Chapter Five

Ping. The alert on his laptop had chimed sooner than he’d expected. Even though he knew who it was, he checked anyway. Living a long while had given him time to acquire various skills. Naturally curious by nature, technology fascinated him.

As he’d suspected, Cassie was online searching through various sites trying to uncover what she could about him. Not that there was much to find. He liked his privacy and stayed off chat groups and all social media.

The only thing she’d discover was that he did indeed own a real estate company with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Hong Kong. He also had a small firm in Moscow that he kept separate from the rest. Politics were a bitch in that part of the world.

On one hand, he was thrilled she was interested enough to try to find out more about him. On the other, if she was that curious, she could be suspicious of him.

He angled his computer screen away as the waitress returned to his table. This was his third breakfast of the morning. All different places. He’d only stopped at home long enough to fetch his knapsack. “Can I get you anything else?” Her tone was polite, but there was an edge of curiosity. The problem with isolated places was that strangers stood out.

“No thanks.” It was time for him to head back to his own place where he could relax, get the privacy he needed, and do some serious research.

He gathered his belongings and stood, doing a search to make sure he left nothing behind. The waitress backed up and scurried behind the counter. After handing over enough money to cover his meal and a healthy tip, he left.

The air was crisp and clear, but it was no longer quiet. Members of the community were out, going about their business. While he might live on the edges of civilization, he enjoyed people-watching, trying to imagine where they were going, what they were thinking about. The sun was shining, so he slipped his sunglasses out of his pocket and pulled them on to cut down the glare.

He was just thankful he could still be out in the sunshine, but it was a bitch that his eyes were now sensitive to light.

With his pack slung over one shoulder, he made his way back to the small house he’d bought. A house was better than an apartment. More privacy. And it always made sense to buy instead of rent. He could come and go as he pleased, and when he was ready to leave, he’d simply lease it and make money.

Keeping his head down, he trekked quickly, all the while aware of his surroundings. Once inside, he closed the drapes and removed the sunshades. The shadows were much easier on his eyes.

Sleep beckoned, but he took the time to send off a couple emails. The first one was to the client, asking for more information on the potential target. All he had was an email address. Not unusual, but he preferred to know who he worked for. It would be interesting to see if he got an answer back.

The next was to Maccus, the leader of the Forgotten Brotherhood. Power radiated from him. You only had to be in his presence to know he wasn’t someone you fucked with. Under the definition of badass in the dictionary, there should be a picture of him.

He’d also been around a very long time and had connections everywhere. So, Alexei asked him to look into the person or group who’d made contact through their website. If there was anything to be found, he would uncover it. Alexei also asked if he was aware of any paranormal creature that could pull off the appearance of being full human.

That bothered him. With his mixed genetics, he should have sensed something. Maybe he was simply tired. He’d been traveling around the North for months searching for her.

After he yawned for a second time, he lowered the cover of his computer. The bedroom was small, but adequate, but that wasn’t what he needed.

He stripped off his clothes and embraced the change. His large body grew even bigger. His bones thickened and reshaped. His hands and feet morphed into huge paws, capable of crushing a man to death with one strike. Thick white fur soon covered him. His nose elongated, his face taking on the familiar shape of a polar. A quick shake helped him settle into his new form.

He circled the living room carpet several times, wishing for his huge, reinforced bed back home. If he tried to sleep in the one in the bedroom, he’d break it.

He made himself comfortable on the floor before resting his head between his front paws. Heaving a great sigh, he closed his eyes.

His last thought was of Cassie. What was she doing? She might believe he was gone, but he had no intention of leaving her alone. As soon as he rested, he’d head back. He was already eager to see her.

It was a calculated gamble that she wouldn’t run, at least not yet. She struck him as a woman who would stand her ground and fight, if she thought she could win.

What if the client had contacted another group besides the Brotherhood? There were more hired guns out there. None as good, but they did exist.

Only someone stupid would do that. Their group didn’t condone such things. Anyone trying to gain their services understood the rules. Any contract was exclusive until it was rejected. Most were too smart to test them.

There was always one idiot who thought the rules didn’t apply.

It would be easy enough to walk back out there, stash his stuff, shift, and watch the roadhouse from a distance.

But what if someone saw him and called wildlife control? The last thing he needed was for some idiot to dart him. Drugs didn’t work on him the way they did on normal bears. That only led to panic and gunshots.

It had happened once before, and that was more than enough. Digging bullets out of his own hide wasn’t fun.

Likely he was making a mountain out of a molehill, but the fact that he couldn’t trace the client bothered him. Maybe he wasn’t worried about crossing the Brotherhood at all.

