Falke’s Peak

glances of the other Falke men. Her awkward embarrassment over having their tryst uncovered by the whole family didn’t help either. And, though Axel had introduced her to his fathers and they’d been nice to her, she could sense a nervous uncertainty in the air.

As incredible as the Falke brothers were, they were shifters. They needed a woman willing to mate with them, carry their children and live in some strange fantasy world where men could turn into big, predatory cats.

The sex had been amazing, but it wasn’t enough to build a relationship on, and her future wasn’t in Washington. She was an outsider.

The wind died down though the night’s chill remained. The motor slowed, and the snowmobile came to a stop at the rendezvous area, which was illuminated by lights from several four-wheel drive vehicles.

Axel’s hand covered her arm. A gentle squeeze.

“We’re here, honey.”

She hugged him close, savoring her final moment with him. Then, taking a deep breath, she let go, climbed off the snowmobile and turned to face the real world.

“Oh, my God!” Carrie screamed, skidding to a stop and wrapping Dakota in a breath-stealing bear hug.

“You’re alive. Thank God. When I heard about the avalanche, I was so scared.”

“Yeah,” Dakota mumbled, pulling away but letting Carrie dominate the conversation.

“I bet you were terrified.” Her friend tugged her toward an SUV where Heidi stood talking with the family patriarchs. “Are you hurt? You look fine.”

“What? Uh, yeah. I’m okay.”

“Hey, Dakota.”

She stopped at the greeting to see Ted, Carrie’s fiance, holding the door of the SUV open for her. “Hi.”

“I’m glad you’re all right.”

“Thanks.” Was she all right? She felt…numb.

“Wow,” Carried continued. “I can’t believe this happened. When Heidi showed up to tell me, I freaked out. We’ve been glued to the two-way radio ever since we heard the cabin was buried. They were gonna have to dig you out, and no one knew if anyone was alive in there.”

“Here. I’ll take care of that.” Ted took the backpack off her shoulders and went to toss it in the SUV’s cargo area. He’d just returned when-“Whoa! What the fuck?” Ted yanked Carrie away from Dakota.

A soft purr sounded by Dakota’s hip. A tender nudge. She looked down at Gunnar…Falke.

“It’s okay,” she said, reaching out to scratch behind the cat’s ears.

Are you all right? Gunnar asked, his voice in her head.

“That’s a-a cougar,” Ted said, keeping Carrie behind him.

“I’m all right,” Dakota said, staring into the cat’s upturned eyes. She smiled and looked at Ted. “He’s just a pretty little pussy cat.”

Carrie stared at her as if she’d lost her mind.

“That’s no pussy cat.”

Meow. Gunnar nuzzled her hand. At least you think I’m pretty.

Dakota chuckled, but her amusement was short-lived. She did think he was pretty, inside and out, a very handsome man, and that’s why she had to go.

Someone behind her called, “Falke,” and the cat grudgingly trotted away.

“Well, uh,” Ted began. “We best get in the vehicle now. It’s late, and you must be exhausted.”

Dakota hesitated, glancing back to where Axel stood next to the snowmobiles. He was watching her, but answering questions from a man in a yellow search and rescue jacket. There was also an ambulance standing by, its engine running but no lights flashing.

Apparently the cavalry had been called in just in case there’d been injuries or worse. She trembled at the thought. Despite the teasing from the other brothers earlier about digging out, the danger had been real.

“Oh, damn. You probably just want to forget this whole nightmare, don’t you?” Carrie said.

“No. I…” She could never forget the Falkes, but neither could she stay in their world. “Um…Yeah, we should go.”

Dakota turned away from Axel and Gunnar and let her friend guide her into the backseat of the SUV. Ted climbed into the front passenger seat to wait for the driver.

“Let’s get you back to the resort,” Carrie said, wrapping her arm around Dakota and acting like an overprotective mother hen. “We can change to an earlier flight. Let’s leave tomorrow. I’m sure you’re not up to skiing or anything. And we should call your parents back.”

That woke her up. “You called my parents?”

Carrie frowned. “Well, yes. They had a right to know their only daughter might be buried alive on a mountain. I mean, I would want to know.”

Dakota groaned and held out her hand. “Give me your phone.” Knowing her parents, they’d be on the first plane out of Boulder headed for Washington. She flipped open the phone Carrie handed her and punched in the number to her mother’s cell.

Heidi got in the driver’s seat and turned to look back. “All set?”

The phone rang once. “Hello! Carrie? Is that you?

How’s Dakota? Do you know anything yet?” Her mother sounded distraught, which made Dakota want to flog her friend.

“Mom, it’s me.”

“Oh, thank God. Dakota, Carrie said—”

“I know, Mom. I’m fine. No, not a scratch. What?

You’re where? The airport!” Just as she’d thought. She glared at Carrie, who cringed and mouthed I’m sorry.

“Guess so,” Heidi muttered good-naturedly and turned to crank the engine.

“No, tell Dad you don’t have to fly here. I’m fine. I promise.” She glanced out the window as they started to move and saw Axel and Falke staring at the vehicle in which she sat. She swallowed hard and let out a slow breath. It was time to go back to the real world.

“We’re leaving first thing in the morning.”

Chapter Eight

Gunnar pulled the Grand Cherokee up in front of the resort, threw it into Park and jumped out. Axel, riding shotgun, was practically on his heels. The doorman opened the glass and chrome door as they approached.

Heidi told them this morning that she’d overheard Dakota on the phone with her parents, telling them she’d be leaving first thing in the morning. It was almost ten. Dakota might be gone. His heart thundered in his chest as he approached the front counter to inquire about her.

Axel grabbed his arm, pulling him up short. “She’s there,” he said, his voice a low growl of relief as he tipped his chin toward the coffee shop just off the lobby.

The breath whooshed out of Gunnar, and the churning in his gut eased a bit. She hadn’t left yet. The brothers headed through the arched opening into the bustling cafe. As they approached her table, Dakota had her head down searching for something in a massive purse. Her hair was pulled back in a bun, her clothes stylish and reserved, less like the free-spirited hiking beauty he knew and more like the businesswoman she was. She sat with her friend Carrie and Carrie’s boyfriend. Gunnar couldn’t remember the guy’s name. It didn’t matter. Only Dakota mattered.

Dakota looked up from her bag when they stopped next to the table, but Carrie spoke first. “Hey, how you doin’?”

Dakota’s eyes widened a bit. Eyes outlined in dusky makeup. Her lips were painted with a soft rose color. She almost didn’t look like the same woman.

“Wh-what’re you doing here?” she asked, her voice soft and sweet, her chocolate eyes deep, soulful. Yes,