Page 2 of Knot a Chance in Hell

Kienna: Duh!

Aubrielle: Hi! How was the flight, N?

I closed my eyes, imagining being back in our dorm room together. The four of us were immensely close. I missed them a lot since we’d graduated from St. Anne’s School for Girls. We got together often, but now that I was going to live in the middle of nowhere….

Flight was scary. Little planes and I don’t mix. And no, I don’t have a number for anyone here. I asked the pilot about calling an Uber and he said they don’t have any in Petersburg.

Kienna: Crazy.

Callista: They know you’re coming. Someone will be there soon.

Aubrielle: Yeah, you’ll be okay. We’ll keep you company.

If I could hug them, I would. I glanced outside as the plane turned on the runway and sped up to takeoff. The younger man who had greeted us hadn’t returned to the terminal. I pulled my coat more snugly around me before typing.Thanks. You guys are the best.

Kienna: We know. We’re here for you, N.

Aubrielle: Always.

Callista: I bet it’s pretty up there with the mountains and forest.

Kienna: Says the girl from Oregon. What N needs is a beach vacation. Think we could do Thanksgiving in Fiji?

Fiji was one of my favorite places. I didn’t know if I could get away so soon, as it was the beginning of November, but I already wanted to scream yes.Maybe?

Callista: New Year would be better. I already have Thanksgiving plans.

Kienna: Bring your hunks. They can serve us drinks and cool us with big feathery fans.

Aubrielle: My dad and I are traveling for Thanksgiving too. New Year would be better.

Kienna: Party [poop emoji]

A car door slammed outside, and I jumped to my feet. The moment was here. My heart was suddenly pounding. What would Kodiak look like? Would he be scruffy like the bear he was named after or hot like a model? Most importantly, would we be compatible?

I swiftly typed.Gotta go. He’s here.

My friends were responding as I pocketed the phone and made certain my hair wasn’t in my face. We were taught at school that first impressions were important. I’d worn my cute fur trimmed boots and skinny jeans with an emerald colored short jacket that made my dancer’s legs look even longer than they were.

I waited, calming my breathing.

No one came to the door. Gusts of wind rattled the windows. Where was Kodiak? I didn’t imagine the door slam.

My heart started to race. What if that was the guy who had been working here and he was leaving? I’d be completely alone.

I rushed to the door and twisted the lever. The wind blew it inward, and I stumbled back a step. In less than a blink of my eyes, a huge wolf was running at me. Its mouth opened as it leapt and plowed right into me.

CHAPTER TWO – Nicolette

My scream was cut off as I fell backward onto the floor with the animal on top of me. Five minutes in Alaska, and I was going to be mauled by a ferocious beast. I thrust my hands toward it, but it was stronger. It forced its massive head between my arms and came straight at my face.

Licking me. With a big slobbery tongue.

And hot breath that smelled like old meat.

“Atka!” A gruff woman’s voice snapped. “Get off that woman!”

Not a wolf. A dog. A huge furball of a dog. It wiggled and whined and continued to nose my hands out of the way so it could lap at my cheeks.

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