by Vivian Arend
“Whoa, that’s different. She know about shifters?”
Shelley bit her lip to stop from snorting. Sharing that her sis was sleeping with the wolf pack Alpha—nahh, she’d keep it general.
“She knows. Manages the Moonshine Inn for the Takhini Pack. She’s rather good around shifters. Probably better than me.” The last confession snuck out grudgingly. Then she reconsidered. Caroline did do well. More than well. “Actually she’s the reason it’s worthwhile coming back to face the memories. She’s strong and accepting. And giving. I need people like that in my life, and the fact she’s my sister makes it even more vital.”
“Sounds like she’s important to you.”
“I guess you could say she’s one of my heroes,” Shelley confessed.
Frank escorted her back up the steps of the cabin and knocked on the door. “She’s got to be damn cool, because you’re pretty impressive yourself. For a wolf.”
Shelley laughed. He tweaked her nose before swinging the door open and gesturing her into the cabin. He rambled easily down the stairs then disappeared between a couple of tents.
Watching Shelley leave with the big bear appeased Chase’s discomfort a little. He knew she would be safe with Frank.
The question still remained if Frank would be safe with Shelley.
He turned to face his remaining friends. “Spit it out. Details, dreams. I want to know fast.”
“Don’t think it’s an immediate thing, Silver, just—”
“Fast because I’ve promised to take Shelley out again in the morning to gather information, and if you’re going to go all mystical and hairy on me, I want to know now what to expect when we get back in a few days.”
Mark nodded. “There’s men from out Townsend way who ain’t been seen for a couple months. Someone found a collapsed mine opening and the smell of death around it. Plus there’s a cabin, well more of a lean-to, that burned to the ground, but that would only account for a few of the missing.”
“There’s that bear gathering in Dawson. Their once-in-a-while redistribution of territory, or some such nonsense. We figured it wouldn’t affect any of the crew out in the bush. Frank ignored the summons when it came, as did most of the other bear shifters.” Delton pushed back his chair.
Chase frowned. “How do they get all the bears to gather in one spot? Send out mail? How do they even know where to look?”
Delton cleared the plates off the table as he talked, seemingly unable to sit and stop working. “Hell, you know the Pony Express wouldn’t work up here. No, it’s freakier than that. They got some kind of connection that they set off, and the bears get the urge to gather. Don’t ask me for more than that. Frank said it felt as if someone tapped him on the shoulder. He ignored it.”
Freaky indeed. “Glad we don’t have that with wolves.”
“Or cats,” Delton agreed. “But if I remember correctly, the last time there was a call like this they didn’t stop at the polite shoulder tapping. They tried to round them up.”
“You remembering correctly, old-timer?” Mark asked. “How long ago was the last?”
“Who you calling old? The last call was only thirty-five years ago or thereabouts, so, hell yes, I remember correctly.”
Chase scrubbed his fingers over his brush cut. “If they’re going to try to round up outcasts and haul them into Whitehorse, they’re stupider than we need to worry about. You seriously think Frank could be herded anywhere he didn’t want to go?”
“Maybe Frank won’t, but he’s about the biggest and sanest of the bunch. There’s going to be isolated killing happening all over the north if the bears try to make someone involuntarily move—and it could be either side dying, ours or theirs.”
Their men.
And that was the truth. These men were his, in some strange and undefined way. Part of the pack of outcasts.
“It’s not just the bears, Silver.” Mark shook his head, worry in his every move. “Something’s off. The wolves are howling with it. The regular animals are making scarce like there’s a snowstorm ready to descend. You add the two things together, hell. I wasn’t able to convince the men to just relax. They wanted to see you.”
Chase sighed. “I understand why they gathered. You’re right, Mark. You did the right thing. I won’t be doing any ass kicking, not of the men who banded together here for protection. Bears or whatever the hell.”
Mark tilted his head in respect.
Chase looked up at his oldest friend. “But you. What’re you bringing to the mix, old man? Dreams to scare little children in their cozy beds at night?”
