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  “Are you bringing the gun?” she asked.

  “No, I wasn’t planning on it. Why? I thought it made you too nervous.”

  “Well, yeah. It did. When I thought you might use it to shoot people. But I’m not about to hike in woods in the wilds of Canada without one. What if we run across a grizzly?”

  “We’ll leave it alone and it’ll most likely leave us alone.” He tossed the mostly empty carry-on bag onto the bed and opened it.

  “Most likely?” She pushed the larger suitcase onto its back and reluctantly opened it. She hated to leave all her belongings behind, but perhaps after it was all over, she could call the hotel and ask them to ship them home? That was an idea. She could live with that. She pulled out the warmest pieces she’d brought with her, along with some underwear, and packed them into the smaller bag.

  “I’m just thinking the gun is a bad idea,” Tarik said, as he set about pacing again. “I wouldn’t want to get caught by border patrol armed on public lands. It isn’t hunting season. I could be arrested. It’s bad enough we’re illegally crossing the border. Besides, I doubt I could shoot someone. No, it’s better if we leave it behind. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I read about a grizzly attack in the paper. Outside of…you know.”

  Was he telling her the truth or telling her what he thought she wanted to hear? Being totally ignorant of animals while vacationing in Alaska was a bit of a complication. “Okayyyy.” When she’d stuffed as much as she could into the small suitcase, she zipped it closed and nodded toward the door. “I’m ready. I guess.” She didn’t sound ready.

  Standing like a sentry next to the door, he caught her shoulders in his hands and looked into her eyes. “Trust me. I’ll keep you safe. No matter what.”

  She believed him. After giving him a nod and a weak smile she said, “Let’s go.” She followed him out into the dark night.

  * * * *

  “Okay. You were right. I’m dying,” Abby admitted after her suitcase became snagged once again on a fallen log. North-west Canada’s forests weren’t as scrubby as Michigan’s. The shrubs growing under the trees weren’t as dense, but there were lots and lots of other obstacles to stumble over as one made their way in the dark. And her having never been the outdoorsy-type, she was that much less equipped to handle the strain. They’d been walking for what was probably less than an hour and already she felt like it had been days. She had a new respect for pioneer women who’d traveled on foot to parts unknown. They were clearly made of stronger stuff than she was.

  Probably wore better shoes though too.

  Tarik, being the gentleman that he was, offered once again to carry her bag. But she was stubborn and wouldn’t accept his help. After all, she’d been the one to insist on taking the stupid thing in the first place. Why should she be a sissy and make him lug it around for her? She was no diva. She was a girl who took care of herself. Paid her share. Carried her own luggage.

  Even if it was going to kill her.

  “Wait. I just need to get a better grip.” She stopped walking and pulled blindly at the stuck bag while cursing fallen trees and the lack of a full moon or flashlight. When it didn’t break free, she added another round of colorful curses.

  “Give me that,” Tarik barked, sounding more amused than angry. He snatched the handle out of her hand and yanked it away from her before she could stop him.

  “Hey! I was getting it.”

  “You’re too damn stubborn for your own good.”

  “I’ve had a few people tell me that. Now give it back.” Almost completely blind, she lunged in the general direction of his voice. She found nothing but air. “Where’d you go?”

  “Here.” His hand, big and warm and reassuring, closed around hers and he pulled her gently forward. “Take small steps. There are some tree roots here. I don’t want you to fall.”

  “Thanks.” It was a whole lot easier going without the added burden of the suitcase, on top of the challenge of walking in the dark in unfamiliar territory. “I promise I’ll carry it once we get out of these woods. I can’t see a thing.”

  “Really?” He sounded genuinely surprised. “You can’t see anything?”

  “Nothing. That surprises you?”

  “I can see fine,” he said, sounding bewildered. “I guess I never realized I was different from other people…outside of maybe being a little stronger than some of the other kids when I was younger.”

