Phantom Warriors Volume 1 (Novel length) Read online

  “Yep,” Caitlin said automatically, knowing it wasn’t the truth. She hadn’t checked the kitchen yet, but she couldn’t imagine there’d be much in the cabinets. Food tended to attract bears. And she was pretty sure all she had in her pack were a couple of protein bars.

  “Hang on, my phone just beeped,” Allie said. A second later she returned. “Whoa! Is that the crazy mountain man? Mike is so not going to be happy, when he sees this.”

  Caitlin sighed. “He’s not crazy. Geez, give me a little credit. Please don’t show the picture to Mike.” Even as she said the words, Caitlin knew it was only a matter of time before her friend spilled the beans. Allie had never been able to keep a secret. Not that Arctos was a secret, but still…

  “Who cares if he’s crazy if he looks like that!” Allie said. “I swear you have all the luck.”

  Caitlin flushed. “I wouldn’t exactly call this situation lucky. I was almost eaten by a polar bear and now I’m trapped in a cabin with a stranger.”

  “If I were you, I’d make the best of it, even if it is his place. He’s yummy. I bet his got a big—”

  “I’m not…It’s not like that,” Caitlin said, cutting Allie off before she could finish that statement. Who knew how many people were standing around her, listening in. “Pull your brain out of the gutter. He’s not interested in me and I’m not interested in him. We’re just riding out the storm together.”

  “You could always get him interested. With a body like that, I bet it wouldn’t take much,” Allie said.

  “I can’t,” she said.

  Allie snorted. “That’s a shame. Truly a waste a perfectly good man. Sometimes Cat, if I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you were a nun in a past life. You need to try to loosen up and live a little. You can start by doing him.”

  “Thanks for the advice, mom. I’ll keep it in mind—for when I get back to town.”

  A deep male voice interrupted before Allie could respond. “Hey darlin’, want to dance?”

  “Hey yourself,” Allie purred.

  “Sounds like Rob has found you,” Caitlin said, rolling her eyes.

  Despite her friend’s assertions, Caitlin wasn’t uptight. She was choosy. There was a difference, even if it didn’t exist in Allie’s world. Just because she didn’t jump every man who made a play for her didn’t mean that there was something wrong with her. She went out with plenty of men. Just the other day she’d gone out for coffee with Michael. Okay, so maybe Allie had been there, too, but it had been pleasant.

  So maybe it had been a while since Caitlin had dated someone steadily. And so what if she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a man spend the night. She had been busy working, trying to build her career. Dating didn’t pay the bills. And neither did photography apparently.

  Allie should be grateful that she’d agreed to meet Mike for another date. It hadn’t exactly been on her list of priorities. He was a nice enough guy. Said all the right things and made all the right moves. Definitely more her type than Arctos, but there’d been something missing. There wasn’t that indefinable spark that promised passion. Since Caitlin wasn’t looking for any other promises from a man that spark was absolutely mandatory.

  “Hon, I have to go,” Allie said. Caitlin could hear Rob pouring on the charm in the background. “Sure you’re going to be okay?”

  She glanced at Arctos. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Just remember to tell Mike that I’m sorry.”

  “Here, I’ll let you tell him yourself,” Allie said, then giggled.

  “No!” she shouted.

  “Hello?” Mike said.

  Caitlin stared at the phone as if it had suddenly grown purple tentacles. How could Allie do this to her? “Uh-hi Mike,” she said, plotting how to kill her friend.

  “Where are you?” he asked. “I thought you’d be here by now. You didn’t forget did you?” Hurt colored his tone.

  She tapped her forehead with the cellphone, then crossed her fingers. “No, I didn’t forget.” The lie slipped from her lips. Caitlin didn’t want to hurt his feelings anymore than she had to. “I’m stuck in the snow,” she said, glancing at Arctos.

  No longer fascinated by the storm raging outside, he’d turned his attention to her, his expression unreadable.

  “I was really looking forward to seeing you again,” Mike said.

  Caitlin walked across the small space toward the kitchen. “Yeah, me, too. Sorry.”

