Page 3 of His Secret Mate

Deke snorted derisively. “I am, as are you. Our guy up at Aurora Station found it growing in a remote part of the Arctic. He didn’t know its significance but thought where it was growing seemed odd. If the legends are true, this plant could be significant in a number of ways, not the least of which, according to your research, might be the key to curing Trudi and the others.”

“How do you know about my research? Those files are private, Deke, as are Trudi and the others’ medical records. You can’t just go poking around in my files. They were password protected for a reason.”

“I’m the head of the Resistance and in charge of this place and of keeping all of our people safe. There is nothing that is kept secret from me.”

Lara’s mind raced. So, the Solanum Mystica wasn’t a myth—not a story told by botanists and healers about a plant with unparalleled healing properties—but an actual plant that existed in the physical world. If it had truly made a resurgence, it could be the breakthrough they needed. But getting to the Arctic could be a problem. It was a perilous journey, fraught with danger and uncertainty.

“I need to go there,” Lara said, her voice firm.

Deke didn’t look surprised. “I thought you might say that, and the answer before you even start is no.”

“I don’t believe I was asking for permission.”

“You will stand down, Dixon,” growled Deke. “We have a man in place who is able to deal with the harsh realities of tracking something down in the Arctic. A dire wolf named Orion Nightshadow. He flew in earlier today to pick up provisions for the station. I’ll arrange for you to meet him, and you can tell him what you need and how you need him to get it. But you can’t go.”

“You’ve talked to Tess,” Lara accused.

“No. I talked to Derek, and to be frank, you should have been talking to me and not your big sister.”

“I’ll talk to whomever I damn well please,” she snarled.

Derek chuckled. “You’re a fierce little thing when riled, but Orion is perfectly capable of getting you your sample. I’m not going to risk someone with your experience and expertise on what could be a fool’s errand to pick posies.”

Lara’s heart pounded with a mix of excitement, trepidation, and anger. “Does this guy have any experience in collecting botanical samples?”

As if on cue, a tall figure stepped into the room, bringing with him dark hair, chiseled features, and an air of brooding confidence that bordered on arrogance. Deke introduced him with a nod. “This is Orion Nightshadow. He runs Aurora Station.”

Orion extended a hand—an odd look on his face, not the kind you normally saw when first meeting someone. It was a look Lara didn’t recognize.

“Dr. Dixon,” he said, “I’ve heard a lot about you. Derek Grayson is a friend. I understand you’re the human sister to his mate. You tell me how you want me to get that plant, and I’ll get it done.”

Lara shook his hand, noting the strength in his grip. “That’s very nice of you, Mr. Nightshadow, but that won’t be necessary. I’m going with you.”

Orion smiled, an icy glint of arrogance in his eyes. “That isn’t happening. Aurora Station is no place for a human, much less one from the lower forty-eight.” He turned to Deke. “No fucking way I’m taking her north with me.”

Deke frowned. “While I don’t necessarily condone her going with you, she’s a lot tougher than her exterior would suggest. She is familiar with the terrain, has experience with shifters, and is convinced if the plant isn’t harvested correctly, we might destroy any chance we have of finding out what it can do.”

Orion inclined his head. “Dr. Dixon, I’ll do what you need me to do to ensure we reach and collect the Solanum Mystica safely.”

“I’m going,” she said turning to leave.

Orion’s iron grip wrapped around her upper arm. He held her and sniffed the air around her. “You’re not. I leave first thing in the morning. If you don’t tell me what I need to know to collect your sample, you can kiss that sucker goodbye.”

Lara snatched her arm away. “With you or without you,” challenged Lara, “I intend to get what I need.”

“Dixon,” hollered Deke. “You either get your ass back up here to talk to Orion or send him instructions via email. He’s on the contact list.”

She marched out of the Resistance’s headquarters, waving her hand above her head, but never looking back. Let them think she was in a snit. She headed back down to her lab, via a walk along the shoreline. She wanted a look at Orion Nightshadow’s plane. It was a large cargo plane. Regardless of how many supplies he crammed in there, she was certain she could find a way to smuggle herself and what she needed inside. Once she was there, she’d find the plant and convince him to give her a ride back.

Lara spent the rest of the night preparing for the journey. She packed her clothes, vials, syringes, and portable equipment, meticulously checking and rechecking her supplies. The first rays of dawn had yet to break over the horizon when she canoed her way out to the plane and loaded her gear into the hold where it wouldn’t be seen. Before hauling herself inside, she placed the paddle in the canoe and then gave it a nudge so the tide would take it back to shore. She wriggled her way in between the provisions for Aurora Station, which had been secured to keep from shifting around and breaking.

Lara took a deep breath as she heard Deke and Orion approach. Orion climbed onboard, made a quick last-minute check that everything was secure then went forward into the cockpit. As the plane’s engines roared to life, Lara kept her mind focused on the task ahead.

The propellor blades settled into a dull whine as they pulled away from the shore. The plane moved along the water’s surface, picking up speed as it lifted off. The Solanum Mystica was real, and she was going to find it. The journey would be treacherous, but her unyielding resolve told her she wouldn’t fail. For the first time in weeks, a faint smile played at the corners of her lips. The real work was about to begin.

As they soared northward towards the Arctic, Lara looked out the tiny window in her hidey hole at the sprawling encampment below and allowed herself a small glimmer of hope. She was cold, cramped and frightened, but she shoved it all down. She couldn’t fail. Not with Trudi’s life on the line, and the future of the Tasmanian Devil shifters hanging in the balance.

CHAPTER 2

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