Tagging Her Lynx (Alaska Lynx Clan)

by Abby Wood

  Tagging Her Lynx

  Alaska Lynx Clan

  By

  Abby Wood

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Tagging Her Lynx

  1st Digital release: Copyright© 2010 Abby Wood

  2nd Digital Release: Copyright© 2013 Abby Wood

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  www.authorabbywood.com

  Chapter One

  The lone woman carried a bucket overfilled with half-frozen raw meat to one of the many cages on the wildlife refuge. Granger sat back on his haunches. He wanted to keep his presence unknown to the other animals and the woman.

  With the grace of one who knew how to walk in a foot of snow, she moved in and out of the enclosure, performing her normal morning chores. The prominent long hairs at the tips of his erect ears twitched. He'd watched her in utter fascination for so long, yet he never tired of learning more about this woman, his mate.

  The snow flurries picked up and swirled around him, coating his back and the fur between his eyes. Every couple of minutes, he swished his ass to shake off the snow, only to have it return within seconds. The beginning of winter, and yet snow lay thick over every surface, coating the landscape and anything else that dared to stay outside.

  The woman's arctic parka didn't hide the smooth flow of her walk or the shape of her body. He knew her inside and out. Every valley and round part on her body was branded in his head, without his ever having touched her.

  His highly developed sense of smell absorbed every aroma. Jasmine came from her chestnut-colored hair, and a hint of womanly scent clung to her clothes. One whiff and he knew she'd taste perfect. Each night he licked his lips, just imagining the moment he would approach her and take her for the first time. Not yet, though. She needed time to mourn before he toppled her world upside down again.

  He'd been waiting for the pain in her heart from her father's passing to lessen, but lately a new danger presented itself to her, and she had no clue someone else stalked her. His people struggled to stop the danger, but every minute of the day and on through the long nights he worried about her safety. If she'd come to accept her powers, they would serve to protect her well if he weren't around.

  His mate moved to the outside cages, where a bear sat huddled in the corner of a sturdy enclosure. Set apart from the other cages, inside a six-foot cyclone fence, the bear didn't move at the sign his breakfast had arrived. She smiled and stepped back. No fear radiated off her, nor did she flinch from standing so close to an animal that possessed the ability to rip her to shreds.

  He'd already checked to make sure that she didn't house any shifters by mistake, and the place had come back clean. She remained in his territory, and even without her knowledge, he swore to keep her safe.

  The crunch of tires over the snow-packed road leading to her house drew his attention away from the refuge. His ears flicked back flat to his head. The muscles in his legs tightened, and he crouched deeper into the snow. Hunters this time of year preyed on lynx for their full winter coat.

  The truck moved past him at a steady pace, the tires sending a continuous crackling noise resembling an inflated balloon being rubbed over the shifting powder of snow. He slunk along the mounds of snow that hid the brush normally found on the side of the road. Creeping closer to the house, he needed to place himself within a close distance, in case she needed him.

  His woman raised her head at the hum of the approaching truck. She was not yet fully using her senses; he'd have to help her with that. She reacted slowly to the arrival of visitors.

  The scent of apprehension and distaste ran off her, and he bared his teeth in a snarl. She didn't want to deal with these men, and he wondered why. What made them different from the men who showed up in an official Alaska Department of Fish and Game truck twice a week?

  ***

  Chloe slid the small pan of meat into the hare's cage, hurried out of the enclosed area, and waited to find out why these men had come back to the refuge. She lowered her brows in irritation. They had better not have a wounded animal with them. This would be the second time this week they'd stopped at the refuge.

  Judging by their suspicious natures, she concluded the last time they dropped by unannounced that they snagged animals on the side. It didn't make sense. Hunters and trappers always dispatched the wounded. Why these two men even cared about saving an animal's life puzzled her. She decided to put her foot down and refuse to accept any more animals from them.

  The passenger-side door opened, and a heavyset man bundled up in a camouflage parka and wearing bunny boots stepped out into the snow. The fur-lined hood tied around his face hid his features from her view. She wrinkled her nose. Even from this distance and with the snow coming down, distorting the space between them, the scent of evil assaulted her nose.

  Taking care of hurt and sick animals was second nature to her family. It killed her to think about sending one away. Her father ran the place even before she came along, and now that he no longer lived, she alone kept the refuge up and running. Besides the occasional citizen who brought her a wild animal they'd befriended and needed to let go, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game warden kept her small business brimming with caged animals that needed her help.

  The last few animals these men brought her were riddled with buckshot. She understood why people hunted and trapped; this was Alaska after all. But neither man owned up to pursuing those lifestyles. Their concern for the animals rang false.

  Her refuge was the only rehabilitating facility on the North Slope. Without her, the animals would end up down in Anchorage. There they'd be dispatched, or worse, made to suffer.

  "Hey there. Found another one for you." The heavier man approached her.

