Page 22 of Rescued by the Alpha

“Okay. But I need to think about everything before I make up my mind to stay. To let you change me.”

Chapter Seven

The punch to his gut at Elam’s declaration knocked Nic back a few pegs. Yet, a burst of admiration also grew out of the disappointment. Elam knew better than to surge ahead without careful consideration when faced with such a major decision. He would be an excellent mate for a pack Alpha.

That is, if I was the pack Alpha.

Nic continued to caress Elam’s back, hoping that his explanation of the process had been both reassuring and accurate. Apparently, it had been long enough since anyone in the Alliance had turned a human, that even Asha wasn’t sure of all the details. Before Nic had left, she’d told him she would research the ancient archives.

‘You’ll have to record everything for us, Nicolai. You’ll be our guide in the modern age onwhat happens when a human receives the claim bite.’

Elam twisted in his embrace and faced him, wrapping his arms around his neck. “Hey. You must be hungry. I meant to have something ready for when you got back, but I didn’t get very far.”

Seriously? Nic swallowed down his emotions. “I wasn’t expecting that. And…what about everything I just said? If you need time alone, or er…would rather…” This talking things out shit isawkward. “I leave? Or… I could…”

Elam chuckled. “I don’t want you to leave. Okay, yeah. I’m pretty freaked out by all this. But I need to clear my head for a bit, do something normal.” Elam tensed as his eyes widened. “Oh God.

I’m sorry, Nic. I didn’t mean to imply that you or your way of life aren’t normal. I think what I meant was preparing and eating a meal is a mundane activity and would give me something else to focus on for a couple hours.”

Nic nodded. “Don’t worry about it. This all came out of nowhere, I get it.” Heat flushed under Nic’s skin. “Caught me by surprise too.”

Elam furrowed his brow. “Really?”

“You have no idea. I’ve been alone for so many years, hell, I’m marching toward forty for fuck’s sake. I left my pack behind because I can’t be their Alpha without providing an heir, let alone not having a fated mate by my side. I never expected this to happen.”

Elam stared at him with rounded eyes. “Wait. You’re the pack Alpha?”

“Not anymore.” Nic’s belly rumbled. “Damn, guess I’m starving after all.” Nic eased Elam off

his lap and onto the cushion then rose to his feet. “Tell you what. I’ll go get the rabbits out of my bag on the snowmobile and I’ll fill you in on the whole pack saga while we make dinner together. Deal?”

To Nic’s relief, Elam offered him a smile. “Deal. I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

Nic arched his eyebrows. “Yeah?”

Elam stood then gave him a peck on his lips before answering, “Yeah.”

* * * *

In the interest of time and hunger, they’d thrown together a quick soup with the rabbit and the canned beans, along with some boiled onions and potato. Nic had also brought back an amazing loaf of fresh Russian black bread that Elam had once had while on assignment. He’d have to get Nic’s sister’s recipe, so he could make some for them.

Elam set the mug he’d been washing down a little too hard and it cracked.

“Oh no, I’m sorry.”

Nic glanced over from where he’d been scouring the steel pot they’d used for their soup. “For what?”

Elam held up the broken cup. “I hope it wasn’t a special one.” He wasn’t sure since all of Nic’s crockery was mismatched.

Nic shrugged. “It’s just a mug. I’ve got plenty of others.”

After Nic took it from him and tossed it in the waste bin, they finished their after-dinner clean-up while Elam tried not to ponder why the errant thought about the bread recipe had jumped into his head. Why the idea of building a cozy home life with Nic seemed so natural instead of utterly terrifying. Mixed in with that was how badly he wanted— needed—Nic to fuck him. The unrelenting desire to be filled had been building since he met the man, each day becoming more urgent. The hand jobs—and even Nic’s expert blow jobs—hadn’t done shit to take the edge off the way they normally would have.

Nic tossed the dish towel on the counter then faced him. “I meant what I said earlier about giving you space.”

Elam sighed. “Are you about to make the couch offer again?”

Nic lowered his gaze as he brushed at imaginary crumbs on the wood surface next to the sink. “I don’t want to push you. Crowd you or whatever.”