“Amarok,” his grandfather had whispered. They saw a God, Sam saw a chance to become a God. He has never stopped trying to find the wolf that would give him that gift.
Sam shakes the memory off and stomps off in frustration. The wolves have been playing with him, leading him around these woods for hours. He knows what must be done, the girl will be his “Bait.”
Chapter
12
Makenna looks at Archer and asks the question that has been bugging her. “What do you mean your time grows short, Archer?”
“And how did you turn, uh, are you a werewolf?” Caleb wonders moving closer to Makenna.
Archer watches him move protectively towards her and wonders how to explain this.
“I am not sure, exactly. Makenna, I need to move my pack to safety. We are the last of the Arctic Wolves and a hunter has been killing my pack. I must protect them, and you.”
“Why does she need protecting, Archer?” Caleb demands glaring at him.
“I do not have all the answers…” he starts to say but Makenna’s whisper cuts him off. “Sam! He saw the picture I drew and my Dad... I know what we need to do.” She says excitedly running back into the house she comes back with keys.
“Kenna, what are you doing?” Caleb asks watching her go to the shed. She opens the door and smiles.
“Last night Dad asked if we wanted to meet him for breakfast at Kari’s café. We meet him, tell him about Sam and he can move the wolves!”
“You think he can move the pack?” Archer asks with hope.
“I’m sure of it, Archer. It’s what he does. He protects the animals!”
Caleb is already moving. He climbs onto one of the snowmobiles, and grins when she tosses him the keys.
Archer leaps in front of Makenna when Caleb turns the key. He stops growling when her hand touches his. His silver eyes snap to hers and she pulls him gently towards her.
“Don’t worry, I will keep you safe. Put these on,” she says handing him gloves and a helmet. Getting on the other snowmobile she instructs Archer, “Put your arms around me and hold on.” She pulls her helmet on and he follows her directions.
Caleb is watching and waiting. He knows his cousin and he laughs when she yells, “Catch me if you can, cousin!” She takes off throwing snow his direction. Archer’s arms clamp on around her waist as she laughs, and tears off in the direction of town.
They use the snowmobiles to go the five miles to the café. It has been a few years since Caleb has driven one of these, but he does not have the extra weight of a wolf boy, so he passes them easily.
Makenna watches him pass her and slows down a little. She feels Archer relax his hold on her waist and she decides to enjoy her time with him, he said his time was short. What does that mean? He will leave with the pack, or will he stay human? She is confused, she shouldn’t have feelings for him but she can’t help it. No one has ever looked at her like he does. All too soon they pull into the café parking lot beside her dad’s truck and she kills the engine.
Archer climbs off the snowmobile and pulls off the helmet, copying Caleb’s movement. Lucky for them the café seems empty, except for her father. She hangs the helmets on the handle bars and they move inside. The bell rings over the door when they enter and an older woman greets them from the counter.
“Hello, welcome. Please come pick a table.” She offers with a smile. Archer removes the sunglasses and the woman gasps and backs up into the counter.
“Amarok!” she whispers before stepping towards him for a closer look. Makenna blocks the woman with her body and slips his glasses back on, before turning around. Archer rests his hands on her shoulders and stares at the woman.
“I’m Makenna, I am looking for my dad, Eric?” The sound of laughter floats from the kitchen and Sakari returns from the back with her father. Makenna smiles in relief.
“Hey there, Nugget, Caleb.” Her father calls out walking over towards her. He looks at Archer standing with his hands on her shoulders and asks quietly, “Who’s your friend, Makenna?”
“Hi Dad, this is Archer. Can we talk?” she asks stepping towards him. Archers grip tightens on her for a moment, but Caleb takes his arm.
“We will get some breakfast, I am starved!” he says pulling Archer with him. Sakari watches quietly before noticing her grandmother.
“Gram, are you okay?” she asks with concern.
Her grandmother is staring at Archer and wringing her hands, “I know you.” she says in the Inuit language.
Sakari looks at the boy and back at her grandmother. They are all stunned, when Archer speaks back to her in her native language.
Her grandmother relaxes and laughs before urging him to a table with Caleb. “I’m fine, just old. Can you get me some water?” Sakari hurries to get the water and returns to the table where they are sitting. “Here Gram, drink this. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m sure. I will just visit with these two handsome boy’s, you take care of your customers.”
Sakari looks up at the sound of the bell as new customers enter. “Okay, but if you need anything call me. I will be back to take your order soon.”
Archer watches her leave before leaning forward to speak to the older woman. “Thank you, for protecting me.” He says quietly.
“I
