Jade glanced at the profile of Ace’s face as he drove. His chin once again had just a hint of stubble on it, which accented his strong jaw line. He kept his eyes on the road, nodding occasionally as he listened to Jade’s instructions. When she had finished talking, and finished answering his questions, the pair fell silent. Jade let herself steal several more glances in Ace’s direction. She couldn’t help herself—despite her insistence to him that he wasn’t her type, he definitely made her swoon.
Jade sighed as she felt her heart beating faster. She forced herself to look away from Ace and out the passenger window. She mindlessly watched the houses passing by, and tried to keep her thoughts on the rescue task in front of her.
Ace proved to be an excellent sidekick for a seal rescue. Most volunteers were nervous around the scared, wounded animals, which tended to thrash about wildly and bare their teeth at you in an unmistakably threatening manner. But Ace remained levelheaded, and his presence alone even seemed to have a strangely calming effect on the seal. Jade chalked it up to his Coast Guard training. No doubt, he had hundreds of hours of experience with remaining calm in tense situations. Dealing with an angry seal pup probably didn’t come close to the stress of flying rescue missions in stormy weather.
Over the next two weeks, Ace had a total of five days off from his Coast Guard job, and he spent each one of them assisting with rescuing seal pups. Jade halfheartedly told him he should take a break or he was going to burn himself out, but he brushed her off and said he was enjoying the work. Jade secretly felt relieved. She was beginning to wonder how they had managed to keep things afloat at the center before Ace came along. She knew Ace had decided to help so that he had an excuse to spend more time around her, but she didn’t care at this point. She needed his help, and, besides, she’d be lying if she said she didn’t enjoy spending time with him, too.
In fact, she hated admitting to herself just how much she was enjoying spending time with him. He had a dry sense of humor that she appreciated, and he was a good conversationalist. He seemed to know a lot about many different subjects, so no matter what Jade felt like talking about, he was able to keep up. She was falling for him, and she knew it, but she couldn’t stop herself. On the days that Ace was working a Coast Guard shift, she found herself staring up at the sky any time she heard a helicopter rushing by, wondering if it was him.
Thursday night was one of those days. It was the third day in a row, in fact, that he’d been on duty at the Coast Guard air station. Jade, as usual, had spent over fourteen hours at the rescue center that day, chipping in wherever needed to keep things afloat. By eleven p.m., though, her work for the day was finally done. Instead of going home right away, she walked to the back of the hospital, where a grassy hill bordered the edges of the animal pens. Jade tiptoed past the sleeping seals, shivering slightly in the cool evening air despite the sweatshirt she was wearing. Noiselessly, she lay down on her back in the grass and looked up at the skies. She wished she could see more stars, but the lights from San Diego and the surrounding suburbs drowned out all but the very brightest of them. Jade breathed in deeply, taking a moment to savor the calm after a long, tiring day. A few puffy clouds floated by here and there in the darkness, but the skies were relatively clear tonight. The winds were low, too, which meant Jade worried a little less about whether Ace would be okay if he had to take the helicopter out on a rescue mission.
Jade sighed. She couldn’t escape the worry, could she? She had refused to date Ace for this very reason. But he had quickly become one of her best friends, and the only thing keeping them from becoming a couple was her stubbornness. They had great chemistry, and even the other volunteers and staff at the rescue center had noticed. Jade got a teasing poke from someone at the rescue center anytime Ace showed up to volunteer. She pushed away the hints, and insisted that there was nothing romantic going on between them.
Jade allowed herself, for the umpteenth time that day, to let Ace’s handsome face run across her mind’s eye. She fantasized all the time about saying “to heck with it” and just giving things a go with Ace. She was already worrying about him as a friend, so why not take things to the next level? Why not push aside her fears and finally allow herself some happiness?
“What do you think I should do, Mike?” Jade asked the sky above her. “Should I go for it? Let myself live again, even if that means risking losing someone I love again?”
There was no answer from the vast sky, and Jade sighed as she squinted up at the few stars that she could see. Then she chuckled, quietly so that she wouldn’t disturb the sleeping seals. Of course Mike wouldn’t answer a question like that. When he was still alive, he was always telling Jade to have more confidence in herself, and in following her heart.
Maybe that was what she needed to do now. And her heart was telling her to take a chance with Ace. Anyone on this planet could die at any time, for any number of reasons. Living in fear of death wasn’t really living. It was time to give life, and love, another chance. Jade had made her decision. She cared deeply about Ace. He had become one of her best friends, and she was undeniably drawn to him. Tomorrow, when he showed up for his volunteer shift, she would tell him that she had reconsidered. She would go to dinner with him, because he was definitely her type.
As soon as Jade made the decision, a shooting star streaked across the sky. Jade smiled. She wasn’t an overly superstitious person, but she took that as a sign. She was moving in the right direction.
Chapter Six
Ace sat in the dining area of the air station, and downed his paper cup of coffee in three swift gulps. He was dog tired. You would think that the calmer weather would have meant a quieter shift for his Coast Guard search and rescue team, but they had been going nonstop for the last three days. Even in good weather, people made bad decisions and got themselves into trouble out on the water. They had even airlifted a family of tourists who had found themselves on a sinking boat—with no lifejackets. The company that had rented them the boat would be hearing from the authorities, that’s for sure.