  “Where are you?” he asked.

  Why did everyone want to know where she was? “I’m in a cabin. Had to get out of the storm.”

  “Are you close? I could come pick you up. I have a snowmobile at the house,” he said, sounding hopeful.

  “Um, that’s okay. It’s really blowing out there. I don’t want you getting caught out in the storm, too” she said. “Let’s just plan to get together when I get back to town.”

  Undeterred, he said, “I don’t mind. Just tell me where you are and give me an hour. I’ll come get you.”

  A large hand closed over hers, disconnecting the call before she could answer. “Hey! Why did you do that?” Caitlin turned to find a very unhappy looking Arctos glowering at her.

  * * * * *

  Arctos watched her beneath heavy lids, rage simmering below his calm surface. He’d listened carefully to the conversation. Partly to gain insight into the woman that he’d saved, but mainly to see if the partial bond had begun to take effect.

  He hadn’t been prepared for Allie’s hurtful allegations, but he understood why she’d made them. Caitlin was her friend. She wanted to protect her. Not surprising. He would’ve dismissed the whole conversation had it not been for Allie next words.

  Caitlin had been promised to another male tonight. And not just any male. One named Michael.

  The anger over the news struck like a blow to the head, leaving him dizzy and more than a little confused. It had taken every fiber of Arctos’ being to control his shift, when his instincts demanded that he hunt this ‘Mike’ down and destroy him.

  The urge was made worse by the fact that Caitlin had dismissed him outright, and then made plans to see the male upon her return. He could’ve handled all that, but then the male in question spoke. He planned to come and take Caitlin away. Arctos couldn’t allow that to happen. Not now. Not ever.

  Arctos hadn’t realized that he’d moved until his hand closed over hers, effectively ending the call. It shouldn’t matter that Caitlin wasn’t interested in him in that way, but it did. He wasn’t used to being dismissed by females. Quite the opposite in fact. Women found his appearance appealing and were quite eager to share his bed. Well, all but one woman. The most important one. His mate. Arctos stared at Caitlin, hoping to read her thoughts.

  Maybe she’s not yours, the thought gave voice to his fear.

  She shifted under his regard and crossed her arms over her chest. Her defensive posture only stoked his anger and sudden insecurity.

  Arctos opened his mouth to tell her the truth about what had happened today. Guilt stilled his tongue. How could he explain that he’d not only taken away her future by saving her life, but soon he’d be taking her away from this planet? He couldn’t. Not yet.

  He wandered over to the lone window at the front of the cabin. Snow fell in sheets, blotting out the growing darkness. Somewhere out there Michael was waiting for her. Did she love him? The thought lanced his hearts. How could he live with a mate that longed for another? Would fate be so cruel? Arctos sighed and glanced back at Caitlin. In the end, it would not matter for she was his now. The bond could not be broken.

  Arctos allowed himself to take one last long look at her. Huddled by the kitchen, she appeared so tiny and defenseless. Anger had brought color back to her face, giving her cheeks a rosy glow. Perhaps not so defenseless, he mused.

  At some point, she’d pulled her hat off. Her tangle of golden hair glistened in the firelight like the myriad of stars that surrounded Zaron. He longed to run his fingers through it. To feel its softness once more.<
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  “If you wanted me off the phone, all you had to do was say so,” she said, avoiding his gaze. “Thanks to that little stunt, Michael is going to be worried sick. I wouldn’t be surprised if he puts together a search party to come find me.”

  He could try, but there was no way Arctos would let the man anywhere near her. The Goddess might not have spoken, but his actions had sealed their fate. Something primal rose inside of him, snarling and growling, determined to fight to keep its claim. Arctos watched her closely, then quietly said, “He would be a fool to start a search in these conditions.” Though he knew that had their positions been reversed that he’d stop at nothing to find her.

  “Mike’s not a fool. He’s a very smart man. In fact, he’s a teacher,” she said. “It was rude of you to hang up on him.”

  “I didn’t,” he said. “You did.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “I did no such thing.”

  “He did not know of my existence. He will believe that you acted of your own freewill.”

