Naomi pulled on the hem of the coat she was wearing. It covered halfway down her thighs, but still, the cold air whipping up under made her uncomfortable.

Not cold, but the people quickly approaching were going to wonder how she wasn’t frostbitten and dead. No boots. No pants. No gloves. Just an oversized parka and four oversized dudes.

Okay, maybe they wouldn’t wonder how she was staying warm. It was quite possibly they would think she was sleeping with all four of the guys.

The day was beautiful and clear. The sky was pure blue. Not a cloud in sight. The sun fell bright and warm on her face, even though the actual temperature was probably close to negative ten or more.

She glanced quickly between Saul and Col.

Saul had a coat on, but Col was of course bare-chested and utterly delicious.

Focus.

Their clothes would also raise a lot of questions. Naomi had no idea how to explain away the two giant Reylean warriors at her side, not to mention the other two still inside the snow shelter.

The group of sleds stopped about twenty feet away and two people got off the front one. A guy and a girl.

At least they aren’t all men.

Their bright clothing meant they weren’t hunters. No white coveralls to hide themselves from sight in the snow. Also meant they were very likely to be tourists. Most of the locals she’d noticed wore gear that blended more into the landscape. Black and brown.

“Hey,” one the approaching guy called out. He was tall, maybe six feet. Burly, but not nearly as big as Col or Saul. “What…who are you guys?” He gazed up and down her body and then turned his attention to Col and Saul.

“We got stranded out here.” Naomi took a leap of faith and just dove in. “We could really use a ride down to McKinley Park.”

“What happened to your snow machines? How did you get out here?” The woman next to him asked. She was about Naomi’s size, with long blonde hair sticking out of her knitted hat.

“The people we were with took them and left us here. It was supposed to be a social experiment, but it’s been a nightmare,” Naomi said, finally landing on a plausible story. “We could really use the help.”

“We can call the park service. I’m sure they’d come get you,” the guy said.

“We’re really trying to keep all of this out of the papers,” she continued. The last thing she needed was authorities asking the guys for their non-existent IDs.

“Is that an igloo?” the woman asked, leaning to the side to get a better look around Saul’s body. “So cool. How did you guys make that? How big is it?”

“Pretty big. We’ve got a campfire inside and everything.”

“So, this social experiment. Is that why you guys don’t have enough clothes on? How are you not freezing?” the woman asked, directing her attention back to Naomi.

“Yeah. Bad joke gone really wrong. I’ve got a lot to report back at work when I finally get off this mountain. Where is your group from?”

“Oh, we’re all from California. Can I go in your igloo?”

“Tell you what,” Naomi started, “If a few of you guys can spare a couple hours to give us a ride back to McKinley Park, the campsite is yours. There’re only five of us.”

“Two more?” the dude asked, looking around.

“Do they look like these two? Can they talk? Or do they just stand there and look yummy?” the woman asked, letting her eyes rove over Col and then Saul.

“Barbara!” the guy next to her snapped. “Seriously.”

“Well, they do look like they just walked off the set of a fantasy movie,” she said, giving puppy dog eyes to her companion.

Naomi felt her dragon growl. Mine. She coughed to cover the sound and patted her chest, pretending to have choked…on air. Whatever. As long as she didn’t go dragon-woman on this chick’s ass for checking out her mate.

Col slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “We would appreciate the help. Tor. Kann,” Col called. His voice soothed her dragon. His touch probably even more so.

The other two warriors crawled out of the shelter to stand next to them.

Naomi took a deep breath.

They were quite the crazy looking group.

“Holy crap,” the woman said, her tone rising. “They really do all look like that.”

“So, we take you down the mountain and we get your campsite and the igloo?”

“With our gratitude,” Saul said from his place standing to Naomi’s right. “We also have most of a deer roasting inside that you are welcome to.”

“I knew something smelled delicious. Jeff, we have to do this. We will get to tell our friends we stayed in a real igloo. Think of the pictures!” The blonde woman practically squealed with excitement. “We have more than enough sleds. It’ll only take about an hour or so to get them over the river.”

The guy—apparently Jeff—nodded. “Sure. Let me talk to the others. Works for me though.”

The ride was uneventful. For once, something went smoothly. No shifting. No dragons swooping out of the air to snatch her away. No wolves tried to kill her. It really was an improvement.

The sky was bright, and the snow was crisp. If it wasn’t for the fact Naomi was riding on a snow machine going eighty miles an hour and naked except for a coat, sitting behind a chick named Barbara she’d only just met, it would be perfect.

When Col had realized they would all have to ride with someone from the other group, he’d been upset.

Scratch that. Upset was an understatement.

She’d had to beg him to control himself when one of the guys offered her a ride. When she explained her circumstance—the no underwear—to Barbara, the nice woman had offered to drive the last sled instead of her male cohort.

