Hot Holida Treats

by Sorcha Mowbray, Rachel Kenley, Jocelyn Dex, Sotia Lazu, Leigh Ellwood, Eva Lefoy, Daisy Banks, Sofia Grey

  Pete was already out the door and heading quickly down the path. She watched him go, his feet bare against the frigid white snow. But he didn’t seem to mind. With each step he left perfect footprints behind. A whole trail of them leading away from the cabin. Away from her.

  Emitting a deep sigh of regret, she turned to look up at the mountain where she’d almost frozen to death. It had stopped snowing some time ago, or at least slowed to a trickle. There were massive paw-shaped footprints in the snow leading down the mountain to her cabin. They vanished at the doorstep. Her heart leapt. “I knew it! The Yeti did carry me here!”

  As she stared at the ground a funny feeling shook her. Only one set of tracks led into the cabin. Only one set of tracks went out. One set, not two. Whoever had come in, had also left. Pete. The Yeti. They were one and the same. They had to be. Unless the Yeti had carried him too. But that meant… that meant…. Could it be true Pete was the Yeti? “Maybe I am crazy,” she whispered.

  Legs shaking until they no longer supported her, Kaylee sank to the stoop with her mouth hanging open, and gazed at the tracks until the snow covered them and it grew too dark to see. Then she went inside and opened her laptop, fingers brushing over the keys. For so long, she’d endured the scathing recriminations, the hoots of laughter, the attacks from people who thought her belief in Yetis utterly worthless. Now she could prove them wrong. She could write her major story. Her big breakthrough. But what would happen to Pete if she told it?

  In her heart, she knew he’d never forgive her. His quiet solitary life would be ruined forever. Maybe he’d even get fired. But that didn’t change her elation at finally finding the truth. She had inside knowledge of a mythical race no one else believed in. Shouldn’t she tell the world? Sitting down, she chewed her lip and placed her hands in her lap. Without a clear direction to go, her drive wavered. Going forward meant one thing: losing Pete and possibly the Yeti too. But what she really wanted was to keep them for herself.

  Both of them.

  Chapter Six

  Pete cursed his own stupidity when he reached his house behind the general store. He’d been so upset over Kaylee’s stubborn addiction to her story he’d forgotten to start the snow to cover his tracks. With any luck, Kaylee had stayed in the cabin and not ventured out again. He hoped not, after her earlier close brush with death. Turning toward the mountain, he opened his mouth and quietly sang, using his powers to change the weather. As soon as the first flakes came down he went inside.

  Tired, dejected, but body thrumming with sated pleasure, he fell into bed and slept. His dreams were all of Kaylee, of snow-capped mountains, of death. The loss of the skiers in the French Alps had left his heart sore. Roshan the Yeti had had enough of loss. But Pete the human’s worries hadn’t even begun. If Kaylee published her story, he’d be honor bound to do the right thing. If he failed to do so, another Yeti would. Either way, Kaylee would die. Whether his beast wanted her or not.

  God, it had been nearly impossible to wrest control from the Yeti. He’d come close to losing control but hung on, or Kaylee might already be with him as his lifelong mate. She’d made no secret of her curiosity and acceptance of his other form. Throughout the ages, some human females had always approved of the solitary beast, but not many. Kaylee’s hardcore desire for it spun his head. But if her true intentions lay only in exposing the truth, mating her would only cause him more pain.

  Pete smacked his head against the bedrail and groaned. Damn her for showing up all lovely and in need of rescue and ruining his life. He’d never wanted to keep a woman so badly. The depth of his growing need for her overwhelmed his beast, stripping his human rationality senseless. Only in one area did it agree with the beast. Mate, and be spared the automatic rescue calls taxing his soul. But he’d not mate her merely for a reprieve. If she refused to see reason, he’d have to leave her be.

  Sighing, he got up and headed for the store’s coffee pot. Though he’d overslept and it was two hours past his normal time, he unlocked the door and readied for business. Just as he finished his first cup, a snowmobile pulled into the lot. His grip on the mug tightened as his heart raced. Kaylee. But how? There must have been a second one in the cabin’s small garage he hadn’t known about. She hopped off the unit slowly, as though she might have some aches and pains from last night’s activities.

