Skin Walkers: Monroe

by Bliler, Susan

  As he watched her walk out and became incensed when King placed a hand on her lower back to assist her with getting in the Humvee, Monroe knew two certainties. One, he was well and truly fucked, and two, he had to stay as far away from Eden StCloud as he could.

  Chapter 7

  Eden hadn’t been able to keep from thinking about Monroe since she’d visited his estate two weeks earlier. She’d been tempted to take the kids up for a visit but in the end she decided it was best for everyone involved if she kept her distance from the infuriating and sexy as hell CEO.

  Dragging her focus back to the work at hand, she pounded on the wooden door of Hunter’s cabin as the blistering wind sent flakes stinging against her cheeks. She pulled her hood tighter and pounded again as she waited impatiently. When the door finally opened, she was shocked and deflated to find Monroe StoneCrow standing in his socked feet, holding a mug of steaming something and staring back at her with what she could only describe as a look of horror on his face.

  “Mr. StoneCrow.” Eden offered coolly by way of greeting as she stood shivering in the doorway, her eyes glancing over his shoulder in search of the homeowner.

  Monroe’s eyes darted over her head to discover she was alone before his arm snaked out, grabbed her jacket, and yanked her inside before closing the door firmly behind her.

  Eden was more than a little offended by the action, but when she opened her mouth to speak he’d already taken the lead.

  “What in the hell are you doing out in this weather?”

  She shoved her fur-lined hood back off her head and frowned up at the CEO, “My job.” She watched the temper flare high on his cheeks. Christ, what’s he so upset about? I’m the one stuck out in the cold freezing my ass off.

  “Your supervisor doesn’t think this weather might be a little too dangerous for you to be out traipsing all across the mountain?”

  Eden hiked a brow and frowned, “Hardly traipsing Mr. StoneCrow.”

  Monroe turned and strode to the table to set down his mug before returning and grabbing one of Eden’s arms and yanking the glove from her hand. “Then what in the hell are you doing exactly?”

  When he attempted to grab her other arm, Eden jerked it back and scowled up at him. “I’m searching for an injured wolf. It was wounded a few miles down the road.” She made a grab for the glove that he held trapped between his elbow and his ribs. This time, he jerked back and scowled.

  “A wolf? You’re out risking your life for a wolf?”

  She eyed him warily, “That doesn’t sound like a comment the CEO of a wildlife preserve and rehabilitation center should be making.”

  He didn’t bat an eye. “I’m all for the preservation of the state’s wildlife, I’m just not a proponent of the concept when it requires the endangerment of human life.”

  Eden pointed angrily toward the window, “That poor animal is injured and suffering.”

  “I wonder if your generosity and self-sacrifice is extended to all animals.”

  Eden shrugged one shoulder, “You needn’t waste your energy wondering. The answer is yes.”

  He stood staring at her wordlessly, digesting her statement. She could’ve sworn that his pupils dilated until they consumed his entire eye. It reminded her of Micah. With his head dipped, his brow furrowed, and his piercing black eyes roaming her features as if for some unknown sign, Eden suddenly felt exposed…vulnerable. It was an emotion she didn’t like and one she refused to lend any strength.

  Tearing her eyes from his, she huffed in exasperation as her eyes dropped to her captive glove. “Look Mr. StoneCrow, I’m not here for permission or approval. I came to see if Hunter had seen the wolf or any other suspicious activity.”

  Monroe shook his head. “I’ve rented the cabin for the winter. Hunter’s not here.”

  Eden was pulling the hood back onto her head, “Clearly.” She held out her hand waiting for him to give her back her glove.

  Instead, he cocked his head, one eye crinkling in the corner, “What do you mean suspicious activity?”

  Eden tapped her foot on the hard wood floor impatiently, the gesture creating a slapping sound as the sole of her shoe smacked off the puddle created by her thawing boots. “Witnesses saw poachers take a shot at that wolf.”

  “So you’re chasing poachers?” He didn’t bother to hide the incredulity in his voice.

  “No,” she shook her head noting how his anger spiked. “My first priority is finding the injured wolf. Then I’ll deal with the poachers.”

