Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

MELINDA

W hen she awoke, the fire was dying and the makeshift bed she had shared with Joe had grown cold. Melinda could hear him up and moving around. She sat up, watching as he put together two packs—one large and one small. She was pretty sure who would carry which one. Rising up off the floor, she groaned. There was a time sleeping on the cold, hard ground or floor was an adventure. She realized that time had passed.

Joe looked over his shoulder at her and smiled. The dark thoughts that had begun to invade her mind were pushed into the corners, chased away by the look on his face.

"Good morning. Your clothes are over by the fire. You need to get dressed and eat something. I'll finish getting us packed. We need to get out of here."

Melinda got up, dressed, ate, and then hurried in order to help Joe finish packing their survival gear, their movements efficient and precise. They had spent the night in each other's arms, but now the rising sun signaled it was time to move on. Joe held up the flash drive and handed it to Melinda, who slipped it inside her bra. Not only would she know where it was, but it would stay with her regardless of what she did, and her body heat would help protect it from the icy cold. It would also serve as a constant reminder of their mission's urgency.

Joe handed Melinda a pair of goggles and helped her on with her pack. He explained that she had most of the food and hydration they would need. His eyes met hers with a determined gaze. "Ready?" he asked.

She nodded, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "Ready."

They stepped out into the biting cold, leaving the cabin behind. The harsh wilderness stretched before them, an endless expanse of snow and ice under a sky that seemed perpetually gray. The wind howled around them, a relentless force that bit into their exposed skin. Melinda pulled her hood tighter and brought the scarf up, tucking it under the lower rim of her goggles, the breath that escaped her scarf forming clouds in the freezing air.

The trek was arduous. Each step felt like a battle against the elements, but they pressed on, driven by the need to reach safety and deliver the vital information they carried. Joe led the way, his broad shoulders cutting through the wind, while Melinda followed close behind, her mind racing with thoughts of their mission and the growing feelings she was trying to suppress.

Hours passed before they finally saw it—a small village nestled in the distance, a scattering of modest dwellings partially hidden by the snow. As they approached, the villagers, wrapped in thick furs, eyed them curiously but not unkindly.

An older man with a weathered face and sharp, intelligent eyes stepped forward. "Welcome," he said in accented English. "I am Kallik."

"We need help," Joe said, keeping his voice even. "We need to get to the nearest town with communication capabilities. It's urgent."

Kallik studied them for a moment before nodding. "Come, warm yourselves first. Then we'll talk."

"What is this place?" asked Melinda.

Kallik looked out at the peaceful village. "This is Akumaqtaq."

She didn't recognize the name, but then, there wasn't really any reason she should. She nodded, and she and Joe followed Kallik into what she assumed was his home, the warmth a stark contrast to the freezing world outside. As they huddled near the fire, Kallik listened to their modified story, his expression thoughtful. They modified the events, leaving out her murdered colleagues and the hunters who had come after them. Neither she nor Joe were convinced that the men on the snowmobiles had been who the lone survivor had indicated.

Finally, Kallik nodded. "I will guide you. The journey will be difficult, but we will make it."

Relief washed over Melinda, but it was short-lived. As Kallik left to make preparations, she found herself alone with Joe. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her, and the unspoken tension between them growing more palpable in the close quarters.

"Melinda," Joe began, his voice soft but firm, "it'll be all right. I know we seem to be moving at warp speed, but we'll be fine. We'll get through this and then be able to figure out what comes next. It's important to stay focused on the here and now. I just need to know you're okay."

She met his eyes, struggling to keep her emotions in check. "I'm fine, Joe. It's just... everything. The mission, the danger. It's a lot to handle."

He reached out, his hand covering hers. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down her spine. "I know, but we'll be fine. I promise."

"Just tell me your promises are something you take seriously."

"Deadly seriously."

Her heart ached with conflicting emotions. She cared for Joe deeply, but their mission was too important to be clouded by personal feelings. She withdrew her hand gently, trying to maintain her resolve. "We need to stay focused. The mission comes first."

Joe's expression softened, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I understand. Just know I'm your fated mate, and I've got your back. To get to you, they have to come through me."

