Christine currently resides in the sleepy coastal town of Beaufort, SC. You can find her on the Web at:
www.christineedwardsauthor.com
www.edwards.fannypress.com
Claimed in Canada Excerpt
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Prologue
Adrenaline
We have to get back to the lodge! I hear a voice scream in my head as frigid wind and snow whip across my numb cheeks. My survival instincts kick into overdrive as I crank the snowmobile faster. We must get moving or we will be buried by the impending storm front that’s closing in on us like a freight train.
Come on, we need to get these snowmobiles moving faster.
Our research site is only five miles out from Haines Junction and we should be back within thirty minutes if we can just keep the Arctic Cats steady, assuming we aren’t overpowered by the storm first. Without warning my engine begins to stutter step on me. My throttle gives up power. Oh God no, not the gas. I glance at the gauge, which still reads over half full. Through the snowy haze, I’m able to see black smoke drifting from the engine.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I call out through the cold air as the Cat comes to a halt on the fresh snow.
Through the torrent of wind and falling flakes I see Gabe turning his Cat around and heading back toward me. He shouts over the rumble of his sled, echoed by the storm, “What’s wrong with your Cat, Violet?”
Trying to muster fortitude, I tell my partner, “Go back to the lodge fast and get help. I’ll follow behind you on foot. There’s no time to waste, now go!”
With a concerned look he yells to me over his motor, “Wait, let’s try to get you onto mine.”
I considered his small one-seater before shaking my head and shouting, “Gabe, there’s little time; this front is already raging around us. The sleds are only intended for one and we’ll wreck if we try to double up. I know you used to race these things. Now go and bring back help as quickly as you can.”
He gives a determined nod before turning his Cat around. He revs the engine and blazes away, disappearing within moments into the harsh front. Born and raised in Minnesota, Gabe has been riding snowmobiles since he was a boy and if anyone can get back in time, it’s him. Close to tears, I slide off my bike and realize that my only option besides waiting for Gabe is to start jogging toward Haines Junction. I grab the supply pack off my sled and settle the added weight onto my shoulder. It’s nearly dusk and I’ll have to hurry down the wooded trail.
How could this have happened? We always check the weather hourly and we had high-tailed it out of there as soon as we heard that this freak front was popping up. The big storm they were all talking about in town was not supposed to hit for another day.
That’s when I hear the first howl. So strong and confident that it makes my blood turn to ice in my veins. No, no! They’ve spotted me as solo prey and I know it’s just a matter of time before they take me down.
Completely jacked on adrenaline I sprint for all I’m worth down the dim path ahead. I fumble in my pocket for my Taser gun. It’s charged up but will only buy me a little time, not enough for survival. There are too many wolves in a pack.
The howls are coming one after another now and I can’t get a read on their direction, but I know they’re closing in on me.
From my six years of research I know what they are, without a doubt.
Running furiously through the fresh snow I try to think clearly and formulate a plan. What will I do if they attack? Will a Taser be enough? My heart is pounding out of my chest and I feel lightheaded.
Keep it together girl!
I hear a low growl off to my right coming from the snowy bank on the edge of the trail. As I whip around to face the noise, I strain to see where the wolf is positioned. I realize that it’s close and can make out its darkened form. I stop to hold my ground and get the charge going on my weapon. My arms are trembling as I will myself to focus. There won’t be a second chance in this scenario.
This is it, do or die time.
I begin to stumble backwards, instinctively distancing myself from the danger. Then I lose my footing in the soft snow. Panicking, I realize too late that I’ve backed myself off the path and down the embankment.
Thank God I’m still clutching the Taser. I aim straight out so I can let loose on anything that comes near me. As the howls start closing in I suddenly hear a close, cracking shot and then another followed by a deep male voice.
“Goddammit Violet! Where are you? Violet? Fuck!”
I strain to make my voice work. “Here! I’m over here! Please help me!”
Oh my God, is that Luke?
“Here! Right here!” I begin scrambling back up the few feet of the snowy bank toward his voice.
I yell to him, “Watch out, there are …” Before I can finish something jumps me from behind, knocking me to the ground. I feel a hard smack on the side of my head and begin to fade out. While struggling to hold on I hear only a mixture of angry growls and a low male voice.
“Don’t move Violet, don’t fucking move…”
Then everything fades into blackness.
Naughty in Norway Page 16
