by Milly Taiden
She tilted her head to the side, letting her hair fall over her shoulder. Time to flirt with her man. With a breathy voice she said, “I feel so much better. What did you do to me?”
Tevrik swallowed hard and stepped away. “I’ll be back in a second.” He hurried out the door, slamming it behind him. Without his coat. If he got cold, he could shift. Arctic wolves were created to withstand the weather this far north.
She kept her eyes on the door, waiting. And waiting. With a huff, she hollered, “Tevrik, get your ass in here pronto.”
Within seconds, the door slammed open.
Tevrik stood narrowed-eyed, lips pulled back in a growl. “What’s wrong? Are you in danger?”
He was protecting her. “No. I’ve been waiting for you to come inside with me.”
She patted the bed next to her.
“Oh.”
She could see the hesitation on his face. Did she smell bad? Was that why he was avoiding her?
Slowly, he shuffled to her bedside and sat. If he were any farther, he’d fall off the mattress. “Now, tell me, how did you cure me?”
“Cure you?” he asked.
“Look at me,” she gestured down her upper body, and thankfully, he obeyed, eyes lingering on her breasts, “I can move, talk and breath again. You did something to fix me.”
“Oh,” he replied, “while you were passed out last night, I worked on you.”
She narrowed her eyes at him “Worked on me, how?”
“I figured the main problem wasn’t broken ribs as much as the muscles overly contracting, causing pain whenever you moved.”
When she passed out the night before, that scared the shit out of him. He didn’t want a mate (liar), but he didn’t want anything to happen to her.
When he lifted her unconscious body into his arms, he again felt the knots squeezing her sides. He knew what was causing most of the pain.
As she slept, he had spent hours heating water to place hot towels on her sides to warm the muscles, then deeply massaged the knots to get blood flowing, causing the tightness to relax so she could breathe. As the storm raged outside, the tempest inside him roared with his mate in his bed and hurting.
Well before dawn, the muscles over her ribcage released their death grip around her bruised bones. She would be all right in the morning. He hoped most of the pain would be gone by the time she woke.
She smiled. “Wow, handsome and smart.” She reached her hand out to touch him and he jerked away. Juliet silently sighed. “Tevrik, it’s okay. I won’t bite.”
He bounced up onto his feet. “Would you like some tea?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. “Tea and breakfast would be great.”
He stepped backward. “Yes, breakfast. Food. I can feed you.” He passed the hanging curtain then zipped from her sight. Good god, what was she going to do? Obviously, he knew she was his mate. Raven said the shifters knew almost instantly upon meeting someone.
She’d had enough of lying around and swung her legs over the side of the bed. With small steps, she made her way along the fireplace rock wall to the front where Tevrik sat most of the time. From here, she could see the rest of the cabin. Well, what she thought would be the rest of the cabin.
On the other side of the fireplace was a door in the same place the curtain was on her side. Then a second door was in the middle of the wall. This was it? A seven-foot room on each side of the fireplace and two windows.
Tevrik came through the door in the middle of the wall. When he saw her, he nearly choked. “What are you doing up?” He rushed over, setting the cup on an upturned log.
“I just wanted to walk a bit. Look around.”
His concern for her dissolved as he lowered his head. “There isn’t much to see. I have nothing.”
“Are you kidding?” She lifted her arm and turned to point at the incredible hand-carved table by the bed. As soon as she twisted, her sides screamed. She stumbled, ready to hit the floor, but strong arms wrapped around her waist, keeping her steady.
She looked up to see Tevrik inches from her face while he bent to hold her up. She stared into his eyes and got lost.
“Fuck,” he growled. “I’m so sorry.” He helped her up, then dragged a rocking chair with more detailed carvings toward the fire. “Here, sit.”
She lowered to the rocker and slid back. The hardwood was surprisingly comfortable. The planks conformed to her body instead of her sitting on a non-giving surface. “This is nice. You made this, didn’t you?”
