The Snow Leopard's Christmas Surprise

by Emilia Hartley

  Tess held her hands to her mouth. The thought that any one of the wolves in the pack could have killed someone like that in cold blood made her heart sink.

  “There’s no way anyone from this pack did that,” Tess said.

  “Doesn’t matter, does it? Our alpha demanded that we wipe them all out. He was such a nice guy before then,” she said.

  “It does matter. He wants to kill all the men, women, and children I’ve grown up with. There are lives at stake here.”

  “And don’t you think I know that!” Samantha asked in return, “I don’t want to see more of my family fight and die because some wolf can’t keep his mouth shut.”

  Tess sat down, stunned and silent. She couldn’t make sense of the situation in her own head no matter how hard she tried. She knew most shifters for a hundred miles and none of them would have killed another shifter unless provoked.

  “What can we do to end this?” Tess asked.

  Samantha leaned forward at the table.

  “There are two ways. Either we keep fighting and dying, or you find the wolf responsible for killing his wife and turn him over,” she said.

  Connor walked in.

  “I thought I told you to wait outside,” Tess said.

  “I was listening through the door,” Connor said nonchalantly as though it were just fine. “How are we supposed to turn over someone when we don’t even know who they are? Surely your leader must see how insane he is to hold us hostage because of one aggressive wolf.”

  “Wouldn’t you?” she asked.

  She was right, Tess knew it. Connor wasn’t the type to hold a grudge but he would have gone to the ends of the Earth to find the killer if anyone close to him were murdered, especially her.

  “I need to speak with him,” Connor said.

  Samantha laughed at the notion.

  Tess stared at him with her mouth agape. In unison Tess and Samantha spoke.

  “Are you kidding? That’s suicide!” Tess said.

  “Fat chance,” Samantha added.

  Connor held a hand up to silence them both.

  “I’m going,” he said, “and you’re going to take me.” He looked Samantha right in the eye and she understood how serious he really was.

  “If you’re going, then I’m going too!” Tess said.

  “No you’re not,” Connor commanded, “this is too dangerous. I know that you would follow me anywhere but this I can’t allow.”

  Tess shot up to her feet; emotion choking her throat and she fought hard to swallow it back down. He was doing something that even he knew to be crazy. But, the fire in his eyes told her that he would see this through to the end.

  “Fine,” she gasped.

  “I’ll take you back to Cliff Walker den,” he said, “you’ll be much safer there than you would be here.”

  Tess fell into Connor’s arms and hugged him close. She didn’t want to see him go. She hadn’t seen this level of determination in him since they first united the packs. She knew he would do everything he could even if it meant giving his own life for the good of the pack, and it worried her.

  “We’ll leave first thing in the morning,” Connor said, and turning to Samantha he added, “You can sleep in Alex’s old room for the night.”

  “Thank god,” she exhaled, “another night in that cage and I’d have gone crazy.”

  Tess showed Samantha upstairs as Tess’s father entered the room. His walking stick stamped against the ground as he eased into the seat at the table.

  “Are you sure you want to go through with this?” he asked, clearly Connor wasn’t the only one eavesdropping. Tess rolled her eyes as she climbed the stairs.

  “I don’t have a choice,” Connor replied.

  “You’ve always got a choice,” he said, “but I think you’ve already made up your mind.”

  “I think I can talk some sense into him,” Connor sighed.

  The old man stood and leaned heavily on his walking stick.

  “I’ve been in the same position you’ve been in now and made more mistakes than I care to talk about. Just make sure this is a mistake you can live with,” he said.

  Marcus put a large hand on Connor’s shoulder and gripped it tight.

  “For Tess’s sake,” he added, “And your child’s”

  CHAPTER 8

  “I’m starving,” Samantha said.

  Connor rolled his eyes from the driver’s seat. Tess sat in the middle seat and gripped Connor’s arm close while Samantha sat by the window. They’d been driving for an hour.