Col had been appeased by this option and they were now approaching the bridge over the river to the resorts in McKinley Park.

Naomi couldn’t wait to get into one of the shops and get some clothes. Once all the guys looked like they were from this world, they could get back up to the cabin she’d rented and figure out the next step from there.

Her mom and sister were probably freaking out again, since she’d for sure gone longer than twenty-four hours without calling. Again.

The snow machine slowed.

She took a breath and loosened the hold she had around Barbara’s waist. The other sleds slowed as well and a moment later they were at a complete stop.

“Which resort?” Barbara asked.

“The McKinley Chalet,” Naomi responded. She’d shopped in a store right down the road from the resort before she headed out to Curtis’ cabin. It would be the best option for finding the men something appropriate to wear for the winter weather.

The blonde nodded and motioned for the rest of the entourage to follow her across the Nenana River Bridge and into the resort area.

The motors on the sleds roared to life one at a time and soon they were racing down the ice and snow-covered road toward McKinley Park and its wide assortment of cabins and resorts and hotels.

Everyone from serious climbers to families of four came through McKinley Park to visit Denali National Park.

The red-roofed Swiss-chalet-style resort was connected by snow-covered boardwalks to several shops and restaurants, all tucked between fragrant spruce trees. Standing in front of the building itself, it gave the illusion of being the only place for miles. Smart designer.

When in fact there were several other resort hotels, shopping, and cabins just a few miles down the road and an airport not much further south of those.

The group stopped in front of the Chalet.

Naomi, Col, and the others climbed off the sleds.

“You sure you’re going to be okay?” Barbara asked, pulling off her goggles.

She smiled. “Yes, thank you. We really appreciate your help. It would’ve been a really long walk.”

“Girl, you would’ve lost toes and fingers if you’d tried to walk that back.” The blonde shook her head. “Okay, well, as long as you’re good from here. We’ve got to get back. Can’t have the group climbing up Denali without us.”

“Thanks for the campsite,” one of the guys at the back of the line shouted.

Naomi waved.

Col and the others stood quietly behind her.

When she turned, they were staring in awe—and maybe a little hesitation—at the huge hotel ahead of them.

A few people were out walking the boardwalks, and her mate’s bare chest and eight pack abs were definitely drawing attention.

Kann’s too, since he’d given her the parka to wear.

Her bare legs and feet probably weren’t helping either.

“We’ve got to get to a phone. I need money and all my stuff is up at the cabin.”

“Is this where your king lives?” Kann asked.

Naomi sputtered and coughed and turned away from the guys until she could control her reaction.

Col stroked her back so sweetly. As if worried something was actually wrong.

“No, no king. This is a hotel. People stay here temporarily to hike and explore the mountain range. Like me. Remember, I said I didn’t live here. I paid for the cabin for seven days. Then I was going back to New York.”

“You are not leaving now?” Col asked, with just the slightest bit of hesitancy.

She shook her head and stood up straight, taking in a deep breath. “No, Col, I’m not leaving.” Naomi leaned against his side and breathed in his masculine scent.

His arm encircled her body and squeezed gently.

“My family is going to freak out when they hear I’m staying in Alaska…well, my sister might not be surprised, but my brothers are going to lose their minds.” She peered up at him.

He was smiling. “Older brothers?”

“Yes,” she answered. “Two.”

“Is your sister coming here?” Kann asked.

Naomi turned and narrowed her gaze at Kann. “No,” she said. “Don’t get any ideas.”

He shrugged. “You are an excellent mate. It would be logical to assume another female in your family could be—”

“No,” Naomi said again, more forcefully this time.

The lion shifter snapped his mouth shut and nodded, but she figured the whole looking-for-a-mate mentality wouldn’t disappear for long.

“All right guys, time to find you some clothes that will help you blend in a bit better.” She pointed toward the small cabin-ish building at the end of the board walk—Denali Mountain Works. She walked through the sludgy mess of snow and ice, trying to find good footing. Before she’d taken two steps, Col lifted her off the ground.

“You should not be walking in this. The ground is so cold it burns like fire,” he said, stealing a quick kiss.

“At least you have boots on,” she replied.

He grunted. “They are not made for this climate.”

“Nothing we are wearing is made for this climate,” Tor muttered from behind them, clomping through the snow on the road up to the cleared paths on the boardwalk.

“So, this entire place is for visitors?” Col asked, staring up and down the massive boardwalk at the resort hotel and surrounding buildings.

Some were private cabins. Some were restaurants. Naomi had stayed at the Chalet one night before heading up to the cabin she’d rented.

“No one lives here?”

“People live in the area, but not in that building. That’s a hotel. Just visitors,” she said. “We need that door.” She pointed again to the log cabin shop.

Col nodded and redirected.

Tor reached the entrance first. “Do we request permission to enter?” the tiger asked, looking back at Naomi.

She shook her head. “It’s a store. Just pull the door open and go in.”

