Chapter 2

EMILIA

I'm unpacking my suitcase when my cell phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and see a message from Wrenlee, my younger sister.

Wrennie Pop

Did you make it to the boonies?

Me

It's not the boonies.

Wrennie Pop

It's miles from civilization. The boonies.

Me

It's actually a really nice little city. Glacier Pass has a nice downtown area with a few cute shops, a theater, a coffee shop, a bakery, two restaurants, and even a bar. Everyone has been very nice.

I can't believe I'm listing all this out for her. Ever since I agreed to interview for the job in this small town thousands of miles from home, Wren has been giving me a hard time.

Wrennie Pop

I already know there are no all-night nightclubs, spas, or designer shops. I looked it up online. Glacier Pass is my definition of hell on earth.

My sister and I couldn't be more different. She's all about the hustle and bustle of city life while I'm ready for quiet and solitude. I'm tired of long commutes, grouchy neighbors, and stalking exes. Especially when the stalker in question isn't even my ex.

When Wrenlee broke up with her loser boyfriend, he suddenly developed an irrational obsession. With me.

Out of nowhere, I started receiving flowers and gifts nearly every day. At first, we thought it was the unemployed construction worker's misguided attempt to make my sister jealous, but things quickly took a turn for the crazy. Jay began following me to and from school daily and even threatened a few of my male study partners. In an effort to shield Wrenlee from the situation, I've kept a lot of Jay's craziness to myself.

While I'm glad my sister doesn't have to deal with this insane jerk, I'm tired of looking over my shoulder. A new town three thousand miles from New York sounds like the perfect place to hide out from my stalker.

Wrennie Poo

Plus, it's mostly shifters. Did you know humans only make up 7% of the population in the town? SEVEN PERCENT. What if some crazy wolf shifter decides he likes you, ties you to his bed, and keeps you forever?

Me

Is that supposed to be a bad thing?

Wrennie Poo

Okay. Bad example. What if some icky little weasel shifter decides you would improve his family genes?

Me

First off, the odds of some shifter deciding I'm his eternal mate is slim to none. Second, shifters are notoriously faithful to their mates, so having one fall for you doesn't sound like the worst thing in the world.

Wrennie Poo

I hate it when you're all reasonable.

I guess I should tell you good luck with your interview.

Me

Thank you, even though you don't mean it.

I'm here and I'm going to give it a chance. I'll let you know how my interview goes.

Wrennie Pop

I'm a horrible human being, but I hope you hate it. I want my big sister to come home.

Me

I love you, too.

She sends me a kissy face emoji, and I throw my phone down on the bed to finish up my unpacking.

By the time I iron my business suit, take a steamy shower, and wash my hair, I'm exhausted from my day of traveling and decide to have an early night. I end up ordering room service from the Glacier Pass Hotel's adorable restaurant and turn in early.

The next morning, I wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day. My interview isn't until tomorrow, so I make plans to check out the small town.

Three hours later, I'm regretting my impulsive decision. It only took me two hours to walk through Glacier Pass and try out the yummy bakery, Honey Buns II, so I had the bright idea to head out to the wilderness and go for a little hike to clear my mind.

Hello! My idea of exercise is spending the entire day shopping at the Westfield World Trade Center Mall.

What sounded like a good idea at the time has turned into a nightmare. I really should've thought this idea through a little more before I jumped in with both feet. I suddenly regret letting my boredom get the best of me.

Plus, my cityfied genes have failed me big time. One wrong turn and I'm suddenly lost in the vast wilderness while the sun steadily slips from the sky. To make matters worse, there's no sign of other humans, and I lost cell phone reception a while ago.

The hair on the back of my neck stands up straight as a very loud howl echoes around me. Inhaling a deep breath, I realize I'm going to be some wild animal's afternoon snack. My city girl genes really screwed the pooch this time.

My sneakers slip on the rocks as I stumble down the forest trail, praying I can find my way back to where I parked my rental car. There's a little gray squirrel watching me from his nest in one of the tall evergreens, and I swear the tiny animal is mocking me.

I turn the bend and realize the trail I've been following is leading me deeper into the dark, scary forest. Somehow, I managed to lose track of my progress into the woods, and now, I fear I'll be spending a night alone in the forest without shelter.

And the absolute best part? I'll miss my eight am interview with Bearly Frosty Snow Removal. There goes my chance of a lifetime. Ever since Jay lost his mind and started stalking me, I've been looking for a job across the country, hoping the massive distance will help the crazy man get over his weird obsession. Now, I'm not even sure I'll survive long enough to wow my prospective boss at the interview.

Just when I tell myself things can't possibly get any worse, I hear branches snapping behind me, causing my little squirrel friend to take off. My fight-or-flight instincts finally override my city girl who needs a few extra hours at the gym genes, and I take off running through the dense forest like the hounds of hell are on my tail.

I hear the rushing water of the small river rushing past as I step into a large clearing. My heavy breathing and burning muscles tell me I shouldn't have given up my gym membership. Just my luck, I'm going to die in the middle of nowhere, and the mountain rescue is going to drag my totally out-of-shape body back to civilization.

My eyes roam around the clearing and fall upon a huge white polar bear sunning itself on a large rock. His deep brown eyes meet mine, and I stumble to a dead stop as my life passes in front of my eyes. Make that my mutilated, totally out-of-shape body.