The Alpha's Heir Deadly Salvation

Chapter 3

Elara's POV

With undeserving frustration, I finally manage to collect my scattered belongings and flag down a cab.

The driver is a man in his sixties with wine dyed beards, he raises his right eyebrow when I tell him my destination.

“Blackwood huh, doesn't get many visitors”

“What's your business there, if you don't mind me asking?”

“Wildlife research, wolf conservation project”, I reply not wanting to get into details. Something about Dr. Havgrove's last email makes me more cautious about sharing details.

The driver laughs, a sound devoid of humour. “Wolves…yeah, there's more of those in Blackwood, more than you would expect.”

I perk up at this, "You've seen them?"

"Lady, in Blackwood, sometimes it feels like they're watching you." He shakes his head. "Beautiful but strange place."

As we leave the main highway, the landscape transforms dramatically. Thick pine forests flank the winding road, the trees growing taller and closer together with each mile.

"Does the town get many tourists?”, I ask, trying to gauge what I'm walking into.

"Nope; Blackwood folks keep to themselves. It's one of those places that doesn't show up on most maps, it's been that way for generations."

Oh wonderful! A closed community and I'm the outsider with the audacity to study their local wildlife. This is going to be challenging.

When we finally pull into Blackwood town, I am surprised by how picturesque it is, like something from a postcard of a traditional Alpine village. The buildings are built with rich, dark timber with sloped roofs, perfect for shedding heavy snow.

I notice modern amenities; high speed internet advertised at the local café, a well stocked general store, and even a small medical clinic.

"Your stop", the driver announces, pulling up to a two-storey building with "BLACKWOOD LODGING" carved into a wooden sign. "Apartment rentals are upstairs, from what I hear."

I pay him, adding a generous tip for the information and haul my luggage toward the entrance.

As I wrestle with my broken suitcase, I fell the distinct sensation of being watched. Glancing around, I notice several locals had paused their activities to stare. Not the subtle, curious looks but open evaluating stares.

A tall woman with striking auburn hair approachs me.

"You must be Dr. Winters" she says, her tone professional but not particularly welcoming.

"I'm Sierra Reed, town administrator. We received word you'd be arriving today."

"Yes, that's me," I reply, extending my hand. "Thank you for accommodating me on such short notice."

Sierra shakes my hand briefly.

"The DCC arranged everything; They're quite... persuasive." Something flashs across her face….annoyance? Concern? It disappears too quickly for me to identify.

"Your apartment is ready, this way please."

As we climb the stairs, Sierra gives me a quick overview of Blackwood. "Town curfew is 10 PM during winter months. The forest gets dangerous after dark, visibility issues, wildlife, rapid temperature drops. The general store closes at 8pm but the Howling Mug café stays open until 9:30. Cell service is spotty, but the Wi-Fi is reliable."

"Curfew?" I ask,"That seems unusual” I continue.

"Safety precaution”, she shrugs

“ We lost hikers last year who ventured out at night and their bodies were never found." She delivers this information flatly, but her message is clear:- ‘follow the rules’.

My apartment is surprisingly spacious.

A combined living room and kitchen, a bedroom with a queen sized bed and a bathroom with an actual tub. Large windows offering a view of the forest edge and the mountains beyond.

"The DCC had specific requirements" Sierra explains, noting my surprise at the accommodations.

"They wanted you to have space for equipment."

She hands me a key and a small map of the town. "Town hall meeting is tomorrow at 7 PM. Since your research will impact our community, your attendance is expected. Mayor Blackwood will want to meet you."

"Blackwood? Like the town?"

"His family founded this place centuries ago, they still own most of the land, including the forests you're planning to study." Sierra moves toward the door.

"One last thing, Dr. Winters. The locals are private people. They may not warm up to you right away, especially given your... research interests."

Sierra leaves and I begin to unpack and set up my equipment. My enhanced thermal cameras would need to be calibrated for the colder temperatures here and I want to start mapping potential observation sites based on the geological survey data Dr. Havgrove sent.

My stomach growls, reminding me I hadn't eaten since the airport. According to Sierra's map, the Howling Mug café is just down the street. A coffee and sandwich sounds really perfect.

°°°°°°°°°

The café is cozy, with a roaring fireplace and wooden furnishings. The scent of coffee and freshly baked goods fills the air. Despite it being mid afternoon, several tables are occupied. All conversations pauses as soon as I enter with all eyes turning my way.

I straighten my shoulders and approach the counter.

The barista, a young woman with vibrant blue streaks in her dark hair, offers me the first genuine smile I'd seen since I arrived .

"You must be the wolf lady" she says. "I'm Riley. What can I get you?"

"Is it that obvious I'm not a local?" I ask, returning her smile.

"Blackwood has about 500 residents. Everyone knows everyone" Riley shrugs. "Plus news travels fast, especially when it's about someone coming to study our wolves."

I order a latte and chicken sandwich, then move to a seat by the window. As I wait for my order, the door swings open and my heart nearly stops.

It was him…the rude man from the airport!

Even more striking up close, his presence seems to fill the entire café. He’s putting on dark jeans and a forest green henley that matched his eyes, a leather jacket slung over his broad shoulders. The local women visibly perk up at his entrance while the men nod respectfully.

His gaze sweeps the room before landing on me. Recognition flickers across his features, followed by something that seems almost like amusement. He wispers something to his companion, the same man who'd been with him at the airport and they both look my way.

