Free Polar Bared by Eve Langlais Page B

Bloody chivalrous side. It would emerge at the most inopportune time.
    Since when do I have fucking morals, and how do I get rid of them? Morals got in the way of violence and revenge. And Gene did so enjoy dishing out violent vengeance.
    “You can take the snowmobile these fellows used to come in. The sledge is still hooked to it. It has some supplies still on board and room for her.”
    Help? What an odd concept. “Why are you doing this?” Suspicion, always a friend, especially when things appeared too good to be true.
    “I know why you’re hiding, Ghost.”
    Gene tensed. Someone who knew his secrets? He’d kill the old guy if he had to.
    “I’m not going to tell anyone, boy, so calm down. And when I said I know you’re hiding I wasn’t referring to your reputation or the trouble you’ve gotten embroiled in. See, boy, I was you forty years ago. A son of a bitch angry at the world, determined to make them pay and never let anyone get close.”
    “And? Seems to have worked for you. You’re still alive and kicking.”
    “Alive yes. Happy no. Don’t make the same mistakes I did. Don’t let the ghosts of the past take away your future. Life is too short for bitterness and recriminations. You still have a chance for happiness.”
    “There is no redemption for me.”
    “Forgiveness can happen to anyone, if you learn to forgive yourself.”
    Funny how his words almost echoed Boris’. Gene didn’t reply, but he did notice himself absently stroking the soft skin of Vicky’s cheek. He snatched his hand away, but not before the old wolf noticed.
    “You still have a chance. Don’t fuck it up. Take your woman and go. Find somewhere safe.”
    “She’s not my woman.”
    The old guy snorted. “If you say so. Whatever she is to you, she doesn’t deserve to die because of it.”
    “She won’t die.” A fierce claim said aloud, which made it binding. Fucking morals again. I thought I ditched those bastards in that prison.
    “If you want to make sure she stays alive then you better get moving before the other boys realize you’re here still.”
    More little bastards who wanted to harm a defenseless woman? Not just his bear bristled at the thought. “How many more in the group?”
    “Two, unless the third one who left yesterday is coming back.”
    Gene’s malevolent smile answered that.
    “Then only two, but they’re armed and tougher than this pair.”
    “Shifter?” Gene said it aloud. It wasn’t as if the old guy didn’t know what Gene was. If his polar bear could tell with one sniff, then the grizzled wolf surely knew.
    “Human, but military trained. They won’t panic like those idiots.”
    In other words, maybe a little more of a challenge. Excellent. Gene did enjoy a good fight. “What are you going to tell authorities?” Because no way could the expedition leader hide the fact several of his group had gone missing.
    A crooked smile split the wolf’s lips. “I’ll tell them the truth. Bear attack. One killed, another injured, and the poor little lady here is missing.”
    A rare grin ghosted his lips. “I assume at one point she’ll surface, having miraculously survived because a brave hunter rescued her and brought her to civilization.”
    “Something like that. I’m sure you’ll figure something out. Enough chatter. You best get her dressed and moving. Where’s your clothes?”
    “Stashed a ways from here.”
    “I’ve got some stuff you can use. It might be a bit tight, but at least you won’t freeze. You’ll have to stay hidden though until you reach them, you and the girl. I’ll stash the garments with the sled. First, though, I gotta get the folks here looking the other way whilst you escape.”
    The wolf retreated from the tent, leaving Gene alone with Vicky, who, despite her trembling from the cold and a blossoming bruise on her cheek— Grrr— seemed relatively unharmed, but not out of danger if the old wolf could be believed.
    I’ll keep you safe.
    In order to accomplish