  She wasn’t about to tell him he was easy at least twice as strong as any man she’d ever dated. And she hadn’t dated one hundred-pound weaklings either. Jack had spent more than his share of time in the gym pumping the proverbial iron. Of course, he had pumped more than that, she’d learned sometime later. But that was beside the point.

  No, it was clear by the tone of Tarik’s voice that he yearned to feel normal, like he was no different from any other man on the planet. Like he’d always assumed he was.

  And she was inspired, as she stumbled along behind him, gripping the waistband of his pants and using it to keep herself on her feet, to list all the ways he was exactly like any other male who’d trod upon the Earth.

  “That whole seeing-in-the-dark thing is such a minor issue, when you look at the big picture,” she said trying to reassure him. “To me, you’re like any other guy.”

  “Did you forget that I turn into a bear?”

  “No. But it’s not like you turn into a bear every hour, or even every day. It’s been a while since I saw you in bear form. At least…what? What day is it? I’ve lost track.”

  “It’s been less than forty-eight hours since I last changed.”

  “Doesn’t matter. You’re still one hundred percent guy to me. You pass gas when you sleep.”

  “Dogs do that.”

  “You scratch when you wake up. That’s a guy thing.”

  “Apes probably do that too.”

  She jerked on his pants in a show of frustration. “Oh, for heaven’s sake! You’re looking for reasons to compare yourself to an animal. If you ask me, the average American male is at least fifty-percent animal. If I understood your long and confusing explanation of genetics, you’re less than one-percent bear. In my opinion, that makes you genetically superior to your standard human male.”

  “Nice try,” he said dryly. He was obviously not going to make this easy.

  She stumbled over something on the ground and crashed into his back. While struggling to get her feet back under herself, she asked, “Can I ask, why is it so important that you define yourself as normal? Why do you need to be like everyone else?”

  He stopped walking. “Why? Because all my adult life I’ve been studying what makes mankind different from all the rest of creation, and trying to find ways to overcome our physical shortcomings. Disease, aging. Now I have to face the fact that I’m less than what I thought I was. A lot less.”

  “Or more,” she suggested.

  “How can being part animal be more?”

  “I can list people who were no doubt one hundred percent genetically human but who were no better than animals. Hitler. That serial killer, Son of Sam. Some politicians…need I go on? No person is the sum of their DNA. They’re so much more than strings of protein, don’t you think? I mean, if you had a child who had a genetic mutation or whatever, would he or she be less than human to you?” Not knowing whether he could see her or not, but suspecting he could, she shrugged. “It’s that half-empty, half-full thing, I guess. The way I see it—being a girl who could care less about genetics—you’re more than the average guy. You’re stronger, smarter, loyal and brave, better in bed…and I’ll probably never be content with another “normal” man again.”

  Silence.

  Uh-oh.

  What was he thinking?

  Did he think she was ready to drag him to the altar? She was so not going there. In fact, she was still operating under the assumption that they’d be going their separate ways once this whole Omega thing was straightened out…not that she was particularly thrilled
about it.

  “Could you just pretend I didn’t say that last part?” she murmured.

  He didn’t respond, which meant he wasn’t about to forget. Wouldn’t you know it, her bear-man had to have the memory of an elephant?

  At least he started walking again.

  A few minutes later, they broke through the dense forest. They were standing in a ditch. Up above was a road. Paved. Oh, what a beautiful sight!

  “Does this mean we’re ready to catch a ride?” she asked, trying not to get too hopeful. She reached for her suitcase, but Tarik refused to hand it over, regardless of the mean-eyes she gave him.

  “I’m carrying it and that’s the way it is,” he said.

  “See? Typical male stubbornness. You’re definitely human in my book.”

  He grunted and started trudging up the incline toward the road, pulling her along as he walked. She was grateful for the help. Her legs were pretty much shot by then and she knew she wouldn’t have made it up on her own.

  He stopped when they reached the top, set the bag on the ground and gave her a long look. His back was to the moon, so it wasn’t easy to make out his expression. And his eyes were hidden under a heavy shadow, but she could see his mouth. It looked yummy and kissable and scrumptious. She wanted to kiss him and make him forget all about that man-beast thing.

