Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

TANNER

T he Hollow

Two Years Ago

"You can't just banish us," snarled Tanner, using his rage to cover his fear and disbelief.

"I can and will do whatever I believe is necessary to protect the hellhounds. You have become more than a dissenting voice; you have become a destructive force. Our women will never be subjugated by you or those who follow you." Hayden shook his head; Tanner thought he was most likely trying to rein in his temper. "Besides, I am not banishing anyone…"

"You told us we had twenty-four hours to clear out…"

"I told you that you had twenty-four hours to be gone from the Hollow, and that you will not be allowed back until I no longer consider you a threat to our people."

"You might not call it a banishment, Hayden, but that's what it is."

"I can see how you feel that way. Does it occur to you that those who were so quick to elect you to lead them are not here to help you argue their cause?"

It had, but he wasn't about to tell his brother that. "I'm sure they are making plans…"

"They made them and then carried them out." Hayden picked up a piece of parchment and held it up so Tanner could see the names of the others at the bottom. "They threw you under the bus, little brother. They said you coerced them into taking a stand with you. I don't believe that for a minute, nor do I believe that their desire to force our females into bondings not of their choosing was guided by a benign, but misguided, belief that it was necessary to save us from extinction. Your followers are little more than thugs who only looked to their own pleasure. They requested that I pardon them, which I did."

"Them, but not me?"

Hayden nodded. "But not without consequences. They have all been pressed into service as guardians of the In-Between for the next five years. They will live separately from our people and will have no mate nor family to call their own. Should they violate the conditions of their pardon, I will banish them into the Shadowlands to wander forever. If I didn't believe your intentions had been honorable, I would have done the same with you."

"You knew they would turn on me," said Tanner, sitting down hard on the chair at Hayden's table.

"I suspected as much. Had any of them come here with you today, I would have spared them, as well. You are to leave the Hollow and the In-Between for a period of five years to live amongst those of the living. Find your way there, Tanner. Learn a better way to address your concerns and grievances. Learn to be a better judge of those you would seek to lead."

"I can't come home?" Tanner asked, bleakly.

"If and when you need to, you can enter one of the safe places in the In-Between, but you are forbidden to return to the Hollow. I have not forbidden any of our kind, except those assigned to patrol the In-Between, from seeking your company. In time, who knows what may happen."

"Where am I supposed to go? What am I supposed to do?"

Hayden laid his hand on Tanner's shoulder. "That, little brother, is up to you."

Tanner knocked Hayden's hand away. "You fear that I would challenge you for leadership of the hellhounds."

"In part. I fear even when you lost, you would not accept it, and in the end I'd be forced to kill you. I would not want that for either of us."

"You're a bastard, Hayden," Tanner said, standing. "Five years is a long time. As you say, who knows what may happen."

Without waiting for any kind of reply, Tanner picked up his bag and exited his brother's dwelling and then shimmered from the Hollow into the land of the living. He made his way to Otter Cove and from there to Kodiak to carve out a life for himself.

Kodiak, Alaska

It hadn't taken long to secure a job as a dishwasher at the Black Bear Diner in Kodiak, nor too long after that to know he wanted to do something with his life outside the Hollow. On his way home one night, he'd spotted a fire. Hearing a child's cry from the top of the building, he watched as the other residents emerged and pointed to a window on the fifth floor. The sirens of the firetrucks could be heard in the distance, but watching the flames, Tanner knew the child couldn't wait.

Tanner sprinted toward the burning building—a wreck of a decrepit apartment house—his face a mask of determination and urgency. Thick, black smoke billowed from the windows, and flames licked the sides of the structure, casting an ominous glow.

As he entered the building, the heat was intense, radiating outward and making the air almost shimmer. His clothing became stained with soot and sweat. Tanner was not afraid for his own safety, as he was a hellhound, but for that of the child. Covering his mouth and nose with one arm, he tried to filter the acrid smoke as he plunged into the inferno, but the fire repulsed him as if it were some kind of living demon. No fire had ever made a hellhound back down, though, and this one wouldn't be the first. Quieting his mind, Tanner called forth his hellhound and galloped up the rapidly disappearing staircase. He made his way toward the sound of the terrified child. Inside, visibility was almost zero, but he navigated by sound and instinct, heading toward the cries of the child trapped within. His heart pounded in his chest, each second feeling like an eternity.