  “You ate almost all the food at the breakfast table, it’s only been a couple hours,” Tess scolded.

  “Were you locked in a cage for four days with nothing more than water and bread?” Samantha said, sarcastically, “Yeah, I thought not. And, I’d think you would want to keep the person providing you with directions happy after doing something so stupid.”

  She sort of had a point, and as much as he despised the thought of partnering with bears after all the trouble they’d caused him and his pack, she was his best chance at meeting the alpha bear. Plus, after all the trouble he’d caused her in his rage, wanted to make it right.

  “I think I see a truck stop up ahead,” he said.

  “I can already taste that greasy burger,” Samantha said, her mouth already watering.

  “Just keep it light, alright? I didn’t bring much spending cash for the trip,” Tess added.

  “Alright, alright,” Samantha said.

  Tess kissed Connor on the cheek, which caused Samantha to gag. When the truck came to a halt in front of the cobbled together diner, Samantha was the first to sprint toward the door.

  “Come on!” she shouted before disappearing inside.

  “I really can’t believe I’m stuck dealing with that one,” Connor said as he climbed out of the truck. Tess followed close behind.

  “It’s only another day,” she said, “and maybe if you keep her happy enough she’ll keep you alive in the den.”

  Connor tried not to think of it. Speaking with the alpha bear was intimidating enough. However, he knew that if he could just talk to the man then maybe all their problems would be solved.

  They entered hand in hand into the establishment. It was a loud family establishment, a bit unruly but no worse than the girl they’d been travelling with. Large round tables decorated the floor space, all full of families. Booths lined the walls, pressing against bay windows that stared at the parking lot. In fact, Samantha was already finding herself a seat in the back at one of the only empty booths. She waved at them and they pushed through the diner to join their charge.

  “I’ve been here once before,” she said, with a smile beaming on her face, “they have great fries.”

  Connor couldn’t stop himself from laughing. He’d spent so much time being scared of the bears that her playful attitude was betraying her ferocity. He wondered if he was ever that young.

  The server came by for orders which they promptly provided.

  “So what do you really think you’ll accomplish by talking to the bear alpha? He’s out for blood you know,” Samantha started while playing with the salt and pepper shakers.

  Tess pulled the condiments away and tried to change the subject.

  “Can we maybe save that chatter for the car? You never know who might be listening and not everyone around here knows about shifters,” Tess said.

  Samantha kicked her feet up on the other side of the booth and leaned against the window the booth rested against.

  “What do you like to do for fun?” Tess asked, changing the topic.

  Samantha leaned her arm on the booth for her head to rest on; then thought for a moment before replying.

  “I guess chores?” she said, “My mother died when I was really young so my dad had me pick up the slack. I barely have any free time.”

  “If you had free time, what would you do?” Tess wondered.

  “I guess I would make some friends. It’s harder for bears. Most of us don
’t run in packs. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more than five in the same place … well … until recently,” she said.

  That was a foreign idea to Connor. He’d never thought about life outside the pack. What would it be like to be a lone wolf? He shook his head to clear the nonsensical idea from his head. He distracted himself from the conversation by looking around the restaurant. So many other groups were going about their business. One of the other families nearby paid an awful lot of attention to Connor and it made him nervous. A familiar scent wafted from their table; bears. There were too many people around to attack but he readied himself nonetheless. If they pounced at his table he was sure he’d be able to retaliate against anything they could dish out.

  However, no attack came. The father stopped staring at Connor as soon as his food was in front of him. Maybe he was just building up his strength before attacking.

  “We should go,” Connor said.

  “But, the food isn’t here yet,” Samantha whined.

  “Something isn’t right,” he added.

  The front door swung wide, the bell dinged out his entrance. Nobody paid it any mind, except Connor who was still on edge. Every little thing he saw was another threat. This time it was the one man that just entered the establishment that sent off every alarm in Connor’s head simultaneously.

