My Snow Princess

Like Sunshine

Keeping Killian sane this past month has been a full-time job. It was already hard before, but ever since the first failed rescue attempt it's been so much worse. The stakes are higher and everything is riskier. There are so many unknowns since we're mostly making up a plan as we go. It doesn't help that one of the unknowns is Killian himself.

The Northern pack is not like any other pack because of its geographic isolation. There are no maps available that detail walkable paths and villages for rest stops and food. The Alpha of the Alpine pack pointed us in the right direction and offered some pack members that could guide us as far as they knew how to go, but the rest was up to us.

We're two weeks into our journey and Killian's been on edge all day. We haven't had a lot of meat in our diets since there isn't much to hunt in the Tundra, and we don't know if it's safe to stop in the villages to get food. Tonight, I'll have to risk sending someone into the next village or farm we find to get food for Killian.

When Killian snarls at a Caeden for crunching too loud in the snow, I decide to step in.

"Killian, relax, he's just walking," I warn.

"He needs to walk quieter. They can hear him back at the Imperial pack," he growls.

I nod to Caeden to fall to the back of the group for now, then say to Killian, "Take it easy on the group, we're all here to help you. They're tired and hungry just like you."

"And they smell," he deadpans. I chuckle, enjoying the slight bit of humor showing through in my friend. He's right, hygiene has really suffered since the only available water is ice-cold. Even the women on the team gave up on staying clean after their first couple of cold plunges.

Killian's head snaps up and his eyes search the area efficiently. I'm startled when he starts running and I quickly get moving, trying ot keep up. I constantly survey the surrounding area, but there is nothing out of the ordinary. When he picks up speed to a full run, I get worried that he's lost his mind.

His single-minded focus makes him faster than me, so I run comfortably to keep him in sight but nothing more. Maybe he sees a deer we can eat. I direct the group to jog but don't expect anyone to keep up with me or Killian. It's slippery in the snow and we don't need any injuries this early in our assignment.

Killian, impossibly, picks up his pace and after a minute of running, I can see someone running towards us in the distance. I pick up my pace but I know I won't be able to close the gap between me and Killian. If it's an enemy, at least I won't be too far behind. I signal to the rest of the group to speed up so he has back up.

As we get closer, I see that the person is a woman. It doesn't take me long to recognize Josie. She's with a group of four people.

As they get closer, I recognize Kara and Brent, but I don't recognize the other two girls with them. I'm elated to see the two warriors with the group and I'm excited to hear how they've all managed to save themselves. I want to laugh at the genius that is Josie. She didn't need our pathetic attempt at saving herself.

Killian and Josie collide in the middle of our two groups while we all stand around and enjoy the reunion. With the approach of their group, a scent that was slightly out of place grew stronger. The most amazing smell of fresh falling snow invaded my senses, but everywhere I looked I only saw days-old snow.

I feel a pull and I let my eyes follow the direction of the pull to see the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Now that they're up close, I can see her piercing light blue eyes rimmed with a dark blue circle, and her long white-blond hair in an intricate braid. A few tendrils have escaped to whip around her face, drawing attention to her red-tipped nose from the cold.

Unlike the rest of her group, she isn't hunched against the elements. She must be from the North.

I have ample time to study her because she's adamantly not meeting my gaze. I can tell it's hard work for her, but I don't mind because it gives me more time to study her.

My mate.

No wonder I never found her; she's been hiding out here in the Northern pack.

Kara finally speaks up and directs Killian and Josie into a nearby building. They head straight upstairs and we move to another building.

Kara is the first to break the ice when we enter a nearby barn and says jovially, "So, it's good to see you guys. You took your time."

"We knew you would save yourself so we thought we'd take the scenic route," Jakub jokes back.

My mate watches their interaction, studying the dynamics in the room. She's sharp, assessing all the threats and exit points. It makes me wonder who she is if she has this kind of training. That and she obviously was the one to lead this group backpacking through the North.

Kara punches Jakub's arm and says, "We could've died in a Northern pack dungeon while you were slowly hiking through the outskirts of the pack territory."

"Seriously, how are you all doing? How's Josie?" I ask. It's time to step in and figure out the situation. Once Killian has spent enough time with Josie to be sane again, he'll want to get her to safety as fast as possible.

The moment I speak, my mate's eyes snap up to meet mine for the first time. I almost can't breathe at how stunning she is. Her attention is too much, it's like looking directly at the sun.

Kara catches him staring and jumps in to make an introduction, "Oh right, this is Aniu! She's our guide and the mastermind behind the escape!"

I look at her curiously and confirm, "You're part of the Northern pack?"

"Yes," she answers, and her voice is the sweetest sound.

"Why did you help your most valuable prisoner by far, escape?" I ask, needing to know the answer but wanting to ask a million more questions.

"Because I hate my brother," she responds, boldly keeping direct eye contact.

"And who is your brother?" I ask, but I have a strong guess.

"Stone."

Sounds of shock go around the room and I can sense people shuffling nervously and looking at each other in confusion. I keep my eyes on hers, trying to read her mind. I want to know everything. I want to know how Stone's sister became my mate and I want to know if she's okay with her brother dying. But mostly, I want to know how we didn't know he had a sister. These kinds of things should be reported.

"Stone doesn't have a sister," I say finally.

"I don't have a DNA test on me, but I'm sure you've met him before, and we look nearly identical," she responds, rolling my eyes. I love the little bits of attitude she's showing. She won't be cowered by her association with Stone.

"How can we trust you?" I ask. Even though I'd take my chances and gladly let her kill me, the rest of my group aren't her mate and shouldn't be signed up for the same risk.

"I don't care if you trust me, I only need Josie's trust," she points out.

"And does she trust you?" he challenges.

"Yes."

I smile at her confidence and say, "Okay, they're going to be busy for a while. How about we discuss the best path back to the Alpine pack.

She nods with a determined look. Maps are pulled out and plans are discussed, but never once do we acknowledge the bond. I'll follow her lead for now. I'm a patient man and I've waited seven years. I'll have plenty of opportunities to get her alone once we're back in Alpine pack territory.

I smile to myself and enjoy being in her presence and working side by side with her to make a plan.