The sounds of the building creaking and fire roaring filled his ears, but he focused solely on his mission: to find and rescue the child before it was too late.

Inside the burning building, Tanner stumbled through thick smoke, guided by the faint cries. Shifting back to his human form, he found a pair of sweatpants and pulled them on. He'd have to think of an excuse for why it's all he had on. He kicked in a door from the hallway and spotted the child in a corner, huddled and terrified, her small face streaked with soot and tears. Kneeling down, he spoke calmly despite the chaos and assured her she'd be safe and that he'd get her back to her mother. Scooping her into his arms, he shielded her from the heat and flames as best as he could and headed back out the way he'd come.

At the head of the main staircase, he could see the fire greedily eating its way up from the bottom. He spied the building's elevator. It, too, was filled with flames, and the fresh supply of oxygen caused the fire to flare higher. No good.

"Hang on, poppet," he said to the child. "We're going to go for a ride."

"Like at the amusement park?" she asked, her eyes wide, but excitement replacing fear.

He grinned at her. "Just like, only more fun. It might be scary, but we'll be fine."

Again, he focused his mind and shimmered from the world of living to that of the In-Between. He knew the presence of life would draw reapers, so he made his way quickly toward his goal before shimmering back into being.

With the child clutched tightly in his arms, Tanner navigated his way through the In-Between, every part of him feeling the presence of reapers closing in. His vision was blurred by smoke, and he could feel the deadly vapor of the In-Between filling his lungs with each breath. Icy, deadly fingers reached for them from behind. Tanner roared, stunning the reaper just long enough to shimmer into the back alley of the building.

God, it was cold. He headed toward the light, finally emerging from around the corner of the building into the glare of the floodlights.

"Look!" shouted one of the onlookers.

"Oh my god, he's got her!" cried another.

"My baby," sobbed her anxious mother as she rushed towards Tanner.

The other onlookers gasped and cheered as Tanner made his way towards her. He placed the little girl in her mother's arms as she clutched her daughter, hope and gratitude gradually replacing the fear that had been etched in her face. Tanner smiled and stepped back, watching a group of reporters descend on them—part surrounding the mother and the other part around him. He looked over their heads, watching the emotional reunion between mother and child with a sense of deep satisfaction.

People and reporters shouted questions at him, and Tanner ignored them.

"What's your name, son?" asked a man Tanner recognized as someone from the evening news.

"I'd like to ask him the same, Harry," said a man in a fire department uniform decorated with numerous medals and a name badge: Chief Roland Ashford.

"Tanner North," he said, shaking the chief's extended hand.

"How'd you end up out here in just a pair of sweatpants and somebody get this man a blanket and something for his feet."

"Thanks, Chief. My clothing caught on fire. Once I had the little girl, I saw a pair of sweatpants and pulled them on. I didn't need to add to her trauma by having all my junk on display."

The chief laughed. "Good thinking. Do you have a job, Tanner?"

"I work as a dishwasher over at the Black Bear Diner."

The chief nodded. "Rick's a good man to work for, but I think both you and my department would do better if you were one of us."

"You offering him a job, Rollie?" asked the reporter.

"I am. Tanner here has shown his courage in preserving the life of a child with little regard for his own…" The chief was interrupted by the building giving a loud crack and then a groan as it began to collapse inwardly. "No doubt in my mind that little girl would have been lost. We may have to teach him a thing or two, but you can't teach that kind of bravery and selflessness. What do you say, Tanner North, want to learn to be a fireman?"

Tanner could feel his grin spreading from ear to ear. "I can't think of anything I'd like more."

Thus had begun Tanner's illustrious career with the Kodiak Fire Department. Time and time again, Tanner had been able to save the day by doing what others couldn't do. At first it had been difficult to deflect the questions of both his superiors and the press, but when Chief Ashford had pointed out it didn't really matter as he got results, everyone had backed off. The press had dubbed him ‘Smoke Warrior,' the city's firefighting hero, and had made him into a celebrity.

Present Day

Things were calm in the small firehouse in which Tanner served, but that usually meant all hell was about to break loose. Inside, the warmth of the crackling fireplace contrasted sharply with the frosty world outside. The irony of a firehouse having a working fireplace was not lost on those who served within it. The walls of the firehouse were adorned with memorabilia from past rescues and community events, creating a sense of camaraderie and history. Tanner was just sitting down at the communal table to enjoy his breakfast, when the ringing siren announced the end of the meal and the idyllic morning.