  His brows drew together as he took a step closer. “Eden, if they shot the wolf then they’re carrying loaded weapons.”

  Her hand shot out and she managed to snag her glove before her wrist was clamped between Monroe’s strong fingers. Her eyes lifted slowly to meet his, “I’m carrying a loaded weapon as well.”

  His voice was firm. “I don’t think you should be out there.”

  She stepped back drawing her arm and glove with her as she smiled weakly. “Yeah, I wish I didn’t have to be, but it’s my job.” The conversation was too comfortable for her liking. I’m supposed to hate him…right? She forced her smile to reach her eyes, “And even if it wasn’t, I couldn’t leave a wounded animal out there alone in this.” She shrugged as she turned, becoming all business. “So, Mr. StoneCrow if you see anything out of the ordinary please contact the FWP immediately.”

  Her hand was already on the doorknob when he asked, “Do you have a direct number?”

  She retrieved a homemade business card from her pocket and handed it to him. “Service is bad out here, but you can leave a message—if you can get one out—with the main office there at the bottom and they’ll contact me by radio.”

  “Portable?”

  Eden’s brows drew together in question, “Portable?”

  “Is the radio portable? Can you carry it with you?”

  “Oh,” she shook her head, “No, I can only access it from the truck.”

  “So what if you’re out in the mountains alone and something happens to you? What do you do if you have no service?”

  Her smile broke for just a fraction of a second as she eyed the window and the blizzard raging beyond. “I pray that I’m trained well enough, dressed warm enough, and found soon enough.” She swallowed hard before pasting on her all-business smile. “Good night, Mr. StoneCrow.” She stopped with the door partially open, “Be sure to shovel frequently. The drifts have been known to pile feet high and trap Hunter in this cabin.”

  If Monroe responded, Eden didn’t hear it. Once out the door, the wind whipped the snow into a nearly blinding frenzy that howled incessantly. She trotted to her truck, glad she’d opted to leave it running.

  She climbed inside and shook off the snow before shoving the hood back off her head and removing her gloves. She picked up the radio and called in to the office, her eyes on the massive form staring out at her from the window of the cabin. “Robert, this is Edie, you copy?”

  Static crackled on the line before it whined once and Eden’s co-worker responded. “Robert here. Any luck out at Hunter’s place?”

  “No. Seems he’s rented it out to one Mr. Monroe StoneCrow for the winter.” Her voice dripped with disbelief.

  “You gotta be shitting me!”

  Eden smiled at the shock in Robert’s tone, appreciating that he understood her dilemma. She imagined it mirrored the shock on her face when Monroe had opened the door. “Dead serious, and watch your language. If Kevin’s listening in, he’ll tan your hide.”

  “I’m not afraid of my brother.” Robert challenged.

  Eden laughed, “You afraid of your boss? Cause Monday through Friday, that’s what he is.”

  Robert ignored the jab. “So what are your plans?”

  Eden leaned forward to eye the sky. “If this damn storm would break, I could hike in a ways and see if I could track the wolf. As it is, the blood trail cut through Hunter’s land, but the snow is falling too damn fast. I lost the sign here. I’d hoped Hunter would’ve no
ticed something strange, but he’s in town and I’ve got a city slicker staring at me right now from Hunter’s cabin.”

  Robert snorted. “Christ. You better just call it a night and start again in the morning. If the poacher’s are forced to stay out in this too long they’ll get desperate. Leave ‘em be, Edie.”

  She frowned at the radio. “Well, they’re becoming a concern now too. The wolf, injured as it might be, can survive this storm. But two moron poachers are liable to freeze to death in this.” She was silent a moment as she let her eyes scan the tree line. “Just one quick pass, Rob. I won’t be long I promise. If I haven’t radioed back in forty minutes,” she didn’t attempt to hide the smile in her voice, “call in the Marines.”

  “Edie, are you sure? I don’t think you should do it.” The severity in Robert’s tone was rare for the younger Game Warden.

  “I know what I’m doing Rob. Besides, if I don’t find the morons or the blood trail straight off I’ll be back in the truck within ten minutes. If you don’t hear from me by then it means I’m on someone’s tail.”