  He wore dark drab clothing, mostly green. It was easy to smell the gun oil that surrounded him. His face seemed wrought of old shoe leather as did the rest of his exposed skin. He had is hand coiled around an old shotgun with tick marks notched into the side of the barrel, and a bandolier with shotgun shells wrapped over his shoulder.

  Tess and Samantha continued to chat idly but Connor stopped them.

  “We’re getting out of here, right now,” he commanded, “go through the kitchen, get to the truck. I have a bad feeling about where this is going.”

  Tess eyed him curiously. Samantha on the other hand sighed and slumped into her oversized chair.

  The family that Connor had a keen eye on appeared to have the same thought. The father was already standing and throwing money down on the table before he’d finished his meal. The mother plucked her young daughter from her booster chair. They stepped single file toward the door, the father even tipped his hat at the man who just entered but he was stopped short of the exit by a hand thrown in front of him.

  “Where do you think you’re goin’, fella?” asked the stranger.

  “Back on the road with the family,” he replied, “gotta get home before it gets too dark.”

  Connor pointed toward the kitchen, Tess snuck by with Samantha in tow. He handed Tess the keys to the old yellow truck as she passed.

  Another stranger entered the bar, he too carried a shotgun. It was clear from the way the two strangers interacted that the new guy was his right hand man. He squared his gun at the father of the family, to keep the family in place.

  “That’s too bad,” the leader said, “I was just thinking about joining your family for a meal. They sure do look hungry.” He walked over to their table, now abandoned, inspecting the food with a taste.

  “And this isn’t even cold yet,” he added, rubbing the grease from his fingers on his trousers.

  “Don’t do this,” the father said.

  “Don’t do what? I’m just looking for some grub and this diner was the first place I went lookin’,” the stranger replied with a smile.

  “I know what you are,” the father said, “and I don’t want any trouble for me or my family.”

  Connor snuck toward the kitchen, the staff eyed him curiously as he peeked over the stove to watch the events play out. The stranger plopped himself down at the table. Several other families in the bar took the hint and were evacuating out the front door slowly. The right hand man did nothing to stop them.

  “Allow me to introduce myself,” the stranger started, “My name is Eli. Now why don’t you have a seat and introduce yourselves. I won’t bite. Not yet.” The father returned to the table and sat himself down. Eli gestured to his henchman and the wife and child joined them. The mother sat down at her seat but kept her daughter on her lap. Eli leaned over and looked the young girl in the eye. “And, who might you be?”

  Dammit, Connor knew that name. It was the name of the hunter the bikers told him about just the other day. If he was after shifters then all hell was about to break loose.

  Dammit, Alex. This is your fault.

  “Greta,” she said with a sniffle.

  “Sounds like you have a little cold, there,” Eli said. He lifted one of the napkins and wiped off her nose. “I’ve been tracking your family the last two days,” the stranger said, “I’m sure your ‘alpha’ wouldn’t be too keen to find out you’re runnin’ from his fight. I guess maybe I’m just doin’ him a favor and takin’ care of some deserters.”

  Connor saw the father visibly sweat; a bead ran down his temple.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the father said, “I’m just on vacation with my family.”

  The hunter plopped his shotgun on the table facing the father.

  “You know,” he said, “I’m not a fan of shooting you mongrels in public. But, something tells me that if I don’t, then I might just miss out on a bit of sport.”

  The hunter laughed, and his henchman joined in. Following that, Connor was deafened by motorcycles pulling up outside. Eli was clearly pleased.

  “I guess there’s no way you’d make it out now,” he said, “best you just help me out. I’m lookin’ for your alpha. Know where he might be hidin’?”

  Through the front door walked one of the largest men Connor had ever seen. His tree trunk of an arm was covered in a white cast and loaded into a massive sling. Setting neatly on top of that cast was a double barreled shotgun.

  “My man Mutt over there got his arm busted up by one of your kind,” the hunter said, “and he’s got a bit of a vendetta. I figured I’d help him out and rid this mountain of your kind once and for all.”

