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North stared into the refrigerator. Despite it being full, nothing sounded good to him. He grabbed a beer and closed the door, twisting the top off the bottle and tossing it into the giant black garbage can at the end of the scuffed white Formica counter.
The window shuddered as the winter wind pummeled the glass. He took a long draw of beer and stared into the darkness. Even with his excellent shifter vision, the swirling snow made it impossible to see anything beyond a foot or two.
This was the worst storm they’d had in years, and of course he’d be stuck at the lodge alone. No internet. No television. Not even a DVD player. Just a shit-ton of projects he didn’t feel like doing.
Yesterday morning, his brothers, Kai and Banks, had headed into Anchorage to pick up building supplies. They planned on being back today, but then the freak storm hit. Banks had called on the satellite phone to let him know the passes were closed and they’d be staying in Anchorage.
What he wouldn’t give to be snowbound in town instead of stuck in the middle of nowhere. Anchorage hadn’t been hit as hard, and places were still open. Namely bars, restaurants, and movie theaters. All great places to kill time.
He walked across the dining room to the seating area they’d created in front of the rock fireplace. Setting his beer on the side table next to a stack of old magazines, he plopped onto the couch. Guess reading would be the big excitement for the evening.
As he reached for the magazine on top, a forlorn howl rent the air. “What the...?”
Another cry rose above the wind. A familiar howl. One he’d recognize anywhere. Muttering a curse, he strode to the front door and yanked it open, ignoring the cold and blasting wind. Moving onto the first step, he squinted into the storm.
“Where are you?” The words had barely cleared his lips when a giant blond wolf launched itself past him and into the lodge. He followed it in and slammed the door behind him. “What the ever-loving fuck, Skye?”
The wolf gave a vigorous shake, sending snow and ice flying from her fur. Her sleek head swung toward North, and she bared her fangs, adding a low growl. Then she trotted into the kitchen. What the hell was she doing out in the storm, and what the hell was she doing at the lodge?
A few seconds later, she appeared at the window where food orders were placed, her bare shoulders exposed. Shivers racked her naked body—her very naked body. “Before you start in on me, North, get me some clothes or a blanket.”
The fact that she was shivering was the only reason he didn’t launch into his lecture. Instead, he bit back his anger and grabbed a red plaid blanket off the couch. Returning to the window, he shoved it through the opening. “I think Haven left some clothes in Kai’s room. Go sit by the fire. I’ll be right back.”
“Thanks.” As she reached for the blanket, her shoulders lifted, exposing the generous swell of her breasts and drawing his eyes. “Don’t forget socks and slippers or shoes if she left any.”
Pulling away his gaze, he spun and jogged up the steps. What the hell was she doing there? And why was she alone? Concern jabbed at him. She would have said something if somebody needed help—wouldn’t she? Yeah, she would of. Even Skye wasn’t that self-centered. To be fair, he hadn’t even asked if she was okay, so who was the inconsiderate one?
After rifling through Kai’s drawers and gathering a myriad of clothing items, he returned downstairs.
Skye sat on the edge of the brick fireplace ledge with one hand extended toward the flames and the other clutching the blanket against her chest.
His steps slowed as a wave of desire washed through him. In the glow of the fire, she was nothing short of stunning, even with her wet, clinging hair. As he approached, the smell of wild roses and mountain breeze surrounded him. He stopped and stared, as if seeing her for the first time in his life. She was beautiful.
“Great.” She stood and held out her hand, tearing him from his daze. When he didn’t instantly hand them over, her brows lifted. “Give me the clothes.”
He knew what she thought. That he was gearing up for an ass-chewing. Bickering was what they normally did, it’s how they communicated. But the sudden and disturbing desire to tug Skye into his arms rendered him speechless.
Instead, he handed over the clothes and watched her leave the room. Oh, he definitely had a few choice words about being caught in the storm, but first he wanted to hear her story.
After a few minutes, she reentered the room. With more curves than Haven, her sister’s sweatpants clung to all the right places. The dark blue flannel shirt wasn’t as tight, but the fact that Skye wasn’t wearing a bra was evident when she walked. He swallowed down the jolt of need that slammed into him and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Explain what the hell you’re doing out in this storm,” he said.
“I was on my way back from Fairbanks and got caught.”
He jabbed a finger at the window, his eyes rounding. “You were flying in this?”
“Not on purpose,” she snapped. “But I couldn’t outrun it.”
“Where’s your plane? Was anybody else with you?”
“I was by myself.” She dropped onto the couch, crossed her legs, and pulled the blanket back over her. “I managed to get the plane landed on the Richardson.” She looked up at him, and he could see tears pooling in those big blue eyes of hers. “It flipped when I tried to push it off the road.” A fat drop ran down her cheek. “I slipped on the ice and couldn’t stop it.” She sniffed. “The right wing is all bent up, and the plane is laying on its back.”
“Oh shit.” He eased down next to her. They’d never been sweet to each other like Haven and Kai, but the need to draw her into a hug and comfort her trumped all animosity between them. “I’m sorry.” He scooted closer and laid his arm across her shoulder. “Are you hurt?”