  Who cared if he sprouted fur from time-to-time? She didn’t.

  She licked her lips, preparing to act on that impulse when her all but forgotten cell phone rang. Stunned, since the minute she’d arrived in Alaska she’d been unable to get a signal, she scrambled to find it. Where had she put it? In one of her coat pockets? She patted herself, discovering the lump as it rang for the fourth time. Too late. Damn. But at least she could see who it had been. Maybe whoever it had been would leave a message.

  She pulled it from her coat and flipped it open. The lit screen glared in the dark and she had to squint to read it.

  Katie’s cell number. Maybe she had some good news? Abby checked the signal indicator. Two bars. She might be able to make a call out. She hit the Send button and crossed her fingers.

  Good news. Give me some good news.

  Katie’s cheerful, “Hey, stranger! Wh—” was like the song of angels.

  “Oh. My. God! Katie! Where are you? I have so much to tell you but I don’t know if we’ll get cut off.” Abby smiled at Tarik and mouthed, “My friend, Katie.”

  “Where are you?” Katie asked.

  “I’m not sure. Somewhere in Canada I think.” Abby looked up and down the stretch of road but saw no signs. “We’re next to a road—”

  “Canada? What’re you doing in Canada in the middle of the night? Why aren’t you at the cabin?”

  “Long story. Where are you?”

  “At the cabin, which, by the way, is empty. Where’s your stuff? And I’m not happy with you. You didn’t come and get me at the airport. I had to rent a car.”

  “You’re here? In Alaska? And you have a car? And your phone works? There is a God!” She hopped up and down and grabbed Tarik’s arm. “She’s here! She can come and get us.”

  Tarik nodded.

  “Listen,” Abby said to Katie, not wanting to risk losing the connection—when she got home she was switching cell phone companies to the one Katie used! “I’m going to give the phone to somebody else, and I want you to take down some directions. Okay? And make sure you bring all your stuff. And your driver’s license. You’re not going back. Got it?”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Just get a pencil and listen. I’ll tell you when you get here.”

  For the first time in who knew how many days, Abby felt like things were going to be okay. She handed Tarik the phone and he gave Katie detailed directions on how to find them. Then after making Katie promise to call when she arrived in Bear Creek, they skidded back down the sloping ditch to wait for her.

  She was more than grateful for Tarik’s offer to hold her as they sat on a fallen log to rest for a bit. She was cozy and safe and warm in his arms. There, with a bazillion brilliant stars overhead, he kissed her. It wasn’t a demanding, taking kind of kiss. It was a sweet, romantic, gentle but oh-so-sensual kiss. A kiss she knew she’d never forget.

  “Let’s go. We’ll head back to the hotel and wait for your friend there.”

  “I can’t believe I just hiked a million miles for nothing.”

  “We could stay here. We wouldn’t have to risk crossing back over the border. But I figured a hotel room would be a lot more comfortable, since it’ll take close to ten hours for your friend to drive down.” He kissed her nose and then pulled her to her feet. “If I have to, I’ll carry you.”

  “Like hell you will. I can walk on my own two feet, thank you.” She softened her response with a smile. “This girl is no wimp.”

  “Yet another reason to love you.”

  Her heart did a happy little polka in her chest.

  Tarik loved her?

  She hadn’t been dreaming the first time she’d heard it.

  Chapter Eight

  “We’ve located the truck, sir,” Zant said from Torborg’s open doorway. “As we suspected, they’ve headed into Canada. We found it behind a motel in Bear Creek.” The man hesitated for a moment, like he’d wanted to say more. But he remained silent.

  “Good. Time’s running out for Evert and the woman. We need to get them in before it’s too late. I want you to go down there. Talk to him. If anyone can convince him that I mean them no harm, it’s you.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll leave immediately. By the time I hit the border, my men should have them in custody. Should I tell them to transport Tarik and the woman to the hospital in White Moose?”

