Page 6 of Rescued by the Alpha

Elam lowered his gaze, the awkwardness of the moment still hanging between them. Shit. Nic let go of Elam as well.

“Do you need help getting to the bathroom?”

Elam’s blush deepened. “Oh, no. I can handle it.” He cringed, biting his lip. “I mean, I’m okay.”

Nic stepped out of Elam’s personal space. “I’ll just get that broth ready, then.”

Elam ducked his head and gingerly made his way toward Nic’s bedroom. Nic tore his eyes away, holding in a groan at the unbidden thoughts assaulting his mind, the visual of other reasons for Elam to be entering his bedroom.

Nic focused his energy on preparing them some food. He took out the bone broth he used as a base for the stews and chilis he regularly made and heated that up along with the leftover venison stew he’d put together the day before, prior to the storm. After slicing up some bread, he debated whether to bring everything to the couch or the dining area. He’d been serious about Elam taking it easy, but at the same time, he might be more comfortable sitting at the table.

And I won’t be forced to sit next to him on the sofa.

Nic decided to put everything on the table for the time being, then allow Elam to indicate if it was a problem when he came back.

“Wow, that smells great.”

Nic had just set down the last dish when Elam entered the room. Nic furrowed his brow. Elam was gripping the top of Nic’s sweatpants to keep them from falling, since they were clearly too big for the slender man. He licked his lips. The waistband had dipped lower on one side with Elam’s hipbone peeking out from the top of the garment.

Jesus.

“I… uh, I didn’t think to mention that I brought in one of your suitcases before it got too crazy out there. I imagine you’d like to change into something that…” Nic looked everywhere but at Elam.

“Will stay up.” He shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans.

“Yeah.” Elam’s face had pinkened again. “I was wondering how I ended up wearing these, but I guess… I mean, obviously you had to make sure I didn’t freeze. Um, I assume my jeans were wet from the snow?”

Nic ran a hand across the top of his head and nodded. “Had to get you warm. I don’t know how long you laid there on the ground before I found you.”

“Damn.” Elam had muttered under his breath and gone back to being pale. He lifted his gaze. “I can never thank you enough for what you did.”

“It’s cool. Really. I’m just glad I found you before the storm got any worse.” You have nofucking idea how glad. “And, I’m sorry, but when I brought your suitcase inside it fell open, so I had to set a few things that landed in the snow out to dry.” He indicated to the items he’d borrowed after shifting. It had taken him a while to concoct a somewhat plausible story. Telling Elam he’d needed to rifle through his belongings because he was naked hadn’t seemed like such a great explanation.

Elam regarded the clothing that hung from the collapsible clothes-dryer stand Nic used for his own laundry, and at the slippers on the other side of the stone fireplace. “Oh. Huh. Maybe I overstuffed it. It seemed fine when I got off the plane, but I guess it finally gave out.” Elam chuckled as he turned to Nic again. “Man, I’ve been nothing but a hassle for you. First you had to drag me out of the snow, then you got stuck doing the same thing with my clothes.”

Something about being dishonest with Elam ate at him. It wasn’t a horrible lie, but it felt as though he was dishonoring his mate. Don’t go there. Not right now. He sighed. Maybe never. He couldn’t remember the last time one of their Alliance had turned a human. He knew for certain no one had been changed since he’d been born.

“Look, like I said. It’s no problem.” Nic gestured to the table. “I have broth and venison stew. I was thinking you could start with the broth first and see how your stomach handles it before having anything else.” He drew his eyebrows together at the sight of Elam gripping the top of one of the ladderback chairs. “I didn’t mean for you to wait for me. Go on, have a seat.”

Elam gave him a sheepish smile as he pulled the chair out and lowered himself onto it. “I hate feeling this weak, you know? I’m usually pretty active, so I’m not accustomed to how wrecked I feel.”

Nic fought to keep his concentration on Elam’s words instead of his graceful form. “Usually?”

He’d tossed the remark over his shoulder as he made his way back to the kitchen.

“Oh, uh, I’ve had a couple challenging months.”

Nic retrieved two glasses of water he’d already poured and brought them back before setting

them on the table. “I don’t mean to pry, you know, if it’s not something you wanna talk about.” He placed one glass in front of Elam and the other next to his own plate. Nic sat down and tried not to stare.

Elam gave a light laugh. “I’m not concerned about that so much. More that I doubt it would be very interesting.”

Nic gave the plate of bread a nudge in Elam’s direction. “Try me.”

Elam arched his eyebrows. “Well… I won’t bore you with all the details, but essentially, I broke up with my partner and he…” Elam’s eyes widened as if he realized what he’d let slip. “What I mean…” He rubbed the back of his neck, glancing up in what Nic assumed was his way of checking what Nic’s reaction would be.

Answered both my questions without even knowing it. I’d say I’m pretty damn thrilled. Nic thought he’d take Elam out of his misery and reassure him he hadn’t fucked up. After all, being alone and injured in a homophobe’s cabin out in the middle of nowhere with a snowstorm raging outside would be quite an alarming situation for the young man to find himself in.