by Lia Davis
Nodding, Luke passed Angel to her dad. “It’s me. Good to see you, Yutu. I found Angel in the forest. She hurt her ankle.”
Kirima gasped, then directed him inside their house. “Dr. Wilde is here. Thank you so much for bringing her home. Come.”
Luke slid his hands into his pockets and hung back. He wasn’t feeling particularly ready to spend time with people, even though the couple was more like a second family—one he hadn’t seen since well before Jo’s death.
When he’d first moved into his cabin a little over ten years ago, he’d helped Yutu relocate a bear who’d been hunting too close to the village. Since then, the couple had treated him like family when he saw them, which wasn’t often. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t recognized Angel, but it had been years since he’d seen her, and he hadn’t remembered her name. A soft laugh escaped him. Angel had been about nine or ten at the time, and now she was a young lady.
“Luke, you coming? I want to introduce you to Dr. Mac.” Kirima popped her head out of the house.
Dr. Mac? He swore she’d said Dr. Wilde was there. Curious, he gave a nod and followed her into the house. Warmth from a fire in the fireplace hit him in the face, and the smells of freshly cooked food filled his nostrils. Potatoes and caribou. Comfort food. As they crossed the small living room to the hallway, another scent slammed into him.
He froze outside the bedroom door where everyone was gathered. The females were in the room with the doctor. Yutu stood in the hall.
The scent. A female. Berries and mint.
His dragon shot to attention.
Mate.
No. Fucking. Way.
* * *
Luke clearly needed more time away from the rest of the world if this was how his dragon was going to act. Jo had been his mate, though they’d never bonded officially. Sure, dragons could have another mate if theirs died, but he had no intention of ever finding anyone to replace Jo.
He wasn’t sure if replacing her was even possible.
Glancing at Yutu to see if he was paying attention, Luke inched his way toward the living room. He was so out of there. He wasn’t ready. Hell, he didn’t want to meet another person—much less a mate.
“Where are you going?”
Luke sighed. “To wait in the living room. Too many people crowded in there.”
Yutu pushed off the wall. “I’ll wait with you.”
Great. There went his escape plan. As much as he wanted to go back to his place and become a hermit until he could convince Owen—the team lead of their group in DSD—that he was healed, he was stuck.
Loss streaked through him and he set his jaw.
He clearly wasn’t ready to go back to work yet. DSD needed focused team members, not ones emotionally falling apart.
The Dark Scales Division was a branch of the Eastern Dragon Council. They enforced laws and hunted down rogues—basically anything needed to keep the dragon community safe. Luke would rather be hunting psychos instead of facing his potential mate.
It was too soon. Fifty years from now would be too soon. He slipped off his gloves and began undoing his coat.
The longer he was there, the more he wanted to see her. “Why is the doc here?”
Yutu glanced down the hall before replying. “Our son, Jake, had the flu last week. Doc Mac flew back to check on him. She was seeing patients at a remote village but worried Jake might develop a secondary infection and need medication.”
“Kirima barely spoke to me.” He’d missed the couple.
“She was worried sick.” Yutu’s eyes clouded. “This year’s flu is bad, though we got a good report from the doctor. On top of it, Angel is acting like a typical teenager and pushing all our buttons.”
Luke nodded. Family life seemed out of the picture for him now. He’d never have kids with Jo. “I’m glad Jake is doing better.”
“Thanks.” Yutu paused. “Been a while since we’ve seen you around here. That girl you told me you were seeing—she still in the picture?”
Luke looked down, his heart thumping. He’d had to turn down a hunt with Yutu because he had to sort things out with JoAnna and DSD. He’d told Yutu all about Jo, hoping he’d understand why Luke had to pass on the hunt.
Yutu continued. “How was the wedding?”
Damn it. He didn’t want to have this conversation. “There wasn’t one.” Luke turned and crossed to the sliding glass door that provided a nice view of the backyard and the forest.
“I’m sorry.” Yutu let it go and didn’t press for more information.
Luke was glad. “Thanks.” Changing the subject, he asked, “I thought Dr. Wilde was here.”
