That trip had convinced Jake that he wanted to live in Alaska and dedicate himself to protecting the Were legacy. Because he believed that Were-human mating threatened that legacy, it had become his primary target.
Unfortunately, prominent werewolves had already mated with humans. Worse yet, two of them were from the historic Wallace pack. So far those humans had not revealed the existence of werewolves, but some Weres believed the time had come to end the secrecy. Jake viewed that as a recipe for disaster.
During last fall’s WereCon2012 in Denver, a newly formed governing body called the Worldwide Organization of Werewolves, or WOW, had tackled the issue. To Jake’s disappointment, they’d left it open to interpretation by individual Weres. Although Jake had been an elected WOW board member, the group’s liberal stance had forced him to resign. He’d founded WARM and had cut back on his wilderness guiding while he rallied support for his cause.
Meanwhile, Rachel Miller’s career had skyrocketed, and her trademark was the wolf. Not just any wolf, either. Her name had become synonymous with carvings of this particular wolf, the one that looked almost exactly like Jake when he shifted.
Any Were who’d seen him in wolf form and also knew Rachel’s work had remarked on the similarities. She’d captured the shape of the eyes and the faint diamond pattern on his forehead created by a soft mixture of gray and black. Humans might think that all wolves looked alike, but Weres recognized even subtle distinctions. Rachel’s wolves all resembled Jake.
He’d seen the speculation in the eyes of his fellow Weres. No doubt they wondered if he’d been careless enough to accidentally let Rachel photograph him in wolf form, or, even more damning, that she knew him this well because he’d had a relationship with her. No one had accused him of anything…yet.
If and when they did, he could honestly say Rachel’s wolf wasn’t him. At first he’d thought so, too. But after the initial shock, he’d examined the carving more closely. True, it looked very much like him, but it looked even more like his father.
No doubt Rachel had worked from a picture of Benjamin Hunter in wolf form. She wouldn’t have had to try very hard to get the photo, either. During his parents’ summer trips to Alaska from Idaho, his father had chafed against the midnight sun that robbed him of concealing darkness. He’d taken his nightly runs in defiance of Jake’s warnings, gallivanting through the forest surrounding Polecat Lake as if discovery didn’t matter.
It mattered a lot. Alaska’s native wolves weren’t nearly as large and magnificent as those found in a Were pack. Sightings of such wolves might arouse the interest of wildlife experts, and if they ever managed to capture and tag a werewolf…Jake didn’t even want to think about that. But Benjamin Hunter had been a headstrong Were determined to get his exercise.
On the day Jake had bought the carving, he hadn’t been able to lecture his father about his carelessness because Benjamin and Daphne had been killed in an avalanche during a skiing trip the previous winter. As their only offspring, Jake had inherited all their considerable wealth. He was prepared to spend most of it in support of WARM.
He’d hoped his dedication to that cause would sidetrack his interest in Rachel, and to some extent, it had. Traveling to gather support kept him away from Polecat Lake for long stretches of time. It also brought him into contact with eligible Were females, and theoretically that should have helped, too. Instead he still yearned for Rachel.
Fortunately she was gone a lot, as well. Ted had mentioned that she preferred to meet with clients on their turf rather than bringing them here. Jake admired her desire to preserve her privacy and that of her neighbors. There wasn’t much he didn’t like about Rachel.
Summer nights like this, when they both happened to be home, severely tested his resolve to avoid her. The everlasting twilight meant he could easily see her place from any back window, and he could hear her working into the night, especially when she used the bench saw.
To keep himself from going crazy, he’d developed a routine. If the urge to be near her became overpowering, he’d shift into wolf form. Carefully navigating the perimeter of the lake, he’d creep close enough to breathe her intoxicating scent, a mix of almond lotion and human female. He’d count the visit a success if he caught a glimpse of her walking down the path connecting her cabin with her workshop.