Tevrik stared at her, eyes wide. “How did you know?”
She shrugged. “I didn’t. I can just picture you sitting on your stool with a piece of tree, whittling away, lost in your thoughts.”
He sat on his stool. “Yeah. That’s how I pass time during the worst of the weather.” Oh, she could totally come up with more enjoyable ways to pass time in winter.
“Have you tried to sell any of your work? It’s absolutely amazing.”
His smile returned. “You like my stuff?” He meant the furniture, calm down libido.
“Are you kidding?” she replied. “It’s stunning. You could bring in a lot of money with just the table alone.”
He shrugged. “I don’t need much money. I buy very little.” He remained quiet as she rocked. Her heart ached for this strong, beautiful man. What kept him here so isolated? What had happened to make him this way? It was a self-imposed isolation, that was for sure.
“Tevrik? Why do you live alone, so far from family and friends? Surely, there is nothing you could have done bad enough to warrant this.”
He sighed and looked away. “That’s not important. While you were passed out the second time or was it the third,” he chuckled, “the snowstorm hit, so you are stuck here for a while longer.”
Juliet sat back in her rocker and sighed. At least she would have more time with her mate, and to make him talk to her. She wasn’t leaving without him. “How about that breakfast.”
9
Earlier when he was outside trying to keep his hormones and wolf under control, his wolf caught a whiff of Juliet’s arousal and it made him practically rip the door from its hinges to get inside. He had to fight like never before to keep the wolf in. If he shifted in front of her, he’d never see her again after she ran out screaming.
He really needed to get his shit together. He was better than this. He had control over his baser instincts. Or so he thought.
He swore she was trying to seduce him. But why would she? He was a stranger, she was too much temptation.
He heard her voice and he and his wolf were. . .compelled, for lack of a better word. He hadn’t felt that kind of pull since he was with the pack and his father, the alpha, ordered him to do something.
Something must’ve been wrong. He hauled ass the few feet to the door and threw it open. His wolf came close to the surface, searching for danger. When there was none, it relaxed. She patted the bed beside her, wanting him to sit beside her.
That probably wasn’t a good idea. She had such an effect on him. She was beautiful, making his heart thump. And here she sat now, infusing him with the self-respect he didn’t deserve. She saw so much in him that wasn’t there anymore. Fifteen years ago, perhaps.
What he smelled from her wasn’t pity, but pride. She was proud of him even though he had nothing to be proud of. Damn, he loved his mate already. Her heart was good and kind. Wanting to believe the best in him. But she didn’t know the truth.
Tevrik rotated out the water kettle and dipped out a cupful and set it next to where he put her mug earlier. He dropped an herb bag into each to seep while he dished out breakfast.
“Mighty wolf,” Juliet said. He froze, caught off guard “That’s what your names mean, right? You said little, mighty wolf.”
His heart warmed. “Yes.”
His wolf liked the sound of that too.
Juliet laughed. The sweetest sound he’d ever heard. “I have to say, mighty wolf, I’m amazed with this setup.” She gestured at th
e fireplace.
It was rather ingenious if he said so himself. “When I built this cabin—”
“You, as in you, yourself?” Juliet asked, her jaw hanging from surprise.
“Yes,” he smiled, “me, myself.” She nodded with an expression showing she was impressed. “Anyway, when I built this, I had no electricity, so I had to come up with a way to eat. Hunger is a great motivator.”
She laughed again.
“There was a lot of trial and error, but I finally got something that worked for me.”
Juliet sat forward in the rocking chair. “What all do you have attached to the fireplace walls, and why did you use stacked rock like you have?”
“You see how the metal bar with the water pot pivots to move in and out of the fire.” She nodded. “It’s basically the same on this side, but it’s a flat surface to cook food.” He swiveled that rod to bring out the griddle. Caribou bacon sizzled. His mouth watered.
“Oh my god,” Juliet said, “Is that bacon?”
He nodded. “It’s great.”
He watched her brows draw together.