A husky chuckle escaped Yutu. “You’ve been away too long. Dr. Matt retired two years ago. His daughter, Mac, has taken over his practice—she even uses his old house as a clinic here in town. She also makes house calls like Matt used to. Hops between villages and treats anyone who needs it. She’s a real hero in these parts.”
Dr. Matthew Wilde had a daughter? Not that it mattered, really. Being a dragon shifter, Luke didn’t need a human doctor. Especially since he’d never told any of them what he was. DSD provided medical care for everyone employed by the council.
Luke knew Dr. Matt from when he visited the village. He’d never met his daughter.
“Does she live in town?” He couldn’t figure out why he hadn’t noticed her before.
“Yeah.”
Suspicion and dread hit him from either side, colliding in the center of his soul. The human doctor was the only other female in the room besides Kirima and Angel.
Movement from the hallway caught his attention. A woman a few inches shorter than him emerged wearing a white doctor’s coat, and joined them in the living room. Long, wavy brown hair spilled over her shoulders. Her brown eyes met his for a brief moment before settling her attention on Yutu. “Angel’s ankle is not broken. It’ll be bruised for a while, and I told her to say off it for a day or two. I do worry about a hairline fracture, so you’ll have to bring her into the office for X-rays.”
Kirima came into the room and took Mac’s hands. “Thank you so much. You’re too kind to us. Stay for dinner. Tonight is the first night of the lights, and we should celebrate.” She looked at Luke and smiled wide. “Both of you. You two have to stay.”
No. Luke needed to leave and get far away from Dr. Mac and her intoxicating scent. His dragon paced and panted. He opened his mouth to decline the offer when Angel limped out from the hallway. Her brown gaze met his. “You will stay, right? Mom said dinner’s almost ready. It’s roasted caribou.”
His stomach growled, and he dropped his shoulders and nodded. How was he to tell her no? He couldn’t believe he hadn’t recognized her, though she’d changed a lot since he’d seen her last. He’d missed spending time with the family. It would be rude to walk out the door now, no matter how much he needed to get away from Mac. “You should stay off that ankle.”
Mac faced the girl and frowned. “He’s right. Go sit.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Angel pouted, then asked, “You will stay, too?”
Mac glanced up at him briefly, then to Kirima. Luke’s body tensed in anticipation of her answer. His heart drummed to a fast, yet steady beat. The dragon within paced.
Fucking hell. If she didn’t stay, he’d follow her like a crazy-ass stalker.
I’m so screwed.
“Yes, I’ll stay. Not too long, though. I’m pretty tired.” Mac directed Angel to sit on the couch.
The teen rolled her eyes but smiled as she obeyed the doctor. “You have to eat. Doctors need food, too.”
“I know.”
Mac interacted with the family as if they were her own, showing them unconditional love. That alone earned his respect. Even though he had no biological connection to the Inuit people, he and his dragon had claimed them as family and to protect. It seemed the doctor had, as well.
The pang of not belonging punched him in the gut.
He stared at Mac’s form as she made a phone
call. Her body was covered by the loose lab coat, but he had an imagination. Her long neck set off a perfect, heart-shaped face, and her full lips looked so soft, touchable. Kissable. He didn’t hear a word she was saying, after she greeted her father. Instead, Luke watched how her hair bounced as she talked and how she ran her fingers over the phone in a soft caress.
Yep, he was screwed.
This wasn’t supposed to be happening.
A sharp pain pierced his head, and he reached for his temple. He sensed it as plain as if it were right before his eyes, breathing on him.
Another dragon lurked nearby. An ice dragon like him.
Chapter Two
“Everything is delicious, Kirima.” Mac wiped her mouth with her napkin. She scanned the table. Everyone was quiet as they ate, including Angel and Jake, who were usually chatty. After the stresses of the day, it felt good to relax and eat. Flu was going around in several villages, and the added burden of treating everyone had exhausted her.