When that happened, he’d melt into the shadows, mindful of how observant she was. Often she’d sing as she worked, and the happy sound only added to his desire and frustration. Then he’d vow to stop the visits once and for all. But after several nights, he’d find himself circling the lake again.
Standing by the mantel, he ran his hand over the driftwood, well aware that having it close by was part of the problem. In lovingly carving this wolf, she’d revealed a part of herself that had wholly captivated him. He really should get rid of the thing, but he had to find a way that wouldn’t draw attention to him. Maybe he should give it to Ted and let him sell it to the highest bidder.
But not right now. Draining the last of his ale, he walked out on his deck, unbuttoning his shirt as he went. Tonight, as he often did, he’d immerse himself in the cold water of the lake and swim until he was exhausted. Maybe this time he’d be too tired to pay her another late-hour visit. That would be a blessing.
Rachel cruised past the Polecat General Store mid-morning to check for vehicles. The parking lot was empty except for Ted’s battered truck, so she flipped a U-turn and pulled in. She needed a few things, but she no longer shopped when strangers were there.
If the store was busy and she was desperate for groceries, she sometimes sent Lionel, or occasionally she called Ted, who’d deliver what she needed after locking up for the day. Although she refused to be a hypocrite and complain about the price of fame, she’d enjoyed the days when she’d been able to pop into the general store whenever she’d felt like it.
As Polecat’s most high-profile resident, she had to be more cautious now. Fortunately the town was off the beaten path, so only the most rabid collectors showed up looking for her. The residents of Polecat were extremely protective and pretended they’d never heard of her. She’d set up a simple alarm system in her cabin and workshop and usually forgot to activate it. She hadn’t felt the need for a privacy fence or locked gates. With luck she could keep from turning her cozy home into a fortress.
Ted beamed at her when she pushed open the screen door. He had a great smile, a fringe of gray hair that he kept threatening to shave off, and thick glasses. He was going soft in the middle and didn’t seem to care, especially after his wife ran off with a life insurance salesman from Spokane. Ted seemed fine living alone and tending the store, but he’d canceled the life policy he’d bought from the guy.
Rachel returned his smile. “I noticed the parking lot was empty so I thought I’d chance it.”
“I figured you must be running low on coffee and eggs.”
“And candy bars.” She’d discovered nothing solved a creative problem like dark chocolate. “Lionel refuses to buy them for me.”
Ted laughed. “I noticed. You could threaten to fire him for that.”
“I couldn’t, either.” The thought of firing Lionel, the most earnest nineteen-year-old she’s ever met, made her tummy hurt. “He honestly believes sugar is evil and I should give it up for my own good. But I don’t intend to.”
“Just got a shipment yesterday.”
“Great.” Picking up a basket, she started toward the grocery aisle.
“Jake Hunter came in this morning.”
“Oh?” As she paused and turned back toward the counter, she hoped she wasn’t blushing.
Hearing Jake’s name conjured up a potent image of his extremely ripped and completely naked body right before he’d plunged into the lake the previous night, and the night before that, and every night since he’d come home. He had a predictable routine that included skinny dipping around nine p.m. Once she’d identified the pattern, she’d organized her work schedule around it.
S
he justified her ogling as harmless entertainment for a thirty-two-year-old woman who wasn’t getting any. Jake’s was the only ogle-worthy male body in her world these days. Lionel was too young and Ted was a sweetie but not exactly hot stuff. A girl had to have some fun, even if it was only of the voyeuristic kind.
She’d been trying to remedy her lack of a love life, but the logistics were tricky. She didn’t want a guy who was attracted to her money and fame, and she was protective of her privacy. Her girlfriends in Fairbanks had talked her into signing up with an online dating site so she could preview someone without giving her true identity or exact location.
Unfortunately she hadn’t found anyone on those sites who merited a coffee date, let alone a lifetime commitment. She was on the verge of giving up that effort but hadn’t devised an alternative plan. Oh, well. She loved her work and finding time for a relationship would be difficult, anyway.
