kay said.
“Whatever happens, we’ll all be there for you,” Brett said.
“About that,” Kay said. “I’d rather go alone.”
“Alone!” he exclaimed. “Why the hell would you want to do that?”
“I have my reasons,” Kay said, “and I won’t really be alone. Gideon will be there with me.”
Brett shook his head. “No way!” Rising, he pushed away from the table. “No way in hell!” he declared, and stomped out of the room.
“Are you sure, Kiya?” Greta asked quietly.
“Yes. I have my reasons.”
Greta smiled faintly. “I think I know what they are. Don’t worry about Brett. I’ll explain it to him.”
“Were you afraid when Victor challenged you?” Kay asked.
“Afraid? No.” Greta filled a plate with pancakes and eggs and added six sausage links. “I was terrified.” She placed the plate and a cup of coffee in front of Kay. “You’re your father’s daughter, Kiya. Your courage won’t desert you.”
“I hope you’re right,” Kay said. “But if you’re wrong, I don’t want anyone else to witness it.” She sighed heavily. “It’s bad enough that Gideon will be there.”
The hours until the moon rose passed slowly, and yet all too quickly. Kay showered, dressed in a pair of black jeans, then pulled on a bright red sweater to bolster her courage. She tied her hair back in a ponytail, stepped into a pair of black sandals, and she was ready to go.
Gideon, who had been remarkably silent while she got ready, followed her downstairs to where the pack waited.
“Don’t worry about me,” she said, forcing a confident smile she was far from feeling. “I’ll be back soon.” Whole or in pieces, she thought morbidly.
Every member of the pack came forward to give her a hug and wish her well, Brett and Greta last of all.
“We’ll be with you in spirit,” Greta said. “I know you’ll make us proud.”
Too choked up to speak, Kay nodded and hurried out of the house, with Gideon at her heels.
“Ready?” he asked.
“I have one stop to make,” she said.
He didn’t question her, merely fell into step beside her.
He waited outside the fence while she went to kneel between her parents’ graves, felt his heart constrict as she bid them good- bye.
Returning to where he waited, she said, “Now I’m ready.”
The Green Mountain Pack was waiting for her at the appointed place. Head high, shoulders back, she strode toward Rudolfo Rinaldi.
“I’m here.”
He glanced around, his eyes narrowed, his nostrils sniffing the wind. “Alone?”
“My husband is here with me. Are you ready?” She was surprised that her voice didn’t shake at all, that her hands were rock steady. And even more surprised to discover that she wasn’t afraid anymore.
“Where’s the rest of your pack?” Rinaldi asked.
“I thought this fight was between you and me,” Kay said boldly. “Do I need to call them?”