“Harper Hanson.” Chance folded his arms. “For what it’s worth, I think she’s just a hiker.”
“What should we do with her?” Egan asked. “You want us to keep her in our cabin, Alpha? We can do that.”
“Keep her in the shed,” Galangal urged. “We don’t know what she wants here, Alpha, or who she might be. Don’t let her do any harm to this clan! Think about it, she’s here at our weakest moment. It’s the Season! What if she’s a Huntress? Our men can’t think straight around a woman! She’ll destroy us!”
There was a chilled silence at this statement. It lengthened, until Jason clasped his big, calloused hands together on the tabletop.
“She might. Let’s not say she will, elder.” He finally took a measured sip of his tea. “Egan, tonight let her stay in your home. Watch her carefully. See if she’s got any mischief in her. If you get the merest idea that she has, wrestle her into the shed and we’ll deal with her from there.”
“Of course, Alpha!”
“Dove, go door to door. Let everyone know she’s here. Say cubs should stay indoors. Get Yarrow to come here and help watch the girl, too. She’s tough enough to deal with her.
“Hudson, as soon as it’s light and the storm’s done, run the range again. Make dead sure she came alone!
“Chance, I know she’s a woman, and I know it’s the Season, but I want you close to this cabin in case she gets mean. Will you sleep in the shed? Ivy, you stay with the girl. Stay with her all night. See if you can’t get her talking about herself to you or Gentian.”
“What lie do you want me to tell her?” asked Ivy, standing. “About us? About who we are?”
“Let her spin that tale for you,” said Jason cannily. “See who she suggests we are, and then run with her best guess. Fanatics, end-of-dayers, I don’t care what she thinks… agree with it, no matter how silly it makes us all sound.”
“Right, Alpha.” Ivy went to the woodstove and started serving some leftover soup into a bowl from where Gentian had left a pot simmering on one of the eyes. “I’ll handle her.”
“Good.” Jason stood too; that made all of them stand. “Let’s continue this in the morning. We’ll talk more then about our guest.” He paused. “Those of us able to sit together, anyway. I guess most of us’ll be in Season by tomorrow. You women might have to have your own meeting with my wife and her mother.
“That’s all. Everyone get to your errands, now. We’ll deal with this girl the right way, and we’ll do it safely—I swear.”
***
There was a rap on the door, and then it opened. Harper’s head shot up from where Gentian was helping her bathe.
“Hello,” said Ivy brightly, shouldering the door closed. She had what looked like a bowl of soup. “Lord, you’re all curves, aren’t you? I’m jealous.”
Harper flushed in the copper tub, which was a light, round, handled thing that had been carried in for her by a couple of men she barely got a look at. The only people she’d really spoken to were Gentian—a kindly, middle-aged woman—and Ivy, this pretty, freckled, onion-smelling girl carrying in a late dinner. She thought she remembered a few others, though, from when she was waking up… remembered them vaguely, anyway. A man? More than one man? Men?
“How do you feel?”
“I’m alright,” Harper said, letting Gentian washcloth her back. What century do these people think it is? Copper tubs? Really? Where’s the running water? “Um… you’re Ivy, right? You said… we’re in Banff? Still?”
“We are,” Ivy said breezily, setting the soup on the nightstand. Like the bed, the stand looked like it was made of raw aspen wood. “Gentian, is she bruised up back there?”
“Hardly,” Gentian said, working at Harper’s neck in a way that was half motherly, half therapeutic. “Just a bit here and there.”
“And that’s after Hudson carried her up the mountain like a dead deer,” Ivy said, sitting on the creaky bed and looking at Harper. “Pretty amazing. Are you made of steel?”
“…Hudson?” Harper asked, wrapping her arms around her knees.
“Yeah, Hudson. He was the one who found you.”
“How did he find me? I mean… how did he happen to find me?”
“He was out hunting. Are you hungry? I brought rabbit stew.”
“Rabbit?” Rabbit? Like, actual rabbit?
“Yeah. Gentian made it.” Ivy’s eyes flicked to Gentian and back. “It’s good, I promise. Hey, Gentian, you should tell her the recipe!”
