Chapter Eight
Powell zoomed through the woods, the snowmobile gliding easily over the fresh-fallen snow and Olivia clinging to his back. He smiled and took a deep breath of crisp air, scented with pine and ice. The rush of speed, coupled with the natural beauty of the forest, and the knowledge his mate was holding on tight all came together into a happiness he’d not felt before.
Making love to Olivia had been better than he’d ever imagined it could be, with anyone. He was sure the stupid grin on his face was now a permanent fixture. He squeezed the gas and the snowmobile raced ahead over the path.
Fortunately, he had two helmets in the basement from riding around with Derek to check out the far reaches of the park when the snow was deep. And thank goodness she had healed enough to be able to walk again and wear her boots. He’d had the snowmobile out recently when he’d scoped out Deep Creek during ranger duties, so it was ready to go.
“Shit,” he mumbled, his voice lost under the grumble of the engine. He’d not sent in his log or updates on his last check of the park. He’d meant to email before the power went out. Not a big deal, because the other rangers would understand and not worry. Still, Powell would’ve liked to report the brewing issues with the wolves.
He was sure the bears had heard the wild howls the last few nights and wondered what was up. The howls were definitely echoing each other and not the normal “howl at the moon” crazy shit the wolves usually did when they were bored.
Most of the bears were likely napping or gorging themselves while bingeing on TV cop shows anyway. With the gates now closed to the public and the one open road impassable because of the blizzard, Deep Creek would be quiet.
A wonderland.
He slowed the snowmobile to go over a mini hill between two large oaks that bowed over the path like a tunnel.
“Hold on tight,” he hollered.
Olivia clutched him as they sailed over the hill, the snowmobile plunking into the snow on the other side of the hill with a spray of fine particles fanning into the air like sparkling rain. He felt Olivia laugh and he leaned back into her. She squeezed him tighter.
He held the moment in his mind, savoring it. True bliss—the purity of the snow settled over Deep Creek, the echo of Olivia’s laugh, and the warmth of her body pressed against his.
He turned the curve on the path that led toward the cave. The woods grew denser and blocked more of the sunlight, but the sun that did get through laid down notched shadows across the crystalline ground—rows of shadow branches like a fractured landscape.
If he hadn’t been out patrolling, he’d not have found Olivia down the embankment. With her injury and the amount of snow that had fallen, she’d have surely died of exposure. Not much chance the wolves would’ve found her.
Even if they had, it would’ve been bad for her. Amazing how things seemed to work out the way they were supposed to. Meant to.
Alfred wanted her as a toy, nothing more.
Anger pounded in Powell’s temples and he throttled the snowmobile, edging the speed up. If he ever ran into that smarmy red wolf, he’d kill him. The thought that a wolf, anyone, believed he could prey on the disadvantaged for his own pleasure? It enraged him.
Olivia scooted closer, holding tightly, and he slowed down, willing himself to calm, and edged the snowmobile to turn eastward. They’d be at the cave in no time. He couldn’t meet up with Shoshannah while angry with Alfred. He needed to focus on Olivia. He took a breath of cold air and let it out slowly. Then, he could focus on the mating bond.
He hoped Shoshannah would help her. If not, Olivia was perfect to him.
Slowing to cross the earthen bridge over a small stream, he gazed at clear water rushing through an ice dam of snow and leaves and sticks and slippery rocks, creating a cascade of cold beauty. If only Olivia could see it too. A pang of guilt pierced his heart and he hit the gas. He’d figure out how to share the beauty of Deep Creek with Olivia, one way or another.
She could hear the birdsong and the splash of water. She could touch velvety moss and rough bark and smell the natural composting of leaves. He’d help her feel the beauty in every way he could.
Maneuvering the snowmobile was more difficult as he eased through the dense copse of trees as he neared the cave entrance. Where were the Sentinels? Even in winter, bears guarded the cave entrance. Powell knew where they stood guard, but he didn’t see them.
They’d be there somewhere though, hidden from plain sight. With the lions pawing around, the security threat was high.
He slowed more as they approached the cave, looking for a place to stop. He’d have to leave the snowmobile close but not by the entrance. Ah, there was a Sentinel in a tree stand. He nodded his head, hoping he’d be recognized under the helmet then realized they’d know his snowmobile.
He drove as near to the cave entrance as he could then killed the engine and unbuckled his helmet. They’d have to traipse through the drifting snow to get into the cave, but it wasn’t far.
No one shoveled the path. In fact, the bears had covered part of the entrance during winter to keep snow from blowing into the cave, and the snow had piled several feet up the barrier.