The move felt a little awkward, but when she curled into him and laid her head on his shoulder, his unease vanished. “No.” She tucked her knees against his rib cage and rested her hand on his chest. “But...” She sniffed back another tear. “But my plane is trashed.”
“Right.” He craned his neck, trying to see her face. “But you’re okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine, but my plane—”
“I don’t care about your plane, Skye. You could have been killed.”
She pushed away from him. “But I wasn’t killed or even hurt, so you can save whatever lecture you’re gearing up for.”
“God forbid anybody call you out on your stupid antics.” He stood, grabbing his beer on the way up. “I’m glad your plane is tits up in the snow. At least I don’t have to worry about you sneaking off and trying to fly the second the weather hints at getting better.”
“Wow. Nice.” She pinched her lips together and nodded. Another round of tears pooled. “I knew you were an asshole, but I never pegged you as being heartless.”
“Heartless?” He stomped toward her. “Because I don’t want to see you splattered across the Copper Valley? Then yeah, I guess I’m heartless, but you’re reckless, Skye. You never think about anybody but yourself.”
“That’s not true. The whole reason I was in Fairbanks was to get supplies for Haven’s bachelorette party next week.”
“Tell me the truth.” Crouching, he locked eyes with her. “Did you take off from Fairbanks knowing the storm was about to hit? Did you knowingly try to outrun the weather?”
The narrowing of her gaze was all the answer he needed. “I hate you.”
“Because you can’t stand that I call you on your shit.”
“No, because you’re an arrogant jackass.” Tightening her hold on the blanket, she pulled it around her like a shield, and then scooted to the end of the couch. “That’s why you don’t have a girlfriend.”
He straightened, her comment feeling like a verbal slap. “Who says I don’t have a girlfriend?” He dated, some. And though the date he’d taken Jessica Sever on last week didn’t make her his girlfriend, the outlook seemed promising. “You know nothing about my life.”
She stilled, her lips parting slightly. “You have a girlfriend?”
Maybe he was mistaken, but it sounded like a little jealousy mixed with her disbelief. Shockingly, he kind of like the idea of her being jealous. Ignoring her question, he held up his empty bottle. “I’m getting another. Want one?”
She nodded. As he turned, she scooted off the couch and followed him into the kitchen. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“No, I didn’t.” After retrieving two bottles, he twisted the top off the first and handed it to her. “You wouldn’t believe me anyway.”
Skye tipped the bottle and took a shallow drink, her eyes never leaving him. “Who is she?”
“None of your business.”
He moved to step around her, but she grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Come on, tell me.”
His eyes cut to her hand and then back to her face. A bevy of emotions danced in her eyes, anger being the most prevalent. But there was also suspicion and a hint of fear. Not like she was horrified by the thought of any woman dating him, but like afraid that he’d found someone he really cared about. Unable to stop himself, he lifted his hand and caressed her cheek. The overpowering aroma of wild roses slammed into him, bringing with it a thought so jarring, it rocked him to his core. He snatched back his hand.
“No fucking way.” He pulled his arm free and stepped back. No way was Skye Seward his fated mate.
Misunderstanding his reaction, she smirked. “Because you don’t have a girlfriend. You’re such a liar.”
He stared at her, horrified by the very thought that the one woman who could make him whole was the one woman he was almost sure he despised. All their lives they’d been at each other’s throats, arguing, competing, being downright assholes to each other. Nope. This couldn’t be.
“Whatever.” Distance, he needed distance.
“I’m right.” Clearly, not having the same reaction he had to their close proximity, she followed him into the dining room. “Aren’t I? You don’t have a girlfriend.”
God, the woman was relentless. He spun on her, her scent hitting him square in the face. His cock hardened, and the need to haul her to him thrummed against every nerve. Luckily, her smug expression fed him the clarity he needed.
“Jessica Sever,” he blurted.
The smugness melted to astonishment. “Jessica Sever, but she’s nice.” She shook her head. “I like Jessica.”
“You sound shocked that she’d go out with me.”
“I am.” The space between Skye’s brows pinched, her eyes squinting, her face scrunching. “I mean, she’s like a normal, nice, beautiful woman.” Just as suddenly, her features relaxed, and she shook her head. “I really thought she had better taste.”
Any desire he’d been feeling for Skye evaporated. “You’re such a bitch.”
“Coming from you, I take that as a compliment.”
His life had turned into a cruel joke. Not only was he stranded at the lodge in the mother of all snowstorms, he was stuck with a woman who despised him, and from what he could tell, was his mate. What a joke. Ha ha, Fate. Very funny.
Car doors slamming snapped North from his brooding. “Did you hear that?”
Skye nodded. “Looks like we have company.”
Relief spread through him. At least now they’d have someone as a buffer between them. He’d only taken a few steps before the front door opened. Snow and wind rushed through the opening, followed by a petite Indian woman. Behind her came a tall black guy, a perky blonde, and another man who looked to be of eastern European descent.
Skye lifted her chin and sniffed. “Shit.”
A few seconds later, their scent hit him. Shit indeed. Vampires.