Delton waved the cast-iron pan in his hand as if it were a feather. “You’ve never discounted my dreams before.”
Which was more the pity. Under the midnight sun, there were more unusual and unexplainable situations and things than Chase was willing to try to explain away. “And you see death?”
The old man nodded. “Shifter deaths.”
“Maybe it’s the bears fighting, like Mark talked about.”
Delton hesitated. “No. Yes. Both.”
It was still early, but hell if Chase didn’t need a drink. His shoulder ached, his head ached, and if Shelley didn’t get back soon he was going outside to find her because his body ached from maintaining his composure with her away from his protection.
He rose and poured three tumblers of alcohol, gesturing for the men to join him in the living room. “If we’re going to talk about death and dying we may as well do it like real Yukoners.”
They clinked glasses and tossed back the first round. The alcohol burned as it went down before smoothing into a heated ball in his gut. He poured a second round before making himself comfortable on the couch. His friends settled and the room grew quiet. Peaceful. Chase took a deep breath. Now he was ready for this conversation.
“Other than the bears, what kind of death, Delton?”
His friend hesitated. “Yours.”
Chapter Fourteen
The inside of the cabin smelt like shifters and booze. Shelley wandered in cautiously, but there were only the three men sprawled on the furniture in the main open area, glasses in their hands and a nearly empty bottle on the low coffee table.
Chase grinned at her sheepishly. “We left you a little.”
Oh boy. “I think I’ll be designated driver tonight. You all done talking about scary things without little ol’ me around?”
Mark nodded twice. Huge head motions that threatened to topple him to the floor. “You sure a right smart woman. How the hell did Chase manage to snag the likes of you?” The wolverine hiccupped then slid to the floor. “’Cuse me.”
Delton shook his head. “Don’t mind him. He’s an ass.”
“Am not. Am a wolfer. Wol-ver.” Mark straightened up best he could and pawed the air with his fingers spread wide. “Scary dude with sharp claws. Only I got much better hair.”
He hiccupped again.
Delton sniggered.
Shelley glanced in disbelief at Chase. “Mark knows about X-Men? And what did you give them to drink to get them so wasted in the half hour I’ve been gone?”
“Sourdough thermometer.” Chase blinked innocently. “Perry Davis’s Patented Painkiller.”
She sucked in a quick, shocked breath. The old-timer’s method of knowing how cold it was. The glasses of liquid set outside the window of their trappers’ cabin would freeze in sequence. The mercury would be the first to go at minus forty, then the coal oil, then the Jamaican Ginger extract. By the time the Perry’s turned to slush, they knew it was time to stay indoors or freeze their lungs just breathing. “I’m so glad you’re all taking your responsibilities to the pack seriously.”
Mark snorted. “Lady, I think I love you. You said I was pack.” He lifted his head and pursed his lips in her direction.
Chase kicked out a foot, knocking the leg of the chair Mark was propped against, which sent it flying. Mark collapsed to the ground and lay there smiling at the ceiling for about ten seconds before he starte
d seriously snoring.
Shelley rested her fists on her hips and stared down at where Chase sprawled on the couch. “Well, that wasn’t very nice.”
“No one kisses you.”
A snort escaped. “Air kisses? You’re nuts.”
“No one.” Chase raised his glass in the air. “You sure you don’t want some?”
She laughed as she stepped over the motionless body of the wolverine. “I should have at least one shot or you guys are going to be too ridiculous for me to handle.”
Delton nodded. “Serious business being Alpha. Chase needs a little fun and frolics every now and then.”
He drained his glass and rose unsteadily. With deceptive strength, the old cougar grabbed the wolverine by the foot and dragged him toward the front door. “I’ll find a berth outside. You two have a good night. If you like, I’ll make you breakfast in the morning before you leave.”
He vanished out the front door. Shelley cringed as Mark’s head thumped over the doorsill.