Ben, Lance, and Brett sat near Ace, all looking as tired as Ace felt. Each man had a paper cup of coffee in front of him, and was staring wearily off into space, trying to put some mental space between themselves and the intense work they had done over the last several days.
“I’m gonna get more coffee,” Ace said, standing up. “Anyone else?”
Lance handed his paper cup over without a word, and Ace headed for the coffeepot to get them both another hit of caffeine. Ace needed to take a day off, a real day off, and he knew it. He had been spending every minute of his free time with Jade, rescuing seals and sea lions, or taking care of the animals that were being rehabilitated for release back into the wild. Ace had started volunteering mainly to have an excuse to spend time with Jade, but he had to admit that he loved the work. He had found it deeply rewarding to see a rescued animal get a second chance at life. Jade had taught him a great deal about rescuing and caring for the animals, and Ace found himself more attracted to her by the day. They had become good friends, and Ace kept hoping that the solid foundation of friendship they had built would blossom into something more. So far, Jade had been explicitly opposed to romance, however. Ace told himself to be patient—not an easy task for an alpha used to getting his way, but he was trying. He figured the best way to move in the right direction was to just continue spending as much time as possible with Jade.
He hadn’t wanted to miss a single day of volunteering, and, so far, he hadn’t. But after the stress of the last three days, he had decided enough was enough. The seals and sea lions would survive without him for a day, and he and Jade had become close enough friends that it would take longer than twenty-four hours for her to forget about him. He would sleep in tomorrow, actually go to the grocery store and restock his refrigerator, and maybe even go for a run on the beach. He needed a day without real responsibilities.
“Here you go,” Ace said, setting Lance’s refilled coffee cup back down in f
ront of him.
“Thanks,” Lance said, grabbing the cup and taking a big swig, not bothered by the fact that the coffee was extra hot. Lance rubbed his forehead, and then glanced around at each of the men.
“So, I have some news on the Alaska situation.”
Ace, along with the others, perked up immediately.
“The alpha from the clan in Alaska is very interested in discussing the situation with us,” Lance said. “He’s even offered to host a representative from the clan, if we want to send someone up there to meet him in person. It sounds like they’re learning more every day about the plans the scientists up there have, and it doesn’t sound good.”
“We should definitely send someone,” Brett said. “It would be the best way to truly get a feel for what’s going on up there.”
“I agree,” Lance said. “Besides, sending someone would be the best way to show the clan up there how serious we are about fighting the danger these scientists pose. And we all have the next three days off, so if we can snatch up an early morning flight for one of us, we could get someone up there right away. Does anyone want to volunteer to go?”
“I will,” Ace said, before he could even think about it. True, he had just decided to take it easy for the next day or two, but he couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this. Ever since the Great Epidemic had wiped out his clan, a deep rage had burned within him. He had sworn to himself that if he ever found the scientists responsible for the virus that had killed so many panda shifters, he would tear them apart with his own hands. He would show no mercy, just as they had shown no mercy to his clan.
“Alright,” Lance said, already pulling out his smartphone to search for flights. “Does anyone have any objections to Ace’s being the one to go?”
“Fine by me,” Brett said.
“Fine by me as well,” Ben said.
“Looks like you can leave San Diego at six a.m. tomorrow and arrive in Glacier Point, Alaska by six p.m.,” Lance said. “But it’s almost midnight here already. Do you think you can make a flight that early?”
“I’ll make it work,” Ace said. He did his best not to visibly wince at the realization that he was probably going to get less than four hours of sleep tonight.
“Alright, I’m booking it for you, then,” Lance said. “Go home and get a few hours of sleep, at least. I’ll email you the flight information, and make sure that someone picks you up at the airport in Glacier Point.”
“Alright, will do,” Ace said, standing as he downed the last few sips of his coffee. He should have been worried that the caffeine would keep him up, but he was so tired that it wasn’t making a difference. He knew he would pass out as soon as his head hit the pillow.
“Oh, and Ace?” Lance asked.
“Yeah?”
“Make sure you pack warmly. The high in Glacier Point tomorrow is below zero.”
Ace grunted in reply, then headed for the door. Luckily, he had some warm clothes he used on the rare occasions that he went skiing. He was going to pack every piece of winter clothing that he owned.
* * *
The next evening at six p.m. on the dot, Ace woke with a start as his flight touched down on the runway at the airport in Glacier Point, Alaska. He still felt tired, but at least he had been able to sleep through most of his flights. Ace yawned as he stepped off of the plane and into the airport, then shivered at the chill in the air. Even though the airport was heated, Ace could tell that the temperature was well below freezing.
Ace walked through the small terminal and past the security checkpoint, scanning the area for Ryker, the polar bear shifter who was supposed to be meeting him here. Lance had described Ryker in an email as tall, with dark hair. Ace had rolled his eyes at the description when he read it this morning while waiting for his plane at the San Diego airport.
