SNOWBOUND: HER FERAL MATES
by Ruth D. Kerce
copyright © 2008, all rights reserved
Published by ChangelingPress.com
Artwork by Renee George
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Chapter One
(because this is a "hot flash" -- short story -- the excerpt is minimal)
“Damn rental!” Janie Merlot smacked the steering wheel. She and her business partner had flown in for a special photo opportunity. They planned to feature Minnesota’s National Parks in their wilderness magazine.
Now the rented SUV was dead as a corpse, stuck tire-deep in the snow in the middle of nowhere. That’s what she got for insisting on coming to the park alone to snap some sunset photos. She grabbed her cell to call a tow truck. “What the -- shit!” Her cell was dead too. This could not be happening.
As more snow fell, a chill shook her and she pulled her parka tightly around herself. “Stay calm.” She took a deep breath, trying hard not to panic. At least she wasn’t out in the elements.
Despite the weather and her predicament, the park looked beautiful with the bright stars and the light from the full moon shining down on the unmarred snow. She was just off the road, so some vehicle had to drive by, eventually.
An eerie feeling passed through her, like someone was already out here… watching. Uneasy, she took more note of the sounds around her than she normally would. The crackling of ice breaking and falling from tree branches, the howl of a wolf in the distance, the call of an owl -- all kept her alert. She grabbed one of her cameras from the back and put it on the seat next to her just in case a photo opportunity cropped up. Anything to keep her mind from dwelling on being stuck. Still, it had been a long day and she was worn out. Her head dipped toward her chest.
A strange sound popped her eyes fully open and her head snapped up. What was that? Suddenly, something large and hairy leapt onto the hood. She gasped, pushing back against the seat. A dog. No. A wolf. A white wolf! An arctic wolf this far south? She’d heard rumors of sightings, but had never quite believed them.
The animal hung his head and looked through the windshield at her. Its deep blue eyes struck her. Impossible. Grown wolves didn’t have blue eyes, only puppies. Must be a reflection due to the position of the moon… or… something. He didn’t look albino. Her fear slowly ebbed, turning to curiosity.
She reached out, and the wolf sniffed at the glass, as if trying to smell her hand. Another thud drew her attention. A second white wolf! This one’s eyes also looked blue, but much lighter. Both animals were gorgeous. Huge and powerful-looking. Magnificent creatures, for certain.
Unable to resist...
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