Page 1 of Rescued by the Alpha

Chapter One

Elam took in the surroundings of the rural airport he’d landed at not twenty minutes before. The better part of the day had been taken up with flying from Seattle to Anchorage, then on the smaller

connector flight to the rural Alaskan town where he now stood. The isolated spot was the closest to the remote location he’d be living in for the coming year. However, the chilled air, brisk wind and darkened clouds that loomed on the horizon meant that absorbing the local scenery would have to wait for another day.

He glanced over the bags he’d stuffed into the hatchback of the four-wheel drive SUV he’d leased for his stay. His photography gear was carefully secured inside two steel-reinforced cases, one dedicated to lenses alone. The small carry-on he’d brought on the plane contained his laptop and iPad. The remaining large suitcase was filled with his clothing and other immediate necessities. He smiled as he patted the bag that held his baby—his go-to camera whenever he was on assignment.

With a quick nod of approval, he slammed the hatch shut.

Gotta hit the road before it gets any later.

Any additional supplies or items required for his stay had been shipped to the property management company in charge of leasing the cabin for his self-imposed sabbatical. They’d assured him the boxes of his possessions would be waiting for him when he arrived. He’d paid extra to have them brought to his temporary home, since postal deliveries to the secluded place he’d rented didn’t exist. The company he’d worked with had also assured him he’d have a week’s supply of fresh food and plenty of chopped wood to hold him over in case he couldn’t get to the nearest town for a while.

Works for me. Not here to socialize.

Elam climbed into the front seat of the truck, anxious to get away from the airport and to arrive at the gorgeous home and wooded property he’d chosen for his stay. The rumbling engine of the small transit plane that had just dropped him off revved up again. The pilot had already warned him he shouldn’t linger, that a storm was headed their way. It didn’t seem as if he planned on sticking around to find out whether his prediction was true or not.

After checking the directions to his destination on the GPS, Elam gripped the steering wheel, excitement thrumming under his skin at the prospect of a new beginning. Or a temporary respite.

Either way, he wasn’t stuck back in Seattle anymore and didn’t have to hassle with his cheating asshole of an ex checking up on him all the time in a bid to lure him back. Add in the crowd of friends he’d inherited from his ex—who he suspected were trying to push the ‘get Elam and Andy back together agenda’—and he was over it.

This is my decision, what I choose.

Elam glanced up through the windshield and checked the distinct line of black clouds off in the distance. There’ll be plenty of time for self-reflection later. He could’ve stayed in Anchorage for a couple nights, but he’d checked the weather again after speaking with some locals, and the general consensus had been that the storm wouldn’t hit until well after dark in the area he was headed.

By then, I’ll be relaxing on the couch in front of a roaring fire with a glass of cabernet and agood book.

He grinned, then put the truck in gear. It wasn’t easy to keep from tearing out of the airport at high speed so he could arrive at what he hoped would become a welcome sanctuary. All he’d ever seen were online pics of the stunning, modern log cabin residence, but it had been enough to convince him to leave his old life behind. He hadn’t been as excited about something in years. He snorted. Andit was over a wilderness home instead of some guy. The way Elam figured, the cabin would probably treat him a helluva lot better than Andy ever had.

An hour into his journey, Elam yawned, the long day of traveling finally catching up with him.

He alternately rolled his shoulders and shifted around in the seat, trying to loosen up his cramped muscles. A yellow sign in the distance caught his attention, and he hoped it was somewhere he could grab a cup of coffee. As he drew closer, he almost whooped with joy. The rundown roadside stop boasted a couple of gas pumps and a convenience store. Surely, he’d be able to find something caffeinated.

A blast of icy wind slammed into his face as he opened the door to the SUV, snapping him awake better than any caffeine probably could. He peered up at the sky and noted how much more foreboding the clouds seemed than they had before. Unease coiled in his belly. Driving in snow didn’t concern him, not reasonable amounts anyway. But he’d experienced enough blizzards shooting on location that he had a healthy respect for bad weather—particularly when it occurred out in the middle of nowhere.

A half-hearted jingle sounded from the sad, clunky bell attached to the top of the glass-paned door of the small shop. He glanced around until his gaze landed on a pump coffee thermos with a small stack of paper cups, powdered creamer and a shaker of sugar clustered next to it. Elam slid the sock beanie off his head and stuffed it into his pocket, shaking out his shaggy brown hair that he’d intended to trim before he left. At the last moment, he’d let the idea go. Rocking a little scruff along with his hair brushing his shoulders was probably a better look in his new abode anyway.

“What can I do ya for?”

Elam whirled around at the unexpected sound of a gravelly voice that was attached to an older, grizzled man with ruddy skin who reminded him of a gold miner from back in the day. The store owner ambled toward him and Elam offered him a friendly smile.

“Hello. I was just checking to see if you have some coffee.” Elam maintained his smile, pointing to the thermos. “Looks like I’m in luck.”

The man scratched at his bearded chin, scrunching up his bulbous nose in the process.

“Depends on your definition of luck. Ain’t no coffee in there, but I can make ya some fresh. You’ll

have to wait a bit for it though. Haven’t had anyone in here since the end o’ the tourist season a few weeks back, so haven’t cleaned it out in a while.”

Gross. “Oh, I see. Well…” Elam considered his options. “I was really looking to get something quick, seeing as how there’s a storm moving in tonight.”

The man leaned against the counter, rolling his eyes. “Tonight? I’m guessing an hour at the most.”

Elam’s gut tightened. “I thought… where did you hear that?”

The man indicated over his shoulder with a jerk of his chin. “Scanner. Not much going on this time o’ the year, so I keep myself busy that way. It’s gonna be a doozy, already hit the coast pretty damn hard.” He frowned. “Where ya headed? Ain’t nowhere to stay nearby. Unless you’re going in the direction of the airport? There’s a small motel next to it you can hole up in for a couple days if necessary.”

Dammit. “I just came from there. I’m headed to Trapper Creek Flats.”