Gentian sounded flattered. “Oh, it’s simple, honey. It’s not special at all… she won’t want to hear it. How many times have you had it in your life?”
“Not enough,” Ivy joked. “Come on!”
“Well… alright. You treat and chop a rabbit, pan-sear it on the stove, fry up some garlic, potato, white onion, lamb’s quarters, and carrots, throw it all together in a pot with some chicken stock, and let it cook a few hours. That’s all.”
“Mm-hmm! See, Harp, there’s nothing scary in it. Never had rabbit? Don’t be scared. Finish up washing and try some, you’ll love it.”
Harper hesitated. “I was lost before. In the forest.”
“While hiking, right?” Ivy suggested easily, leaning back on her hands. “I know.”
“Yes. But—I mean—I was really lost.” Really, really lost. Middle-of-nowhere lost. So… what are these people doing in the middle of nowhere? Why are they living in the middle of nowhere? “Are you—um. What are you… all.”
Ivy stared at her. She got the queer feeling that Ivy was waiting to hear what Harper thought about them before she explained anything.
“Are you, like…” What’s the least terrifying explanation for this? Please don’t let them be radical religious separatists or militant anti-modernists or something. “…homesteaders? You know. Off-the-grid people? Granola types?”
Ivy relaxed, and Harper caught it. “Yeah, that’s right. Don’t be scared. We just believe in independent living here, that’s all.”
I’m going to believe her. I want to, so I’m going to.
“I see. Well, I’m so glad one of you found me. Thank God he did, because I had no idea where I was.”
I wonder if they’re homesteading here illegally? They must be, right? I mean, we’re still in the park, aren’t we? Only the town of Banff is allowed incorporation inside the park.
Maybe that’s why she’s tense. I honestly don’t care that they’re not supposed to be here. I’m not going to go down to the county seat and rat them out. I have to let her know that. I don’t want them to throw me out, or worse.
“Thank God you’re here,” Harper said seriously.
Ivy smiled.
“There… there was a bear, though. I don’t know if I told you that? You should know about it. The bear’s why I fell on the slope.” Harper straightened in the tub, remembering. “In fact, there was more than one! I was running from a really aggressive bear—a male grizzly. I sprayed it and I ran, but then there was another grizzly, a female, I think—it was smaller, anyway—I’m not sure what happened. She charged me out of nowhere when I was already going downhill, and I lost my footing and—”
“Slow down, Harper!” Ivy unfolded one of the linen towels laid on the bed. “Come out before you prune up like a mummy. Then you can tell me what happened… slowly.”
Harper stood out of the tub—braced by Gentian, who was plainly still concerned about her health—and got a vigorous toweling off from Ivy, who then had her put on a cotton nightdress, sit on the bed, and eat her stew, which was good. Gentian sat next to her, and Ivy sat in the room’s single chair. Outside, the hiss of rain was constant and loud.
“Okay, honeycomb, start from the top.”
“Um…” Harper ran a hand through her wet hair; Gentian took her empty bowl and set it back on the nightstand. “Well. I arrived in Banff about five days ago, to backpack. I was planning to hike the Mystic Pass to Badger Pass loop.”
“Sure. Except?”
“Except I wandered off the trail.” Harper’s mouth tightened. “It was stupid, I know. Believe me, I know. I paid for it. I was lost for two days. I figured if I could just get high enough uphill, I could figure out where the Pass was, and from there where I should go. So I tried to get uphill. And then I ran into the bear.”
“Was it just you?” Ivy asked lightly. “No boyfriend or anything?”
Harper’s expression dulled momentarily. “No boyfriend.”
“That was an adventurous choice, coming to Banff alone. I’m sorry you got in a bad way when you should’ve been having a good time.” Ivy crossed her legs and leaned back, glancing at the kerosene lamp. “Where are you looking to go now? Which town? Someone could lead you out maybe.”
Why only maybe? “Back to Banff town, I guess. Or… well… I have a flight out of Calgary that leaves on the eleventh. So anywhere I can get to Calgary would be great. I’m not picky.”
“Uh-huh. That’s not so hard.” Ivy’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sure you don’t feel sick at all?”
