Chapter Three
Everything inside Jaeger turned to ice. He must have said the right thing because Gabrielle pulled out a tablet and showed him a set of photos, ones he knew very well because he was staring at himself. They had to have been taken the night he’d decided to stretch his legs and let his wolf run free, safe from the knowledge he wouldn’t accidentally be struck by a hunter’s bullet.
Along with the realization that someone had caught him with a camera was the fact that his mate was there to oust his wolf. She was a cryptozoologist? How could he ever tell her about the legends of his people or the fact he could shift into wolf form? To her, he was the stuff of mythology. A werewolf, for lack of a better term.
Or a monster.
And it was her job to expose him.
He would have to think about how to proceed because now that his wolf knew her scent, it wanted her.
“You seem to have accepted my profession well,” she observed.
“I’m not sure if the word ‘accepted’ is what I’d use,” he said. “I think I’m more curious and a bit confused. I believe cryptozoology is considered a pseudoscience at best.”
Her shoulders went back and her pert little nose rose just a little, as if she were preparing for battle. Perhaps she was. After all, her chosen profession wasn’t exactly normal.
“Many modern-day accepted beliefs were once considered pseudoscience,” she said, a bit stiffly. “Like the earth being round. Or us circling the sun instead of vice versa. Less than a hundred years ago people were still dying from infection.”
“Granted,” he replied. “But creatures of mythology? Like Loch Ness … or, say, a werewolf?”
“Werewolf? Um, no. That’s not a cryptid, that’s folklore.”
“I’m surprised you distinguish between the two.”
“Is belief in a cryptid so hard to fathom?” she asked. “Every year new species are being discovered, on land and in the sea. One day I plan to be the one to present evidence of one.”
“And you’re currently on the hunt of the Yeti. Aren’t they in the Himalayas? Why come to Alaska?”
“The pictures, of course.”
“I would’ve said that creature in the pictures is more related to Big Foot.”
Instantly, he could tell it was the wrong thing to say. Her face smoothed out and went blank. She put her tablet back into her shoulder bag and then wrapped her arms around herself, as if protecting herself.
“I know cryptids aren’t the norm for most people,” she said. A definite chill had settled in her tone. “I often get the eye roll or snort of derision. I can see the disbelief in their eyes along with the thoughts that I might be crazy. Even my own parents think this is just a little side hobby, not real. Certainly not real science. But I don’t need, nor do I ask, for acceptance. I’ve paid for three rooms, so if you don’t mind, I’d like to head to them now.”
“If I’ve offended you, I am sorry,” he murmured. “Let me make it up to you. Would you like to explore where those pictures were taken?”
Cautionary hope flittered through her eyes. “Did you recognize the area?”
“Yes, I did,” he said. “We can go explore it tomorrow if you’d like. I own two snowmobiles.”
Excitement lit up her features, making her shine. He had to fight the urge to grab her and drag her upstairs like a damn Neanderthal. He glanced over at her companions, who had partaken of the tea, and decided it really wouldn’t be a good idea to act on his more basic desires.
“Thank you,” she replied. The chill in her words had thawed a bit. “I would like that.”
“Then it’s settled,” he said. He gestured to the staircase. “If you will follow me?”
She nodded. Kenny and Mark put down their cups to grab their gear, and moments later Jaeger led them upstairs. Jaeger wasn’t that concerned about her profession. After all, she was hunting him, and as long as he didn’t shift, there was no way she would ever suspect the creature she wanted to find was the very person who soon planned to share her bed.
****
“What was that all about?” Mark asked as soon as they all climbed back into the rented Jeep.
“What was what all about?” Gabrielle hedged. She knew exactly what he was asking but was trying hard not to analyze her reaction to Jaeger Larsen.
“Don’t play coy,” Kenny said from the backseat. “It wasn’t like we’re deaf and didn’t hear the exchange between you and Mr. Universe.”
The description momentarily distracted her. “Mr. Universe?”
“Yeah, he’s like six-foot-five, all rippling muscles, and buns of steel,” Kenny said. “I’m not gay, but even I can appreciate a fine piece of the male species when I come across one.”
Gabrielle chuckled. “I’m thinking you may need to reevaluate which side you bat for.”
Kenny flipped her off.
“Some serious hormones were bouncing off both of you,” Mark said.
The humor fled, leaving Gabrielle feeling a bit defensive. “So what, he’s a good-looking guy. Can’t I appreciate that for a change? Most of the time eye candy isn’t readily handy.”
“Is she talking about us?” Kenny asked Mark.
“Yeah, I think she just called us ugly,” Mark replied.
“Stop it,” Gabrielle said with a wave of her hand. “Kenny, directions to your photographer, please.”
As she followed Kenny’s instructions, her mind drifted back to Jaeger. She’d never felt such an immediate and complete attraction to anyone, and it disturbed her equilibrium. As much fun as it might be, she simply didn’t have the time or the energy to devote to an affair, and that was all she could give to him or to herself.
Fate, my ass.
They were meeting the man who took the photos in a small restaurant located off Main Street. The roads had been plowed, but Gabrielle was thankful for the chains on the tires. She parked the Jeep and all three of them hurried into the small restaurant. Once inside, they looked around and a man held up a hand, waving them over. He was clearly Inuit, with the broad forehead and flat nose of his ancestors.
“Hello,” he said, greeting them. “I’m Qannik.”
“Gabrielle,” she said. “This is Mark, and I believe you know Kenny.”
They shook hands and then sat down. Immediately, Kenny pulled out the series of photographs he had printed out. Some had the creature blown up, but the larger image only disintegrated more from the pixilation.
“First, I want to say thank you so much for contacting me,” Kenny told Qannik. “We’ve never seen anything like this creature before.”
“Neither have I,” Qannik said. “There are stories, though. Ones I never believed in until I saw this thing with my own eyes.”
Gabrielle nodded. “I’ve read the accounts, but those beasts are usually black or brown haired. Mistaken bear sightings. The main difference between those stories and this creature, though, is the snout. This isn’t a bear.”
“No, it was not a bear,” Qannik said.
“Tell us what it looked like,” Mark urged.
Qannik took the photos that Kenny had and began pointing. “It was strong and it walked on two legs, although the legs were more disjointed. Like … like a dog, you know, how the joint kicks out.”
“Yeah, I see it here,” Kenny murmured, looking over Qannik’s shoulder. “If it was on four legs, it would look exactly like a wolf.”
“A wolf,” Gabrielle said softly as she stared at one of the photos. “A werewolf.”
Jaeger had brought up the folklore creature in the first place, and now they seemed to be looking at one. Was it possible he knew something and wasn’t sharing? If so, why would he keep such a secret? Gabrielle had been half skeptical about the photo yielding any significant clues, especially anything having to do with the Yeti, but all her instincts suddenly jumped alive. No, it wasn’t a Yeti, but maybe she had just found something else. Something that could erase the wounds of the past.
When they returned to the lodge, dusk was beginning to fall and the temperature was dropping. Another vehicle was parked in her spot. She stopped next to it and they all piled out of the Jeep.
“I thought we were the only visitors,” she said.
The door to the lodge opened and a man stepped out. He wasn’t very tall, but was very fit for his age. Hair cut so short it made him almost appear to be bald. He wore a ribbed turtleneck, jeans, and hiking boots, and he saluted her with his mug of tea.
“Hello, Gabs,” he said. “Funny meeting you here.”
“Dendy,” she muttered. “What the hell are you doing here, you bastard?”