Chapter1
BRENNA
Snow crunchedunder my boots with each excruciating step.We’d been walking for hours, and I didn’t know how my cousin, Trevor, was managing the treacherous mountain path so well.I didn’t dare complain, however, because he was helping me.He was saving my life.
If I had to return to prison, I would end up dead in my cell, a shiv buried in my heart.Mob informants tended not to last long in jail.Thank goodness I’d recently managed to escape during a riot and flee Seattle under the cover of darkness.Talk about luck.While less than a year remained on my sentence, I couldn’t imagine going back and spending every second of every day fearing for my life.Better to be an escaped convict-on-the-run than a dead one.
I sighed and increased my pace, not wanting to slow Trevor down.The sooner we arrived at our destination, the sooner I would find out what my hiding place looked like.An image of a cozy, secluded cabin flashed in my mind.When I’d asked for information about the hideout, my cousin had provided very few details.He’d only said, “You’ll understand when we get there.You’ll realize I’m taking you to the safest place I can think of.”
Hm.Now that I replayed his words, it sounded a little ominous.I fought back a chill and told myself it was only the frigid wind that had me on edge.And maybe the frightening knowledge that I was being hunted not only by law enforcement, but by the mob as well.I had multiple targets on my back.
We paused at a level area and sat on a fallen tree for a break.Relieved to be off my feet, even for just a few minutes, I perched on the snow-covered trunk, grateful for the durable gear Trevor had given me.I was wearing thermals underneath a snowsuit, two pairs of wool socks, waterproof boots, warm gloves, and a ski mask to lessen the bite of the wind.I was also hauling a heavy backpack filled with necessities—water, freeze dried foods, protein bars, and a first aid kit, just to name a few.
“The cabin you’re taking me to must be miles from the nearest road,” I said as Trevor handed me a thermos of tea.He’d filled it at an outpost hours ago, but it was still pleasantly warm, and I savored a long sip.
“I never said I was taking you to a cabin.”He accepted the thermos and took a quick drink.“I only said I was bringing you tosafety.”
I peered around the forest, my confusion deepening.Maybe I should’ve asked more questions before we set off.His vagueness was starting to creep me out.“Am I supposed to live in a cave or a hollowed-out tree?”
He removed his ski mask and gave me a profound look.A deep sigh left him, and he appeared as though he were debating whether to tell me something.
“Please tell me what’s going on, Trevor.Where are you taking me?I assumed we were headed to a remote cabin.”I held my breath as I awaited his response.
“We’re so far away from the nearest town or trading post, I suppose I can tell you the truth now.”He paused and swallowed hard, then cast a quick glance around the mountainside.“It’s not like you can run away.”He finally settled his gaze on me, giving me a half-worried, half-pitying look that caused my stomach to tighten with apprehension.
“Trevor?”
He drew in a deep breath.“I’m taking you to the Starblessed tribe of Montikaans.They live just a little farther up the mountain.Montikaans aren’t human, but this particular tribe is in dire need of human females.You will be welcomed with open arms, and I’m certain a male will claim you as his mate very soon.”
I stared at him, aghast, unsure of whether he was telling the truth or pulling an elaborate prank on me.As children, we used to prank each other all the time.Once, I convinced him that brain-eating aliens were invading Earth, and we needed to wear tinfoil hats so they wouldn’t smell us.He’d worn his hat for five days.
“Trevor,” I said in a pleading tone, “I’m really scared right now and not in the mood for jokes.”
His grave expression didn’t falter, and my trepidation mounted.What if he was telling the truth?I swallowed hard as I awaited his reply.
He took my glove-covered hand in his and gave me a regretful look.“Cuz, this isn’t a joke.You know I’ve spent the last few years doing research in these mountains.Well, about a year ago, I encountered the Starblessed tribe of Montikaans.Like I said, they aren’t human, but there are several human females who’ve been adopted into their tribe.The Montikaans are good at hiding.Trust me, there’s no better place for you to spend the rest of your life.And I trust they’ll take care of you.Most of them speak English too—the Montikaans of the Starblessed tribe, that is.Most of the other tribes don’t know English or other human tongues, or so I’ve been told.”He squeezed my hand and shot me another regretful look.
As the information started to sink in, I suddenly felt as though I were falling.“What planet are Montikaans from?”I asked, assuming their people had settled on Earth in secret at some point in time.Earth maintained contact and conducted trade with several varieties of aliens, and while I’d never seen one in person, I’d glimpsed pictures of them on the news.But I didn’t recall ever hearing about an alien race known as the Montikaans.Clearly, they must be excellent at hiding.
“Montikaans aren’t from another planet,” Trevor said in a gentle tone.“They are from Earth.While they call themselvesMontikaan, humans usually call themSasquatchorBigfootorYeti.”
What?Again, I experienced a sensation of falling fast.Disbelief swept through me as I struggled to accept Trevor’s explanation.
Could it be true?Could Sasquatches be real?
Trevor released my hand and patted my knee.“They’re a bit primitive,” he said, “but not in the way you might think.They are highly intelligent and possess some sort of healing powers, which they use to keep their lands devoid of pollution and to help their food sources grow.The majority of the Starblessed tribe lives in a large cavern.I’ve been inside the cavern, Brenna, and it’s the most amazing sight I’ve ever beheld.The walls are covered with glowing moss that they call sun-moss, and the cavern system is warm year-round and contains hot springs.”
“You said other human women live among them?Do all these women have Montikaan mates?”I grabbed the thermos of tea and took another long sip, needing to assuage the abrupt dryness in my throat.
Trevor nodded.“Yes.And from what I understand, the mated pairs enjoy some kind of deep, permanent bond.They mate for life and the males take care of their females, almost to the point of obsession.They have about the same lifespan as humans, and I’ve even seen Montikaan-human babies.”
My heart raced.
For life.They matedfor life.
Oh, my God.
For a full minute, I could scarcely take a breath.