“I’m sure.”
“Good. Let me know if you do, even if it’s the middle of night and the house is quiet as the grave. You were unconscious a powerful long time, and it’s near a miracle you’re alert and talking.” She uncrossed her legs, giving Harper a long, hard look. “Where are you from, anyway? American?”
Harper nodded. “I’m from Chicago.”
“Chicago! Seen it in the movies, but never in person.”
“Where are you two from?” Harper asked, feeling vulnerable. She knew so little about where she was or who these people really were, and they were rapidly learning a lot about her. “Originally?”
“Near here, both of us,” Gentian answered vaguely, patting Harper’s forearm.
Loud, loud thunder rolled overhead; Harper glanced uncertainly at the wood ceiling.
“Oh, we’re safe here,” Ivy said breezily. “The lodgepoles draw the lightning. The trees, I mean.” She stood. “Look, honeycomb, it’s late, and you’ve had a bad few days. You should sleep. We can talk and talk and talk all morning, but for now, get your rest.”
“Wait,” Harper said surprised. “What about—I mean, what about that bear I saw? It was really aggressive, Ivy. And I don’t think it was too far from here.”
“Don’t worry about that. We’re used to bear country. Some of ‘em are pushier than others, but that’s fine, we can handle that.”
“Where’s my pack?” Harper asked, looking around. “I’ve got my toothbrush and stuff in there.”
“I’ll get it. Coupla the men went through it looking for your identifiers, sorry. I promise everything’s still intact, though.”
“Okay.” They went through my things? She tried to swallow down her unease. Well, isn’t that what you do when someone’s unconscious and injured and in your hands? You go through their bag or their pockets for their wallet, so you know who you’re taking care of? It’s normal, isn’t it?
“Wait here. Oh, I’m gonna spend the night in this chair, Harper, and Gentian will be just a room away with her husband. You won’t be alone.”
“This used to be my daughter’s room,” Gentian said smilingly. “Maple Blossom. You can see the maple leaves on the quilt, there. I made that for her when she was born.”
“Oh!” Harper shifted, to get a look at the bedspread. It was a lovely pattern of red and yellow maple leaves. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you. Of course, she’s mate—”
“—married now,” Ivy cut in, slightly too loudly. “I’ll get your pack.”
“I’ll take your bowl,” Gentian said, standing.
Harper watched, slightly perturbed, as both women left the room.
Where the hell am I?
***
“Nothing.”
“Same. Just matches and socks and water tablets.” Chance stared at Harper’s things, spread out over Egan and Gentian’s table. “Normal camping stuff. No weapons. I bet she’s just a hiker.”
“Yeah, I know you wanna believe that.” Hudson gave Chance a dry look, from where he’d been going through the pile.
“What’s that mean?”
“I saw you looking at her, brother. You want her.”
Chance hesitated. “What woman don’t I want right now?”
“Nah. I don’t think it’s the Season making you want her. I think you’d want her anytime.” He chuckled lowly. “She’s your type, and I oughtta know. We’ve been to enough packmeets together. You like ‘em shaped like hourglasses—”
“—which she certainly is,” Ivy finished for him, striding up to the table. “Pack all this stuff back in her bag. She wants it.”
“Right now?” Hudson frowned.
“Right now, yeah. She wants to brush her teeth.”
“How do you find her, Ivy?” Chance asked. “Do you think she’s a Hunter?”
“I don’t.” Ivy started stuffing things back into the pack herself. “Butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, boys. If she’s a Huntress, then she’s a damn fine actress, too.”
“Some of them are,” Hudson said darkly.
“How is she doing?” Chance asked, helping Ivy pack some of the gear away.
“Fine, if you can believe it... physically, anyway. Can you imagine, she’s been lost for days?” She glanced at Chance, too knowingly. “Why? You seem awfully interested in her.”
“I can’t be worried about an injured girl?”
Ivy outright laughed. “Sure, you can be. That’s normal. But there’s something else in your eyes. Something hungry.”
“That’s just the Season.”