That made him either insane or very, very dangerous. Neither of those choices put him at ease.

Swearing, he shifted back. “Fuck.” He dragged his fingers through his hair and headed to the bathroom. She’d gotten under his skin. Normally nothing could keep him from sleep.

Bears loved a good nap. And vamps usually slept during the day.

Yet here he was, awake when he could be resting, all because of her.

Alexei ducked into his shower and blasted the water. Cold or warm, didn’t matter to him as long as he got clean. Once he was done, he brushed out his wet hair and combed his beard before getting dressed.

He took the time to check his email messages. There was nothing yet. It sucked that he couldn’t take his laptop with him, but he’d be out in the snow for hours and hours and couldn’t risk the machine.

After stowing it safely away, he stuffed an empty waterproof bag in his pocket, one small enough to fit when folded. The only other thing he carried was money. He left the keys on the dresser.

Maybe it was stupid not to lock his door, but if someone was determined to get in, they could break the flimsy lock. Plus, if someone stole from him, they’d leave their scent behind. And when he found them, he’d make them very sorry.

His stomach growled. He was still hungry, in spite of all he’d eaten. But it wasn’t food he was craving.

He’d either have to make a quick stop on the way out of town or wait until later and find a donor in the parking lot of the roadhouse after the sun went down. Thankfully, the days were short this time of year.

Leaving the house behind, he began the trek back to the bar, back to Cassie. It was a pleasant walk, at least for him. He could have taken his SUV, but he enjoyed the cold. It allowed him to work off some of the tension thrumming inside him. Plus, if he took his vehicle, Cassie would wonder why he hadn’t had it last night. And a part of him hoped if she thought he was on foot she might ask him to stay over again.

His dick jumped to attention, more than eager. “Not gonna happen.” If anything, she’d be even more wary of him now.

The chill helped him cool down. Still, when the second person stopped and offered him a ride, he took it. He’d cause more talk if he didn’t.

Once he’d been dropped at his destination—his ears still ringing from the lecture he’d received about walking in such cold without proper outdoor gear—he found a cozy spot just beyond, behind an old shed. After stripping off and storing his clothes, he shifted once again and curled up in the snow, content he was near enough if she needed him. Exhausted, he settled in for a nap.

When he woke hours later, the sun had gone down and the bloodlust was worse. It was time to deal with it before it got out of control.

After shifting and getting dressed, he watched the parking lot, dismissing several possibilities. No way he’d feed on the old man. He was one of Cassie’s favorites. Then a couple strolled into The Pit hand in hand. He preferred males to females. They could afford to donate more blood before it became dangerous for them.

Finally, a truck pulled into the parking lot and a large man climbed out. Perfect. After checking to make certain there was no one around, Alexei strolled toward him. “Hey there,” he greeted.

The guy looked toward him and gave him a smile. “Hey yourself. Heading inside?” He jerked a thumb toward the building.

“In a bit.” Pulling the power from inside him, he easily put the man in a trance.

Some of the undead preferred not to use that skill, enjoying the terror of their victims. He did everything in his power to mitigate any fear or lasting effects of the encounter.

“What the fuck?” the man exclaimed a second before his face went slack.

Alexei slung his arm around the man’s waist and guided him toward the side of the shed. “Everything is okay,” he assured him. He hated this part, but it was a necessary evil to keep him level.

And that was better for everyone.

As soon as they were out of sight, he brought the man’s wrist to his mouth. Without giving himself time to think, he sank his incisors through the skin to the vein beneath. Blood, hot and potent, filled his mouth. He swallowed, taking what he needed, all the while monitoring his unwilling donor’s heartbeat.

Blood, any blood, energized him, but all he could think about was how sweet Cassie’s blood would taste.

Don’t go there.

He would never drink from her without her permission. That meant telling her exactly what he was, which would freak her out, even if she was some kind of paranormal.

If she wasn’t? He didn’t want to even consider her reaction.

Lucky for him, he didn’t need nearly as much blood as a normal vamp. They could drain a man dry, and the rogues often did. But he’d taken too much, caught up in his fantasy of drinking from Cassie.

He swore and ran his tongue over the wound, watching carefully. The healing agent in his saliva worked quickly. When the marks were nothing more than tiny pinpricks, he looked the man in the face. “You will not remember me. All you will recall is getting out of your vehicle.”

“Won’t remember you,” the man muttered.

Alexei walked him back to his truck and then slid out of sight. A few seconds later, the man shuddered and blinked several times as though coming out of a daze. He shook his head and then slowly made his way to the entrance.

…

Cassie’s attention strayed to the door for the dozenth time since she’d started her shift an hour ago.