The firehouse's radio crackled to life, interrupting the tranquil morning. "Engine 4, Ladder 2, respond to a residential fire at 102 Maple Avenue. Caller reports flames visible from the roof. Time is 07:32."

Tanner and the others sprang into action, clearing the table, dousing the fire in the fireplace, and ensuring the stove and ovens were turned off. The atmosphere shifted from relaxed to laser-focused. Each firefighter moved with practiced efficiency, donning their gear in record time. Heavy boots, fire-resistant pants, jackets, helmets, gloves—every piece of equipment was essential for their safety and the effectiveness of their response.

"Let's move, team!" Tanner shouted, his voice steady and commanding. He might have been one of the youngest, but his prowess in fighting fires and saving lives—often at his own peril—was respected and even revered. He'd risen quickly through the ranks and held the position of lieutenant. His team included Jimmy, a rookie with a quick mind and strong resolve, and Mike, the fire engineer and driver of the truck. Mike's job was not only to drive the fire engine but ensure the water pressure in the hoses was correct as well as ensure the stability of the truck itself. There were two other firefighters and Billy, the team's paramedic, who drove his own truck. Billy was known for his calm demeanor under pressure.

They dashed into the garage, Mike heading for the driver's side as Tanner hit the button that would roll up the garage doors to the firehouse. It almost seemed like the fire engine and ladder truck had heard the siren and been waiting for them. Mike climbed into the driver's seat of the engine, while Jimmy and the two other members of the team secured themselves in the back. Tanner took his place in the passenger side of the engine's enclosed cab. With lights flashing and sirens blaring, they roared out into the cold Alaskan morning.

As they navigated through the snowy streets, Tanner radioed dispatch for more details. "Dispatch, Engine 4 en route. Can you confirm the number of occupants?"

"Engine 4, caller reports two children and one adult trapped inside."

Tanner's heart rate quickened, but his mind remained clear. "Roger that. ETA less than two minutes."

When they arrived at Maple Avenue, the scene was chaotic. Neighbors stood outside in their winter coats, watching in horror as flames licked the roof of a modest wooden house. Dark smoke billowed into the sky, creating a stark contrast against the white snow.

Tanner and his team jumped out of the engine, immediately assessing the situation. "Jimmy, you're with me, grab the ladder and get it set up. You will follow me inside. Mike, secure the engine and make sure we've got enough water and pressure." Tanner shook his head. "Sorry. You don't need me to tell you your job." Mike grinned. "Billy, prepare for medical assistance. You two get the hose ready and start dousing the outside of the house. Mike…"

"I know, make sure I can get the engine ladder ready in case you need to go in from the roof."

It was Tanner's turn to grin. He had a top-notch team.

Tanner approached a distraught woman standing nearby. "Ma'am, do you have any idea where the people inside might be?"

She pointed frantically. "Maryann would have gone for her boys. Their bedroom is upstairs in the back. Please, hurry!"

Without hesitation, Tanner turned to see Jimmy had set up the ladder to reach the second-floor window in the front while the other firefighters cordoned off the area and directed a powerful stream of water at the flames. Tanner could feel the intense heat but knew the fire-resistant gear would keep the worst of it at bay and his team safe.

Tanner was first up the ladder, followed swiftly by Jimmy. Peering inside the room, Tanner could see the smoke was thick and the visibility was low. There were, however, no active flames on the walls, floor or ceiling. Using his axe to break the window, Tanner ducked down in case there was any backdraft. Once inside, he crawled on his hands and knees, feeling his way through the burning house.

"Fire department! Call out if you can hear me!"

A faint cry led him to the back bedroom, where he found a woman shielding two small boys under a blanket.

"We're getting you out of here," he assured them, his voice muffled by his breathing apparatus. He lifted the larger of the two boys into his arms before passing off the woman and the smaller boy to Jimmy. "Stay low and get them out of here," Tanner said to Jimmy through their comm unit. He turned to the mother and shouted over the roar of the fire. "You go with Jimmy. Stay on your hands and knees. He's got your boy. We'll get you out of here."