Of course, if Jake Hunter came calling, she might sing a different tune. But he obviously didn’t want to interact with her at all. He hadn’t even responded to the note she’d sent three years ago. It seemed for now she’d have to be content with her binoculars and her fantasies.
Ted rubbed the top of his bald head, which he did whenever he was uncomfortable with the conversation. “I thought I should tell you…he wants to give me the carving he bought.”
“Give it to you?” She was thoroughly insulted. And hurt. All this time she’d felt some satisfaction that Jake at least liked her work even if he didn’t much like her. “Does he realize that it’s worth a lot?”
“Guess so. He told me I could sell it and take a cruise.”
“A very long cruise.” The more Rachel thought about it, the more irritated she became. Jake had the distinction of owning her first-ever wolf carving. Knowing that he was trying to dump it and wasn’t even interested in making money on the deal galled her. “Why doesn’t he sell it himself?”
“I don’t know.”
“If he’s worried about the notoriety of owning that first piece, he could sell it through a third party.”
“I offered to handle that for him, or find someone else who would. He told me to do whatever I wanted with it, because he didn’t need any money out of the deal. I suppose he doesn’t, but still, it’s strange.”
More like a stab to the heart, but Rachel didn’t want to let on how much it bothered her. He’d rejected her gesture of friendship three years ago and now he was rejecting her work. He might be gorgeous, but she would have to stop ogling him every night because he was turning out to be a cold bastard.
Unless there was more to the story. She gazed at Ted. “Is there something you’re not telling me? Did you save his life years ago and you became blood brothers? Does he owe you his life and giving you the carving is his way of settling the score?”
Ted laughed. “That’s a creative thought, Rachel, but I’m afraid that’s not the answer. We’ve had a friendly relationship, but I wouldn’t say we’re close. I pick up his mail for him whenever he leaves town, but Jake’s a hard guy to get to know. He’s lived in Polecat for around ten years, but I couldn’t tell you much about him except he gets a lot of outdoor magazines.”
“And now he’s ready to give away a valuable piece of art rather than risk selling it himself…” Rachel brightened. “I’ll bet he’s in the witness protection program!”
“I seriously doubt that.”
“Okay, he could be an international spy, or a drug runner, or a hit man for the mob, or –”
“Whoa, there, Nellie. Don’t go letting your imagination get completely out of control. Jake’s your average Alaskan backcountry character, maybe somewhat quirky, maybe somewhat antisocial, but with a good heart. Little towns like Polecat draw people who don’t care for country clubs and cocktail parties. You know that.”
“I do.” Rachel smiled a little sheepishly. “It’s why I’m here, after all. When I’m working, I can be as antisocial as anybody.”
“And God help the person who comes between you and your chocolate.”
“Exactly. Lionel’s lucky he’s so adorable or he’d be toast.” She sighed. “Okay, you’ve convinced me that Jake is no more weird than the rest of us, but it’s damned irritating that he wants to dump my carving. I have to admit it feels like a slap in the face.”
“I knew it would, but I had to tell you. If he shows up with the carving this afternoon like he promised, I didn’t want it to come as a surprise to you that I have it.”
“I appreciate that.”
“In fact, I’ll call you if he brings it over, because I want you to sell it instead of me.”
She nodded. “I can do that for you, Ted. I have more contacts and can get you a really good price.” She might even decide to buy it herself and keep it as a reminder of her first sale. No, that wouldn’t work because it would also remind her of her first customer, Jake the Jerk.
“I don’t want the money, either.”
“What the hell? Why doesn’t anybody want the money? Is this carving cursed in some way I don’t know about?”
“No, of course not. But it doesn’t seem fair that I should profit from something I didn’t make in the first place. You should have the money.”
“But he’s giving it to you, not me.”
“Well, he could hardly give it back to you, now, could he? That would be rude.”
And it would require him to actually talk to her, unless he left it on her doorstep like a piece of unwanted trash. “Ted, he’s already being rude. Surely he realizes that I’ll find out what he did with it. Obviously he doesn’t care.”