“Well that sure narrows it down, buddy,” Ace had said sarcastically.
Luckily, Ace didn’t have to rely on sight to find Ryker. As he walked through the airport, he breathed in deeply, searching for the scent of bear. A few moments later, he smelled it behind him. He turned around, and saw a tall, dark-haired man walking toward him. The man carried himself with confidence, and had striking, violet-colored eyes.
“Ace?” the man asked.
Ace nodded. “You must be Ryker.”
“Yup, that’s me,” Ryker said, extending his hand to shake Ace’s. “Let’s get going. Neal is anxious to meet you.”
Ace nodded, and followed Ryker through the small crowd in the airport. Neal was the alpha of the Northern Lights Clan, the clan Lance had been in contact with over the last few weeks. Ace hoped that Neal had good information on whatever it was the scientists were planning. Nothing would make Ace happier than to destroy any chance the scientists had at ever harming a bear shifter again.
As they exited the airport, Ryker led Ace to a spot where two snowmobiles were parked.
“You ever driven one of these before?” Ryker asked.
“Sure. Years ago, when I used to live in Maine.”
Ryker nodded and threw a set of keys to Ace. “Good. She’s all yours for your stay. One of the other guys in the clan came up with me earlier to drop her off so she’d be here waiting for you when you arrived.”
Ace looked down at the set of keys in his hand, slightly confused. “We’re taking snowmobiles back to your place?”
Ryker grinned. “Yup. It’s how everyone up here gets around until the temperatures rise above freezing. Much easier to snowmobile around than drive a vehicle.”
Ace shook his head in amusement. “I’m definitely not in California anymore.”
Ryker clapped him on the back. “Nope, definitely not. Welcome to Alaska.”
Ace hopped onto his snowmobile and started following Ryker as he sped through the town of Glacier Point. After about fifteen minutes of passing houses and other small buildings, the pair sped past the town’s outer edges. A few minutes later, they were approaching a small group of cabins nestled among some trees. Ryker slowed his snowmobile, eventually pulling to a complete stop in front of one of the cabins.
“This is Neal’s place,” Ryker said, hopping off of his snowmobile. “I’ll let him know you’re here.”
Ace climbed off his snowmobile as well, shivering as he followed Ryker to the front door of the cabin. Neal had obviously been watching for them, because before Ryker could even raise his hand to knock, the door swung open. The man standing in the doorframe was taller than Ryker, which was saying something. He had broad shoulders, neatly cut dark brown hair, and the same striking, violet eyes as Ryker. His air of confidence left no doubt that he was in charge here. He was unmistakably an alpha.
“I’m Neal. You must be Ace?”
Ace nodded. “Nice to meet you, Neal. Thank you for inviting me here.”
Neal nodded. “Welcome to Glacier Point, on behalf of the Northern Lights Clan. We have a lot to discuss. But first, let’s share a drink. Do you want some food? You must be starving.”
Ace’s stomach growled audibly in response, and he laughed. “You could say I’m just a teensy bit hungry. Those airline meals don’t do much for a bear’s appetite.”
Neal grinned. “Come on in. We’ve got you covered.”
Ace followed Neal into the cabin, where he met Neal’s lifemate, Christine. Word spread quickly that Ace had arrived, and soon the entire Northern Lights Clan had shown up on Neal’s doorstep. Ace was introduced to several bear shifters, their lifemates, and plenty of little cubs. It was hard to keep everyone’s name straight, but he did his best. He ate plenty of the chili and homemade cornbread that Christine offered him, and he happily drank several of the bottles of beer that were offered to him. Despite the seriousness of the issues that had brought him to Alaska, Ace was feeling more relaxed than he had in a long time.
That relaxation didn’t last long, however. The next morning, Neal wasted no time on beginning an explanation of the issues facing the bear shifters in Alaska. Neal showed Ace around the town of Glaci
er Point, and pointed out a large warehouse on the opposite edge of town from where the Northern Lights Cabins were located.
“The place is empty, now, but it seems that it’s been used off and on for several months for secret meetings by the scientists who want to destroy bear shifters. We found out by accident, when Christine came here to look at some furniture that the owner of the warehouse was selling. It seems the owner had also agreed to let the scientists use the space for meetings, although he didn’t realize they wanted the meetings to be secret. The scientists were mad that an outsider had discovered them, and we haven’t seen them here since, but we have reason to believe they’ll be back.”
“Why’s that?” Ace asked
“We think they’re trying to find some underground caverns near here—the Black Ice Caverns. Rumor has it that there are stockpiles of various minerals and precious stones under there. We think they might be looking for minerals to use in shifter poisons, although that’s just a guess at this point.”
“Do you know where the caverns are?” Ace asked.
Neal nodded. “We have quite a long history with the caverns, actually. We know exactly where they are, and exactly how they’re mapped out underground. What we don’t know, unfortunately, is exactly where the scientists have gone. We hear reports now and then of shifters spotting them in different cities around Alaska, but no one has been able to find any centralized hideout. They seem to be moving around a lot.”
An Alpha's Lightning (Water Bear Shifters 2) Page 4