  She snorted. “By now, he knows all about you, including what you look like. Allie’s probably shown your picture to everyone at the party,” she said, her gray eyes melting into worry.

  Good! Arctos was glad that Mike knew, but he made sure not to show it.

  Caitlin glanced his way. “Maybe I should phone him back and try to explain.”

  “And tell him what?” Arctos asked. “That you intend to spend the night with me? Perhaps the males here react differently than where I’m from, but I would not like to hear that my mate was staying with another man,” he said. “Even if it was a man that she has no interest in.” His voice dropped to dangerous levels, all but daring her to deny the truth.

  So much for being stealth on the phone. Yay me.

  Her jaw opened and closed a few times as one excuse after another flitted through her mind. In the end, Caitlin groaned in frustration. “I liked you better when I was asleep,” she snapped.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Three

  Caitlin slipped off her mittens and unzipped her coat, revealing a pink, form-fitting long-sleeved shirt. She dropped the coat and gloves into a nearby chair, then unlaced her boots and toed them off, before shimming out of the bottom of her snowsuit. The movement so similar to the moment she’d made when he’d first come upon her. Those softly rounded globes once again had his full attention.

  Arctos’ mouth went dry as he feasted upon the lush curves hidden beneath her protective clothing. He’d known they were there, but he’d greatly underestimated their scale and impact on his senses. His nostrils flared as he inhaled. Her sweet musky scent had returned, banishing the sourness that had arose during her phone conversation. The delicious aroma now permeated the small space, leaving him hard and aching. Self-preservation made him retreat.

  “I’ll get us some food,” he said in a low rumble. He hoped the hint of anger disguised his true condition.

  Caitlin flinched. “Do you want me to check the kitchen first?” she asked, pointing to the cabinets behind her. “Could save you a trip.”

  “I already have. There’s no meat,” he said. “It contains something called beans, but there’s not enough to sustain us if the snow continues to fall.” Arctos rushed past her. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “Wait!” Caitlin grabbed his arm before he made it to the door.

  His whole body tensed at her gentle touch and didn’t relax until she released him. Arctos forced his gaze to meet hers. Big grey eyes locked with his and something inside of him melted. “You have nothing to fear from me. I am not crazy,” he said, before he could stop himself.

  “I know.” Caitlin’s cheeks bloomed with color. “Sorry that you heard that. Allie can be pretty dramatic, but you didn’t have to hang up on Mike. It wasn’t his fault. He was only trying to help.”

  He nodded and started to leave, but she stopped him again. Arctos swallowed hard and desperately tried to ignore the warmth from her fingers seeping into his arm.

  “Be careful. Okay? You don’t want to have to tangle with another polar bear,” she said, glancing into the darkness. The sharp tang from her fear burned his nostrils.

  Arctos grinned. He couldn’t help it. She may not want him, but she was worried about him. It was a start. He’d never had anyone worry about him. Not since he’d come of age.

  Her concern was unwarranted, yet it still warmed his two hearts. He brushed her face with the back of his knuckles. Arctos didn’t know why he’d done it, only that he couldn’t resist. He’d needed to touch her like he needed his next breath.

  Caitlin quivered on contact, but made no move to get away.

  Interesting…

  Arctos slowly pulled his hand back, his fingers tingling from where they’d touched. “Do not fear for my safety, Little Cat,” he said. “Any bear should know better than to tangle with me.”

  * * * * *

  Caitlin’s face glowed with the fire of a thousand suns as she watched him melt into the darkness. Even though the cabin was tiny, she had hoped that Arctos hadn’t heard her mainly whispered conversation with Allie.

  Sure her friend had brought up a lot of good points. Caitlin didn’t know anything about Arctos, including his last name, but he wasn’t crazy. Rude maybe, but not crazy. Why had he hung up the phone on Michael? It didn’t make sense. Maybe he was just tired of listening to her talk about him. Okay, so maybe she had been the rude one.

  The fact that he’d told her that she had nothing to fear only made her embarrassment worse. He’d looked so hurt when he said it. God, she sucked. Talk about ungrateful.