“Would you rather he’d pitched it into the fireplace and hadn’t bothered to contact either of us?”
Her heart gave a quick thump of alarm. “Oh, God, do you think he would do that? Is he so eager to get rid of it?”
Ted’s gaze gentled behind his glasses. “Apparently he doesn’t want it anymore, Rachel. People change. Their tastes change. Maybe he’s dating someone who doesn’t care for it.”
Rachel made a face. She’d rather have this be Jake’s decision than one dictated by some woman who planned to redecorate his cabin. “Is he dating someone?”
“Not that I know of. I’m just looking for reasons like you are. Listen, you have the world at your feet. Forget about Jake’s opinion. It doesn’t matter.”
“You’re absolutely right. I just…no, it really doesn’t matter. And if Jake wants to ditch that carving, we need to find someone who would be thrilled to have it.” She had another thought. “Do you want to keep it?”
“Knowing what it’s worth…I don’t. Thanks, anyway, but it would make me a nervous wreck. I couldn’t tell anybody, and you know how talkative I get after a couple of beers. I’d end up blabbing about it to somebody, and then I’d have to install a sophisticated alarm system, and then –”
“Chaos. Jake Hunter has created chaos.”
“Just remember that he didn’t throw it in the fire. He could have done that and we’d never know.”
“You’re right, and I’m grateful he didn’t. Call me if and when he brings it over. I’ll come and pick it up. Then we’ll decide what to do next.” With another sigh she resumed her grocery shopping.
When she came to the candy display, she loaded up. Now that Jake was discarding her work, watching him skinny dip would bring more pain than pleasure, so that nightly ritual would go the way of the dodo bird. In order to compensate, she’d need a lot more chocolate.
Chapter Two
Delivering the wolf carving to Ted had been tougher than Jake had expected, almost like giving up a family member. In a way, he had been. But as much as the carving resembled his father, he didn’t think of Benjamin Hunter when he looked at it. He thought about Rachel.
The mantel looked a little empty now, but he’d get used to that. Her note from three summers ago still lay there, and he walked over and picked it up, intending to throw it away. Unfolding it, he read it one last time.
Maybe he wouldn’t
throw it away just yet. He glanced at his bookcase on the far side of his living room. The books were a hodgepodge of paperback mysteries, sci-fi, and his collection of Alaskan trail guides. None were expensive except for the glossy, full-color hardback titled Alaskan Artisans of Today.
Crossing to the bookcase, he pulled out the book and opened it to the section devoted to Rachel Miller, wood carver. He tucked the note there, closed the book, and returned it to the shelf. Someday he’d get rid of the book, too, but it had a really nice picture of Rachel next to illustrations of her work. You didn’t just chuck a book like that. Anyway, he didn’t look at it much.
At least the carving was out of here, and in three days he’d be on a plane bound for San Francisco to meet with Giselle Landry, a prominent Were who supported his cause but continued to serve on the Worldwide Organization of Werewolves board. He hoped to talk her into resigning and joining WARM. Plus she was an attractive female Were, and he needed to spend more time with his own kind instead of pining for a human he couldn’t have.
Whether his meeting with Giselle worked out well or not, it would be a welcome relief to come home from that trip and not be greeted by the carving on the mantel. Or so he tried to convince himself. At the moment he missed seeing it there.
Ted had acted reluctant to take the piece. After it was too late, Jake figured out that Ted probably would tell Rachel. She’d likely be insulted that her first customer had given away her valuable work, but he couldn’t put her hurt feelings ahead of banishing his obsession with her. Ditching her carving was a necessary first step.
Knowing Ted, he’d turn around and give the piece to Rachel if she asked, and maybe that was what should happen. It was her first wolf, so she ought to have it for sentimental reasons. One thing was for sure—he couldn’t keep it any longer.
Werewolf in Alaska Page 2
