Arctic Bound

By Tigris Eden

There are secrets in even the smallest of towns...

Nerina Simpson fled the streets of New York City, hoping to find solace outside the small town of Talkeetna, Alaska. Physically scarred from a fire that claimed both her parents, Nerina keeps to herself while she tries to put the darkness of her life behind her.

When a winter storm forces her into town, she collides with Victor Canidae. An arrogant man who makes it no secret that he and everyone else in the town want her to leave.

Headstrong, and refusing to back down, Nerina finds herself in trouble when her two, four legged companions get lost in a storm, landing her in the path of an angry bear hell bent on taking her life. Until a mysterious white wolf comes to her rescue.


When she wakes up in a warm cave, the last person she expected to see is Victor. Stuck in a cave until the storm passes the two decide there is only one way to pass the time, and quickly when you’re getting physical.

***What happens in a cave stays in the cave....Right?***

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Nov 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781094463735

Tigris Eden

USA Today Bestselling Author, Tigris is a military brat who's done her fair share of traveling, thanks to her Army father. She's married to the infamous LL and has three boys. She currently resides in Houston and is actively seeking a book-buddy for the end of the world. You can find Tigris on Twitter, Facebook, and at her website. Twitter: @Tigris_Eden Facebook: www.facebook.com/TigrisEdenAuthor/ Website: www.tigriseden.com

Book preview

1

Heat surrounded Nerina on all sides. Everywhere she turned there was smoke. It clouded her vision, suffocated her senses, and burned her lungs. The clothes on her body had long burned away. Chunks of her flesh hung off her arms and legs. What was left of muscle and bone, pulsed in agonizing pain. In the other room, she could hear her mother and father screaming as the fire blazed around her. Still, Nerina tried looking for a way out, for fresh air. She was determined to reach them. Fire crawled up the sides of the walls like waves rushing to the shoreline. She needed to find the door.

Had to.

By the time she found it, the screams had ceased. She was too late; she knew they were gone, but called out to them anyway.

Mom! Hold on! Dad! I’m coming! I’m coming!

Reaching up, she grabbed for the knob. The skin from her hand sticking to the metal. Muscle and nerve she thought had long burned off, flared in excruciating pain. With a high-pitched scream, she peeled her hand from the hot metal.

Nerina woke tangled in her sheets. Her bed damp from her body’s perspiration. The nightmare never got better. It had been two years and still she could smell the smoke, feel the heat of the fire on her skin. She’d lost her entire family that night. Her beautiful mother, Simone; and her father, Roman.

Her father loved her and her mother. Her mother, Simone, was an escort and Nerina was the result of their forbidden relationship. They’d been targeted by Roman’s wife and his brother Oscar. It was the consequence of Roman choosing to care for them, instead of leaving them destitute. She’d known it would come down to her father making a choice. She’d even understood that at some point he’d have to leave. It was one of the reasons she’d taken on additional work with the Mistress. Nerina just hadn’t thought her uncle and her father’s wife would take measures to completely eradicate what they deemed a problem. You should have seen it coming. This was the main reason she moved to Alaska. There was a price on her head. It also helped that her uncle loathed the cold climate and would never think to look for her in a place like Talkeetna, Alaska. Population two hundred and one, three if you included her dogs.

Nerina slowly rose from bed. Demon and Daar lifted their heads to check on her as she limped towards her dresser. Darn leg still hadn’t gained its full mobility. Doctors said it might never.

I’m alright, guys, heading to the outhouse.

Both dogs stretched out, bellies flat on their beds as they watched her put on her boots and clothes. She’d only been in Alaska six months. She still wasn’t used to walking outside in the freezing cold to use the bathroom. This was the only place no one would think to look for her. Talkeetna, Alaska was a small community, but as unwelcoming as anyone could get. She only went to town for supplies, and in the six months she’d lived up on her hill, no one had ever come up to say hi or welcome her to town. Not one person from the community, except for Thorn, the town patriarch, and his grandson, Teak. Besides the Malamute and Alaskan husky, she was alone. Her cozy one bedroom, no indoor bathroom cabin, overlooked the Alaskan range and faced Mt. McKinley. It was a great view complete with a running creek and a wood-burning stove. Talk about roughing it. The landscape alone was enough to sell her on the place; and with it, came Demon and Daar. The previous owner Mrs. Raines had decided she’d had enough of long nights and cold winters. She packed her bags and moved to Florida.