  That was Mutt? He really did look as stupid as he was large. If there were ever a time to get out of here, now would be that time. What was keeping him here? He couldn’t decide what it was. Maybe it was that he could empathize with the father. His family was threatened. But, they’re bears; who gives a shit if they die? If Eli shot them then it would be one less to kill later, right? No, that wasn’t it.

  “I don’t want to start anything, just let me and my family go. We won’t hurt anyone,” the father pleaded.

  The hunter pulled a large knife from a thigh holster then stabbed it into the table. A slim line of silver ran coarsely through the length of the blade, causing the father’s eyes to widen. If Connor were in the same situation he wouldn’t have hesitated. He would already have the man’s throat in his jaws.

  “Let them go,” the father pleaded.

  The hunter shook his head no. The father became more visibly shaken and continued to plead.

  “Please, they didn’t do anything,” he said, “let them go.”

  “Nope,” the hunter said, “Tell me where your alpha is holed up and I might just kill the young one last.”

  The mother hugged her daughter Greta into her chest. It was clear that they both knew this would be their last time together. The father clenched his jaw while his leg started to dance nervously under the table.

  Connor’s exit was waiting for him. Would he stay or would he go while he had the chance. What was keeping him here?

  The father’s leg stopped cold. Connor watched in awe as the father roared. His mouth tore along the seams into a muzzle. Fur broke from every inch of his skin while he grew to gigantic proportions in a manner of seconds. The cracking of his bones echoed throughout the restaurant as he grew larger and larger, until he stood nearly nine feet tall from the ground.

  “Now that’s more like it!” shouted the hunter. Even the hunter was excited by the sheer size of the bear. In a flash he snatched his rifle from the tabletop, firing silver shots that shredded into the
belly of the beast. Despite the deafening power of the rifle the bear didn’t give in to the pain in his stomach.

  He came down hard, smashing the table to pieces, just narrowly missing the hunter. Again, the hunter fired. Bones shattered and blood splattered around the diner but still the bear advanced.

  “Daddy!” Greta screamed. Tears streaked down her tiny cheeks. Connor saw his own child on her face; the life that he and Tess were going to bring into this world together. Bloodlust was building up for Eli, the hunter.

  A hint of fear overshadowed the hunter’s face; the bear was giving him no quarter. The mother fell to her knees and clutched her daughter in tears. Connor turned again toward his exit, conflicted. He knew what fate held for their small family. Would he really risk his own safety to save the life of a couple bears? His heart was stricken with guilt. He knew he would regret this mistake but it was one that had to be made. He was an alpha, dammit, he had his pride.

  Connor’s eyes went red with rage, his heart pounded like drums of war. His clothing split open as muscle tore through his skin. His mouth grew into a ferocious muzzle as fur jutted from his skin.

  He had one objective; get the family to safety. Even the bear paused when he heard Connor’s growl. He was massive for a wolf, all alphas were. With his powerful legs he dashed at the hunter’s henchmen. Connor shot past the bear and he could feel the bear’s appreciation.

  Their moment passed quickly as Connor’s teeth sunk into the henchman. He bit deep and he tasted muscle and bone. The henchman cried out in agony. Connor wanted more. More blood, more meat.

  “Shoot him!” shouted Eli, as he rolled back and forth out of the way of the bear’s massive paws while lying on the ground.

  Connor released the henchman. A round of shots rang out in the diner. Glass shattered and wood splintered but Connor was too quick. He rammed his massive body into Mutt who was the only man left standing. Mutt fell to the floor from the attack, huffing and wheezing as he fell. The way was clear for the family to escape; they didn’t waste their opportunity.

  Connor stood over Mutt, not noticing the biker lining up a shot squarely at Connor’s side. It was too close to dodge; Connor readied himself for the impact of the bullets. If they were silver then this would be the end. He’d never get to see his child, nor hold Tess. All for a couple bears he barely even knew. Was it worth it?