Arctic Bound Read online

  Dread was slowly creeping into his psyche as he replayed his earlier encounter with the elusive Nerina Simpson. She’d come to his town six months ago. She kept weapons at her cabin and on her body. A car was registered to someone that wasn’t her, and now she was here at the club, covered in silver. Maybe she was a Hunter. Somehow she’s tricked Demon into thinking she was normal, but in reality she was something else.

  “Hey are you listening to me man?” Colin interrupted his thoughts, and Blue stared out into the crowd, like the overlord Viking he was. He lorded over the people in Eden’s Den. Sitting on the plush couch, one leg crossed at the knee, a hand resting along the back as he brooded. Victor never understood why the wolf even showed his face, he never took any pleasure for himself. He only gave it.

  “What’s on your mind Canidae?” Blue said, his Nordic accent subtle but still there. Victor didn’t answer right away, as he was still trying to reconcile the information that was floating in his head. He was attracted to Nerina, but she was also the enemy. There was no doubt in his mind now. Why else would she be in the club with her friends and all of them dressed to the nines in silver?

  “Trying to figure out the newest member of our quiet little town of Talkeetna. She’s quite the character.”

  Blue nodded in agreement.

  “She seems obedient enough. You still have bedding rights. Bed her. Get her out of your system. Bring her to the cage if you want. She looked very taken with Natasha’s performance.”

  Victor shrugged. There were a dozen reasons he wasn’t going to bed Nerina.

  “She’s not my type.”

  His brother smirked. Blue, laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You are my friend. Keep telling yourself that she’s not your type. If that’s all you can say, you’re not looking close enough. Look past the scars, and see the woman underneath. She’s definitely your type. More your type than Sasha will ever be.”

  Blue took another sip of his whiskey and motioned for one of the females that had been lurking at the edge of his lounge area. He had a different woman every night, but he never slept with them. Something Victor thought was strange in itself. The woman walked to Blue who leaned forward tugging on the female’s hand until she was kneeling between his legs. Gently he pulled her forward until her head rested on his lap where he began stroking her long blonde hair. He paid no attention to the woman, except for the action of his hand absently stroking her scalp.

  “How do you get away with that shit, man?” Colin asked.

  Blue didn’t answer at first. With his other hand he finished the rest of his whiskey and leaned back, petting the girl all while she knelt between his legs, her head in his lap. A serene smile playing across her lips as if she were the one doing his friend a favor.

  “Get away with what? It’s mutual, she wants something that I can give her, and in return I get the pleasure of her company and the use of her body should I want it.” That would never happen. He never had sex with any of the girls. Blue bent his head low and whispered into the blonde’s ear. She promptly sat up on her knees, head bent and waited for further instruction.

  “Are you unhappy?”

  The blonde looked up from beneath her mascara coated lashes and demurely shook her head no.

  “You want to please me, yes?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes what?”

  “Yes, Master Blue.”

  “Good girl, now, pull out my cock, and suck it.”

  Well maybe he wasn’t that celibate.

  This wasn’t something that was shocking to Victor, or Colin for that matter. It was part of the club scene. No one here was modest. Getting your dick sucked out in the open was the norm. Colin’s problem was that he was too aggressive, and came on too strong to the women at the club. Some women went for it, but the more seasoned patrons didn’t.

  “As you can see Colin, she’s happy to suck my dick.” Blue grinned, his blue eyes flashing in the darkness as the blonde continued attending his manhood.

  Victor turned, looking over his shoulder in the direction where he knew Nerina and her friends to be. He was surprised to see she was heading in his direction. A strange look on her face as she made her way over to where two of Blue’s men stood blocking her entrance.

  “I need to talk to Victor.”

  

  Everything inside of Nerina screamed foul. She didn’t know what was happening, but she knew she had to warn Victor. Why were the girls given orders to go after him of all people? He didn’t have a scar on his face either, so they had to have the wrong guy pegged for their job. Right? When the question was asked to divulge everything she knew about him, she’d tried playing dumb, tried to be nonchalant and unalarmed at the sudden request. Had they known he’d lived just a few miles away from her cabin? Had Raven ratted her out and given up the location of her whereabouts? All the other girls knew was that she lived in Alaska. They didn’t know where. At least she hoped not.

  The giant standing in her way wasn’t making things easier for her. She’d told Raven that she would bring Victor over, but in reality she had no intention of doing that, which meant serious repercussions. Shit was about to get real and quick. Blue’s domain was roped off and on the second level of the club. Their lounge just a few booths over and in direct view of the club as well as Victor and his brother Colin. Blue sat on the couch stroking the hair of some blonde that was kneeling between his legs as she sucked him off. Had it been any other night, Nerina would have been impressed with the other man’s appendage. Right now she was just concerned about Victor and his brother. Why, was anyone’s guess. Instinct told her in this, she was right to help. Victor was arrogant and brash. He looked down on her because of her ailment. She didn’t know his brother well enough to make an assumption. But until she figured out what they were wanted for, they didn’t deserve to be served up on a platter and killed. At least not yet.

  What if he was some huge ass drug lord, or worse he was into sex trafficking?

