Page 4 of His Reluctant Mate

Melinda was frozen in place as she witnessed—if only by sound and emotion—the deaths of her friends and colleagues. When the shaft stopped shaking and there was silence, she bowed her head and said a silent prayer for the dead, vowing that she would find a way to honor the lives they had lost. As silently as possible, she began to make her way to the outside world.

After what felt like an eternity, she reached a section of the duct that sloped downward, leading to an old maintenance hatch. Without hands and opposable thumbs, Melinda knew she would be unable to unscrew the bolts that held the hatch in place, but Arctic foxes were much stronger than many believed. Peering through the slits in the metal, Melinda made sure there was no one to see her escape and prevent it. Gearing herself up for what could be painful, Melinda slammed her shoulder into the grate. The opening’s cover gave but did not come off. It took her twice more before the hatch popped off, falling into the snow. She stuck her head out to make sure she was in the clear. Shaking with a mix of exhaustion and adrenaline, she slipped out. The view was as she expected—harsh and unforgiving terrain stretching out under a dark, cloudy sky.

Melinda dropped her bundle and then followed it down from the duct, landing softly on the rough ground outside the facility. The air was cold, biting into her skin—even through her thick fur. She glanced around, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. The research facility loomed behind her, a stark silhouette against the bleak horizon. She knew she had to keep moving, to put as much distance between herself and the impending destruction as possible.

Picking up her bundled clothes and the flash drive, she ran across the open field that surrounded the building, hoping to make it to the relative safety of the forest on the other side. She picked her way carefully over the rocky ground, her mind racing with the implications of what she had overheard. The lives of her colleagues, the fate of the research, all rested on her ability to get to safety and reveal the truth. She stopped for a moment to get a better hold on the bundle of clothing and nuzzled it to ensure nothing had happened to the flash drive nestled within.

Melinda continued her cautious trek, the wind howling around her. The terrain was treacherous, but she pressed on, driven by a fierce resolve. She had escaped the immediate danger, but the journey ahead was fraught with challenges. Every step was a reminder of the peril she faced, but also of the importance of her mission.

As she moved further away from the facility, Melinda allowed herself a brief moment to look back. The facility stood silent and ominous, its secrets still locked within. But she had the key now, the data that could expose everything. She turned away, facing the uncertain path ahead with grim determination. She would survive, and she would make sure the world knew the truth.

Melinda stumbled through the snow, her breath coming in ragged gasps until she reached the trees beyond the clearing that surrounded the research center. The Arctic night pressed in around her, a freezing darkness that threatened to overwhelm her senses. Desperation clawed at her mind, and she knew she needed to escape before Marcus and his men realized she had not been among those they had murdered.

Shaking off the last remnants of her humanity, she darted forward, her paws barely making a sound on the ice. As a fox, she felt a surge of confidence and agility, and the fear that had gripped her moments before faded into the background. She knew the terrain well and navigated it with ease, each step taking her further from the dangers of the research station.

With her heightened senses, she could hear the distant howl of the wind, smell the faint scent of those who might be her pursuers, and see the path ahead clearly despite the darkness. Melinda moved swiftly, her instincts guiding her toward civilization. She would find shelter, regroup, and plan her next move. For now, survival was paramount, and in her new form, she felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.

CHAPTER 3

JOE

Joe led the group of inexperienced hikers through the dense, snow-covered forest, their excited chatter filling the crisp morning air. They were neophytes from the lower forty-eight off one of the cruise ships on a day excursion into the Alaskan wilderness.

Wilderness this wasn’t, but wilderness would probably have killed the whole lot of them. If the guy with the too-white smile, perfectly coiffed hair and designer outerwear complained one more time that his feet hurt, Joe was fairly sure he’d just end him. The trail they were on was well-trodden and ice free, making it safe for beginners. But the thick canopy overhead cast dappled shadows on the path, making it seem more adventurous than it actually was. Joe kept a close eye on the group, ensuring no one lagged behind or wandered off. Most were city folk, inexperienced but eager for a taste of adventure.

