Midnight Sun (Arctic Love Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

"Someone shot him two times"
    Jørgen's clenched fists trembled.
    "The first time only wounded him, so they shot him again. I hope that shot killed him—so that he didn't have to suffer any more."
    Frey really hoped so too. The bear obviously had suffered; he had dragged himself to where he now lay.
    "Did you see anyone?" Jørgen looked right at Frey, and for once he wasn't smiling or his usual nice self. He was angry, really angry. But Frey knew Jørgen wasn't angry at him, and though it would usually bother him to see such blatant rage in someone, it somehow didn't now.
    "I'm not sure," Frey muttered uncertainly. "I saw the bear lying there, and at first I thought it was just napping, but then I think I saw someone driving away, but they were so far away, I can't be sure. Then I realised the bear wasn't moving, so I stopped."
    "Shit!" Jørgen ran his gloved hand over his face. "Shooting a polar bear is a crime. We have to get back to the settlement and alert the governor. This has to be investigated." His expression was grim as he went over to his snowmobile again.
    "Can we just leave the carcass?" Frey asked quietly as he looked back over at the unmoving bear.
    Jørgen looked conflicted. "We shouldn't, but we don't have any choice. Whoever shot him could come back, and it's better that we're not around if they do. If they take the carcass... At least we know there's someone out there who's shot a bear, so the governor can investigate it."
    Frey glanced around uncertainly. The tundra was empty as far as he could see and silent except for their snowmobiles.
    "They probably left because they heard us," Jørgen continued. "The quicker we get back to Longyearbyen, the quicker someone can get out here to take care of it. They wouldn't dare come back quite yet, I'd imagine." Jørgen ran his gloved hand over his face again and sighed. "This is bad. If this had been self-defence, they never would've left. No, this isn't the result of a bear attack. We've got poachers on the island."
    Frey didn't like the sound of that.
    *~*~*
    The days went by, with the sun rising higher and higher, making the nights lighter for each one that passed. Frey had to close the blinds on his bedroom window to be able to sleep. The sun was lighting up the landscape twenty-four seven now, until autumn would once again take over and it would sink again.
    Frey had been feeling restless since the snowmobile trip with Jørgen. Jørgen was constantly on his mind and Frey found himself wishing for things he wasn't sure he could deal with. He shouldn't want Jørgen like he did, but he couldn't help it. Jørgen had got under his skin and now that he had, there was nothing Frey could do about it.
    He had known he was attracted to Jørgen, but seeing Jørgen talking to that Russian man, being so familiar with him, had caused Frey to feel something he never had before: jealousy. It was even worse now when he knew Jørgen used to sleep with that man. Andreas had confirmed his suspicions a few days after the trip.
    Frey hadn't seen much of Jørgen since, but Jørgen had apologised for being so busy. Frey didn't know why he had apologised, it wasn't his fault tourist season had started, but he guessed that was how Jørgen was.
    Jørgen was always so kind. Frey had nothing to worry about with him.
    Which was why he was currently standing outside Jørgen's house. It wasn't the biggest house, but it was more than enough for one person. As the other houses in Longyearbyen, it was painted in bright colours: green. It should have been a hideous colour on a house, but here on Svalbard it fit in, as did all the other various colours scattered around the settlement.
    Frey bit his lower lip. What was he going to say? What was he going to do? Why was he standing here to begin with? He was falling for Jørgen, but could he really do something about it? If Jørgen, by some miracle, felt the same, would Frey be able to give him what he needed?
    Frey lifted his hand to press the bell,