“Watching for someone in particular?” Seated in his regular spot, Buck was working on the first of his two nightly beers.

Irritated at herself, she rubbed a nonexistent stain from the top of the bar. “Nope.”

He chuckled as he scooped up a handful of nuts from the bowl she’d put in front of him. “Maybe you’ve got your eye on the big guy that was in here last night. What was his name?”

“Alexei,” she answered absently, as the door opened.

Let it be him.

She ignored his laughter and had to deal with her own disappointment when another customer walked in. Tiny was a regular, like Buck, only a lot younger. Unlike his nickname would suggest, he was a big man. Not fat, just solid. But tonight, he seemed a little unsteady on his feet. “Hey, Tiny. You okay?”

He sat heavily on one of the stools. “Yeah. Lightheaded is all. Maybe I need to eat something.”

Tiny was a gentle giant, beloved by all who knew him, and that included her. “What can I get for you? A burger?” He looked pale to her, so she poured a glass of orange juice and set it in front of him. “Drink. If your blood sugar is low, that should help stabilize you.”

“Thanks, Cassie.” He drank it all in a single gulp. “I wouldn’t mind a burger.”

“Coming right up.” She passed the order on to Pete in the kitchen. “Want me to call Marlene for you?” she asked. Marlene was his long-time girlfriend. She usually came with him. “Where is she tonight?”

He chuckled. “She’s gone to a wedding shower for a friend of hers. I’m on my own tonight. No need to bother her.”

Any other man and she might think he’d come here to flirt, maybe cheat on his girlfriend, but not Tiny. He was as faithful as they came. She envied Marlene. “Afraid she’ll get ideas?” She’d often wondered why they weren’t married since they were so devoted to each other.

“More like hoping she’ll get them. It’s not me dragging my feet,” he confided.

The door opened again, and against her will, she looked. Everything inside her settled when Alexei entered. He was exactly as she remembered. Tiny might be big, but Alexei made him appear average.

Their gazes met and held. Sparks practically shimmered in the air. Like last night, he wore jeans and boots and a thick sweater. Unlike last night, he didn’t even have a hat on. Had he walked again? She hoped not. Did he even own a vehicle? Maybe not since he was only passing through.

Not that it was any concern of hers.

“Order is up,” Pete called from the kitchen pass-through. Forcing herself to look away, she ignored the pounding in her heart and did her job. She placed Tiny’s food and his regular beer in front of him.

“Thanks, Cassie. I don’t know what’s wrong with me this evening.” He took a big bite.

“Let me know if you want me to call Marlene or anyone else.”

“I’ll be fine,” he assured her around a mouthful of burger.

Unable to put it off any longer, she went down to the far end where Alexei patiently waited.

“I wasn’t sure you’d be back.” She’d told him not to call her, and there were other places to drink.

“I like it here.” His blue eyes stared intently at her, as if he was trying to see into her very core. It was a good thing he couldn’t. It was a dark thing. He’d run screaming if he glimpsed the real her.

She slumped slightly and rubbed her hand over the ache in her chest. Having any kind of relationship with him was impossible.

She’d been fine until he’d shown up, hadn’t realized just how lonely she was until he’d struck a spark inside her, bringing a previously dormant part of her to life.

The scent of crisp, cold air clung to him. Beneath it lay a hint of something muskier that she couldn’t place. It wasn’t fair. She wanted to bury her face in his neck and breathe him in. She twined her fingers together to keep from reaching for him.

“You gonna get the man a drink or just stare at him?”

She glared at Buck, but it didn’t do any good. He just chuckled and ate some more nuts. That was the problem with familiarity. Gave people the idea they could butt into your life.

A part of her liked it. But there was no denying it was also a pain in the ass.

“Well?” she asked Alexei.

“Whiskey.”

Great, he was back to his one-word answers. Without being asked, she set up six glasses and filled them. In a replay of last night, he handed her several folded hundred-dollar bills. This time the corners of his mouth twitched. “Don’t forget your big tip.”

She couldn’t help but smile. “Smart-ass.”

As dangerous as it was for both of them, she was glad he was here. The place seemed brighter, the evening more exciting.

He downed the first two drinks without pause.

Curiosity silenced caution. “So, what did you do all day?” She really didn’t know much about him beyond the basics—he drank whiskey, could be trusted not to take advantage of a woman in an intimate situation, and made a mean breakfast. Oh, and he worked in real estate and was well off enough to travel.

He shrugged one massive shoulder. “Did some work, took a long nap.”

“Rough day at the office, huh?”