Great. Just great.

Riley appears with my order, following my gaze.

"I see you've noticed Linne Blackwood",she whispers, placing my sandwich before me.

"Blackwood?" I echo. "As in...?"

"The mayor's son and heir to pretty much everything you can see from this window", Riley confirmed. "Technically, he's already running most of the family businesses since his father's health declined. Timber, mainly, but they have their hands in everything around here."

Of course. Of all the people I could have antagonized, I'd managed to pick the most powerful man in town, the son of the person who controlled the very forests I needed access to for my research.

As if sensing our conversation, Linne walks directly toward my table, his movement fluid and purposeful. The café goes quiet again, everyone watching with undisguised interest.

"Dr. Winters" he says, his voice deeper than I remember. "Welcome to Blackwood, I believe we got off on the wrong foot earlier." He extends his hand, his expression unreadable.

"Linne Blackwood."

I hesitate before taking his hand, immediately conscious of its warmth and strength. "How do you know my name?"

A sly smile plays at his lips. "As Riley probably told you, news travels fast here. Especially when it concerns wolves." Something dangerous flash in his eyes. "And I make it my business to know everything that happens in Blackwood's forests."

In that moment, I realize my research had just become significantly more complicated.

Linne's POV

I watched a flurry of emotions cross Elara Winters' face…surprise, wariness, and something else. Determination perhaps. Good, she'd need that here.

"I suppose I should apologize for the airport incident" I say, though I make no effort to sound particularly sorry. Grey nudge me from behind, and I could practically hear his thoughts: Be nice for once in your life.

"That would be appropriate" she replies coolly, her blue eyes holding mine steadily.

I find myself surprisingly impressed. Most outsiders wilted under direct attention in Blackwood, sensing something they couldn't quite identify. The wolf within us affects humans subconsciously, a predatory aura that triggers ancient survival instincts. But this woman shows no sign of backing down.

"Then consider me apologetic," I offer with a slight incline of my head. Not quite an apology but close enough for public consumption.

Grey steps forward, extending his hand with considerably more charm than I'd managed. "Grey Blackwood, Linne's infinitely more personable cousin. Don't judge all of us by his standards”, he smiles largely.

‘This male w***e!’, I say to myself and roll my eyes.

Dr. Winters shakes his hand, smiling despite herself. "Elara Winters, Wildlife biologist."

"Specializing in wolves," I add pointedly. "Specifically, the unusual population in our forests."

Her eyebrows raises slightly. "You've read my research proposal?"

"Sierra shared it with me this morning." No need to mention that I'd ordered her to. "Your DCC has been quite insistent about this project."

"It's an opportunity to document and protect a potentially unique subspecies", she explains, her passion evident as she continues.

"Preliminary data suggests behavioral patterns unlike any documented wolf population in North America."

If only she knew why.

"And you believe these wolves need protection?" I ask, genuinely curious about her perspective.

"All wolves do. They're keystone predators, crucial to ecological balance but this population could be especially significant to conservation efforts if they're as distinct as the satellite data suggests."

I pull out a chair and sit down across her without asking permission, a deliberate power move that I know would irritate her. Grey rolls his eyes but joins us.

"Dr. Winters, let me be direct. The forests around Blackwood have been private property for generations; My family has protected this land and everything on it for centuries."

"Including the wolves?" she asks

"Especially the wolves." I lean forward slightly. "Your research concerns me. Increased attention to our wolf population could attract unwanted visitors, trophy hunters, more researchers and tourists. This is a delicate ecosystem."

"My work is observational. I have no intention of disrupting the wolves or their habitat."

"Even observational research has consequences. Once published, you can't control how others use your findings."

She sets down her coffee cup with deliberate care. "Are you asking me to abandon my research, Mr. Blackwood?"

"I'm suggesting you consider its potential impact. These wolves have thrived without scientific documentation for centuries."

"Or perhaps they've merely survived", she counters. "Conservation isn't just about leaving nature alone, it's about understanding ecosystems well enough to protect them from external threats."

Grey coughs, poorly disguising a laugh. Few people challenged me so directly, especially strangers. I find myself both irritated and intrigued.

"The town hall meeting tomorrow night would be an excellent opportunity for you to address these concerns" I say, standing. "The community should hear directly from you about your intentions."

"I'll be there," she promises, her voice firm. "Mr. Blackwood, I understand territorial behavior, I study predators, after all. But my research will proceed with or without your approval."

Her boldness is either incredibly brave or foolish. Time would tell which.

"We'll see, Dr. Winters." I nod towards Grey, and we turn to leave. As we reach the door, I glance back. She’s watching us, her expression thoughtful.

"She's trouble", Grey mutters as we step outside.

"Yes" I agree

"Interesting trouble, though."

Grey shots me a warning look "Linne, no. Whatever you're thinking, just no. The timing couldn't be worse, with the sickness spreading and the Silverthorne’s pressing our borders."

He was right of course. The last thing our pack needs is a wolf biologist with keen eyes and government connections poking around our territory. Especially now with four more pack members showing symptoms of the mysterious illness that had already claimed two lives.

And yet... something about Elara Winters called to me in a way I couldn't explain. Perhaps it was the defiance in her eyes, so rare in my world where my authority went largely unchallenged. Or perhaps it was something more primal, something my wolf recognized before my human mind could process it.

"I'll handle Dr. Winters," I assure Grey.

"One way or another.”