Before she could respond, Kallik returned, signaling that it was time to leave. He was dressed for trekking through the wilderness and had a pack strapped to his back. Melinda stood, grateful for the interruption. She couldn't afford distractions now, not when so much was at stake.

As they set out once more, Kallik led the way through the treacherous terrain. With the howling winds and their attention needing to be focused on hiking through the treacherous wilderness, there was little opportunity to talk. The downside was that Melinda was left with her own thoughts whirling around in her brain with her chaotic emotions. The journey ahead was perilous, but she found strength in the knowledge that she wasn't alone. With Joe by her side and Kallik's guidance, she felt a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty.

Each step brought them closer to their goal, and Melinda vowed to see it through, no matter the cost. The mission was her priority, but deep down, she couldn't deny the burgeoning feelings for Joe, a conflict that she would have to navigate alongside the dangers of their quest.

Melinda and the others trudged through the snow. Her legs were heavy with exhaustion. The arctic wilderness stretched out in an endless expanse of white, the meager sun that managed to break through the gray light and snow hanging low in the sky. Beside her, Joe moved with the same determined pace, while Kallik led the way, his steps sure and confident despite the treacherous terrain.

The wind had picked up, a relentless force that cut through their layers of clothing and bit into their skin. They had been traveling for hours, driven by the hope of finding a village with communication capabilities. Kallik had mentioned a place not far from their last stop, and Melinda's heart had clung to that hope.

Finally, as the light began to fade, they saw it—a cluster of structures emerging from the snow-covered landscape. Relief surged through Melinda, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of foreboding as they drew closer.

The village lay in ruins. Smoke curled from the remains of charred buildings, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of destruction. Melinda's heart sank as she took in the scene. It was clear that they had arrived too late.

Kallik halted, his expression grim. "Something terrible has happened here," he said, his voice low.

Joe stepped forward, his eyes scanning the devastation. "This isn't just an accident," he said. "This was deliberate."

Melinda felt a chill that had nothing to do with the cold. She moved closer to one of the smoldering buildings, her mind racing. "Was there a communications center? Where is everyone?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Kallik shook his head. "There was a kind of community building. It would have been the hub of their communications system. As for the people, with their homes and shelters destroyed, those who might have survived would have gone for help and lodging."

"We need to see if anything is left."

They made their way through the wreckage, careful to avoid the still-hot embers. The building that had once housed the village's communication equipment was now a twisted heap of metal and ash. Melinda's heart sank as she realized the full extent of the damage.

Joe knelt beside the ruins, picking up a piece of charred equipment. "There's nothing left," he said, his voice heavy with defeat. "Whoever did this wanted to make sure no one could contact the outside world."

Kallik's eyes narrowed. "You are being hunted," he said, his tone grave. "They knew we would come here."

Melinda felt a wave of fear wash over her. The destruction of the village wasn't just a coincidence—it was a message. Whoever was behind this wanted them isolated and vulnerable. She looked at Joe, her heart aching with the realization of how dire their situation had become.

"We need to keep moving," she said, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice. "We can't stay here."

Joe nodded, rising to his feet. "She's right. We have to find another way to get the word out."

Kallik's gaze was steely. "There is another village, further north. It will be a longer journey, but it's our best chance."

"You shouldn't feel obligated to continue with us," Joe said.

Kallik waved him off. "I had friends and family here. Whoever it is that has done this, I will stand with you. The old adage ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend' applies here. Those who did this are my enemies."

Melinda swallowed hard, the weight of their predicament pressing down on her. They had no choice but to press on, despite the dangers that lay ahead. As they set out once more, the wind howling around them, Melinda couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat, every gust of wind a warning.

She glanced at Joe, finding a measure of comfort in his presence. Despite the fear gnawing at her, she knew they had to stay strong. The mission was more important than ever, and they couldn't afford to fail. Had they been in their animal forms, they would have been able to travel in their shifted forms, but with Kallik guiding them, they were forced to remain as their human selves.

With Kallik leading the way, they moved deeper into the wilderness, leaving the destroyed village behind. The journey ahead would be fraught with peril, but Melinda steeled herself with a fierce determination. They would survive this, and they would make sure the truth was known, no matter what it took.