Olivia struggled with her helmet, so he helped her pull it off. He set it on the seat of the snowmobile.
“We’re here?” She took in a deep breath. “That wasn’t a long ride.”
“Not too far, but a long way to walk.” He set his helmet beside hers. The freezing air bit at his throat. “It’s always warmer in the cave, so let’s go inside.”
The cave, like most, stayed at a constant ambient temperature—not warm but not freezing, either. There were some areas deep in the tunnels where warm spring water increased the humidity and warmed the air more, but the main part of the cave where the lake was stayed at around fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Winter or summer, it was a tad cool but not cold.
His teeth chattered as he scanned the woods for signs of anyone besides the Sentinels. Always on the lookout for infringing lions or wolves, he relaxed at the virgin landscape. Apparently no one had ventured out in the snow—even the small animals that usually filled the trees and underbrush with scurrying and scampering seemed to be hunkered down in their dens. The woods lay pristine in their covering except for the snowmobile tracks that led to the cave area.
“I’m all for warmer. Lead the way.”
A bright pink flush settled over her pale cheeks from the snowmobile ride, and her hair, in a loose braid when they left, was now in a tangle from the helmet and the wind.
Goddess, she was beautiful.
She held out her arm, and he took it in his own and guided her through the deep snow. Knee-deep near the cave, the snowfall had varied from a foot to several feet throughout the park. As much as he loved the snow, his bear loved it more, and he wanted to shift and play. But now wasn’t the time. He didn’t want to make Olivia feel bad that she couldn’t join him, either.
“I hope she’ll appear.” He guided Olivia into the cave’s entrance, helping her duck under the narrow part that wasn’t blocked for winter. “We may have to wait a while.”
“Me too. I’d heard talk of Shoshannah before, of course. The wolves never mentioned that she might help me.” She’d lowered her voice to a whisper.
Powell grabbed a flashlight from the bears’ stock in the anteroom to the lake and then lit a lantern as well, setting it on one of the tables. Though he’d been visiting the cave since he was a cub, he still didn’t feel comfortable being inside in total darkness.
He’d never be able to handle the world Oliva lived in. She was stronger than he’d suspected.
“I don’t know what she can or can’t do, but we’re going to find out. Sometimes it takes a bit for her to show up. I’m going to grab a couple of blankets.”
“You bears are prepared.”
He chuckled. Yes, that was one word for the bears. Prepared. Well, they tried to be. Speaking for himself, he surely hadn’t been prepared to stumble on his mate in a snowbank on a cold day when he felt like napping.
He grabbed two dark wool blankets from the chest then closed it, setting the blankets on top.
“I’m going to need a little help carrying this.” He pushed the flashlight into Olivia’s hand. “Hold this for me and hang on to me. My arms are going to be full.”
“Okay.” She took him by the waist and turned her face up to him, eyes closed.
He kissed her on the forehead then hugged her. “Whatever happens in here, don’t forget that you’ll always have me. No matter what. It doesn’t matter to me if Shoshannah helps you. I mean, I hope she will, but if she doesn’t, it does not change the way I feel.”
“Always?” She laid her head on his chest. “Do you mean that?”
“Always. That’s what mate means, isn’t it?” He stroked her hair. He’d said it aloud. Mate. A thrilling sensation raced through him and he wanted to shout.
Mate!
“You feel it too?” Her voice cracked. “Really?”
He brushed her hair back and planted kisses on her forehead, cheeks, chin, and finally her mouth. “I felt it the first time I held you in my arms.”
“I wasn’t sure bears—”
“Oh, yes. I knew you were my fated mate, even though you’re a wolf. I wasn’t sure wolves knew if their mates were bears.”
She laughed. “Yeah, but I was afraid to believe it. I mean, of course we know when our fated mates are wolves. But there aren’t many instances of fated mates being other shifter species. We’re in new territory.”
Her voice echoed in the chamber like a thousand tiny bells, sending shivers up his spine. He’d seen Griff completely smitten by Amy and thought it was all hogwash. Now, he was starting to understand. He was sure Griff and Derek would rag him about it. But he didn’t care as long as he had Olivia in his life.
The other rangers could tease him all they wanted. He’d still be the winner.
With a single finger, he traced the sides of her face. “Believe it, Olivia. Since meeting you, I can’t imagine life without you. I can’t explain why things have changed, only that they have. And I don’t know all the details about how we’ll deal with our den and pack, but we will. Whatever it takes to be together.”
Her smile was so big, he thought he might burst open with happiness. He traced her eyebrows. “I know you can shift. I feel your wolf so close to the surface. She wants to be set free.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Let’s go talk to Shoshannah.”
