Page 33 of Blades of Ice

While in town, he bought snowshoes and goggles, insulated pants and waterproof jackets for both of them, a paper map, and provisions needed to remain in the snow-covered area for a week. Beck prayed to the goddess it wouldn’t take them that long to find whoever had called, whether it was Chloe or Amara. After loading two large backpacks, they took a car back to the marina. The storm had blown through quickly, and even though therewere flurries in the air, he could get them closer to the area to be searched. If he could have traveled directly to the bay, it would have taken about ten minutes, but there was a land mass in the way, so he sailed around it, instructing Lydia as he did, then dropping anchor after half an hour.

Getting to land was a pain in the ass. They removed their clothes down to their underwear and stored them in one of the packs. Even though he could shift with his on, they would still be wet if he did so in the water. He climbed down onto the float, and Lydia passed him one of the packs. Beck held onto the wing strut with one hand and flung the bag to dry land with the other. After tossing the second pack, he helped Lydia down from the cabin. Beck slid into the icy bay and shifted. He then paddled next to the float, and Lydia climbed onto his back.

“Holy fucking hell.” Lydia straddled his body and leaned forward, tucking her feet onto his back. With his mate secure, Beck paddled toward land. He used his long claws to pull himself out of the water, then stopped by the bag containing their clothes. Lydia slid to the ground, her teeth chattering. Beck shifted to his skin, and pulled out their clothes along with a towel to dry her feet and legs. Only when she was bundled in her parka, beanie, and gloves did Beck get dressed. He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back, trying to impart as much heat as possible.

When Lydia assured him that she was as warm as she was going to get, they donned their goggles and set out. Since cell phone coverage was spotty at best, Beck had circled the coordinates on the paper map. It was slow-going over the deep snow, with neither of them having worn snowshoes before, but they got the hang of it. Through the cold, snow, and ice, his mate was a trooper. Even when she had to squat to pee, not once did she complain.

“How the hell did whoever called end up in the mountains?” Lydia asked as they stopped after a couple of hours. She shoved her goggles up and rubbed her eyes.

“I was wondering that. If it was before the snowstorm, they could have used a helicopter.”

“Lucky them.”

“We can turn back, Sugar. I know you’re tough, but this is more than even I bargained for.”

Lydia took a sip of water from their canteen. “No. I’m fine.” She tucked the container away, then tugged her eye protection into place. “Let’s go.”

As they continued, Beck checked the map often to ensure they were headed the most direct route while traversing the rugged terrain. In truth, it was to give Lydia a break to hydrate and munch on protein bars.

She wadded up a wrapper. “You know—”

“Shhh.” Beck held his right hand over hers and pointed with the left. When she caught sight of the wolf, Lydia whispered as she lowered her arm, and her bracelet turned into a short sword.

“Whoa, Sugar. He’s not going to get close to us. Watch.” The animal stopped, turned to stare at them, then trotted off. Lydia kept her eyes trained on the grey wolf as it trekked across the snow.

“Even if you and I weren’t something other than human, he wouldn’t have attacked.”

Lydia returned the sword to her wrist. “Is there a guidebook? I’m all about learning new things, especially when those things are lessons on how not to get eaten in the wild.” Beck took the wrapper from her hand, grinning. “It’s not funny, Bear.” He leaned forward and pecked her lips. “Don’t think kisses will get you out of everything.”

“No?” Beck tugged her closer and really kissed her. She huffed against his mouth, but soon, she opened for him, andtheir tongues melded sensually. When they came up for air, he was no longer smiling. He momentarily forgot how turned on he got, and now his dick was hard.

“That’s cheating,” she whispered, pressing her thigh against his erection.

“Not when I’m the one suffering.” Beck stepped around her and stuffed the wrapper into her backpack, slung it on his shoulder, and inclined his head. “Shall we continue?”

Lydia arched a brow. “With the trek or that?” She pointed at his crotch.

“Now who isn’t playing fair?”

Lydia winked, pulled her goggles down, and shuffled off. Beck blew out a breath and followed. Damn, his mate was something.

Over the next few miles, he shifted several times and ran ahead, scouting the area. Beck took them around tall peaks when lower ground was possible, even if it meant extra time. It was going on four when he found a place to stop for the night. They were nearing the halfway point to their destination, but they would run out of daylight soon. As tired as Beck was, his mate had to be exhausted. While he set up their tent, Lydia unpacked sandwiches and chips. Since the tent was barely large enough for them to sleep in, Beck spread the waterproof blanket over the snowy ground, and they sat to eat their dinner while watching the sun sink below the mountain tops.

“Wow. I’ve seen some spectacular sunsets, but that’s breathtaking.”

Even better than the show nature blessed them with was his mate. She hadn’t bothered with makeup that morning, and she was more striking without it. Her natural beauty was a gift, one Beck would thank the goddess for every day. Not that he was shallow. Beck was more concerned with a female’s inner beauty, and unlike Heather, Lydia had that in spades. He appreciatedher kind heart, her loyalty to her Clan, and her determination to help him find his mother.

“Let’s get some sleep,” Beck suggested. They packed their dinner wrappings in a zip-lock bag, which Beck shoved back in the pack. He then shook out the blanket and rolled it up to use as a pillow. He ushered Lydia into the tent. It was a tight fit with them and their bags, but they made it work. Lydia removed her parka and boots, and was about to slide into the sleeping bag clothed, but Beck stopped her. “I know it’s cold outside, but our body heat is going to keep us toasty tonight.”

“You just want me naked,” she joked as she removed her thermal-lined hiking pants.

“You caught me.” Beck winked, knowing she’d see him with her shifter sight. He did want to sleep skin-to-skin, but he wasn’t wrong about not needing clothes to keep them comfortable. Once they were both inside the two-person bag, he zipped it, then pulled his mate into his arms.

“Thank you for being here.”

Lydia rubbed her fingertips across his chest. “I know I’m more of a hindrance than help, but I couldn’t stand the thought of you being out here alone while I sat back at the rental.”

There was that kind heart again, and Beck fell a little more for his mate. It wouldn’t take long until he was completely in love with her. That was one of the reasons Beck admired Dooley’s relationship with Kennedy. The couple was head-over-heels for one another, and Beck wanted that for himself. He had no idea if Lydia was falling too, but he would do everything he could to ensure she did.

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