Something smooth and cool brushed her arm, and she grasped the glass to stop Chase from bumping it into her. “Are you three sheets to the wind, Chase?”
He shook his head, leaning back to relax against the cushions. His voice was clear when he spoke. “No. They drank more than I did. They were upset. It was one way to settle them down.”
She sat on the coffee table directly across from him, enjoying the way his gaze slipped over her. Protective and admiring all at the same time. “They have a reason to be upset? Frank said he figured there would be more men showing up. Afraid they’ll go missing as well if they don’t band together.”
Chase stopped staring at her one piece at a time as if deciding which bit to dine on first, and his gaze snapped up. “I thought he was taking you away to save you from all the grizzly details.”
“Oh, he didn’t tell me much. Just that he figured this was the safest place to be the next while.”
Chase nodded. “And you probably still want to head into the bush tomorrow, right?”
“Well, let’s see.”
She curled her finger at him to motion him forward. When she took hold of his buttons, he grinned. “We’ve got the entire place to ourselves.”
A shiver took her that she ignored as she opened his shirt to reveal that magnificent chest of his. “I’ve been trying not to notice, thank you. First things first.”
“Getting naked sounds like a good first thing.”
Pushing the fabric off his shoulders just meant more muscles to admire, and a thicker scent rising to her nostrils. He was turned on by her touch.
She was feeling the same draw. Damn it, she might have tossed all professionalism out the window by getting intimate with him, but she’d at least check his injury before they fell into bed.
He reached forward and slid his hands up her thighs. Determinedly driving her crazy.
“Chase Johnson, you sure you didn’t have a few too many swigs of that rot gut?” Shelley stood so his hands would fall away, and clamped a firm grip on his shoulder to remove the bandages. “Now stay still.”
She snapped her lips together when the claw marks came into view. The protective covering had stopped the blood from staining his shirt. If possible, the cuts looked fresher than before, instead of closing in and forming a protective scab. This time she managed to keep her head about her and not blurt out horrible things like holy shit, what is going on?
He leaned his head against her nearest arm and nuzzled. “You just patch that up fresh for me. Don’t think there’s much else you can do.”
“It hurts, doesn’t it?” she asked.
He stroked his hand up the inside of her thigh. “It does, but I know what can make me feel better.”
In spite of the mess on his shoulder, Shelley had to smile. “You are such a cat. I’m pretty sure that after bandaging you up I should give you a shot of antibiotics and make you sleep in the hopes that helps you recover.”
He continued to run his hand up and down the inside of her thigh as she bandaged him, taping the gauze into place. “You didn’t answer me. We’re heading bush, right? That’s what I told the boys.”
“I need to talk to the puma who attacked you, now more than ever. There’s got to be a reason you’re not healing.”
“That’s fine. We’ll go. We’ll have to be extra careful of meeting anyone—Mark offered to travel as an escort. Delton did too, but I’d prefer to have him back here to help deal with any newcomers. Frank is good, but he lacks a little…”
Shelley put aside her supply bag and squatted in front of him. “Frank lacks a little knowing when to keep his mouth shut-ism.”
Chase slid his hand around her neck, threading his fingers into her hair. “Frank who?”
He pulled her forward and their lips met, and she gave in. All the things she’d been holding off, all the reasons she’d avoided fooling around with shifters? None of them applied to Chase, and if they could have a night of enjoying each other before heading into the wilds?
No objections at all.
Especially when he kissed as if he was craving her. Fingers tight on the back of her head to hold her exactly how he wanted. His other hand returned to her thigh, thumb teasing, compelling. Dangerously slow. Like a trickle of a narcotic into her veins, his touch built a hunger inside.
He worked their lips together, brought his tongue into play. She met his exploration with her own, sighing with happiness at letting go of the restraints she’d maintained for so long.
Well, not including when she’d attacked him outside on the ridge.