That was the thing about Kodiak, you didn’t actually need danger to feel like you were doing something exciting and daring—something you could exaggerate about to your friends back home. Even breathing could be a topic of awe for the tourists as every breath formed small clouds in front of their faces. The snow crunched under their boots, punctuated by their excited chatter as they moved through the otherwise serene, wintry silence.

Joe’s sharp eyes scanned the group. There were eight of them, bundled up in bright jackets and scarves, their faces flushed with excitement and the cold. They were all new to this, clearly thrilled by the adventure. He smiled to himself, remembering his first hike in the wilderness and the sense of awe it had inspired.

“All right, everyone,” Joe called out, his voice carrying easily in the still air. “Keep close and watch your step. It’s an easy trail, but the snow can make things a bit tricky.”

It really couldn’t, but the more the tourists perceived action and adventure, the better. He wanted to deliver a truly fun and safe experience for the cruise passengers as the money from the cruise line was good and the work, for the most part, was fun, lucrative, and easy.

They nodded, following his lead. Joe moved at a steady pace, ensuring no one was left behind. He pointed out various features of the landscape, sharing tidbits of knowledge about the local flora and fauna that managed to thrive in such harsh conditions. The group listened intently, their curiosity evident.

“Over there,” Joe said, pointing to a cluster of snow-laden spruce trees. “That’s where we might spot some Arctic hares. They blend in well, so you have to look closely.”

A murmur of excitement ran through the group as they peered into the trees, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive creatures. Joe watched them with a sense of satisfaction. It was moments like these that made his job rewarding—seeing people connect with nature and experience its wonders firsthand.

As they continued, Joe made sure to check in with everyone, asking how they were feeling and if they needed a break. He knew the importance of keeping spirits high and ensuring everyone was comfortable. The trail might be easy for him, but for beginners, used to walking on well-maintained and trodden trails, it could still be a bit of a challenge.

“Let’s take a quick break,” Joe suggested, leading them to a clearing with a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. “Perfect spot for some photos and a breather.”

The group eagerly complied, pulling out their cameras and snapping pictures of the stunning scenery. Joe took the opportunity to hand out some trail mix and water, reminding everyone to stay hydrated despite the cold.

“Joe, this is incredible,” said one of the hikers, a middle-aged man named Frank. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Joe nodded, a warm feeling spreading through him. “It’s something special, all right. Alaska has a way of showing you just how amazing nature can be.”

They resumed their hike, the group now more confident and enjoying the experience even more. Joe led them through a gentle ascent, pointing out animal tracks in the snow and explaining how to identify them. The sun had passed the mid-point in the sky. As they neared the end of the trail, the group was tired but exhilarated. Joe could see the sense of accomplishment on their faces, the joy of having tackled the wilderness and come out stronger for it.

He was in the middle of explaining the different types of flora when his satellite phone buzzed in his pocket. He ignored the call, intending to get back to whoever it was as soon as he got the hikers back to the trailhead.

“Great job, everyone,” Joe said as they reached the trailhead where transportation back to the cruise ship awaited them. “You’ve all done fantastic. Remember, it’s not about how fast you go, but about enjoying the journey and respecting the environment.”

They thanked him, their gratitude genuine and heartfelt. He was a little surprised at the number of people who pressed money into his hand, telling him this had been the highlight of their cruise experience and promising to come back. Joe felt a deep sense of fulfillment. He had guided them safely through the snowy Alaskan wilderness, sharing with them the beauty and tranquility of the natural world. As they loaded up their gear and headed back to civilization, Joe looked out over the pristine landscape once more, already looking forward to the next adventure.

Pulling his satellite phone out of his pocket, he glanced at the list of recent calls. There weren’t many, but the last one was from Asher Wells, a good friend and wolf-shifter, but also the head of the park rangers in this area. Joe’s stomach tightened with unease. Asher had known he was leading one of the hikes for the cruise ship and wouldn’t have called unless it was important.

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