“I’m ready.”
* * *
Powell stretched, his back aching from sitting on the ground for so long, his muscles stiff from the penetrating cold. Why hadn’t Shoshannah appeared? He looked to Olivia. Her shoulders slumped and her head down, she looked like someone who’d lost a loved one.
Defeated.
He’d made a mistake bringing her to the cave. Getting her hopes up. For some reason he’d thought Shoshannah would help. Now what?
“How much longer should we wait?” Olivia’s voice turned down in despair. “I don’t think she’s coming.”
He sighed. “I don’t know. I had hoped she’d show up.”
“I told you I wasn’t worth it.”
“You are worth it! We never know why Shoshannah chooses to do what she does or show up when she does. I’m sure it isn’t you. I know plenty of bears who’ve sat here for days at a time with no response.”
“I wish I could believe that.” She propped her arms on her knees and laid her head down. “Tell me what the cave looks like, Powell. Every detail. I want to know.”
He scooted close to her and put his arm around her back, tugging her close in an embrace. “Okay. Let’s see, where to start. The area we’re in is the largest, I guess you’d call it a room. The cave is open here and in front of us is the lake I told you about. It spans most of this area, though we’re on an elevated part that is somewhat like an entryway.”
“Okay. Are the walls all stone?”
“Yes.” He glanced up. “I can’t see very far with only the light of one lantern, but the ceiling and walls were hollowed out a long time ago by the river that ran under the mountain. Water still drips through from above sometimes, especially after a heavy rain and when the snows melts in spring. The rocks are slick with moisture, almost always, and we keep a few boats by the lake in case we want to cross the water or go out to one of the small rocky outcroppings in the center.” He paused. What point of reference did she have for all the information he gave her?
“Go on. Please. Tell me more.” She turned her face upward, as if she was gazing at the stone ceiling.
He kissed her on the forehead. “Okay, well... There are a few tunnels in the cave that spoke out from this main room. A few of them are waterlogged and some are on higher ground and dry. We store things deep in select caverns and crannies, and we bury our dead in an area that we use for catacombs. There are many shifters buried there. Bears, wolves, lions, and more.”
She nodded and laid her head on his shoulder. “When’s the last time you saw Shoshannah?”
He started to speak but, just as he did, a white light filled the cavern, rippling off the surface of the water and casting bright wavy reflections on the walls.
“What’s that?” Olivia clasped his arm. “I feel something. Is it Alfred? Did he find us?”
“No, it’s Shoshannah,” he whispered. “She’s here.” He squeezed her tightly.
“Oh goddess, I don’t know what to say. Is she wolf or bear?” She sat up, her voice quivering and her eyes wide.
“I don’t see her yet, only her light.” He stood. “But she’s coming.” His heart raced. Thank the gods, Shoshannah was coming. If only she would help Olivia. Dare he hope? He couldn’t stand the thought of Olivia being let down again. If he could offer his own ability to shift to her, he would.
A voice called out through the light. “Powell, go.”
“Don’t leave me.” Olivia scrambled to her feet. “I’m scared.”
“I need to speak to Olivia alone.” Shoshannah’s voice came from everywhere and nowhere at once.
He took a deep breath. Shoshannah would not harm Olivia. She would help her or give her guidance. He needed to convince Olivia that everything would be okay.
“We need to do as she asks.” Powell took Olivia in his arms. “She won’t hurt you. But she won’t help you if I stay. I’ll wait right outside with the snowmobile.”
“But—”
“I won’t leave you, I promise. This is a chance that might not ever repeat itself so we need to do as she says.”
“Go.” Shoshannah’s voice grew louder.
“I need to go. Will you be okay?” He leaned close. “I will be right outside.”
“Okay. I can do this.” Olivia trembled.
“Yes, you can. You are the bravest person I know.”
“Thank you. I don’t feel very brave.”
He kissed her quickly on the lips and when he opened his eyes, a twinkling of white lights had locked together to form the shape of a wolf. Larger than life, the creature stared at him, teeth bared. Shoshannah meant business.
“She’s a wolf, sweetheart.” He kissed Olivia on the head again. “Call to me when you are done, and I’ll come back for you. Don’t try to leave on your own or you may end up in the lake.”
She smirked. “I won’t fall in the lake. I’m not so blind I can’t sense things other ways.”
He smiled. She’d be okay. One more quick kiss, and he headed toward the cave exit and the snowmobile.
As he made his way outside, he prayed to the gods and goddesses that Shoshannah would help Olivia.