“Is it?” she asked, and suddenly he was glad that she smelled like onions. She wasn’t built like Harper—Ivy was thin and broad-waisted, not his type, although certainly she was very pretty—but she was warm and soft and female, and the Season demanded he mate her. Her acorn-brown eyes, thinly ringed in shifter’s gold, woke the most primal part of his soul.
“It… is,” he managed thickly.
“Oh, keep your hands off me, Chance,” she said casually, slinging Harper’s pack onto her shoulder. “Hudson, where are you sleeping?”
“Dunno. Back at my cabin, I guess. Unless Chance wants me to stay with him here, back him up?”
“No. She’s not dangerous,” Chance said with a confidence he could tell surprised them. I wouldn’t dream a dream like that about a Hunter. She’s not a Hunter. “I’ll be fine.”
“Alright,” Ivy said, not questioning his certainty. “I’m gonna sit up with her. See you two in… well, after the Season, probably.”
“Night, Ivy.”
“Sleep good, Ivy. If you can, in a chair.”
“Enjoy your Season. Don’t let Briar take a ride on you, Chance.” With that—and a wink—she was gone.
“C’mon,” said Hudson, gathering up the blankets Gentian had left out for Chance to use. “I’ll walk you to the shed.”
They went out onto the cabin porch. It was still raining, but not as badly; the thunder was moving eastward, over the peaks.
“So what do you think?” Chance asked quietly.
“I don’t trust her. That’s what I think. And not just ‘cause she filled my eyes full of pepper.” Hudson’s expression hardened. “A real good Hunter would do just like she did—act like they stumbled on us, ask for our help, get into our midst, and then slaughter us while we’re Season-dumb.”
“Mm.” Chance couldn’t say Hud was wrong. A really good Hunter would do that. But he knew this girl wasn’t a danger to them. Just the opposite, in fact; he sensed they needed her. “Well. Could be.”
“You don’t agree, huh? Shit, brother, don’t think she’s innocent just ‘cause she’s beautiful.”
“I don’t. That’s not why. It’s just a feeling.”
“You and your feelings,” Hud teased. “So sensitive.”
“How’s your face? Still hurt?”
“I’m
fine. I’ll be good to cover our territory tomorrow.” They crossed the cabin’s sward, heading for the shed; when they got there, Hudson tossed in the bedclothes. “Don’t sleep too heavy. Just in case she makes a move.”
“I won’t. But you—you get some real rest. You caught it hot today.”
“Yeah, I will.” Hudson glanced at Chance, half-smiling. “Look… tomorrow, Chance? Don’t let her charm you. ‘Cause I bet you she’ll try.”
Chance smiled, but privately he thought she could charm him in a heartbeat.
Chapter Six
Harper woke up suddenly. One moment she was dreaming, and the next her eyes were open. She was up. Fresh, clean sunshine was streaming in through the room window. Ivy had finally fallen asleep in the bedside chair, her head down on her arm.
Slowly, stiffly, Harper sat up. She didn’t want to wake up Ivy.
What had she been dreaming about? It had been something... intense. Something to do with bears. And men. Definitely men. But that made sense, didn’t it? After yesterday? She’d been attacked by bears, and then helped by men.
Still. She wished she could remember the particulars of her dream. Some deep instinct told her it was important. But it was gone now.
Carefully, she flipped back the covers, stood, and padded out of the room. She’d seen an outhouse from the window, and she desperately needed to visit it.
The cabin was quiet, sunny. No one was in the hall; when she crept down to a room with a woodstove-based kitchen and a big dining table, there was no one there either. All she could hear was birdsong from outside.
Crossing to what was clearly the front door, she opened it onto the world.
“Oh… wow.”
The cabin had a broad porch and a commanding view of the range. Blue sky stretched cloudlessly to the horizon; beneath it, jagged, snow-streaked peaks and green, coniferous forest went on forever. The sound of thrushes and song sparrows filled the air.
“Amazing,” she murmured, a hand over her shocked, open mouth. No wonder these people were willing to squat on federal land. Their homestead was magnificent.
Okay… okay. Enough staring, Harp. Pee time.
Rescued & Ravished: An Alpha's Conquest (A Paranormal Ménage Romance) Page 4