  His urge to protect her drove him to the door. He’d made it halfway outside when she collided into his chest with an “oomph.” His arms came around her, holding her securely. She fit perfectly. Guilt for what he’d done last night filled him with remorse. He needed to say goodbye before things went further. “What are you doing here?”

  She stepped out of his arms and tossed her head, sending tendrils flying. “I’m done with my article.”

  Pete’s gut sank. Sorrow pitted his heart. I’m too late.

  “I thought you’d like to know.” She stood with her hands on her hips, surveying the shop for a few seconds. Finally her gaze flew back to him. “Being you’re the mysterious Yeti and all. I saw the tracks, Pete. I know.”

  The way her eyes sparkled when his widened said it all. She’d figured out his secret. Worse yet, she’d probably outed him, told the whole fucking world the truth with her stupid story. Bloody hell. She’d undo him, his packmates, and centuries-worth of work keeping the mountains and the humans who ventured onto them safe. His blood boiled. But even angry beyond reason, he would not let her come to harm. If she left now, went somewhere hot and far away, the Yetis might not be able to find her. “Go back to the cabin, pack your bags and go home, Kaylee, and don’t ever come back. I meant it.”

  “Oh, I’m not leaving. I'm staying right here. Until I get to see both sides of you, I’m not budging an inch off this property.” She sashayed toward him until her breasts poked his chest. “Show me how you do it. I know he’s real, Pete, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

  Desire surged and he grasped both her arms, squeezing them tight. The Yeti within him broke the surface, the change rising in him so fast and furious he struggled to contain the shift. Mate. Mine.

  Kaylee licked her lips. “Yes. Fuck me this time like the beast you are. Prove to me fully that you exist. Don’t hold back any longer. I want to see you. All of you. I have to know you’re real in every way.”

  Roshan roared, the animal urge to mate her overriding his common sense. He didn’t give a damn if she wrote a hundred articles. He wanted inside her, to own her, be a part of her, even if her actions doomed them both. Clothes shredding as his legs, arms and torso lengthened, he stood before her at his full size, covered with shiny white hair, the top of his head brushing the ceiling log.

  “So beautiful.” Still in his grasp, she stood on her tippy toes and ran her fingers over his dark red lips. “I should have known it was you all along.”

  The door to the store popped open. Roshan turned to see two local huntsmen enter, probably after ammo for their latest deer hunt. Their jaws went slack at the sight of his beast. He should have let go of Kaylee immediately and ran for the house, but his head was filled with more passion than sense. He couldn’t bear to part from her presence. Instead, he stood there stupidly while the hunters raised their rifles and aimed.

  “It’s okay little lady, whatever that creature is, we’ve got him.”

  “No!” Kaylee shrieked, tearing from his arms and rushing toward them with her arms in the air. “He’s not hurting me.”

  Blam!

  One of the hunters had impeccable aim. Pain tore through his right shoulder, blood staining his long ivory fur. He howled, advancing, his eyesight going red. If either one of them hurt Kaylee, even accidentally with a stray shot, he’d tear them limb from limb.

  Kaylee positioned herself between them, acting the peacemaker. He could smell the worry coming off her, but also steely determination. Kaylee’s protecting me. He cocked his head, both proud and confused. “Don’t hurt him. It’s just Pete. He’s not a monster, he’s a Yeti.” She turned back toward him. “
Do your thing. Turn back into Pete. Hurry.”

  Shit. She’d outed him. To shift in front of humans broke all the rules. But he had little choice. The hunters still gripped their rifles. One stray bullet and Kaylee could die. As he shifted, he heard the alarm go off inside his head. Again? Now? He ignored it but knew it wouldn’t be long before he had to vanish on another emergency call. Once he’d assumed human form again, he recognized the hunter who’d shot him as Milt, one of the store’s regulars.

  Both men lowered their guns, blinking. They took in his nakedness as well, and both pairs of eyes swept back up to his head in a hurry. “Pete? Is that really you?”

  His chest ached, and he curled his shoulder inward, wanting the pain to go away. Already his Yeti healing powers were kicking in, keeping him from experiencing the worst of it, but he’d need medical attention soon. First, he had to get away from everyone. “Yeah. Sorry for the confusion, Milt.”