But that had been her reacting to the jolt of adrenaline as much as her attraction to him. Responding to the animal side of the equation, because while her wolf never deemed it proper to rise any higher than her gut level, the beast was still there. Still influenced her decisions at some subconscious level.
But now was about the human side. The animal was interested, but only distantly. Not as if she were responding to a mate call, or anything.
Chase grabbed the bottom of her shirt and tugged on it, letting their lips separate for long enough to lift the fabric over her head and bare her.
He grumbled disapprovingly. “Sports bra.”
Shelley laughed and removed the offending garment. She also took a peek at the windows. They had no audience yet, but there was nothing to say they wouldn’t have one later. “Can we move this to the bedr—ohh…”
He’d swung her up in his arms and they were halfway across the room before she could finish her sentence. Chase lowered her to the mattress and stared intently, his gaze burning as he took her in. He twisted the blinds upward, sunshine hitting the ceiling and bouncing down to give them light and privacy.
“Nice.”
Chase whirled back on her as if she were prey he’d let out of his sights for far too long. “Nice would be you removing the rest of your clothes.”
Shelley kicked off her shoes and slipped out of her pants. “Only nice?”
“I’m a simple man. No need for fancy words.”
She wiggled back on the bed until she was propped up against the headboard, massive pillows at her back. Chase was shirtless, shoeless and he’d undone his belt and the top button of his jeans.
Guh.
The mental image was going to stay with her for a long, long time. Delicious, powerful. He stalked forward and leaned a knee on the bed, and she was sure she was about to get pounced on.
“You want this?” Chase caught her foot in his hand, those talented thumbs instantly beginning to work magic on her skin.
Stupid question. “Don’t you?”
“Hell, I’ve wanted you since I spotted you on the field in Whitehorse, and I know you’re attracted to me. But do you really want this?”
Shelley scooted closer, drawing him over her and using him like a Chase blanket. His weight settled slowly, with his jeans and her panties separating their hips. Nothing between her and that gorgeous chest.
She groaned, not sure what was hol
ding him back. “I want you. I don’t understand the question.”
“We don’t have to have sex because the guys are calling you my woman. This isn’t about needing to be marked.”
Oh. Now she got it. “Chase?”
Resting on his elbows to keep his weight from crushing her, he was still close enough his answer fanned air over her face. “Yes?”
Actions spoke better than words. She caught his face in her hands and connected their lips again. At the same time she wrapped her legs around his hips, and that solid bit of him met the aching part of her.
By his enthusiastic response she figured he’d gotten her message, loud and clear.
Chase took a long taste of her mouth as he luxuriated in the feel of her under him. Willing woman, mostly naked?
It didn’t get much better than that.
Except for the mostly part. Damn if he wanted to have anything between them. She’d said yes, now he was going to take and take and take, greedy for more than the touches he’d had.
Knowing that she was willing reduced the frantic panic inside. Let him concentrate on making this more than a quick rut up against the rocks like she’d have gotten from him earlier in the day. Chase licked along the tendon of her neck. Her skin, so soft, hint of salt, desire-laced. Her want for him poured out and flowed around them, and he nibbled along her collarbone hungrily.
It took him a good five minutes to finish laving her skin on the right side. Small tastes of her shoulder, her neck. Teasing the sensitive spot where her arm and torso met. He alternated between licking and sucking, biting and kissing until she squirmed under him.
His animal sides rumbled with approval. They weren’t even to the good parts yet, and she was making wonderful noises.
Shelley grabbed his head and tugged him toward her breasts. Pretty things. Just small mounds with rosy tips now that she was lying on her back. He resisted her pull and smiled at the treat.
Shelley whimpered. “Chase?”
“I’m anticipating.”
Her laugh slipped at the moment he covered her areola with his mouth, the happy sound shifting into something deeper and far rawer. He played with the tip, using his tongue, pulsing his lips to draw her flesh into his mouth. He traced around and around, pulling off and blowing on her wet skin to watch the sensitive tip pucker to a tight nub so he could feel it better against his tongue on the next pass.