Twice Tempted: Between Two Alphas (Mia and Cameron) novel Chapter 97

Chapter Ninety-Seven

There’s a hunting cabin sixty miles north of town where we can spend the night safely. Eric insists on driving even though he doesn’t know where we’re going. It’s already better than the plane, though, because we’re entirely alone.

I don’t have to pretend to be happy anymore.

“Follow the signs toward Highway 2. I’ll let you know when we reach the turn—it’s not marked,” I tell him.

He drives in silence. I stare out at the landscape, watching the city fly past the window.

I wish I could run. We’re faster in the truck, but I feel useless sitting here. If I could run, at least I’d be doing something. The silence doesn’t help.

“Thanks for the coat,” I say.

The truck is stocked with better gear than what we brought with us: sleeping bags, a real parka for me, food. Weapons. Not that Eric would let me touch the weapons. He’s still convinced I’m guiding him toward Philipe.

“It’s cold,” is all Eric says in response.

I give up on conversation.

We make it past the city limits right as the sun disappears behind the mountains and plunges us into darkness.

Eric’s hands grip the steering wheel. He’s hyper-alert, scanning the road around us, speeding up.

“Relax,” I say. “We’re not out of light yet.”

He glances at me, one eyebrow raised. Then he sees what I’ve been watching for—what I knew was coming.

The Northern Lights.

The first shocking-green tendril of light snakes slowly through the sky beyond my window. The road curves gently toward it, heading further north.

Eric eases off the accelerator as the sky brightens. Purple follows the green, the swirls and eddies growing more pronounced as the sun sets lower.

I haven’t seen the Northern Lights in ages. It was a sight I took for granted when I was younger—no more remarkable to me than a sunrise. But I don’t take anything for granted anymore. Seeing the lights again is a balm to my soul.

I’m struck by the urge to share this feeling with someone—to show the lights to my daughter and watch the colors play over her tiny, perfect face.

I imagine she’d have the same look of wonder that’s splashed across Eric’s rugged features.

I turn my face back to the sky. I have to believe that I will get the chance to show this to Merilee. She’ll be here soon, and we’ll find a way to save her.

“It’s beautiful, Ash,” Eric says almost reverently. “Always wanted to see this.”

“On the right. The turn to the cabin is on the right, just ahead,” is all I say in response.