  Milt took off his fur cap and rubbed his head. “Gee, I’m sorry. I sure didn’t mean to do nothing like that. If I’d only known…I never would have…”

  The alarm pealed again. Second request. On the third, he’d be compelled to answer. “Look, Milt, it’s okay. Really. But you two have to leave.” He handed them a couple of boxes of ammo and herded them toward the door.

  They took the boxes, shuffling backwards, their eyes never leaving his face. “Okay, um, we’ll just come back later. Yeah. See you later, man.”

  As soon as the door shut, he grasped Kaylee by the arms. “I have to go. Stay here. Lock the door. Don’t let anybody in, do you understand?”

  Kaylee stared at the blood running down his chest, her fingers probing the edges of the wound. Her face had turned grayish white, just as it had been when he’d rescued her from the avalanche. His heart trembled at the sight, fearing she’d faint. “But, you’re hurt…”

  “I’ll be back. I promise.” Her fingers couldn’t help him. He would heal on his own, or with the aid of a Yeti medic. But he absolutely had to answer that call. On the third ring, he did.

  Praying Kaylee would stay safe, he ran back to his cabin, shifted, and stepped through the small personal emergency portal. Seconds later he found himself once more in the Alps. He exited the transporter and found Prem the Elder in the hallway.

  “You’re hurt.” He sniffed the air through his giant nostrils. “And you have the scent of mating on you.” He waved an arm toward the hall. “Go see the medic and then return to your home station.”

  “But…”

  “I will call another or go myself in your place. Now, off with you. Complete your healing and your mating. Come back well and with a clear head or don’t come back at all. That’s an order.”

  Stunned, Roshan lumbered down the hall toward the healer’s area. He’d just been excused from a job. Emotions crashed inside him–waves of relief and shame. Because he hadn’t mated Kaylee yet, and there was no way now that she’d written her article that he possibly could. His removal from the mission made him feel like a total fraud.

  Exhausted from lack of answers, he laid on the table while the healer Riea dug out her tuning rods. Holding them over him, she sang softly in a harmonious note until he grew drowsy and closed his eyes. The healing would finish while he slept, far away from Kaylee. The thought of her being alone in the store, possibly in danger, had him fighting to stay awake. He lifted one arm to stop her.

  The old healer’s hand covered his. “Roshan, what is it? Why do you resist the healing?”

  “A woman. I must get back before they find her.”

  Riea lifted a brow. “Your mate?” When he grunted, she sucked in a breath. “You’ve finally found a mate?”

  “No. Yes. I mean, I do want her, but I cannot mate her.” He closed his eyes, groaning in defeat. “She is a reporter and she is likely trouble.”

  Riea bristled. “A reporter? Have you told Prem about this? You know our rules.”

  His beast roared, wanting to get back and protect Kaylee. The warring in his chest made his clawed hands fist. Rules. Why were rules so damn inconvenient? “I do, but I also want her to be mine.”

  “Then you must stop her from telling the truth, or she will die.”

  His jaw stiffened. “She will not die.” But Riea was right, he had to stop her or at least get her out of there, send her far away from Yeti country before her story hit. He rose off the bed and a burst of pain in his shoulder made him gasp.

  The healer pushed him down flat. “Hush now, Roshan. You will find an answer later. Now sleep or you will not heal.” She added another note to the song and he sank like a rock in quicksand into slumber.

  Chapter Seven

  Kaylee cradled the mug of rum-laced coffee and stared out the window. There wasn’t much to see. Night had fallen hours ago and still Pete hadn’t returned. Was he hurt? Dead? Where the hell had he gone? Her fingers tightened on the mug. Maybe I deserve to lose him.

  The first Yeti she’d ever met and all she’d done is stalk him to get a story. Not try to understand him or help his kind. Not reassure him she’d keep his secrets safe. She’d used herself as bait to force him into the open and almost gotten herself killed and Pete shot.