She peeked at Luke. Something about the man, quiet as he was, intrigued her. A strange urge to stay close to him blossomed within her. He’d put up emotional shields as soon as Kirima had spoken to him, and Mac wondered what he was hiding behind that stoic expression. A man didn’t close himself off without a secret. Kirima said he used to come to the village more often, but Mac didn’t recognize him at all.
A lock of hair hung over his eyes, and she wanted to brush it aside. Was it as silky as it looked?
Whoa. Where did that come from? Why was she so drawn to this stranger? It must be the exhaustion talking.
“Thank you, Mac. I enjoy cooking.” Kirima smiled, her cheeks turning a rosy color.
Everyone was so quiet, likely exhausted from the day’s tension. Having two kids needing the doctor on the same day would stress anyone out. Thankfully, the kids would be okay, though Angel needed an X-ray to rule out anything more serious. Not all medical cases were as simple, but Mac was grateful the kids would get better. In Alaska, no one could take healing or health for granted. Her father always told her, “No matter how hard you work, you’re going to lose people to the cold.”
He was right.
She sipped her water. The spiced caribou roast scented the air. She took another bite of its juicy meat, and it melted in her mouth. So good. She didn’t often cook for herself, since she lived alone, and the feast was a treat. Her father had moved to Fairbanks a few years ago, when she took over the practice.
He was getting up there in age and loved retired life. After all, he’d married into the Inuit culture. Since her Mom died, he’d lost some of the light that had shone in his eyes. The village held too many memories for him to bear.
Mac, on the other hand, loved the village and her people. To move would be like losing her mom all over again.
She took a deep, slow breath and exhaled through her nose. She’d already eaten most of her portion. She hadn’t realized she’d skipped breakfast and had only had a protein bar for lunch. That’s what she got for being so busy.
Kirima had made mashed potatoes, likely sourced from Anchorage. Fresh vegetables were a luxury, though Mac never minded carrying some with her on her flights to remote parts of Alaska.
“Yes, everything is fantastic. Thank you for the meal. I forgot what a great cook you are.” Luke speared another piece of the tender meat and stuck it into his mouth. The muscles in his handsome, sculptured face worked as he chewed, adding to the strength he appeared to possess.
“Thanks, Luke.” Kirima beamed. “If you’d come around more often, you’d get more home-cooked meals.”
Mac turned away. The last thing she needed to do was ogle a man like he was a piece of meat, though Luke was the type most woman would drool over. She’d never seen a guy with such beautiful white hair. He looked like he belonged on the cover of a romance novel—likely a paranormal one with elves and unicorns in it. His bright blue eyes sparkled from within, almost like pure, clear water on a sunny day. She could probably see her reflection in them, they were so shiny.
She glanced at her plate. What had gotten into her?
“It’s the least I could do. Both of you saved Angel today. There’s no way to repay that.” Kirima glanced at Angel, scowling. “Though she shouldn’t have been out in the wild alone to begin with. She knows better.”
“I said I’m sorry, Mom.” Angel rolled her eyes. “It’s not a big deal. I’m fine.”
“It could’ve been a very big deal. You could’ve died out there in the snow if Luke hadn’t heard you calling,” Mac said. “You’re one lucky girl.”
Mac shook her head. Kids often didn’t realize how dangerous the wilderness could be. If a bear or wolf had scented her, things might have turned out a lot differently. Angel had a real angel watching over her out on the tundra.
“Thank you for saving me, Luke.” Angel smiled and batted her eyelashes. “I’m eternally in your debt.” She dramatically bowed her head.
Mac stuffed another bite into her mouth to avoid laughing. Angel was a typical teen with a wicked, smartass sense of humor.
Luke looked like he’d seen a polar bear. His eyes rounded, and he swallowed hard.
Angel had caught Luke off guard. He was adorable.
“You’re eternally grounded, Angel,” Yutu spoke up. “You know better than to wander off alone.”
“Moooom,” Angel stuck her lip out. “Why am I grounded? I’m fiiine.”
