Theirs to Bear: Icy Cap Den #3 (Alaskan Den Men) Read Online Free PDF

peddler. Would you have a moment to see my wares?”
    Ted had told me the village peddlers set off as soon as the snow melted enough that roads were passable. They traveled around to remote Alaskan locations during the long-sunlight summer. There was a strong Arctic hospitality tradition in honoring peddlers. Not only did they bring goods and services not normally available, they carried something even more valuable in the remote regions: information.
    As a stylist, I valued information and considered everything told to me confidential, but up here I was without any contacts. Maybe she’d seen this succubus that Tristan was so concerned about.
    “My son is asleep, if you don’t mind whispering. Please come in.” I gestured toward the cluttered kitchen table covered with supplies. “Let me clear some space.” I glanced back at the living room. No Leo sprinting down the stairs yet.
    This peddler’s dusty and road-weary appearance meant she’d traveled far.
    “Have we met before?” my guest asked, taking her seat. “I thought this house was vacant last time I was in town.”
    “I’m the new owner. I’m setting up a salon.”
    “A saloon?”
    “A hair and skin salon.” Great. My guest was hard of hearing.
    “Wonderful.” She opened her large black suitcase, which she kept by her side. Keeping her body turned, she rummaged around in it.
    She placed a half-dozen vials on the table. Her deep-set eyes sparkled beneath her lids. “Maybe you would be interested in some essential oils?”
    Was I interested? My experience with the moving company and liquids had not been good. It was all I could not to leap over and seize the contents of her suitcase. This was no way to negotiate, though.
    I produced a handful of my handmade soaps. She sniffed them cautiously.
    “They work on paranorms. A satisfied ghoul is my best customer,” I said proudly.
    The wizened woman glanced up at me from her hooded eyes. “Isn’t the ghoul the only one in town currently?”
    The hair on the back of my neck tingled. “There’s a few others, the deputy among them. How did you hear that? Have you been traveling long?”
    She fingered the soaps. “The roads are open early this year.”
    “Heard anything about a succubus?” I asked.
    “What is that?” The woman set the soap down.
    “Succubus, like a sorceress. She’s been setting traps and harassing the town. No mention of dark magic in your travels?”
    “No but I’m just starting out after being hunkered down all winter. What’s she look like?”
    “Like some fairy princess, but she’s got the heart of an evil queen.”
    “You’ve seen her, then?”
    “I’ve only heard from those who have.”
    The old woman sniffed my soap, closing her eyes. “You got dried snowdrops in here?”
    “I don’t remember what particular ingredients went in that batch. They are all natural, though.”
    The peddler winked. “Good girl. Keep your secrets close. I’ll take all of these and put in an order for a dozen more when I stop here again.”
    “Excellent. I’ll take all essential oils you can spare today. By the way, I’m Liv. Nice to meet you.”
    “Call me Rika.”

5
    Tristan
    A s I sent Liv back to town on the ATV, I shifted into my ice bear. For the next twelve hours, I hunted far from town to escape the wind blowing her scent to me. She hadn’t suffered any serious injury when I found her on that ledge. It could’ve crumpled at any time. I could have lost her. Again.
    I was on her back step by midmorning the following day. I had to see her. It was as if a giant magnet pulled me to her.
    Liv pushed her back door open. “Come on in.”
    “You look beautiful.” I gaped. “Turn around. Slowly.” Liv wore a white halter top with a deep V-neck and no discernable sign of a bra. Under my gaze, her nipples hardened beneath the sheer cotton. Snug black shorts clung to her perfect ass. There was no way she could possibly be wearing panties.
    This was not typical Icy Cap spring