  Sighing, she put down the mug and rubbed her face. Sleep would have been nice, but so far it had proven elusive. Worry over Pete had her nerves on edge. She needed to know he was all right, needed to tell him she’d kept his secret, not outed him in the article she’d written. Turning it in to her boss had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. The entire team, everyone who knew her would be rolling in the aisles howling laughter at her failure. Kaylee Vonn, the great Yeti hunter, giving up the chase in defeat. Admitting Bigfoot was only a myth, a farce, a tale one told to children so they didn’t venture outside on cold dark winter nights. Everyone she’d spurned over the years as non-believers would crow with delight. Even her family. But she’d sent it anyway. She’d had to. She couldn’t waste this chance to know the truth for herself, even if she had to keep it secret the rest of her life to protect Pete. Like I’m any good at that. God, what a disaster.

  She’d practically goaded him into becoming the Yeti for her own selfish purposes and then those men had arrived. It was her fault he’d been injured. Would he ever forgive her if he returned? Or would he simply turn around and leave again? Not that she could blame him. She was a one-woman nuisance machine. Maybe I should just go.

  But one look outside at the darkness dispelled the notion. Leaving now would only endanger herself. No Yeti would come to her rescue this time. Where had Pete gone? Was he even still alive?

  Hours later, the sun rose, sending brilliant yellow rays through the shop’s glass and onto the rustic wood floorboards. But the beautiful pattern didn’t cause her happiness. Pete still hadn’t returned. Yawning, she got up off the stool and walked around the counter. She’d worked all day in the store, against Pete’s directive, and probably served twenty customers including Milt and his sheepish cousin, who’d returned for lighter fluid and more ammo shortly after Pete vanished.

  “Sorry ‘bout shootin’ Pete.” Milt looked sincerely torn up. “I don’t know what I thought I was seein’.”

  She’d shrugged. “I get the same thing sometimes. Seeing things that aren’t really there.”

  “Well, I sure am sorry.”

  “He’ll be okay, don’t worry.” She’d felt sure about the statement at the time, but that had been late yesterday afternoon. In the morning light, things looked different. Empty. Cold. Wherever Pete was, she could only pray he was all right.

  Using her reporter instincts, she’d delicately pried information about Pete from the clientele. A rugged woman with two teenage boys purchased a sack of potatoes and a can of coffee. She said Pete had moved here a little over eighteen months ago and taken over the store from a man named Charlie, who’d simply vanished one day and never returned. Nobody knew what happened to Charlie. He had no family, no wife, no children. One of her kids said he routinely left town suddenly, for days at a time,
closing the store. The same thing had happened a few times with Pete, the other one said. Their mother bought powdered milk and more flour, just in case Pete was gone a while.

  The more people Kaylee interviewed, the clearer the secluded picture of Pete’s life became. No, he hadn’t had a girlfriend, though several in the area had tried to entice him to their beds. He was hardworking, gentle and never raised his voice. She’d cocked a brow remembering his roar but said nothing. An older couple had advised her Pete lived in the little cabin behind the store. Now that it was daylight, she wandered out to take a look.

  The door wasn’t locked, and inside she found fairly neat quarters for a gentleman’s room. The bed was mussed but comfortable looking, and the covers smelled of his clove and shopkeeper manliness, the scent palpable enough to make her sigh with longing. A few long, white hairs strayed over the pillow and she reached out to take one. “Evidence.” Though her mind was made up and the false story turned in, she still craved the truth. Who was Pete the Yeti? What were his secrets? And most important, would he share them with her? Probably not. He either hates me or thinks I’m a dangerous nut.

  She sat on the bed pouting, staring at the stack of books on his nightstand. All were about the natural history of the area and mountain climbing. Nothing in the titles revealed any more of Pete than she’d managed to glean from his customers. Nothing to help her find a way to bring him back. Sighing, she closed her eyes and hung her head. As a reporter, she truly stunk. A better reporter would have found the answer already. It had to be somewhere in the cabin or the store.

  A crackling, popping sound and a hum like an electrical generator on overload made her gasp. What the…? A pallid blue light shone in a bar attached to one of the ceiling logs. She hadn’t noticed it before and didn’t like the looks of it. Especially when it rained electrical sparks and emitted curling tendrils of smoke. Squeaking, she scooted her butt back on the bed until she hit the wall. Clutching the book to her chest as a shield, she kept her eye on the strange light and counted the seconds until the cabin exploded, taking her with it.