Both dogs turned out to be loyal to the bone. Daar was a massive gray, white, and black husky with ice-blue eyes. Demon was huge with black fur and silver eyes and weighed over one hundred and forty pounds. He was the strangest dog she’d ever seen. In the dark, his eyes flashed amber. Nerina attributed his strange eyes to a trick of the moon’s light. There was no way he was something other than a dog, although, if she was truly being honest with herself, she could swear he was a wolf hybrid.

Walking out to the outhouse in the middle of the night was scary the first couple of months she’d lived in Alaska. She’d moved to Talkeetna during the winter months when the nights were longer and the sun was scarce. The wind nipped at her face as she made her way to the shed. She didn’t need her flashlight. The lights from the Aurora Borealis danced high in the sky. Beautiful green and red outlined the black backdrop, lighting up the night. Nerina smiled as she opened the shed door. She was happy, truly happy with her slice of life.

The townspeople didn’t bother her up on her hill, and she was secluded enough that no one could hear her when she worked out. It was always a bit cold, even in the summer months. To a New Yorker, sixty degrees was considered hot. It gave her a reason to keep her scars covered. No one knew about her past, and no one inquired about her future.

Finished with her business, she made her way back into the cabin where both dogs waited for their breakfast and daily walk. It was still dark and would be for most of the day. The sun only coming out for a few hours at a time. Breakfast consisted of eggs, bacon, and grits. Caribou meat and a can of tuna is what she served the dogs. The smell of breakfast always reminded her of her mom’s kitchen. A bittersweet memory that gave her comfort.

Snapping out of her haze, Nerina quickly finished her breakfast. She dressed in layers to take the dogs out and gather more wood. Thorn would be expecting her in town for her monthly round up of supplies. He preferred she come in early to avoid the townspeople. It wasn’t a matter of safety; it was just easier that way. If she avoided the good folks of Talkeetna, they avoided her; and in turn, Thorn wasn’t as grumpy. She threw on her skullcap, stepped into her snow pants and Keen Targhee waterproof hiking boots, before zipping up her hooded parka. She looked like she was going on an arctic expedition. She might as well have been since it was freezing cold outside. Slipping into her gloves, she whistled for the dogs and headed out into the freezing night. Even though it technically was seven in the morning, the sun wouldn’t be up for a while.

Nerina knew taking the dogs out would be a strain on her. She couldn’t keep up with them because of her limp and wasn’t comfortable attaching the dogs to her sled. But she knew the exercise was good for her. They walked down by the creek, and behind her cabin, where colorful ice pillars could be seen off in the distance. By the time they made it back to the house, Nerina was exhausted and chilled from the cold air.

Readying the snowmobile for her trip into town, Nerina thought about her upcoming phone call. She only talked to Raven once a month. Each call a reminder there was a price on her head. The dogs looked on as they stood by her front door.

Don’t let me forget the wood, Demon, we’re low.

She spoke to both dogs more and more. A sign she was going crazy, maybe? Most likely.

The people in town weren’t mean to her, but they weren’t particularly friendly either. Occasionally, she’d talk to Thorn’s daughter, Cassandra, who was the owner of the bed and breakfast she’d stayed at during her first visit to town. Nerina was treated fine as a tourist but the moment she decided to stay, people became distant. A small part of her thought it was because she was bi-racial, but Thorn had assured her race had nothing to do with the negative treatment. He’d used the words ‘breed’ and ‘kind’. If that wasn’t racist, she didn’t know what was.

Nerina was the owner of nine acres of beautiful Alaskan country, and Thorn promised he’d help her add plumbing as well as a workout room. Huge spruce trees bordered her land. Beyond that was a national preserve that was owned by the town. She’d already received a warning to stay off their property. As if she wanted to explore their lands. There were bears in the woods, large wolves, and other carnivorous animals. She wasn’t stupid. The wind picked up as she headed into town. Harsh and cold, it bit into what little skin was exposed. Both dogs followed along effortlessly, as they made their way down the hill.

YOU KNOW how important this meeting is with Sasha and her parents. Victor stood from his chair across from his sister, Cassandra, and grunted. She was so dramatic.

Everything will be fine, Cass.

The engagement is not official; you need to ensure everything is perfect. Uniting the packs is top priority.

He knew she was right of course. Fewer males were taking mates. They’d offer up their seed to produce offspring, but that was all. Females were of the same mind. His sister had participated in the breeding program. She refused to take a mate. A hundred years ago, that would not have been tolerated. Now, everyone had choices. Who to bed, who to mate, and of course, who they could reject. His father and Sasha’s father, Eric, had arranged their union from the time they could walk. She was twenty-four moons his junior and to him, she was also immature. Her tales of temper tantrums had reached even his ears. She was beautiful, and in perfect breeding condition. No one could argue that fact. Her pale skin and golden spun hair was more than to his liking. She had a slender frame and her eyes were the color of wheatgrass. A peculiar color, but intriguing still the same. There were two things Victor was sure of: they would be mated, and she would obey him in all things.