“I know there aren’t little pink pigs running around up here,” she said. “Do I want to know what it’s made of?”
He pulled a piece from the griddle’s side. “Try it first.” She hesitantly took the meat from him and bit off a chunk. Her eyes lit up.
“This is great. There’s hardly any fat on it.”
“Caribou have very little fat to them,” he said.
She winced a bit. “Caribou?” Then she shrugged. “Oh well, it is what it is, and this is good.”
Tevrik’s heart leapt with lust when she brushed her hand against his. He turned away and pulled berries and dried fruit from containers.
“Okay,” his Juliet said, “I can see the berries from the forest, but you have to buy the dried apples and mangos. Alaska doesn’t have tropical or fruit trees.”
He winked at her. “Nope. I’ll show you after we eat.” With another full plate, he handed her more than enough sustenance. His wolf was proud, at least.
“How’s the weather outside?” she asked after a moment of silent eating.
“The storm has passed for the most part. It dumped a couple feet of snow. Drifts in the back of the cabin are up to the roof.”
“Wow,” her eyes sparkled at him.
He couldn’t help but smile at her. “What?”
“Can we go outside later? I want to walk in it.”
“You like the snow? Most women like the beach,” he commented.
“One thing you’ll learn about me, mighty wolf, is that I am not like any other women.” He absolutely agreed with that. “I don’t like the beach and hot sun. You can be naked and still sweat your ass off. But in the cold with enough covers, your body will warm up and not sweat through your clothes. Plus, there aren’t any animals or trees on a beach. It’s just sand that burns the hell out of your feet. And then—”
Tevrik leaned back laughing. “Okay. I get it. You hate the beach.”
“I could go on,” she said, pushing berries and bacon into her mouth, “but whatever. I love the cold and wilderness.”
That surprised the shit out of him. But it was a good surprise. A great surprise.
“How long have you lived here?” she asked.
“Around twelve-thirteen years. Time seems to stop out here,” he said.
“Yeah?” Juliet questioned.
He shrugged. “There’s no stressful schedule. No Joneses to keep up with.” She smiled at his humor.
“What do you do for money?” Juliet asked. “I mean, some of this you bought, right? Like the metal rods.”
“Since we’re off the grid—”
Juliet sat forward in her chair again. “Completely off?” she said. He watched her to make sure she wasn’t in any pain as she moved around.
He gave a serious nod. “Totally. I have no bills like the normal person.”
“What? No snowcat ATV insurance?” They both laughed. The thought of a company insuring something meant to go through treacherous terrain seemed silly. “You’re completely off the grid. Amazing. How do you. . .get along,” she asked.
“I get water from snow and have barrels to collect rainwater. I keep steaks in a box buried in the permafrost which is colder than a normal fridge. The fire heats and cooks. Fat from animals easily becomes oil for the lantern, but I usually work with available daylight.”
“But sometimes you have as few as four hours of sun, right?”
“Yes, sometimes it’s impractical. But I make do.”
“Those would be great days to stay in bed,” Juliet joked. His mind went straight into the gutter, imagining himself with his naked mate in a toasty bed. His dick hardened quicker than he could move. Shit. His old jeans didn’t allow for much room for that. Shit. Didn’t help that he scented her arousal and embarrassment. He glanced at her. Rosy cheeks made her even more adorable.
Tevrik took her empty plate and set it aside. “Let me show you how Alaska has bananas.” He held his hand out to help her from the rocking chair. When she took it, his wolf howled with joy. Her skin felt wonderful against his. So smooth, so silky. He wanted to rub her hand all over himself. Okay, that sounded a little weird, but whatever. The best part was that she didn’t let go and she showed no sign of pain as she got up.
He opened the door on the south side of the house with the most sun exposure. Juliet gasped when she saw the inside of the greenhouse. “Oh my god. This is amazing, Tevrik.” He only shrugged, but his wolf howled with arrogance and pride.
He pointed out the different areas with veggies and melons, showed her the herb table where he prepared teas and, at last, his favorite—the orchard.