  “No. They’re going to need very specialized care. We’re better off if we can get them back here. As quickly as possible. Dispatch the helo. I’m coming too. I want to be down there before they’re taken into custody. We have one shot at this. No one can afford for something to go wrong. We’re cutting it too close time-wise.”

  “Very well, sir,” Zant said, jerking a nod.

  “Go. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  As soon as Zant left his office, Torborg picked up the phone to call The Director. Finally, some semi-good news to share.

  He hoped it wasn’t too little too late.

  * * * *

  Since arriving in Alaska, Abby had witnessed some ah-maze-ing sights but the one that took second only to seeing Tarik naked was finally seeing Katie.

  Because Tarik was afraid of being spotted by the Omega goons or Canadian police, Abby had to play it real cool when she finally spotted her friend. Although her insides were hopping around like grasshoppers on crack, she had to swoop around the corner and snag her friend before she made it to the hotel’s check-in counter.

  Since Katie was clueless, Abby made sure Katie saw her face right away. She had to know things were serious and she had to be quiet.

  All it took was a second for Katie to register what Abby was trying to tell her. She acknowledged with a nod then followed Abby toward the back door. Tarik was waiting in the woods at the rear of the parking lot.

  “What’s going on? What’s with the mime act?” Katie whispered as she hurried along beside Abby.

  “This is what you get for sending me to Alaska alone. Oh my God, I’m glad to see you!”

  Katie hesitated, pointing at the motel, visibly confused. “Where are we headed? Why aren’t we going to your room?”

  “Long story. Can’t talk now. Where are you parked?”

  “Around front.” Katie pointed back in the direction of the road.

  “Can you pull the car around back? Just stop right there, by the woods. I’ll explain as soon as we’re safely on the road.”

  “Sure, but—“

  A white van rolled around the side of the building. There were no cars to duck behind so Abby did the next best thing—she ducked behind her friend. “Oh shit!”

  “What? What?” Katie stuttered.

>   Ducking down low in a failing attempt to keep out of the van driver’s view, Abby whispered, “Why, oh why couldn’t you be at least three inches taller and about fifty pounds heavier? Just walk casually toward the building. Try not to call any attention to yourself.”

  “Like the girl who’s not really hiding behind me won’t call any attention to me?” Katie asked too loudly.

  “Shush! They’re after me.”

  “Did you become a paranoid schizophrenic overnight?”

  “No. Take my word for it. This is no delusion. Fuck!” The van was stopped directly in front of them and a door swung open. “Go get your car.” Abby turned around and sprinted toward the woods as fast as her stumpy legs could take her.

  A man’s voice echoed behind her, “Stop!”

  Sure the man was following her, she ran with all she had toward the forest and toward Tarik. It was probably not a good thing, leading that Omega jerk toward Tarik’s hiding spot, but she was hoping Katie would see those guys meant business and they’d be getting a ride before they were in handcuffs. She didn’t slow down when she broke through the bare brush at the forest’s front but a pair of strong arms jerked her to a sudden, tooth-jarring stop a few yards into the woods.

  She just about screamed, until she realized it was Tarik. “They’re here. Omega,” she whispered between huffing breaths. Oh man, she was going to puke. She hadn’t run that hard since grade school.

  “Yes, I see that. I know this guy, but I don’t know if he’ll help us. I tried to call him on the phone.”

  “He might help?”

  “It’s hard saying. Depends upon what kind of lies Torborg told him. I don’t believe Raul would ever do anything intentionally to hurt me, but he might do something equally bad if he was misled into believing he was helping me.”

  “Got it. What do we do?”

  “We wait for him to come to us. Which won’t be long.” He pointed over her shoulder and she spun around. “You go back there and hide behind that tree. If it’s safe, I’ll give you a signal. I’ll wave like this.” He lifted both arms over his head. “If I don’t signal, I want you to sneak around to your friend’s car.”