Thorn and Eric had agreed on a spring mating ceremony. All the Packs from Canada and Alaska would be there to witness his union to Sasha. It was his duty to the Pack to ensure their way of life continued. He would still have to take down his father and Eric in a brutal battle, but they’d agreed it wouldn’t be a death challenge. The wolf in him would try to conquer, showing any onlookers he was not one to be challenged. He had to prove that he was able to lead with a strong hand. The human in him knew it was the best course of action to show mercy and restraint. Things were different now.

He’d still have bedding rights to all the unmated women in the territories. Sasha was afforded the same courtesy with all unmated males. A throwback from the earlier days, but kept around due to the intense sexual needs of their kind. They could also enact bedding rights on the other, if they decided. Which meant Sasha could intervene with him and another female if she chose, and vice versa.

I won’t let the family down, Cass. Victor reiterated. His sister and his mother both wanted the mating between him and Sasha to go off without incident.

Good to hear, his father, Thorn, said, as he walked in with Victor’s nephew, Teak.

Hey there, Uncle Vic, what can I do you for? His nephew held up his hand in a fist and gestured for them to bump knuckles.

Cass, stop letting the boy watch MTV, and those dumb ass movies. It’s ruining his brain.

Cassandra laughed, untying her apron as she made her way over to her son, hugging him fiercely. Teak was twelve moons from becoming a mature adult male. To humans he looked sixteen. Really, he was twenty-nine.

It’s not me, brother, he keeps sneaking up to the Simpson place and watching her. I told him it was rude, but the boy has a crush.

The Simpson place? He’d only been gone for six months. Had a lone wolf moved in?

You mean the Raines place? Did someone new move in?

Yeah, she moved in about six months ago, while you were away on business.

This was news to him. Mrs. Raines was the only human they’d allowed in town, so whoever this Simpson lady was, she must be a wolf.

Demon and Daar?

They’re up there with her, Demon refused to leave her side when old Mrs. Raines sold the place to Nerina.

Nerina? What kind of name was that? No one had even consulted him about possibly moving a stranger into their midst. He was, after all, going to be the new Alpha.

Father? Victor questioned.

Thorn grunted.

It was my choice, son. She’s harmless enough, likes her privacy and she’s human.

Human? Seriously, like the town really had time to get acclimated to a new human. It was bad enough with Mrs. Raines. She was only accepted because she’d mated Picar who was from their Pack. Something that wasn’t widely accepted, but exceptions were made all the time. This newcomer could be a problem or worse she could be a Hunter. They could appear to be human, and in some cases, were. It was the older Hunters that posed the most danger. There was a good reason they’d relocated to Alaska.

Teak, stay away from the outsider.

His nephew arched a brow, smiling devilishly.

Yeah right, like I could ever ignore her. Nerina Simpson is hot. Like fire in my pants hot.

Cass hit Teak over the head making him duck and Victor grinned.

I don’t care how hot she is, keep away from her. She could be a Hunter.

Hunters and Werewolves did not get along. Hunters were hell bent on destroying all werewolves. It was an ancient war, killing more than a third of their population. It was also the reason they’d migrated to the New World and up North to harsher climates. Pack Canidae were the true founders of Talkeetna. His father’sfather founded the town officially in 1919, but the Pack had settled in the area long before there were towns and railroads. His ancestors were originally from Mesopotamia, by way of Egypt. Captured as a boy and recruited into the Secret Order of Anubis, Enil had been forced to drink the God’s blood, changing him forever. There were Hunters then, and there were Hunters now, and Nerina Simpson could very well be one of them.

Give him a break. Nerina keeps to herself and Demon hasn’t said anything ill of her. Cass turned to her son, and reached up on her toes to kiss the towering male.

Listen to your uncle, Teak. He’ll soon be Alpha.

Yes, mother. Sorry, uncle. I’ll keep my distance. His nephew said, looking down at his feet.

Victor nodded and sat down at the counter, pouring himself a cup of hot chocolate.

2

Nerina’s cheeks hurt from the chilling wind tearing at her delicate skin. Goggles and a facemask did nothing to stop the harshness of the Alaskan winter. She cursed as she pulled up to Thorn’s supply store. Demon and Daar were already trotting inside to greet Thorn’s wife, Allesandra.