He did as she’d directed, and soon they were in the cozy little cabin. Surrounded by clothes and snow gear and cute little souvenirs.

There were even some hunting knives on display right at the front.

Kann and Saul both moved to study them more closely.

A woman about Naomi’s age stood behind the counter in stunned silence.

She patted Col’s arm and he put her down gently. Once her feet touched the floor, she yanked on the coat she was wearing to make sure it covered all the important bits.

“Hey.” Naomi approached the counter. She pushed Kann and Tor out of the way.

Both males vacated the space in front of the counter quickly to give her space.

“So, I need to make a quick phone call to my sister in New York. I don’t have my wallet with me; it’s up at the cabin I was staying at. As you can see, my friends and I are not dressed for the weather. Office prank gone horribly wrong.” She paused, giving the round-faced brunette a moment to process. “Can I borrow your cell phone for just a sec? My sister will pay for everything we need over the phone if that’s okay?”

The woman’s blue eyes turned to her and slowly started to focus. “Are you naked?”

Naomi chuckled. “Yes.”

“Ohmygod, how are you not dead? It was thirty below last night.”

“Luck and these big guys behind me.” She gave a knowing wink at the woman.

The store clerk’s cheeks flushed a bright pink and she smiled. “Is there some kind of movie being filmed nearby?”

Naomi considered the question and then nodded. “I can’t talk about it though, sorry. But I really did get separated from my ID and wallet. Do you have a cell?”

“Oh, yeah. No problem,” the woman answered, pulling a cellphone from her back pocket. “Do they need help?” She pointed, and Naomi turned to see Kann and Tor sniffing the racks of clothes.

She inwardly rolled her eyes and sighed. Col was still standing right behind her. As was Saul. She could hear and smell them both, even though they were out of her line of sight.

“They will need so much help,” she muttered, unable to hold back a slight chuckle.

“I’d be happy to show them anything,” the clerk said, “I’m Jess, by the way.”

“Naomi,” she answered, taking the offered cell phone. “They won’t know what size they wear or anything. Foreigners.” Naomi started to type in her sister’s phone number.

Please be around.

“Do they speak English?” Jess asked, walking around the counter and heading toward Kann and Tor.

Naomi nodded and put the phone to her ear. “Yes, they do.” She turned to Col and Saul. “Go with her.”

Col shook his head, but the lion shifter accepted the instruction and moved stealthily behind poor Jess.

When the clerk turned to ask Naomi another question she nearly collided with Saul’s massive body.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” the woman squeaked. “What exactly do you all need?” she called out from around Saul’s body.

“Cam?” Naomi said into the phone microphone.

“Yeah?” her sister answered. “What’s going on? Whose phone are you on?”

“Hang on a second.” She took a step and looked around Col’s chest. “They each need a full set of clothes and a set of snow pants or overalls to go on over that. They also need a winter coat, gloves, hat, and boots.”

“You got it!” Jess hollered back, giving Naomi a salute and a wide smile.

She grinned and watched as the young woman started ordering around the big warriors.

They did everything she asked and watched her every move.

Naomi was secretly glad Col had refused to leave her side. She would’ve been jealous if Jess was staring at him the way she was the other three.

“Cam, I got separated from my wallet. It’s back at the cabin, but I’ve got to get clothes for the guys, so they can get me back up there. I need you to pay for everything with your credit card. I’ll PayPal you the money the second I get back to the cabin and my laptop.”

“Guys?” Suspicion colored her sister’s voice. “Where’s Col? I thought he was from there. Why wouldn’t he have clothes?”

“Long story, will have to tell you later. Can we please call you back in like thirty minutes and get you to pay for the supplies?”

“Yeah, that’s fine, but I expect an explanation at some point. You do realize that, right?”

“I do.”

“I’ll tell Mama and Papa and the boys not to worry…or, should they be worried?” Cam asked.

“I’m fine. I promise. I’m just going to make some pretty significant life changes over the next week or so,” Naomi said nonchalantly, hoping her sister wouldn’t completely lose her shit.

It was a pipe dream though.

“Nai! You did marry the guy, didn’t you?”

“I-uh—”

“Nai!”

“Sorta, yeah. I’m moving to Alaska.”

“Holy shit! Mama’s gonna have a heart attack. Are you sure?”

“I’m really sure, Cam. I’m so happy with Col. This is really good.”

Col nuzzled her neck and his chest purred—hummed—and Naomi smiled.

“Tell Mama and Papa it’s good. I’ll call you back in a few minutes. We have to get some winter gear. And when I get back to the cabin, I’ll Skype you again, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, no problem. I’ll keep the phone right here next to me,” Cam said.

“Thanks, Cam, love you,” Naomi said.

“Love you too, little sis,” Cam answered before Naomi hung up the line and put the phone down on the counter.

She turned to Col. “Time to get us some clothes, too.”