“How do you keep the trees so small?” Juliet picked an apple from the branches.
“These are dwarf trees,” he answered. “Made to stay small for greenhouses and pots.”
She checked out the wood plant containers. “Dang, I don’t think I’ve seen a planter so big.”
“It was kind of an experiment at the time and I wasn’t sure what size would be best, so I made them big.”
She smiled up at him. “You made these too?”
He shrugged off her impressed look. “They’re just squares. Nothing hard.”
Juliet reached out to the material making up the see-thru walls. “Now I know you didn’t make these, unless you’ve got some factory hiding somewhere.” She winked at him.
Heat shot through him, all ending up in his groin. His mate was beautiful. So kind. He saw the sweetness of her heart in her eyes. He didn’t deserve such a treasure. She deserved so much better than him. He was a fucking mess. A wolf with no pack. No family. Nothing to offer.
Juliet moved to stand in front of him. “I didn’t thank you for saving me.”
She kissed his cheek and brushed past him, rubbing her breast against his arm. His dick filled so quickly, he was light-headed and knew how a balloon filled too fast felt like. Fortunately, he wouldn’t pop. Or so he thought. He couldn’t take the flirting anymore. He grabbed her arm and spun her around.
With her chest against his, he growled. “Enough teasing, I am going to kiss you, if you don’t want me to, say it now.” He paused only for a couple seconds “Time’s up.” He bent his head and brushed his lips against hers, she moaned and he couldn’t hold back any longer. He rubbed his tongue along the seam of her lips “Open up for me.”
Juliet moaned again and Tevrik lifted her and pulled on her legs until she wrapped them around his waist. He could feel the heat of her pussy against his cock, she whimpered and he pulled back. Fuck, now he wasn’t getting her out of his head. The taste of her would be embedded forever. But wait.
He wasn’t being fair with her. He was leading her on, knowing nothing would come of it. He took a couple steps back and turned back to the greenhouse.
“No,” he said in a low, rough growl. “No factories hiding in the snow. One of my friends helped me get the right material and I built i
t out.”
Juliet stood where he left her, he glanced back at her confused expression. She cleared her throat. “Living off Mother Nature, almost completely. Amazing. But. . .”
“But what?” he asked. Thank fuck she wasn’t going to mention the kiss. He wanted to pretend it didn’t happen. He’d dream about it every night forever.
She leaned against the herb table and crossed her legs. “Do you have to go outside to an outhouse?” Her frown made him smile.
“No, let me show you.” He led her to the door beside the fireplace.
She brushed her hand over the stacked stone forming the firewall. “I haven’t seen a hearth made of rock like this. It’s much prettier.” All he saw was her hand rubbing the wall and he imagined what it would feel like on his chest.
“Rock stores the heat during the day and at night when it gets cold, it releases that warmth into the rooms. No need for any other type of heating.” He figured out thermal dynamics from living in caves and traveling the mountains.
He opened the restroom door and stepped to the side for her to look in. Of all the things to figure out for living off the grid, the bathroom was the most creative.
“Um,” Juliet said, her head tilted, studying the facilities, “how does this all work?”
The toilet was normal except for the much larger tank on the back. Tevrik opened a small window where snow was packed on the outside. He scooped snow into a bucket and dumped that into the tank.
“Oh,” Juliet said, “the snow melts down and that water is used to flush. That’s smart. Where does it go?”
“Well,” he scrubbed his fingers through his hair, “let’s just say it’s all natural.”
“What about. . .” she stuttered through words, “uh, you know. . .” She made a wiping motion with her hand. He smiled to himself. Let’s see how she handled this.
“Oh,” he replied with a serious face, “a handful of pine needles works well for that, pinecones are better. The hard edges scrape.” Her mouth dropped open. “Of course, in the summer, leaves are really good for that. Avoiding poison ivy is ideal. And now, snow is the perfect cleaner. A bit cold, of course.”