Miss Simpson, you here for your supplies?

Nerina nodded, pulling off her headgear. She left her skullcap on because her hair was a mess. She noticed most of the people in town would walk around in lighter wear than she would. They were used to the cold. She wasn’t.

And someone should put a space heater or something in the store so people don’t freeze to death.

Demon and Daar lounged near the front door, the two of them always on alert. There was no need of course, as all the town’s people treated Nerina as if she was some sickly individual that was highly contagious.

My sons are all back in town. Thorn should be able to get up to your cabin later this evening when the sun is up, now that they can help with the store.

Sounds good. Can you also see if he can check out my snowmobile?

Speak of the devil, Nerina looked up into the black eyes of Thorn Canidae, town patriarch and man about town. His grandson, Teak, alongside him.

Demon. Daar, I trust you two had a good run this morning?

He always talked to the dogs before addressing her. As if they understood him, both dogs raised their heads up and then down as if nodding.

Miss Simpson, guess you’re here for your monthly supplies. You’ll need extra items too, storm’s coming in at the end of the week.

Yes, I was just asking Allesandra, if you wouldn’t mind taking a look at my snowmobile too when you come up to deliver my supplies.

Thorn nodded in agreement and walked over to his wife, pulling her in for a quick peck on the cheek. Thorn was a mountain of a man, with a thick beard and ink black hair that was graying at the sides. Laugh lines crinkled at the corner of his eyes, though he didn’t look a day over forty. Living up in the high altitude was definitely doing wonderful things for his complexion.

After the storm, I’d like to get started on the plans for the plumbing and the gym.

Thorn was the local contractor as well. His son Colin was the sheriff of the town, and his other two sons, she wasn’t sure about. The Canidaes ran the town. She could even say they strong-armed the townspeople. Whatever Thorn said was law. No one went against him. When he’d told them she was in Talkeetna to stay, no one had said otherwise. They weren’t happy. But they didn’t complain. They weren’t afraid of him, but they did defer to him, in any situation. Not like her father’s men, they’d feared him. Back home, people paid to have an audience with her father. No one wanted Roman to make house calls, because if he did, it meant death.

Why do you need a gym? You’re in shape, besides the bum leg, Nerina flinched when he said, ‘bum leg.’

Trying to get waif then is it? Like those sticks in them fancy magazines? Thorn clicked his tongue, eyeing her from head to toe.

Thorneaus Canidae, his wife scolded. Leave the girl be.

Nerina eyed Thorn for a few moments before responding.

I like to be prepared. You never know, I may need saving and I’m not the type of woman to wait around on some man when I can get the job done on my own.

Leave it alone, old man.

Is that right?

Yes, it is, now if you’ll excuse me. She turned down the aisle heading for the condiments. She knew her limp was noticeable, but to have him say it out in the open where she had to acknowledge her weakness pissed her off. She wasn’t some helpless female up on a mountain. She could fight, hard and dirty if she needed to. She was tired of running. If Oscar figured out where she was this time, she was going to stand and fight. To the death if need be.

Half the items in the store she could do without, but knew she had to acclimate. The folks in town already disliked her and that was fine by her, but there was no sense in giving them more reason by asking Thorn to special order items just for her. She could deal. She couldn’t make a decent tortellini or fry up some pork chops, or roast a chicken, but she could at least make a decent breakfast. They had meat, mostly deer and big game, something her stomach was still trying to get used to.

Demon followed her down the aisles as she marked items down on her list. He let out a deep growl as Teak appeared.

Demon, he’s not trying to hurt me.

Demon grunted and walked between her and the boy.

You make it impossible for anyone to approach, Demon, Teak said grinning. He stretched out his arm for a fist bump and Nerina reluctantly returned it, but smiled in doing so. Smiling was something she didn’t do much of anymore. He was a cute kid, probably no more than sixteen, but a tall sixteen. He was at least six two, with hazel eyes, rich brown hair, and a smile she knew the younger girls in town swooned over.

Rina, would you come have cocoa with me at mom’s today, Teak ducked into his jacket, trying to hide his blush. She really didn’t have time for hot cocoa. She was waiting for a phone call. Daar came up to her and nudged her forward, which Nerina knew meant she was encouraging her to join Teak, a direct negation of Demon’s growl. It was like the two dogs were an old married couple. Non-verbal communication went a long way with animals. Consider me the dog whisperer.

Alright, Teak, but only if you promise not to sneak up to my property and spy anymore.