Jimmy nodded and took the other little boy. Crouched over so he could carry the child, Jimmy led the woman back the way they'd come. With the larger boy in his arms, Tanner followed them back to the window. It could be a strain to carry anyone—even a child—any distance while he was crouched over, but there was nothing to do for it. To stand upright would reduce his visibility to nearly zero. Mike had angled the truck and its ladder so they could escape using it. Billy was waiting, ready to help them descend to safety.

Back on the ground, the air around them felt colder than the North Pole. Because they'd been so hot and sweating inside the house, the temperature on the outside felt far colder than it was. A second team of paramedics had arrived and were providing immediate care to the rescued family. Tanner regrouped with Mike and watched Jimmy as he joined his teammates and worked, with the aid of a second fire engine, to contain the blaze enough to prevent it from spreading to neighboring homes.

After what felt like hours but was actually less than half an hour, the fire was under control. Tanner assumed the lead, and he and his team, working seamlessly with the others, managed to extinguish the remaining hot spots and secure the scene. Even though it had been less than an hour from the original call, he could feel exhaustion settling over his people. Despite that, there was a sense of accomplishment and relief. They'd saved lives today, and that's what mattered.

"Fireman Smoke?" called the mayor before correcting herself with a self-deprecating laugh, "I'm so sorry, Fireman North, could you join us?" she asked.

As usual the mayor had managed to garner a gaggle of press around her. The woman lived for notoriety. That wasn't true. She lived to get herself re-elected. He knew he couldn't ignore her. He'd tried that and been reprimanded by the chief—not officially, but still told he couldn't dismiss the woman. He turned to look back at the fire as he headed in the mayor's direction. There was just something about this string of fires that had him questioning their origin. He made a mental note to speak to the chief about it in the next day or two.

"Yo, Smoke, can you tell us what happened?" called a reporter from one of the regional newspapers.

Tanner shrugged. "House caught fire; we put it out. That's about all we know at this point."

"Don't be so modest, Tanner. Everyone saw you break in that window to save that woman and her two boys. As a mother myself, I can tell you, she will never forget that you saved her life and more importantly, the lives of her children."

"Yes ma'am, but it was a team effort. Jimmy was right behind me, and Billy was waiting to help get them down the ladder when we got back to the window."

"You're so right, Tanner," said the mayor. "The collaboration between our various firehouses, dispatch, the police, and even my office is part of what makes Kodiak such an extraordinary place to live."

One of the reporters, ignoring the mayor, asked, "Can you explain the uptick in the number of fires we've seen recently?"

"Most have been really old buildings which were not built to the safety standards we have today."

"Do you think the mayor or the city council should force the owners of these buildings into compliance?" asked the reporter.

Tanner could feel the mayor's body stiffen beside him. This had been an ongoing argument between the chief and the city's government officials for some time now.

He shrugged again and gave the press his best little boy smile. "I'm not saying that at all. Everybody—the chief, the department, the mayor, the city council, even the building owners are trying their best to do what's right. At least we haven't lost anyone…"

Before he could say more, the mayor had regained control of the press and Tanner was just about to slip away, intending to rejoin his team until the chief beckoned. "Tanner."

"That's the boss. I gotta go," said Tanner with a cheeky grin before sprinting away to join the chief. "Thanks."

The chief smiled. "You handle them better than I would, but they have a point."

Tanner nodded and was overcome by feelings of nausea and dizziness. He bent over, grasping his muscular thighs, fighting back the disorienting feeling.

"You all right, Tanner?" asked the chief.

"Sure. Just a little soot in my nostrils and maybe my lungs." There was no way the chief could know that hellhounds could breathe smoke all day with no ill-effect. "Nothing a week in Hawaii at the department's expense couldn't fix." That was a long-standing joke between Tanner and the chief.

"I'll get right on that," chuckled the chief.

Tanner barely had time to register what the chief was saying when he saw a gorgeous brunette dressed in faded and distressed jeans, tucked into cowboy boots with a sweater that tried to hide her luscious figure but failed to do so. Tanner had never become sexually aroused at a fire, but something about the dark-haired female turned him on in a way nothing ever had. The moment he saw her, he was almost overcome by a feeling of disorientation. She was exquisite.

Tanner cursed under his breath.

She was also his fated mate.