“You have no idea.” There was something in his tone that gave her pause. In spite of what he’d said, she sensed that his day was a lot harder than he let on. There was so much more to him than there seemed at first glance.

“You want something to eat?”

“Yes.”

She patted his arm, needing to touch him, even though it would be smarter to keep her distance. “You want to be more specific?” The muscles in his arm had tensed as soon as her hand had rested on him. She half expected him to pull away, but he didn’t. “We have more besides burgers. The nachos are good. Loaded potato skins are amazing. So are the pizzas.” The menu wasn’t too varied, but it was good pub food. She’d tried it all and had no problem recommending it. “Fish and chips, too.” Pete was originally from London and had insisted they have it on the menu.

“Okay.”

“You want one of each?” Even after watching him shovel down burgers last night, she hadn’t expected that.

He nodded.

“I assume fries with the burger? But what about the pizza?”

“Yes. And meat on the pizza.”

What a surprise. Not. “So no veggies.”

His eyes twinkled, sending a whole pile of butterflies fluttering through her stomach. “Why would I ruin a perfectly good pizza with veggies?”

“What was I thinking?” Chuckling, she put in his order and then poured him a beer. When he raised an eyebrow in question, she replied, “To help dilute the whiskey.” It bothered her that he seemed to be a heavy drinker. Either he had a problem or overindulged on occasion. The other possibility was that he was some sort of supernatural creature that could handle it.

Neither of the options was particularly heartening.

He downed the shots and pushed the glasses aside with his arm. Then he reached for the beer but didn’t bother to drink. His long fingers circled the glass.

Cassie swallowed heavily as the atmosphere in the room thickened. His hands were huge and rough, his fingers long and thick. What would they feel like stroking her body?

Her nipples hardened beneath her shirt. She resisted the urge to fan her face. If she didn’t rein in her wayward thoughts, she’d have to jump in a snowbank to cool down.

“Do I know you?” Tiny asked as he finished the last of the burger. She was pleased to see the color in his face was good and that he seemed more himself.

Alexei shook his head. “No.”

“You sure?” Tiny stared at him intently. “I’d swear I know you from somewhere.”

She studied both men. Tiny’s face open and sincere, Alexei shuttered and brooding. What was she missing? Had they met before? If so, why wouldn’t he just admit it?

“Hey, Tiny,” Buck called from his end of bar. “Want to shoot a game of pool?”

“Sure.” Affable as ever, he stood and grabbed his beer. “I’m sure I know you,” he told Alexei. “It will come to me.” Then he wandered off into the other room with Buck.

Alexei concentrated on his beer, twirling the glass round and round.

“So, do you know Tiny?” It was brazen of her to ask, and really none of her business. But in spite of the fact she’d masked all her supernatural senses, something wasn’t right with Alexei.

Just her luck. She finally was attracted to a guy and he was probably here to take her home. Or maybe exterminate her. Did he even know what she was? Or was this nothing more than her overactive imagination? Maybe he was socially awkward. No crime in that.

She swallowed back a scream of frustration. She was making herself crazy with all this speculation.

He remained silent, but he did finally raise his head. There was something in his expression she couldn’t quite distinguish, and it gave her pause. Was it regret? Pity?

Anger bubbled up inside her. Swallowing it back took a real effort, but she managed. With anger would come a burst of energy. That could alert one of her kind to her presence here.

“Just who the hell are you?” she demanded.

He frowned and tilted his head to one side, seeming honestly bewildered by her question. “Alexei Medvedev.”

It was tempting to let it go, but she couldn’t afford to. She leaned closer until their foreheads were almost touching. “Let me rephrase the question. What are you?” If she was wrong about him, he’d be confused by her question. If she could catch him off guard, she might get an honest reaction.

He released a chuff, the sound more animalistic than human.

It all suddenly made sense—his big size, his enormous appetite, his ability to easily handle whiskey like it was water. The dark, musky scent that clung to his skin.

She checked to make sure no one else could hear. For once, the jukebox was quiet and there was only the hum of the television over the bar.

“You’re a shifter of some kind, aren’t you?” She had no idea just what she was dealing with, but having one of his kind show up in Alaska and come to her place of work was no coincidence.

Without waiting for an answer, she demanded, “Why are you here?”

He straightened­­—his great size more intimidating than it had been up until this very moment. Without the haze of sexual attraction blinding her, it was easy to see what was glaringly obvious, to put all the clues together.

Ignorance might be bliss, but it could also be her undoing. Too bad she hadn’t seduced him last night. That ship had sailed. And that saddened her even as dread made her stomach clench.

He stared right at her, his icy-blue eyes filled with determination. “I’m here for you.”