Green Bearets: Aksel: Base Camp Bears, #2

By Amelia Jade

Aksel Muller was positive he had it all. He and his fellow Green Bearets are once again ready to defend their homeland of Cadia. He was even given the privilege of leading part of the mission to liberate the nearby human settlement of Cloud Lake from their enemies. But when he comes across a woman being kidnapped by evil shifters, Aksel immediately realizes he's wrong. He hasn't had everything he wanted. And he won't, not until he has her…

They came for her in the night. Nina Palerno had lived in terror ever since her little backwater town was taken over by shifters from another stronghold. The Cadians were kind; these new shifters from Fenris burnt half the city down around them just for fun. As they spirit her away into the night, her house burning to ashes behind her, Nina is left without hope. Until he comes to her rescue.

Sworn to secrecy by her human bosses, she refuses to reveal why Fenris is after her. But as her feelings for Aksel grow, her loyalties begin to shift. Should she tell him her secret after all? And when renegade elements manage to do the unthinkable and kidnap her again, will she be able to withstand their more vicious methods? Can Aksel, when confronted with his worst nightmare, do what's necessary to save the life of the woman he loves?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amelia Jade
• Release date: Nov 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9781540142269

Book preview

Chapter One

Nina

Life was different in Cloud Lake lately.

The evidence was all around her, though no more evident in the way she walked hurriedly home from work, shoulders hunched forward, winter hat pulled low, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible. The furtive glances she cast into every shadow or over her shoulder were more noticeable than she likely thought, but being aware of things was far more important to her.

Passing yet another building that had been gutted by fire, she forced herself not to stare for too long. Such buildings were often a site of shifter activity. They would hide in the darkened shadows until they saw someone they wished to scare…or worse.

For the most part, the new group of shifters that had moved into Cloud Lake hadn’t harmed the human population. There had been some exceptions, but there was no hard proof that it was shifters, even if it was unlikely to have been anyone else.

There weren’t many humans around that could snap necks with such ease, after all.

But while the death count had been down, the looting, vandalism, and harassment of the town's human population had skyrocketed. The number of burned-out buildings had also subsequently risen, as the fire department was stretched thin to keep up with the antics of their new residents.

Yet any time the sheriff’s department showed up, the shifters were long gone, leaving no evidence it was them.

All in all, the humans, like her, were living on edge. It was barely safe to go out during the day. At night was practically asking for trouble, and right now, the shadows were setting quickly.

She could have driven, but that would bring more attention to her. Shifters were not huge fans of motorized vehicles, and they would have hounded her relentlessly if they saw the truck she owned.

The last thing Nina Palerno needed right now was attention from the shifters.

Turning onto her street, she spied the light above her single-car garage. The warm yellow glow signified safety. If she could just get inside, she would be safe.

Until tomorrow.

She shivered despite the thick winter gear she was wearing. It wasn’t from the cold. The street was quiet. No noises sounded; none of the ambient noise in a neighborhood that one might expect. No cars, no doors opening or closing, or even sounds of animals. It was eerie, almost haunted. The only thing she could hear was the wind whistling through the houses. It was quiet.

Too quiet.

Nina’s eyes looked around frantically, but she couldn’t spot anything. Her boots crunched fresh snow underneath as she walked slowly down the sidewalk to her place. It had snowed heavily earlier that afternoon, though it was tapering off now, with only a few fresh flurries falling and mixing with the ones stirred up by the wind. Another hour, she figured, and the skies would be clear.

The blood in her veins pumped more rapidly as her heart beat faster, the pulse in her neck throbbing. Hyper-alert, she made sure not to break out into a run. That would be a dead giveaway that she was scared. Instead, Nina made herself walk up to the front door of her house and calmly open it, letting herself inside.

Shaky fingers slid the deadbolt across and she put her back to the door, slipping to the floor in a seated position, still clad in all her winter clothing. A huge sigh of relief filled the room.

Nobody was there. Nobody had been following her. She was safe.

