Arctic Bound

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Victor stood outside her door completely dumbfounded. How he’d ended up at her cabin was still a question he wasn’t able to answer. His father had been more than willing to take her supplies up to her, as well as check on her snowmobile, but he’d insisted he should go instead. He told himself it was because he needed to make sure she wasn’t a Hunter.

You can swallow all the bullshit you want, man, still doesn’t change the fact that you’re drawn to her.

And that was his problem. Sasha and her family were due to arrive in a couple of days, and although he had bedding rights, he knew bedding the human was out of the question. He’d heard the loud music as he made his way up her drive; saw her through the window as she went through kickboxing moves. She was fluid like water, and even though her limp impaired her, she’d learned to adjust. Sweat glistened on her form, making her sports shirt cling to her breasts. He could see the scars all along the side of her body, wrapping around her waistline and disappearing into her yoga pants.

What happened to you?

Her body was powerful and soft all at the same time, an enticing combination even his wolf couldn’t ignore.

He could tell she had some sort of combat training. She didn’t fight like Hunters, but that didn’t mean they weren’t finding other ways to take his kind out. Her moves were precise and calculated. She was a beautiful woman. She hadn’t given him the time of day at his sister’s. That stung his ego more than he cared to admit. All the females in the Packs wanted to be with the Alpha’s eldest son. They were all vying for the prominent spot of Luna. His mother currently held that position, but come spring, it would fall to Sasha. Nerina Simpson would never be a fitting Luna. Why the hell did he even care? He was here to drop off her supplies and check on her snowmobile. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on her door again.

Slowly, the door creaked open.

“Where is Thorn?” She peered past him, looking for his father.

“He sent me here to take a look at your snowmobile and deliver your supplies. My sister is cooking a big dinner tonight up at the house and she needed his help. You’re stuck with me.” He nodded his head toward the inside of her cabin so she would let him step through.

“Do you mind if I unload these supplies? I would really like to get them inside and take a look at your ride before the sun goes down.” The sun was only visible for a couple of hours now that they were truly into winter.

She opened the door and stepped back to allow him entrance. Her cabin was small, but then again, it was only her and the wolves. She stood watching as he walked to her small table and started pulling out her supplies.

“I can do that, just leave them there.”

Victor turned to look at her, and his eyes swept her from head to toe, lingering on her leg. She cleared her throat, bringing him back to her eyes.

“You’re staring again. Is it my hands? My leg? What?” She held up her scarred arm and then dropped it by her side. “I’ll be back. I just need to put some clothes on; then I’ll meet you outside by the snowmobile. And if you need me to spell it out for you, I’m telling you as politely as I can that you can leave my house now.”

“Why are you so rude to me?” Victor found himself asking.

“I’m not. I’m just trying to keep things light and simple. I see the way you stare at me, and I have to tell you, it’s creepy. It makes me uncomfortable.”

She was lying.

It made her uncomfortable, but not like that. He could smell the light scent of her arousal. She was just as attracted to him as he was to her. Victor watched her retreat to her room and took that moment to speak with Demon.

“Is she a Hunter?”

“No.”

“Well, who is she then?”

“She’s someone who needs our help.”

“Help? She looks far from helpless, Demon. Why are you so damn protective of her? You didn’t ever get this way over Lizz.” Demon c****d his head to the side and strode in front of Victor.

“I asked you a question… Do you know anything about her, or are you just a tired old fart?”

Demon snarled, showing his teeth.

“Show some f*****g respect, wolf. I don’t have to give you any information if I choose not to. Your rules don’t apply to me, or to Daar. Let Nerina tell you when she’s ready.”

Nerina walked out of her room in a pair of jeans and a heavy sweater. She stopped when she noticed he was still in her living room.

“Thought I was clear that I would meet you outside?”

“You were; I just don’t appreciate being told what to do by a woman.”

“There’s a first time for everything.”