His eyes widened. I don’t— Nerina held up her hands to stop his lie.

Save it kid, I know you watch me when I work out. Daar and Demon know it too.

Demon growled again.

Alright, I promise, Rina.

Nerina looked him dead in the eyes making sure he knew she was serious. I mean it, or I won’t visit you and I’ll close all communication between us down.

Yes, of course. I’m sorry. Can I come up and watch with your permission?

Clever kid. Nerina smiled politely, trying to figure out how to let him down easy. She didn’t have to in the end, because Thorn interrupted their conversation.

Absolutely not, Teak. Do you hear me? Your mom wouldn’t approve and neither would Victor.

Teak slumped further into his jacket.

Yes, grandfather. The words were gritted out.

Thank you, Thorn, I do enjoy my privacy. One of the reasons I moved all the way out here.

Of course, my grandson needs to learn his place. Thorn popped Teak on the back of head, causing the boy to blush further. He obviously didn’t appreciate being treated like a kid.

Her list of supplies almost complete, she continued making her way through the store checking off items. Raven hadn’t called yet. Normally, her childhood friend would have phoned by now. Nerina pulled her sat phone out of her pocket, checking to make sure it was on.

Thorn’s wife met Nerina at the register. Same black hair and violet eyes as her daughter, Cassandra. Both women were beautiful. As Thorn’s wife rang up her bill, Nerina’s phone finally rang.

Nervous, she answered on the second ring.

Hello?

Ciao, Bella.

Nerina took a deep breath. That was code for all clear.

How are things?

Possiamo Parlare? Raven said, asking if they could talk.

Si.

Where are you?

Picking up supplies before the storm comes. What’s going on?

Something was up, but she had a feeling Raven wouldn’t tell her just yet.

You know, the usual. Oscar’s men are looking for you, the girls miss you, and I wish I was there to protect you.

You know I can take care of myself.

Raven was her best friend. Her father had put the two of them together when they’d started working for him. They were both collectors for her father. It wasn’t until they were recruited by Mistress Red, that things had gotten dicey. The Mistress only employed women; and they were all hired assassins. They’d both joined up and together they did the jobs that everyone else was too afraid to touch. Living on the other side of the law did not come without its dangers.

There was a long pause over the line before Raven spoke again.

Go to your father’s villa in Civita. No one would ever think to look there again. It’s been two years, Rina.

No, it’s the first place they’d circle back to. Be smart, Raven. I know my uncle, here is fine. Alaska is growing on me.

Liar. Raven chuckled over the phone. There are only whales and mean ass town folks there. Ain’t enough variety for me. There’s mountain men, and then more mountain men, oh wait and mountain men. Raven said sarcastically.

It was true enough, but Nerina wasn’t looking to get laid.

I’m not looking for a man, Raven.

Give it time. Your double A’s can only treat you good for so long. Nerina could hear the smile in her friend’s voice.

Shut up. Is everything else on the up and up?

Yeah, package coming for you this time tomorrow. When’s the storm coming?

The package wasn’t related to anything friendly. It was probably from the Mistress.

Later in the week, possibly Saturday or Sunday.

Alright, later.

Later.

Nerina turned, bumping into Thorn.

No idea you could speak Italian.

Yes, my father is from Civita and my mother is from the islands.

Thorn nodded his head towards her sat phone.

"Got some pretty expensive equipment there. Don’t see many phones like that up here.

Yeah, cause your town’s a throwback.

She didn’t answer his implied question; instead, she said her goodbyes and walked next door to Cassandra’s bed and breakfast for cocoa with Teak.

VICTOR HEARD the door open to his sister’s bed and breakfast and wrinkled his nose. Human. Nerina Simpson walked through the door bundled from head to toe in protective winter gear. She was of average height, but he could tell she had good weight about her. She pulled off her skull cap and long, curly tresses of dark brown, almost black, hair spilled down her shoulders to rest in the middle of her back. Daar and Demon walked ahead of her into the common area. Her smell was stronger now that she’d taken off her cap and mittens. It was distinct and pleasing. He could see why his nephew was drawn to her. He watched as she took off her jacket and exposed more of her features. Damn, she was beautiful. Her unruly curls fell around her exotic face. She was devoid of any make up and her cheeks were a warm red from the biting wind. It wasn’t until he noticed that her hands were scared that his admiration stopped. His wolf immediately put her at the bottom of the food chain. Prey to his predator.

Eyes the color of aged-whiskey regarded him shrewdly as she pulled the sleeve of her