Mac frowned. Her father would’ve never tolerated the whining. No, Mac had grown up quickly after her mother had disappeared. There had been no choice. She’d helped her father with his practice and studied hard in med school to be able to take his place when he retired. She hadn’t been one of those teens who tested their parents. She’d been responsible and dependable.
Had she missed out?
“Now is not the time to discuss punishment. We have guests.” Kirima stared her daughter down. “I’m just thankful we didn’t lose you. We’ll leave it at that for now.”
“You were fortunate, whether you believe it or not.” Luke pointed at Angel. “Promise me, no more treks into the wilderness alone. I might not be around to save you next time.”
“Yes, sir. I promise.” Angel shoved her plate away, her face in a teenaged scowl. “May I be excused?”
Yutu nodded. “You may. But don’t go too far. You’re going to help me wash dishes when everyone is done eating.”
“Okay.” Angel stood then pushed her chair in. “I hope I’ll see you later, Luke. And thank you, Dr. Mac, for checking out my ankle.”
“No dancing around till it heals,” Mac said. “We need to get those X-rays, too. Take it easy.”
“I won’t be dancing anywhere any time soon, you don’t need to worry about that.” Angel headed out of the dining room, limping on her injured ankle.
“She seems spirited,” Luke said.
“That’s one word for it.” Kirima looked up, her eyes tearing. “I keep thinking about what could’ve happened, and—”
“She’s fine.” Yutu reached for his wife’s hand. “Don’t stress over something that didn’t happen.”
“I know.” Kirima sniffled. “She just doesn’t understand how dangerous the wilderness is, even though we’ve told her a million times. I know we were taught to respect nature’s power. It’s the Inuit way.”
Yutu squeezed her hand. “We’re trying. It’s normal.” He spoke softly, his voice laden with emotion. “Our families have always lived in the Great White North, and we’ve always adapted. Times have changed and kids aren’t as nature savvy, but in the end, she will learn what she needs to know.”
“I know.” Kirima nodded and pulled her hand away. “At what expense? I hate seeing her struggle.”
“Not being able to go anywhere for a while might help her learn.” Yutu sighed. “Let’s be happy she’s okay, and Jake is okay too. They are both home, safe and sound, and hopefully, we’ll all get to see the aurora tonight.”
“I want to see it, too,” Luke grinned. “T
hen I have to get home. Long day.”
“I do, too.” Mac sipped at her ice water.
It’d been lucky that she was already back in Nunutuq to take care of Jake, otherwise, Angel might have had to wait a while for Mac to return. Her sprained ankle would’ve been okay, but what if the injury had been worse? Mac always worried about her home village when she was off on remote calls. The arctic needed more doctors. But Yutu was right. No point in stressing over things that didn’t happen. The kids were okay, and that was what mattered.
Her plate empty, Mac set her silverware across it and leaned back in her chair. It would be good to sleep in her own bed tonight.
“We’ve missed you, Luke.” Yutu said. “What have you been up to?”
Luke shifted in his chair and cleared his throat. “Work has kept me busy lately. I actually haven’t been back in Alaska long. I’m on vacation while we have downtime.”
Mac set her napkin on the table and watched Luke. Why was he so hesitant to talk about what he was doing? He seemed nervous, like he was choosing his words carefully. From the way he didn’t make eye contact while he spoke, she guessed he wasn’t being completely truthful. But why?
“Well, I’m sure glad you’re back,” Kirima said. “My daughter needed you.”
“No problem. You know I’d do anything for your family, Kirima.” Luke’s tone was strong as he spoke the words, no hesitation when it came to Kirima and her family. That warmed Mac’s heart.
“And I adore you for that.”
“How long are you going to be in Alaska?” Yutu stood. “Maybe you and I could get some hunting in.” He pointed to the basement stairs in the hallway. “I’ve got a freezer that needs to be filled.”
Luke looked up, and a spark of interest lit his gaze. “That’d be great. I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but I’m sure we can get at least one hunt in. Tell me when.”
“Maybe next week?”
“Sounds great.” He placed his fork down and sat back in the chair. “I’m stuffed. Thank you again.”
