Fantasy Lynxed [Teeth, Nails and Tails] - Brynn Paulin

[raone453k]

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It took Summer almost an hour to find a warm parka, hat, gloves and a backpack at the house, then stow a few days’ worth of provisions. All the while, a pervading sadness clawed at her. She had to go, but her body kept begging her not to. It wanted to fuck Mika and Bar one—or twelve hundred—more times. And it was so tempting to fall into that. Their strong arms around her had filled her with a sensation of protection and belonging she hadn’t had since before her mother had died and her father had shut her out of his emotions. But she couldn’t fall prey to sentiment. Fending for herself, taking care of herself had gotten her far. If there was anyone she could rely on, it was herself. Deep down, she knew Kelsey and Emmie needed her to be strong and find help. Her desire for the men who insisted she was their mate didn’t matter. It was mere chemical reaction and nothing more. Forcing steel into her spine, she surveyed her gear. Walking out of here might border on foolhardy, but she didn’t feel as if she had a choice. What worried her most were the freezing overnight temperatures. But that just meant she had to be prepared. At least, there was no snow. Her jaw set, she stuffed extra clothes in a plastic rucksack, wishing she had extra jeans. After stowing the bag in the backpack, along with the food, a canteen and matches, she attached the thick sleeping bag she’d also found on the shelf— but not before stuffing an extra blanket in the roll.

It would still be cold, but that would help. She almost cheered when she found a small tarp in the storage area off the kitchen. A windbreak. Perfect. Summer… She startled to hear Mika’s voice in her head. Steeling herself, she stepped out the back of the house with her gear in place and her winter clothing somewhat disguising her identity—she hoped. She knew full well she had to skirt the town to get to the east. Summer, please. Don’t do this. It’s too dangerous. Wait until we get home. There was a pause before Mika added, We’ll talk. Right. She believed that. They’d woo her right back into their bed. She only hoped their voices would fade from her head with time and a whole lot of distance. Summer, damn it! No! Bar swore, and she ignored him. Her head started to throb as a strange feline howling set up inside it.

Fillion wasn’t answering his damn phone. Bar turned off the screen of his cell and cursed his brother. The one time they needed him in communication, he’d left his phone off. Bar had tried Mollie, Buck and, finally, Orvie next door. No one had answered. It’d been over an hour since he and Mika had realized Summer’s plans, but they couldn’t raise anyone to help them. They desperately needed someone in Caribou Run to stop her before she went too far. “Call your mom,” he told Mika, who’d been pacing back and forth in the empty conference room while Bar had tried to reach Fillion. His cluster mate’s hair stood on end from continually driving his fingers through it. Bar dropped a hand on Mika’s shoulder. “If she’s still at the airport, maybe she can catch my brother before he takes off for Barrow. Try her again.” She’d been one of the first ones they’d tried when they’d first been unable to reach Fillion. “Sure.” Dark circles shadowed the skin beneath Mika’s eyes, and Bar knew his friend was exhausted. He’d been mentally calling out to Summer this whole time, but she’d managed to somehow tune him out. Or she was remarkably good at ignoring her mates. Nuliaba abnaba, Bar pleaded while Mika was on the phone. You’re hurting Mika. You’re hurting me. Do you want that? I’m sorry, came her quiet reply then silence again. Even across the miles separating them, he felt her pain. She didn’t really want to go. She just thought it was her only option, what she was supposed to do. Just stay. Talk to us about this. I can’t…

He was so focused on her, he startled when his phone rang. “Bro, what’s up?” Fillion asked jovially. “I’ve gotta tell you that mate of yours… Real firecracker. Almost took my head off—” “She left.” “What?” “She left. On foot.” “Gods,” Fillion breathed. They all knew the rigors and dangers of the land around Caribou Run. Even seasoned hunters from their village had been injured by the treacherous terrain and unexpected precipices. “I’ll go after her—” “No, come and get us.” “But—” “The quickest way to track her is as lynx. You won’t be able to communicate with her, and you know seeing a giant wild cat will probably terrify her. She’s still recovering from the crash. I’m sure that will slow her down.” “What about your meeting?” Fillion persisted. “It’s done. They’re cutting back, but Mika and I are safe for now. It doesn’t matter, not with our mate in danger. Come and get us. We can follow her scent and her thoughts, and you’d be hunting blind. If we have to, we can keep her warm once the sun sets. She…she needs to know what we are anyway.” “And now, when she’s running is a good time for that?” his brother asked in disbelief, not pointing out that as a shifter, his scent-tracking abilities were top notch. “Just come get us.” Bar snapped. He shut off his phone and refocused on Summer as he gave Mika a sharp nod to let him know Fillion was on his way.

Though it was difficult, he tried to see through Summer’s eyes, to see where she was. She was heading east, that much he knew. But how far would she be before they could get to her? The flight between Caribou Run and Fairbanks was three hours round trip. The only thing that calmed him was the advantage of his and Mika’s shifter abilities. He didn’t like her out there alone, but he knew this was the best choice. They would find her then there would be hell to pay…and somewhere in there, they’d convince her, she truly belonged with them.