Setting: farm in Dunvegan, Canada; new archeology dig in Alaskan wilderness near Chistochina; IBC labratory
Theme: survival, evil, perseverance, being open, love
Characters:
MacKenzie Macleod – Changeling; 100 years earlier as young cub in Scotland hunters threatened her family and the clan, she ran, fell into a spiked hole, trapped with a dying wolf and still occasionally has nightmares, fostering a distrust of humans. Doctorate degrees in anthropology and archeology. She is searching for proof that Changelings and humans are of the same stock, in anticipation of when
Changelings are no longer hidden from humans, to make them non-monsters. She digs alone, finances her own digs, etc. She has been around the world. Lives among humans, but keeps separate and still has fear at her core.
Josh Talarkoteen- native Alaskan, gifted with ability to read the aura of a Changeling, his people have legends of friendships with Changelings. He is Ranger with Wildlife in Alaska, he served 5 years in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot/rescuer, and carries memories (at first in flashbacks, then as nightmares, then as his guide to see trouble) of an Iranian girl, in colorful clothes and scarves, who does not survive her wounds.
Gramma Kishegwet – Josh’s grandmother, taught him about Changelings, and gifts him with a family gold bracelet, given down for generations carved with images of humans and human/wolf, and foretelling of a human/wolf that would someday join their clan.
Dr. Stanton – vet, elderly, raised 6 cubs/kids, wife died, a Changeling. He goes to assist with the cub/girl; and then to defeat IBC.
Anya – 5 years old (looks 5 months old as a cub), Changeling. Her mother was taken, her mother told her to run and to trust her wolf to take care of her until she came for her… She is alone for a number of days when she smells Kenzie, recognizing her as same…
James & Jillian - brother, mated; Connor & Zoey – brother, mated; Culley and Devlin – twins, brothers, not mated; Carly & Jake – sister, mated
Birkie- Macleod family friend, especially Kenzie’s; always knew of Changelings; a witch? – she can pull down lightening, etc.
Summary:
Kenzie and Josh meet - on road when Kenzie going to her dig, and Josh’s car with a flat tire… they meet, there is interest, but Kenzie pulls back – he is human (though he recognizes her as Changeling). Kenzie sets up camp, starts dig, and is aware of cub that will come near, but not near enough. She calls Josh, who comes up… and after a day of not gaining cub’s trust, is about to shoot it with a tranq dart – when both Kenzie & Josh finally figure out she is a Changeling. They try to coax her, and the cub starts to hang around them, just not close enough to be touched. They feed her, talk with her, tell her stories. Anya can tell they are friendly, but she’s trying to obey her mother’s warning to stay wolf until she returns for her.
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But when 3 bear cubs tear up Kenzie’s camp, they leave Anya and Stanton to go to Anchorage to buy replacements for 2 days, run into Kenzie’s archeologist, social/money climbing ex-lover Nate, who is jealous of Josh. When they tell him about Anya, he reports it to the IBC (for lots of money – he’s been locating loan Changelings for them to capture for years) – he had found Anya & her mother for the IBC in the first place, Anya ran off, he gets extra money for refinding Anya. And after meeting nate, josh has another flashback of the Iranian girl, and Kenzie handles it… she takes them back to the hotel, she confronts him about pulling away from her, they relax, have pizza, talk (sharing tidbits not told to others), and make love. And Kenzie finally recognizes Josh as her mate.
In the meantime, IBC invade the camp – Stanton and Anya almost get away, but they are trapped between momma bear/cubs and 5 big dogs… Stanton gets away injured, but Anya is hurt. Kenzie & Josh return, but split up… Kenzie sees destruction of camp and is frantic… has words with Josh when he finally gets her message… she goes after Anya, but the Iranian girl (he now sees as a sign/help) directs him to where Stanton is hiding in a cave, and he gets him help. Kenzie runs into Nate going into the IBC complex, goes with him, and Nate tranqs her, turning her over… Kenzie sends mind clues to Stanton, about the 8 other male Changelings being held… and Josh calls her family into help.. and with the pack, and with Birkie, they get in… with the help of the vet, Kenzie is already out looking for Anya… and they gain their freedom – with the head doctor dying… and with Nate biting Josh bigtime in the leg before Josh kills him. They take the research they can find, destroy the place, the captives agree to clan together on Josh’s family land…
And Josh and Kenzie spend a month separate, though Josh promised to come for her. And when he finally gets there, it’s explosive… and epilogue has new Changeling Josh romping around with Anya, while Kenzie is digging nearby… ahhhh
Memorable scenes:
After a few days with cub, Kenzie trying to learn her name – and plays with her, telling her she’ll call her Matilda, Georgina, Frederica (Fred for short)… and Anya lets a mind speak leak, tells her her name is Anya, and her mother told her not to talk to strangers… ahhhh
An injured Josh, sitting against building, holding a sleeping Anya… and when the lightening shower starts, sheltering tough Kenzie under his arm…