  Once he was up close, she took in his unshaven face and haggard appearance. She fought the desire to step away from him, but she didn't want to leave the entrance to the other animals' area unprotected. Not that a man twice her size couldn't knock her out of the way with one swipe of his arm if he wanted to force his way inside.

  The driver joined them in front of the truck. "Got a wolf for you."

  "What's wrong with him?" She didn't change her position.

  "Shotgun blast over its back end. Its momma is gone." He spit on the ground. "It'll never make it through the winter alone. It looks like a yearling, perfect size for a predator."

  The fat man walked away from the conversation, and although he tried to sneak behind her, she was aware of his every step. Last time they tried to gain entrance to the animals' area, she'd set the rules down hard and fast. Nobody was to go inside the refuge except herself and the occasional inspector from the animal control department. That was it.

  "Get your friend out of my area, and bring me the cub." She stepped back and motioned at the man who stood ready to step into the entrance.

  He stopped, turned, and headed back toward the truck. She exhaled the breath she held. Why they would want inside the refuge puzzled her; she wanted them gone for good. She dealt with people she trusted, and these two were creepy and put off a bad vibe.

  The two men shared a glance, then walked behind the truck and proceeded to yank off the tarp covering the metal cage. Together they hefted the pole they had inserted through the bars of the cage and lifted the container down to the ground.

  "Go ahead and keep the cag
e. We'll come back for it later." The heavy man smacked the top of the enclosure, and if that weren't good enough, he swung out his leg and kicked the cage, startling the animal inside.

  His friend laughed.

  "No!" She stomped over to the cage and bent down. "You'll take it now, and for your information, I won't take any more wounded animals from you. I take legal animals only. I don't want to know what you're doing or where you get them. I want you off this property."

  She unlatched the cage door and gently lifted the young wolf out. She straightened up with the animal clutched in her arms. The men stepped back, mouths hanging open, and held up their hands. She didn't care if they wondered why the animals never bit her. She wanted them gone.

  "Go. Now!" She lifted her chin.

  "Christ, lady. Your dad never turned us down." The smaller man stepped toward her.

  She held her stance. "Well, he's dead. I'm running this refuge now."

  She swallowed the lump that rose in her throat, desperate to hide how much it hurt to talk about her father. "I'll accept no more illegal animals from you. That's final."

  He advanced.

  The wolf in her arms had stayed quiet throughout the conversation but perked up at the man's approach. He lowered his head and let out a low growl. Good pup.

  Her hand roamed over the thick, matted fur on the wolf's hindquarters. Little round buckshot balls fell to the ground silently and were lost in the depths of the snow. She concentrated on drawing each one out to comfort the animal.

  "Listen here, bitch. Your ol' man dealt with us, and you will too." He wiped the frost that gathered over his mustache. "You'll work with us and keep your fucking mouth shut, or..."

  His arm rose. She squeezed her eyes shut as if to hide from the pain heading her way.

  A bloodcurdling scream came out of nowhere, and she opened her eyes. The hair on the back of her neck stood up, and in record time, she absorbed every detail of the lynx sailing through the air at the height of the man's crotch. Claws, razor sharp and fast, struck out repeatedly on his intended target, faster than the man could move to protect himself from the damage.

  Gray fur tinged with white, the lynx moved with agility and strength. She inhaled. The cat's pleasant, musty scent kept her from recoiling in horror.

  Human screams mixed with the snarling of cat. The man staggered back, his arms spread wide in disbelief. He seemed unable to grab the animal or shield his body from harm. She guessed the shock of surprise paralyzed him.

  His friend stood glued to the same position beside him, raised his hand, and covered his mouth. He didn't lift a finger to help, his anguished gasps the only proof that he understood what was happening to his friend.

  Chloe stroked the wolf to keep him calm. She cocked her head at the lynx. This was not one of those she'd helped recover and that revisited her on occasion. A stranger, but she wasn't afraid. It barely registered that the lynx intended to kill her attacker.

  Red drops of blood splattered the white canvas of snow around the brutal attack. Her lips curled into a smile, which then turned into a snarl of pleasure. Her nose twitched at the sweet metallic scent that wafted along the ground in the cold air. The bones in her arms tingled with thousands of pricks, taunting her to shift, but she continued to pet the wolf's back.

  Unable to control the desire any longer, she ran back to the enclosure of the refuge, past the other animals staring out of their cages, and deposited the wolf in a vacant receptacle. The pup recovered fully from the buckshot she drew out with her power.

  Desperate to find privacy, she shoved boxes of food, feed sacks, and bedding aside. She couldn't allow herself to shift in front of the others. She couldn't handle it if someone witnessed the disgusting way her body contorted into a lynx.

  Chloe huddled down on the floor, closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around her middle, and waited. Any second, and she'd transform into the animal inside of her.

  The screams out in the parking area stopped. She dared a peek out between the aisles of cages to see the outcome of the fight. The attacked man lay on the ground, the lynx gone from her view.

  On hands and knees, she crawled out far enough in time to see the other man drag his friend to the truck and heft him inside the cab. The injured man lay dead to the world, and she wondered if he'd survive. Even if he held on to life until the other man got him to a hospital, the chance that infection would set in and claim his life was likely.