Nerina walked out into the cold and waited for Victor to follow her out. Walking over to her snowmobile, he checked the engine and gas tank. One of her wires had come unplugged. He plugged it in and then asked her to go and get the keys. He’d brought gas up just in case she needed some for her generator. Stepping back, he was able to take a better look at her machine. It was an 800 Dragon RMK 163, she’d spent her money well. He and his brothers had theirs custom made, and it looked like she’d had hers geared up, as well. A magnesium chain case with a lightweight front end. Streamlined. She’d have no problem steering; her spindles were still in good condition, as were the disc scratchers. She even had the race-bred brakes. He was impressed. None of the women back in town would have thought to ride or buy a machine this sporty.

“So, what’s wrong with her?” Nerina asked, tossing him the keys.

“Her?”

“Yeah, my sled, what’s wrong with her? I want to take her out this week before the storm and get the lay of the land, the property. Decide how I’m going to expand.”

She walked two steps in his direction, and he had to take two step backs. He felt his beast rise up to the challenge she was presenting by getting in his personal space. There was something about her that screamed trouble. Nerina passed him, bending close to the hood of the snowmobile before turning to look back at him.

“You gonna tell me what’s wrong with my sled, or am I supposed to be telepathic?”

She straightened and then backed away from the machine.

“No, I was just wondering what a girl like you is doing with such a contraption. Are you sure you can ride this thing?” He looked her over from head to toe; she wasn’t short, but she wasn’t tall, either. Victor opened his senses. He wanted to really gauge her. Figure out what it was about her that made him excited and leery at the same time. Maybe she was wearing some type of masking fragrance that was meant to confuse him. Hunters had that, too. They were getting smarter and smarter. Most people didn’t realize the neck, hands, and arms threw off the strongest scent; and he was close enough to her he could discern more now that her smell was stronger from working out.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to separate all the emotions coming off her. What he got totally confused him. She smelled tropical, almost fruity, but there was a hint of spice there, as well. She smelled like home-cooking and sweet rolls. Why he associated her with baking was beyond him. The only person who smelled like home to him was his mother. Victor tucked that information in the back of his mind and continued to sift through her scents. She had no fear, and was completely comfortable with her surroundings. She was agitated, but it was clearly because of his presence and nothing more. He took a step toward her when he picked up the faint tang of her arousal and noted that she was passing her fertile stage. The other thing he could smell was the gun in her boot. Demon was sure she wasn’t a Hunter, but she was definitely something.

Nerina eyed him suspiciously. Why was he standing so close to her? And why did it look like he was sniffing her?

Freak.

She took a step back and his entire body seemed to move with her. She had her small gun in her boot. She didn’t feel threatened by him, but just in case, she was on guard.

“You got something you need to say to me?”

She watched closely as Victor eyed her. His eyes were on her face, then her boot where the gun was concealed. He couldn’t possibly know she was carrying.

“Somebody after you, or do you always carry a gun?”

Nerina backed up and was happy to know Demon was there at her back. His hackles rose as he growled at Victor.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but if you don’t need to do anything else to my ride, you can leave now.”

“If I don’t?”

Then she was going to let Demon have him for dinner, that’s what.

“I don’t want any trouble. I just want you to leave. It’s getting cold, and I need to go back inside.”

He stepped closer. Leaving no room for even the air to flow between them. His breath hot on her face as he looked down at her.

“If I find out you’re here to cause trouble, you’re going to need more than that little piece of s**t gun to stop me.”

Mountain men truly sucked. Even if this particular mountain man was hot.

“I asked you to leave,” Nerina said again, this time firmer.

He stood there unmoving, eyeing her intently until whatever he was looking for became evident only to him. Turning to leave, he mounted his snowmobile and backed out of her drive, taking off into the night. Letting go of the breath she was holding, Nerina went back into the house. How the hell had he known she had a gun?

The music still played inside, and the beat of Sade whispered softly against the walls as she sang about lost love. The supplies left on her table were quickly put away, and dinner was cooking by the time Nerina was able to sit down and put her feet up. The dogs sprawled in front of the fire, both sleeping. Demon snored loudly, making Nerina smile. This was her life. As strange as it seemed, she now lived in Alaska. If anyone had asked her if she would ever move here two years ago, the answer would have been hell no. But what a difference two years made.