  “Christ, there’s never any talking you out of it. Where exactly are you going in?”

  Eden turned to stare behind her in the rear view mirror. “Well I’m still at Hunter’s, so I’ll just take his back road as far as I can and hope to see tracks or blood, or anything in this damn storm. I’ll leave my truck on the road and head straight east of where it’s parked.”

  “Up the mountain?” Robert’s tone was shrill; he definitely didn’t like her plan.

  “Yeah Rob, up the mountain.”

  “Why? Why not stick to the road?”

  “Because if I were an injured wolf, I sure as hell wouldn’t stick to the road, and the poacher’s will be sticking to cover too. I just might get two birds with one stone.”

  “It’s three-thirty now. You’ve got till exactly four-fifteen to report back to me or I’m sounding the alarm. You hear me Edie? Not a second later. According to the chart the sun sets at 4:39. So move your ass out there! You’re cutting it damn close and you and I both know the mercury is going to drop once we lose the sun.”

  “I hear ya. Talk to you in about forty-five minutes. Or sooner.” Eden signed off and backed from Monroe’s driveway, noting that he was still standing and staring out from the window.

  ***

  Damn stubborn woman! It took every ounce of Monroe’s strength to keep himself planted at the window frowning at Eden as she sat in her truck and had a conversation with someone on her radio.

  When he’d told King that he was renting Hunter’s cabin until construction on StoneCrow’s expansion was complete, his Chief of Security had thought he was joking. Monroe never left StoneCrow and certainly not without at least one of his Walker Sentries at his side. Truth was, he’d become obsessed with Eden. After her visit to the manor he’d shifted nightly and watched her cabin from the cover of the forestland that surrounded her home, sometimes as a wolf, sometimes as a bear, sometimes as a crow, but nightly regardless of his form.

  She hadn’t been lying about the children. They were loud, rambunctious, and something else. Being so far he couldn’t pinpoint the issue, but he definitely needed to get a closer look at Eden’s home situation. One night he’d even shifted to an old weather-beaten dog in an attempt to be taken in but Eden’s aged black lab had chased him off. Sure, he could’ve killed the dog and then gained entrance in another form, but it was obvious that the children and Eden loved their pet.

  After nearly a week and a half of stalking her, he’d banished himself to Hunter’s cabin under the guise of work. Truth was that he wanted to spy on Eden without nosey-ass King Mulholland constantly badgering him about his sudden interest in nightly runs. Bastard always knew more than he should.

  He’d tried to forget about her. He didn’t have time for lovey-dovey bullshit, but Eden wasn’t a lovey-dovey kind of woman and that intrigued him. She was fierce and strong and she refused to back down, even from him. The memory of her stepping up to him at the manor had the corner of his mouth tweaking. Another newly acquired anomaly that King was quick to point out. “You sick? You’ve smiled like six times this week. Want me to call Jenny, see if she can schedule you for a check-up?” He needed to remember to demote King once he got back to StoneCrow.

  He growled self-depreciatingly at his own behavior as of late. It wasn’t the affliction, he knew that much. He told himself it was merely a genuine curiosity…intrigue. He’d never encountered such a creature and he was, after-all, in the business of collecting rare creatures.

  He wouldn’t get the chance to collect this one though if she kept on as she was. She was intentionally putting herself in jeopardy for a damn wolf! She was infuriating beyond all sanity. Why couldn’t she just stay home and out of the blizzard like the rest of the Montanans?

  When Eden’s truck pulled out, Monroe stalked to the door, jerked it open, stepped out into the blizzard and slammed the door shut behind him before shifting to a sleek blue/black crow and taking flight.

  Chapter 8

  Eden inched up the snow packed road that led up and around the base of the mountain. She was having more than a little difficulty finding the road and keeping the truck on it. The snow was deep, and getting deeper by the second. In storms like the one blowing now, it was normal for feet of snow to accumulate in an hour.

  She clicked on the switch that engaged her fog-lights, hoping it would lend strength to the weak headlights that were failing miserably at cutting through the veil of thickly falling snow. The light didn’t help. Eden sighed trying to relieve some of the tension that kept her body rigid and her gloved fingers too tight around the steering wheel.