BAM!

Nina shrieked in panic as the entire door shook on its hinges. Still on the floor, she turned away and scrambled across the floor in a crab walk as the door splintered under another heavy blow.

Go away! she hollered, but the unknown assailant didn’t respond.

BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.

The door began to come apart under the repeated blows. Finally a boot kicked it inward.

This is taking so long, a deep voice muttered. Couldn’t you have just hit it once to scare her, and then knocked it in? Seriously, what kind of shifter needs five hits to knock down a door?

Nina looked wide-eyed as half a dozen extremely large men filed into her house. The first one was still shaking off bits of door from his clothing. He laughed at the other man’s complaints.

It’s all about style and effect, Kane. Style, and effect.

The second man, slightly shorter than the first, shook his head. Efficiency is king, Rolden. In and out. Quick like, ya dig?

"What the fuck are you doing in my house?" she spat at them from her spot on the floor.

The huge men turned to look at her, as if having forgotten she was there.

We’re having a debate about the proper way to grab someone. I thought that was obvious? the singly-named Rolden said with a leer. I think it’s about making sure they’re properly terrified before you show yourself. Kane here, he thinks that the shock factor of being in and out so quickly is the way to go.

He paused, looking around at the men, who all had evil grins on their faces.

Which one do you prefer, dearie? he asked in a patronizing tone, squatting down in front of her.

Nina spat in his face.

Get the fuck out.

Rolden grimaced, wiping her spittle from his cheek and temple.

That wasn’t very nice, he growled. That wasn’t very nice at all. I was going to play nice, but now, fuck it.

His arm blurred, snatching her up by the neck. He pulled her forward away from the wall, and then slammed her back into it hard enough to bring stars to her vision.

Get her out of here, he said, and flung her like a rag doll at one of the other huge men.

Nina was so stunned from the pain she couldn’t even cry. She did hear Rolden give some orders.

Kane, search the place. See if she left any clues. When you’re done, burn it.

With pleasure, the other shifter—that’s what they had to be, she decided—said, an ugly laugh filling the room.

The pain finally filtered through the shock and Nina gritted her teeth, determined not to cry out, even as the big shifter carried her under one vise-like arm, treating her like a rag doll as he left the house.

Ow! Watch where you’re going you big oaf! she said, swearing as he slammed her rear into the broken door frame on the way out, not taking into account the fact that she stuck out farther than his arm.

The shifter just rumbled with laughter, the sound like rocks moving down a mountain as it came from such a big man.

Outside now, she contemplated screaming out for help. Someone would hear her. They had to, right? She lived in a residential area, and even though everyone’s windows would be closed due to the cold, someone would hear her. Making her decision, Nina sucked in a deep breath, preparing to make as much noise as possible.

A meaty fist drove itself into her solar plexus, expelling all the air from her lungs.

Stay quiet, or the next blow won’t be so polite, her captor growled.

Nina’s eyes went wide as she struggled to breathe, hunching over as best she could while tucked under the man’s one arm. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to relax and keep from panicking. Her lungs fought with spasming muscles, trying to work, to suck in air, but they weren’t having any of it at first. It took nearly ten seconds before the first whiff of fresh air made its way into them.

Slowly she heaved and wretched, getting her body back under control as more and more air re-entered her system.

Asshole, she said in the middle of a coughing fit, able to pause just long enough to get the word out.

You made me do it, the big shifter returned easily, not offended. I felt you get ready to scream out. Can’t have that. So either shut up, or I’ll simply knock you out. Your choice, Miss.

Her blood boiled at the false nicety he threw out at the end of his sentence. This man didn’t give a damn about her well-being, and they both knew it.

Something whooshed behind them. Nina cranked her head around just in time to see flames rushing through the building.

My house, she moaned, tears streaming down her face, becoming frigid bits of liquid before they fell. You didn’t have to burn it down.

It’s just stuff, the man said, and she could practically imagine his eyes rolling by the tone. You’re still alive. He paused. For now at least.