  Caitlin covered her face with her hands and shook her head. Somehow she’d managed to hurt two men’s feelings in one day. First Mike and now Arctos. It had to be some kind of record. She stared at the cellphone and thought once more about phoning Michael back.

  Arctos was right. What would she say to him if she did call? Hey, I’m spending the night with a hot mountain man. I’ll catch you later. So not going to happen. She’d just have make it up to Mike once she got back to town. Her heart sank. Suddenly the idea of seeing him again didn’t seem as appealing as it had before. What was wrong with her? She’d never been fickle in her life. It had to be the stress of the day. She’d worry about it, worry about him later.

  She had more important matters to consider…like how she was going to apologize to Arctos. There had to be something she could do to make it up to him. He’d saved her life after all.

  Caitlin glanced around the small cabin. Her gaze locked on the two cupboards at the back of the room. He’d mentioned something about beans. She crossed the few steps it took to reach the kitchen and threw open the cupboard doors. One held plates, a few cups, a thermos, and silverware. The other had some coffee, a few cans of chili, beans and dried noodles. More than enough for a meal.

  “Chili-mac it is,” she said, racing into the other room to retrieve the cast-iron pot.

  Pot in hand, Caitlin stared at the door to the cabin as she slipped her boots back on. As much as she wanted to avoid going outside, there was no way around it. She needed snow. She forced herself to cross the room and open the door. Wind whipped her hair around, temporarily blinding her.

  Caitlin pushed it aside and scanned the darkness for predators, but it was impossible to see in whiteout conditions. How would Arctos find his way back? Her heart leapt into her throat, choking off her air. What if he was lost in the blizzard? What if he was lying out there now, freezing to death? Don’t think about it. He said he’d be fine.

  She clung to that assurance as panic wrapped its vicious fingers around her neck. He’ll be back. He has to come back. Caitlin forced her feet to move. She quickly filled the pot, packing it tight with snow, then slipped back inside, slamming the door behind her. Tears welled in her eyes. She scrubbed them away.

  Get a hold of yourself.

  She waddled under the weight of the big pot as she made her way to the fire. A small hook inside the fireplace poked out of the bric
k. Caitlin hadn’t noticed it before, but there was no doubt what it was used for. She hooked the pot handle over the hook, added a couple of logs, and waited for the snow to melt.

  Within an hour, she’d downed five cups of coffee and bitten all her nails to stumps. More time passed. Caitlin had never been good at waiting. She much preferred action to sitting around. The wait would’ve been bad enough, but coupled with worry, it became interminable. Caitlin couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this worried. Not even when Allie had called her and she’d thought there’d been an accident had she been this concerned.

  Why? Something was definitely wrong with her. She barely knew Arctos. In truth, she didn’t know him at all. Yes, he’d saved her life. And yes, she was grateful, but he was a stranger. So why all the fear and panic? Was this some kind of weird Stockholm syndrome? It just didn’t make sense.

  The door handle giggled and her heart jumped. A second later the wooden door swung open. Arctos looked like a ghost coming in from out of the snow. Without his snowsuit, he would be impossible to spot…just like the polar bears. A shudder ran through her.

  Arctos walked into the room and dropped two large rabbits onto the floor. Their eyes met briefly, then he looked at the table she’d set and frowned. Not exactly the reaction she’d been hoping for. It didn’t bode well for the apology she had planned.

  Caitlin looked down at the plate in front of her. The setting wasn’t fancy, but she’d taken care to make it as nice as possible. She had found a clean sheet in a trunk in the bedroom and some candles in the bathroom. Caitlin used the sheet as a tablecloth and lit one of the candles, placing it in a glass to create a pseudo-centerpiece. It was in no way fancy, but she’d thought it looked nice.

  Arctos shut the door behind him, but otherwise hadn’t moved from the entryway. “What is this?” he asked, in obvious confusion.

  “Dinner,” Caitlin said, her voice losing some of the confidence she’d felt earlier. “I wanted to apologize for earlier.”