Page 18 of Rescued by the Alpha

Asha tsked. “Yes, awful thing that. And already the rumors have begun. How can the pack trust an Alpha who would orchestrate such a deception to gain power? Especially over something as

sacred as a fated mate.” She shook her head. “No, I don’t think the pack will accept him as Alpha without a challenge.”

Nic bristled. “No one but the Petrov clan have ruled this pack since we first arrived on this soil from Russia!”

“And wouldn’t it be a travesty if another clan were to take over because of your brother’s deception?”

Nic shot to his feet. Dammit! “What can I do about it, though? I would still be depriving the pack of an heir. Another clan would eventually challenge me when it became clear there wouldn’t be any offspring to continue the family name.”

Asha reached into her basket to retrieve her knitting. “Your father is still quite strong, so this doesn’t need to be decided immediately.”

“But—”

She held up a hand, palm out. “You have a mate to tend to first. Once you’ve bitten and claimed him, then the next challenge can be faced. But without him, nothing else can be resolved.”

Nic pressed his lips together to keep from blurting out something rude. He didn’t see how turning Elam would make any difference when it came to the issue of a legitimate heir. Not that I’dever go along with it either, but he’d have a meltdown after all that shit he went through with hisex if I were to propose getting a woman pregnant then raising the child.

Asha threw back her head and laughed as she readjusted the yarn on her lap. “Oh, Nicolai. You trusted your instincts when it came to rescuing your mate. Why do you think they won’t come through for you again?”

“I…” His shoulders slumped. He had no fucking clue. His only choice was to heed her words and hope he wasn’t dooming his pack to annihilation by another clan.

* * * *

Elam had spent the hours while Nic was gone by reading a biography on Ansel Adams and enjoying the peaceful silence that only a remote spot blanketed in snow could provide. As the day had stretched on, he’d become restless and was in the process of ferreting through Nic’s cupboards and small pantry, searching for a combination of ingredients that might work together to make a meal for when he returned. Even though Nic had said he’d bring back more supplies from the small town where his sister lived, he might be hungry by the time he got home, and Elam couldn’t stand the thought of not making sure his… My what? He gave himself a mental shake. A word he couldn’t quite grasp had been at the edges of his mind yet again, but it wasn’t important. He was merely helping out.

After all, Nic had done so much for him already, had gone to a lot of trouble to care for him after he’d been hurt.

Still, his jumbled thoughts wouldn’t release their grip on him. Not to mention my almostconstant state of horniness. Elam set down the bag of kidney beans next to the spices he’d retrieved from a cabinet, a heaviness in his chest, a lingering thread of confusion driving him to the table where he dropped onto a chair. He let out a sigh, slumping his shoulders, rubbing his eyes with thumb and forefinger as he tried in vain to pull forth the questions that had been plaguing him whenever he considered the dynamic between him and Nic. He’d be on the verge of understanding something about them as a couple, then the realization would seem to jump out of his reach.

I’m losing it.

Whenever he’d get frustrated by his inability to comprehend what had been about to form in his mind, he’d remind himself he had knocked his head pretty damn hard. There were bound to be things he couldn’t remember, concepts or words that were difficult to easily bring forth. I sure as hell hopeit isn’t permanent.

Elam gazed out of the picture window at the barely perceptible flakes lazily falling from the darkening sky. The scene before him was so gorgeous, he pondered whether to get his camera and capture it forever. But his attention was grabbed again by Nic. By us.

Elam let out a snort. He’d clearly let go of his promise not to get involved with a man again for a while, so there was no use wasting his time agonizing over that line that had been crossed.

‘ We’ll figure it out’.

Nic’s words to him before he’d left echoed in his mind. While claiming they were boyfriends still seemed too soon, Nic had conveyed he wanted more than a fuck. Elam chastised himself over wanting something more solid, more definite. Why was he being so clingy? Was it because Andy’s betrayal had eroded his self-confidence?

And why do I want to bend over for him every time he walks by?

While Elam had always believed in love, ached to find someone compatible he could build a life with, something about Nic made him crazy. Compelled him to get closer, to be with Nic as more than a lover, more than a boyfriend and partner.

This is important. He’s important. Elam clutched his hair in aggravation. But why?

The approaching rumble of the snowmobile’s engine jerked him from his muddled ponderings.

He glanced at the loosely assembled pile of ingredients on the counter and rolled his eyes.

So much for having food ready for his return.

Elam tried to ignore the flutter in his belly caused by Nic’s impending arrival. But he had reached the conclusion that even though it seemed a bit early to get into a heavy conversation about what they were to each other, his emotions were so jacked up that he needed it even if Nic didn’t.

A burst of freezing air whooshed inside as Nic entered the room. He pulled off his hood then

unzipped his jacket as Elam rushed forward to help. Right as he was about to greet him, Nic wrapped a gloved hand around his nape then yanked him forward, smashing their lips together in an urgent kiss.