And with that, the group of them took off into the streets. Nina bounced along uncomfortably under the man’s arm, trying not to lose her composure. Complaining about it wouldn’t do her any good, she could tell that. Instead, she kept her mouth shut for as long as possible.

They were headed toward the east side of town.

Where are we going? she asked dully.

A facility where nobody will hear you, Rolden said calmly, as if she shouldn’t be terrified by his words.

Are you going to kill me? she asked, proud that she didn’t stutter the words, despite the terror beginning to overwhelm her as she realized just how bad the situation was.

That depends, came the reply.

Depends on what?

How helpful you are. If you give us what we want, then you might just live. If you don’t, we’ll have to hurt you until you do. That will eventually kill you. So, it’s up to you.

Nina felt the panic bubble up and threaten to overwhelm her as he spoke, his voice not threatening her with anything. Instead, he was simply explaining what was going to happen, which she thought made it even worse. A threat she could push off as perhaps just bluffing. But this man didn’t bluff.

What do you want? she asked, blinking rapidly, trying to fight back tears once more.

In the distance sirens screamed as the Cloud Lake Volunteer Fire Department rushed into the streets, likely heading to her house. She knew they would be too late; it had been engulfed before they left.

The shifters were thorough, she had to give them that.

I think you know exactly what it is we want, Rolden said as the group turned off the main road and down a small side street barely bigger than an alley.

Well, considering you haven’t told me anything yet, she replied as firmly as she could muster, I must admit to being a little in the fucking dark over here.

Rolden looked back at her for the first time. Perhaps you do have a spine in you after all, he said. Curious, I didn’t foresee that.

She spat in his general direction. It missed, and earned her a rough re-adjustment from the shifter carrying her that left her sore and wincing in pain. But it had been worth it.

What we’re looking for, Miss Palerno, is a password. A password to a very specific file.

What the hell do you need me for then? she asked. I’m just an archivist for Cloud Lake. I don’t know anything important!

Because you’re the only one who knows this password, Rolden replied. In the file is data about a certain location. Something you humans found near here, and tried to cover up.

Nina went cold on the inside as she realized what file he was talking about.

Yes, Rolden said as she fell quiet. I thought you might know what I was referring to.

Nina was deep in her own mind, wondering how the hell they had found out about that, when she picked up a change in the shifters. Nobody said anything, but she refocused on reality and looked around. They were all looking around, alert.

Boss… Kane said uncertainly.

I hear it, Rolden replied.

Nina strained her ears, but she couldn’t pick up anything. What the hell were they talking about? She craned her head around the group, noting the way they were all slowing, and that the shifters on the outside of the circle were craning their heads around constantly.

Something had them spooked.

Come on, Rolden said at last. Let’s move, double time.

The big men began to run faster, and her body jolted up and down, her joints screaming at her in protest as they moved.

The little laneway crossed through a big road, and she felt more than saw her group surge ahead, to try and cross it as quickly as possible. The lead man was halfway through it when she felt the muscles of the shifter carrying her tense.

A voice called out.

Well, well. What do we have here?

Chapter Two

Aksel

The Command Center was packed.

As a lowly corporal, Aksel was mildly surprised he’d been invited, let alone told to sit near the planning table.

There has to be a dozen officers in here.

His count wasn’t far off either. That was a lot of brass in one room.

Any idea what’s going on? a voice asked from his elbow.

He looked at the speaker. It was Lieutenant Kiefer Hartmann.

Not a clue, he replied. Whatever it is, they’ve managed to keep it real hush-hush.

Now that’s a surprise, Kiefer replied. Usually things like this are all over Base Camp before they announce them.

This must be big then, Aksel said. Real important.

He had an inkling what it might be, and hoped he was right, but he didn’t want to say anything. Contributing to rumor, or scuttlebutt, at this time was pointless. They were about to find out what was going on, and all he had to play for now was his own pride at having guessed right.

Finding the chair assigned to him, Aksel slid into it. Kiefer