  Not your call Simpson. Just get in and get them out.

  That was all she could do for now. Anything else after that was up to them. She’d give them a head start. Once Raven and the girls caught wind of their scent, there would be no letting them go. The girls were like a pack of wild dogs when it came time to chase their victims. Nerina, once one of them, had enjoyed the hunt. Lying in wait and watching her mark, waiting for her prey to stand dead center in front of her scope. Didn’t matter how far or how close the person was, if they walked in her line of site, it was off with their heads. Literally.

  The burly man standing in front of her crossed his tree-trunk arms over his chest, his counter-part doing the same.

  “Well, are you two deaf? I said, I need to speak to Victor.”

  “Let her pass,” Blue said. He was still petting the girl between his legs, only this time his large hand was caressing her jaw and her lips. The woman looked dazed, almost confused, but the smile in her eyes were clear. She was loving every minute of Blue’s attention.

  Nerina walked past the bouncers and took the chair to Victor’s left.

  “I need you and your brother to follow me out of the club without asking any questions. But when you leave, I need you to make it look as if we’re going outside for a mini-break. Then I need you to get in your car and go back to Talkeetna.”

  Nerina made sure that her look was serious, but pleading all the same. He had no reason to trust her, no reason at all. She’d been rude to him, and although he’d been just as rude, she wasn’t going to condemn him or his brother to their deaths. Something inside her warned that it was wrong. She was never one to ignore her intuition. It had never led her astray before, and she hoped it wouldn’t now.

  “Go with her,” Blue stated quietly.

  “What?” Colin said, clearly outraged by the fact that Blue was telling them what to do. The music switched to something a little more upbeat, and soon it became hard to understand the conversation th
at was taking place in front of her. She heard words like, Hunters, and silver, and gathering during the full moon. What that had to do with them leaving with her, made no sense.

  Victor stood. His brother Colin did the same, both men reluctant as they followed her towards the clubs entrance. They followed closely, and she could feel the heat of Victor’s breath on the back of her neck. Why the hell was he walking so close?

  “You know I’m not going to let you leave until you explain what the hell is going on.”

  “Yeah, I figured as much.”

  Colin shouldered past her, barely touching her shoulder as he pushed by.

  “Yeah, this shit is crazy, why the hell did we have to leave and pretend like we’re taking a break. What aren’t you telling us?”

  There was a lot she wasn’t saying. It would all have to wait until she got them away from the club.

  “How about we get you two off and into the night. I’ll explain when I get back into town, I promise, just understand that there was a situation developing and I had to put a stop to it.”

  “Not good enough.” Victor grabbed her arm, turning her to face him.

  Nerina looked at him, and then down at her arm where his hand was setting fire to her skin. It was not okay for him to put his hands on her.

  “Dude, seriously, you’re not helping your cause here. You need to get gone and get gone quickly.”

  “Why?”

  “Because my friends are trying to kill you and your brother, that’s why.”

  Chapter 7

  Outside the club was freezing. Nerina hadn’t realized she’d left in such a hurry, she didn’t even grab her jacket. It had to be in the single digits. That wasn’t good for her in so many ways. Her body would be in so much pain by the time she got to her car and warmed up.

  A thick sweater was shoved in her direction and Nerina looked up to see that Colin had offered his. Both men weren’t wearing jackets either, but seemed to not care about the elements of the cold that surrounded them in the dark.

  “No, I can’t. You need it.”

  “No I don’t,” Colin protested, shoving the sweater into her hand. “I don’t need it. I at least have a thermal on. You have nothing but that skimpy ass top. Put the sweater on so you don’t freeze to death.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  They walked at a clipped pace as Nerina pulled the sweater over her head. When they got to her Escalade she stopped, turning to face them.

  “This is me. You guys need to go ahead and head out.”

  “Not without an explanation Nerina.” Victor warned.

  Damn.

  She was hopping she could explain later, like, back in town when they all made it safely to Talkeetna. As it was now, she was going to have to come up with some excuse. Raven knew the address to Thorn’s shop. That’s where all her deliveries went. She had to find a way out of this without causing any blowback to the people in town, or Victor’s family. She also didn’t need Colin going all badass sheriff on them either.

  “I can’t right now. I have to go and straighten things out with my friends. Let them know they made some kind of mistake or something. We don’t have time to argue about it.”

  Victor stepped closer, caging her against her car. His head bent low, his hot breath misting in the air as he spoke to her in a harsh tone.

  “Lady, you’re really starting to piss me off.” He warned.

  “I’m already pissed. I’m sticking my neck out on the line for you, and all you can do is cast threats my way. You two need to go. Ghost. Disappear. Raven knows where your town is, she doesn’t know where you live, at least I don’t think she does, but I’m just as tied to the town as you are and I’m trying to save you from the fallout. Just go.” Nerina pushed against his chest, and found there was nothing soft at all about Victor Canidae. Everything on him was made of steel and muscle, and man. All man.

  “No, you’re coming with us.”