  The muffled spin of the truck tires and the roar of the throttle hitting the floor preceded the vehicle's move. She sat back on her butt. Whether he lived or died didn't matter.

  Any news of an animal attack would have the proper authorities sent in to investigate. Because of her previous illegal transactions with the men, the future of her beloved refuge depended on the authorities believing her side of the story. No way would they allow her to continue her operation if they didn't.

  Her father's track record for running a clean refuge and her continued upkeep would go up in smoke. She protected everything she and her father had invested in the refuge, and to have it all blow up in her face over a couple of fools caused a pain deep in her chest that threatened to cripple her on the spot.

  Using the boxes she hid behind for leverage, she pulled herself up. She held out the palms of her hands, touched her face, and clenched her toes inside her insulated boots. Nothing changed.

  She was still Chloe Barrant. She frowned. Why hadn't she shifted?

  She always transformed after the urge came upon her. She'd never been able to stop the process, although she tried many times. She'd never wanted to have another person witness the grotesque way her body betrayed her.

  The only person who knew her secret was her dad, but even then, she hid from him whenever the desire came. He'd walked up on her once years ago when she was in mid-transformation, and freaked out in horror. She never wanted to make that mistake again.

  She sniffed and shook her head to forget the memory of that dreadful time. Maneuvering around the objects in her path, she halted in mid-step. The lynx that attacked the man outside sat in the aisle of the enclosure, licking his paw and running it over his face to clean the blood dotting his fur.

  She scooted over to the nearest cage, reached for the shovel propped up against its door, and wrapped her hand around the handle. The cat acted too calm now that his display of rage was over.

  "You can put the shovel down. No harm will come to you."

  Chloe glared and gave her head a tight shake without moving her gaze off the lynx. She swore the animal talked, but his mouth didn't move. In fact, he now sat completely motionless, with the innocence of a house cat on his face.

  "My name is Granger, and I'm a shapeshifter like you. We have the ability to talk to each other telepathically."

  The shovel fell from her grip, and she jumped back at the clatter of the handle skimming the chain links of the cage. She hurried over to the other side of the aisle and stood with her back against the wires.

  Her coat caught on the metal, and puffs of downy feathers billowed out from the snags. She gnawed on her bottom lip and stared, not wanting to believe the voice in her head. There was no way that lynx had just spoken to her.

  "It's true. We are from the Lynx family. I've seen you shift and run through the woods, keeping to the deep shadows, too afraid of discovery. I've bided my time in coming to you, but unfortunately those men meant you harm and forced me to come out of hiding."

  "Go…go a-away. Scat!" She motioned with her arm for him to take off.

  His chuckles filled her head. She froze, her lips pursed in disapproval. Why did she even contemplate the reality of the cat laughing in a very masculine, husky voice? She even heard a hint of tenderness in his teasing. This is crazy.

  "You're not crazy. I'm your mate, and together we have the ability to communicate telepathically. I can explain everything to you. Is there somewhere we can go, sit down, and I can transform back into my human form? What I have to tell you will answer man
y of the questions that have troubled you lately."

  She shook her head. Not possible. This was all in her imagination. A…an aftershock from watching the lynx tear apart another person. She raised her gloved hand and rubbed her forehead.

  The action flipped her hood off, but she didn't bother tugging it back on. She glanced back at the cat. He sat on his haunches and studied her with a critical eye. Forget this.

  She strode past the lynx without giving him another look. She turned her head to the wolf's cage, but he slept peacefully after she magically healed his body during the attack.

  She glared over her shoulder at the lynx. He sat staring at her exit. She wanted to blame him for all the trouble that landed on her doorstep today. Damn it!

  She'd have to hurry if she wanted everything in order for when the authorities came. And they would come. She'd be lucky if she didn't lose the house and property along with all the animals.

  "You have no reason to worry. I've called my brothers in the clan. The authorities won't get any farther than the end of your driveway. I can promise you that. No one will even be aware of the attack. Your refuge is safe."

  "What're you talking about? What will your clan do?" She smacked her forehead. "Oh God, I'm losing it."

  Chapter Two

  Muttering to herself, Chloe marched the shoveled path to the house and slammed the door. She fell back against it, closed her eyes, and concentrated on breathing deeply to calm her rapid heartbeat. She found it impossible to grasp what the lynx told her. Could he be like her?

  Not wanting to become upset on the off chance that she changed forms, she willed herself to relax, to forget about the cat outside. She swallowed. What if he spoke the truth? God! What if there was someone like her who could shift from human to animal too? She'd have a friend to talk to about the crazy shit that has happened to her.

  Her fingers curled, and she opened her eyes. She tilted her head and looked down, unable to move the hand on her own. Her fingers formed the exact position of someone holding her hand, but she stood all alone. Warmth flowed throughout the palm. She pulled, but whatever invisible force had a hold of her wouldn't let go.