  The truck crept upward, its tires spinning then catching only to lose grip and spin again. She reached out and flipped the windshield defrost to high before frowning up at the sky, “Come on. Just one little break in the snow is all I’m asking.” She jerked on the steering wheel; forcing the truck to obey even as she winced at the thought of her only option should the truck become lodged in the snow.

  Her eyes flicked to the rearview mirror and she shivered involuntarily at the thought of hiking the near mile back down to Hunter’s cabin. Whether she shivered from the idea of the long, cold, hike or of having to hole up with Monroe she wasn’t sure, and she certainly didn’t want to find out.

  She gunned the motor and the truck shot up and over a particularly steep embankment, one that she’d had trouble with when the roads were clear and dry. She should have known better.

  The truck landed with a heavy thud, the tires sinking into the feet-deep snowdrift that had blown across the top of the crest. The tires spun and whirred loudly as they fought to catch but the truck didn’t move.

  Shit! Come on baby! Eden let off the gas only to press the pedal down more slowly, but the tires only continued to spin. She eyed the road ahead nervously, knowing she’d have no choice but to back down the mountain and delay her search until the storm had passed. She hated giving up.

  She threw the truck into reverse and threw an arm over the backrest as she maneuvered the vehicle back down the path she’d cut coming up. The truck mostly slid down the embankment she’d breached minutes earlier and once the vehicle was settled at the bottom she forced it to a halt in hopes of finding a place to turn around.

  As she glanced around the immediate area, her eye was caught by movement in the tree line. She stilled and held her breath waiting to see if she’d just imagined it. There! Gray fur flashed through the trees, and had Eden scrambling behind her seat for her rifle, already loaded with tranquilizer rounds, before she pushed her door open and braced herself against the blistering cold that lashed her.

  One gloved hand reached back and yanked her fur-lined hood over her head while the other held tightly to her rifle. One of the first things she’d learned in training was that while wild animals were always dangerous, wounded animals were lethal. She couldn’t afford to take any unnecessary chances, especially in this weather. She’d alre
ady decided that if she spotted the wolf she’d put him out before wasting any time trying to gauge the severity of its wounds.

  Eden trudged quickly to the tree line and half hid behind the first tree she came to. Peering around it she discovered the large gray wolf limping away from her at nearly a hundred yards. She pushed off the tree and was forced to follow silently as the wolf disappeared over an embankment. She was in range but wouldn’t risk firing until she had a clean shot. She just needed the wolf to stop long enough for her to level her sights.

  Inside the heavily wooded area, the howling blizzard was reduced to a strong wind, allowing her to follow the wolf’s tracks that lasted much longer in the reduced air stream.

  She maneuvered up and over the embankment. At the top she noticed the wolf had taken the more difficult path down. Eden opted not to follow, hoping to cut him off. She slid down the embankment, pulling her rifle close. At the bottom she dropped to a knee and listened. She heard a snap and rose with intentions of following the sound. She took a step, and then another when she noticed a large shoe print that someone had clearly tried to dust over. She took her next step and it touched down even as she realized she’d made a mistake. The area had been disturbed and intentionally covered over. NO!

  The loud violent snap sent snow showering up into her face even as she dropped to the ground. She heard the agonized scream that rent the air and it took her a moment to realize it was her own. Her tear filled eyes slid down to take in the sight of her leg caught and bent awkwardly in the large metal foothold trap. She’d seen them before; poachers used them often to trap bears and wolves.

  She took in large gulps of air in an attempt to keep from retching. Lifting shaking hands to her mouth, she pulled her leather gloves off with her teeth before her hands reached down and struggled to compress the trap springs in an attempt to free her leg. She screamed again as the movement twisted her broken leg. She wasn’t strong enough to free herself.

  Eden fell back and sucked in more ragged breaths, forcing her eyes to focus. Christ, don’t faint, don’t faint, don’t fucking faint. She waited until the spots stopped dancing before her eyes to slowly sit up and inch closer to her trapped leg. She was shaking violently as she reached down to finger the trap. It was a double spring foothold, meaning both release blades would need to be compressed simultaneously to separate the serrated jaws. Fuck!