Chapter One
Macy Lawson’s eyes went wide as she stared at the big cat in front of her—and it stared back. Snow blew around them and an icy wind lifted the beast’s whitish-gray coat, accenting the dark rosettes that peppered the gorgeous pelt. The animal’s massive feet didn’t sink into the deep snow though the weight of its large body should have pushed it into the drifts.
It remained perfectly still, its light green eyes studying her.
She swallowed, frozen as it watched her. A snow leopard! Not only was this it larger than normal, but it shouldn’t be here! Not on Mount Elbert in Colorado.
Her heart thudded in her throat as she shook. Semantics didn’t matter in the face of this carnivore.
She was dead.
That very thought propelled her into action. She’d never see her friends and family again. They’d never know what happened to her. But she had to run; she couldn’t just stand there like some virginal sacrifice to a dragon.
Her breath clutched in her chest, her heart beating explosively in her throat as desperation drove her. Could she find some crevice to shelter her—a space too small for the huge animal—or a branch to wield as a weapon?
She’d need the supplies to get her off the mountain, but she shucked off her backpack as she ran. It had to come off if she hoped to squeeze into a tiny space. The snow hampered her, though. The deep drifts hindered her movements, slowing her gait and wearing her out even as adrenaline pushed her.
But it wasn’t enough. She heard the predator. Horrified, she glanced over her shoulder to see the snow leopard. The cat that shouldn’t even be on this continent, bounding gracefully over the snow-covered ground that separated them. Macy turned, fear adding speed to her feet as she ran. Suddenly, time froze on a soft burst of air as the sound of chase ceased. An impact drove her to the ground, her last recollection that of powerful, furry limbs wrapping her body and mighty jaws grasping her neck.
* * * *
“Shh…you’re okay.”
Macy’s eyes blinked open at the deep voice, and she looked up into light green eyes rimmed with coal-black lashes. A fur-trimmed hood covered the man’s head, but equally black hair drooped over his forehead. His face was too close to hers. Disoriented, it took her a moment to figure out why then she realized he was carrying her. His muscular arms were slung beneath her legs and behind her back as he held her close to his chest.
“You saved me,” she murmured.
He shook his head. “Not really. You weren’t in danger.”
“But…a…that snow leopard. It attacked me.” Fear trembled through her at the memory. It had leapt on her, grabbed her neck, knocked her to the ground—
“He wouldn’t have hurt you,” the man assured her, his words faintly accented. “What were you doing out here alone?”
Her eyes narrowed. Always the same questions. Because she was female, no doubt. That’s why everyone else asked.
“I’m a wildlife photographer. I’m up here all the time.”
“With no protection?” he demanded.
“I don’t need a man—”
“A man? How about a gun, pepper spray, or the like? Lady, there are coyote and black bear wandering this wilderness.”
Infuriated, she struggled out of his arms and landed rear-first in the thick snow. She scrambled to her feet. “And snow leopard apparently,” she said drily. She glanced in the direction they’d come, searching for her red backpack in the pristine white snow. “I’ve been up here a lot and never had any trouble. It was stupid, I know, but those things are in my bag—crap. How far did we walk? I have to go back for my camera.”
He turned slightly to show her the strap slung over his shoulder. “Got it.” He took her arm. “Come on. Storm’s coming. We need to get out of here before it hits.” He sniffed and looked west. “It’s gonna dump a couple feet.”
Her brow furrowed. “And you know this how? The forecaster said
Similar Books
