Page 15 of Protected By Her Wolves

Amara moaned in his arms as his feet pounded the ground. He had to get her to safety, though he feared nowhere out here was safe while they were being hunted in the middle of a hostile wasteland.

* * *

Luc

Russians. They werehunting Russians on their soil. Luc could still hardly believe it, but according to intel, these five Russians had disembarked from a submarine a few days ago, and after they had acquired snowmobiles, they had begun to circle the area where the trackers trained. Most of the trackers had remained at camp, so as not to alert the Russians, but three squads had begun to track the spies. Luc’s squad made up of eight trackers, the Thunderpaws, took the eastern quadrant and the Bravespirit squad took the western quadrant while the Graywolf squad followed the Russians from the south.

Nose to the ground, Luc followed several distinct scents converging into one. The polar bear was hard to miss. Even from the bear’s scent, Luc could get a visual image. He was sick and hungry, an old bear whose many injuries slowed him down, judging by his uneven tracks. He wouldn’t last another winter if he wasn’t dead already. Luc knew from experience that sick bears could be even more dangerous than healthy bears, for they were more desperate for a meal, and would settle for anything, even a lone wolf, which was why the trackers weren’t to go off on their own for any reason.

The other five scents were more distinct—humans, all men ages twenty to thirty. Their scents were odd, reminding him of the Russians they’d encountered on their way to Romania. He smelled the gas from their snowmobiles, the tang of their vodka, the leather of their boots, and the wool in their caps. He also scented the coppery smell of electronics. They’d brought computers and other equipment. Had the Amaroki trackers, the American Army’s secret weapon, been compromised? The Russians were young and fit, selected, no doubt, for their ability to survive in harsh conditions. They wouldn’t be easy to kill, but Luc wouldn’t hesitate to rip out their throats if the spies threatened his soldiers.

Even though the trackers couldn’t communicate through thought, as only brother packs could mind-speak each other, they had a reliable way to talk using howls. Luc threw back his head and let out a warning howl when the final scent assailed him, the brutal frost of a winter storm, and it was approaching at an alarming rate.

Knowing they needed to act fast, he started digging out a hole in the ground, and the other trackers helped him. After they finished carving out their den, they curled up inside just as the wind picked up. The Russians could wait. Maybe, if they were lucky, the spies would perish in the storm, or the polar bear would get them. He worried about his pregnant mate and brother, but the helicopter pilots had lots of experience and would simply fly around the storm. Still, an uneasy feeling gnawed at his gut like a wolf with a bone, and he couldn’t shake the fear that his loved ones were in danger.

Chapter Five

Amara

Cradled in the armsof her big, furry protector, Amara woke to the sound of howling wind. She blinked up at Drasko. Ice clung to his furry face, dripping off his jowls in frozen streams. His heavy brow drawn down, determination lit his eyes while he trudged through a misty sea of white.

Where were they?

A shiver stole up her spine as she pressed against him, the brown fur on his chest having turned silver with glistening icicles.Drasko, what happened?she asked through thought.

Our helicopter was shot down. He frowned down at her.Are you okay?

Shot down?I’m cold.She worked hard to keep her teeth from chattering as the frigid air permeated her bones. She felt like a human popsicle. Her coat and jeans were both dusted with snow, and her hands and feet were numb.You?

I’m fine. There’s a forest ahead.He nodded to something in the distance.I’ll find us shelter soon.

Why would someone shoot at us?

He kept his gaze focused ahead.I don’t know.

Though her hands were stiff, she managed to pull her hood lower over her eyes in an attempt to shield her face from the stream of snow that hit her head-on.What happened to the pilots?

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