Page 14 of Rescued by the Alpha

Nic trailed his fingers in lazy circles on his mate’s— Elam’s—shoulder as he lay in his arms.

Where he fucking belongs from now on.

He clamped his lips shut to keep from barking out orders, placing demands on his omega, to tell him he couldn’t leave because they were fated mates.

That would go over great.

One of the main reasons they rarely turned humans was the trust factor. He might simply scare

Elam, but what if it went beyond that? What if instead of assuming Nic was crazy, he also reported him, reported the pack? Because telling a human was never enough. Revealing he was a shifter would require a demonstration. Nic groaned before he could stop himself.

Elam lifted his head. “Is this too uncomfortable? I can move.”

Nic strengthened his hold. “No. I’m fine.”

Elam’s brow wrinkled as if he didn’t believe him, but after a moment, he rested his head against Nic’s chest again.

We should talk. If nothing else, a conversation should be had. Some sort of declaration of continuing interest without coming across like a lunatic. Discussing his feelings was something he never did, hell, he rarely talked to anyone, so he wasn’t quite sure how to proceed. Maybe I can gethim to lead the way? Nic had already concluded that Elam was a sensitive man, would be a caring and loving partner. He’ll be great with my sister’s kids. His gut clenched from the reminder that he’d never have a mate who could give him children. But we’ll have each other, which is more than I’dhoped for anyway. They would build a wonderful life together.

“What about you?” Nic cleared his throat. “If you need me to go back to the couch tonight, I don’t mind. You know, if…uh…”

Elam tensed in his arms and Nic thought he might have said the wrong thing. Fuck. This isbeyond me.

“If you’d rather. I mean, it’s cool.” Elam’s voice held a tinge of disappointment. “I wasn’t expecting anything.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Nic sighed then twisted his body, inching down so he could face Elam. He caressed his cheek, encouraging him to meet his gaze. “Hey, look. I’ve been alone a long, long time. Forgive me if my communication skills are…” He sighed again. “Well, absent is the best way to describe them. But, if I’m crowding you or this is all too sudden, I wanted to give you the option to kick me out of the bed.”

Elam drew his eyebrows together. “This?”

“Yeah, uh… I didn’t pounce on you to get off.” Nic frowned. “Wait. I did want to get off, but it wasn’t just that.”

“Oh.” Elam’s eyes had widened. He averted his gaze as if pondering Nic’s revelation before turning back to face him. “I was so positive that I should stay away from guys for a while that I was caught off-guard by how much I wanted… How much I want you.”

Nic grinned, running his thumb across Elam’s kiss-swollen bottom lip. “Yeah?”

Elam smiled back with a small nod. “Yeah.”

“How’s your head? You tired?” Now that they stood a chance together, Nic was back to taking

care of his mate.

Elam chuckled. “I’m fine. I don’t have that awful throbbing headache like I did yesterday. And I’m not too tired.”

In what Nic assumed had to be daring for him, Elam reached up to stroke Nic’s face, his touch gentle and soothing. Nic placed his hand over Elam’s, squeezing it. He rolled them, covering Elam’s body again, a renewed spark of interest in his cock as he rubbed against his mate.

“Good. Neither am I.”

Chapter Five

Nic stared out of the picture window of his cabin, lost in his thoughts as he watched the snow flurries fall lazily to the ground. They added a negligible amount to the deep powder already gathered from the storm that had raged for three days. The sun hadn’t emerged from the grey clouds yet, but the barometer showed that the worst of it was over. He’d checked in with his sister earlier and she said the reports from the weather service indicated they were in the clear as well.

Time to pay her a visit.

He’d been contemplating over how to best explain to Elam his urgency in going to see her and to reassure him that his ability to make it through the snow wouldn’t be an issue. If the snowmobile still worked, he’d be golden. He’d only ever gotten it in the first place so he could bring larger items to his pack that couldn’t be handled when shifted and the jeep couldn’t make it through the snow.

The Wolf Creek Pack isn’t mine anymore.

He scowled as he returned his thoughts to the situation with Elam. If the snowmobile was out of commission, he’d have to hassle with digging out the driveway, then run the snowblower to the access road. Not only didn’t he want to give Elam the out to leave, but he wouldn’t stand for his mate over-exerting himself before he’d fully healed. And I know Elam well enough now to know he’d beclamoring to help.