  There was a second where she thought he was joking, but then she felt a sharp pain at the side of her neck and knew he was serious. The last thing she did before she fell into the darkness was remind him that she wouldn’t go down without a fight.

  

  Laughter rang out behind him, but Victor could barely fill it for the pain between his legs. The woman had caught him unawares. Her knee coming up to greet him between the legs and hitting him squarely in his manhood. His jaw worked in overtime as he tried to hold in his pain. His stomach cramped, and his balls retreated into his gut as the breath was knocked from his lungs.

  “She really got you, didn’t she Vic?” His brother Colin laughed.

  He couldn’t speak, the pain was so great. His prisoner slumped forward almost falling to the ground, but Colin was there pulling her up and over into his arms. Victor bristled at their contact. He didn’t like his brother touching her. If he was going to be honest about the entire situation, he didn’t want anyone touching her but himself. Barely able to walk, he made his way to his brother, taking her from his hold. Colin grunted but otherwise said nothing else, as they both made their way over to his truck.

  “The full moon is not for another week, why are you being so aggressive?”

  “No more aggressive than usual.” Victor shot back as he placed their passenger securely in the back cab of the truck.

  “If you say so, but just know bedding rights or not, I’m asking her to dinner when this is all said and done. You’ll be mated to Sasha in the spring.”

  He would be mated to Sasha, but maybe he’d have her too. His wolf’s hackles rose at the thought of taking someone that wasn’t Pack. She’d been right of course when she accused him of thinking he was better than her because of her ailments. It was what he’d been taught from birth. He wasn’t to take anyone who’d be considered weak, or human for that matter. Her species alone was an issue. The Alpha of the Pack was only to be mated to another wolf of pure lineage. Sasha and her family were part of the original five Packs that had made the travel from their ancient world into the new world. All Nerina could ever be was his mistress, and even her position as his mistress would be questioned by all.

  “She wouldn’t come to dinner and father would never approve.”

  “You forget, I’m the second son. What I do, or who I choose to do, will be no concern of fathers. The Pack will accept my choice, should I choose to breed with her.”

  Victor looked over at his brother, his jaw clenching to stave off the anger that was rising swiftly inside.

  “You would dilute the blood of your offspring with someone like her?”

  Colin smiled.

  “She’s brave enough. It’s not her fault what’s happened to her. She was obviously a warrior before she became who she is now. The fact that she was willing to warn us about her friends tells me she’s more than trustworthy. Even if she doubts herself, she doesn’t doubt her instincts. That’s a good trait to have instilled in one’s offspring.”

  Indeed. That was an excellent trait to have. But one he could never offer his children if it was something that the mother didn’t possess. Sasha had already proven that all she would bring to the table was vanity and pride. But the one trait she had that he did favor was her undying will to survive and do whatever it took to take care of her people. That was the one trait that would see to their Pack’s survival.

  “You won’t be asking her to any dinners, Colin.”

  “I’ll do what I damn will please. You haven’t stepped up to lead the Pack yet, and I doubt father will side with you on this, Victor. Find another mistress.”

  Victor started the truck and pulled out into the night. The conversation with his brother was far from over.

  When they arrived back in to Talkeetna it was already morning. Victor stopped at his father’s place to get Daar and Demon, and then he was taking her up the hill to her cabin. She still hadn’t woken yet, and he doubted she’d be up for a few hours still.

  “I’m going to pu
t her to bed. Then we’ll head back.”

  “Shouldn’t we stay, make sure she’s okay?”

  “Demon and Daar will be here with her should something happen.”

  Colin shook his head, but didn’t say another word as Victor pulled into her drive. When Victor got her to her door, he realized he’d have to undress her and put her to bed. That was going to be a feat in itself since she was wearing silver. Gently he laid her on the bed, removing her shoes first, then her socks. There was a tattoo of a butterfly on her foot. Careful not to jostle her awake, he removed her pants. The entire left side of her leg and up to her hip was a series of burn scars. On closer inspection, he could see how the muscle was disfigured causing her limp. His brother’s sweater helped with the removal of her silver top. The little burns he did receive were worth it once he finished disrobing her. She was beautiful. She was soft and curvy in all the right places. Hips that fit perfectly in the palm of his hands and breasts that were full and blemish free. He wanted to mark her skin. Tie her in place and do things to her body that would take her to a whole new level of existence.

  Victor cleared his head and quickly dressed her in sleep clothes. Tucking her in was a treat as she slept peacefully. A little snore escaping as she turned and burrowed into the pillows. She’d have a slight headache when she woke up, but nothing too serious. When he returned it would be with more questions. She was the only one that had the answers. Why her friends were trying to kill him and his brother could only mean one thing. They were Hunters, and if they were Hunters, what did that make her?

  

  Nerina woke up to a warm cabin and the smell of bacon. Bacon? She sat up quickly and immediately lay back down on her pillow. Her head hurt as if she’d been up all night drinking, but she knew that wasn’t the case. She remembered last night clearly. All the way up to the moment where she swiftly delivered a kick to Victor’s groin. The bastard had put her to sleep with some freaky pressure point that had hurt like hell. Now he was in her kitchen cooking her bacon? Was he insane?