Page 24 of Rescued by the Alpha

Nic stopped cleaning the bite and nuzzled Elam’s neck. “My wolf is knotting you, baby. Never done it before, but it must be because you’re my true mate. And your taste, your blood.” Nic dragged his tongue up Elam’s neck again. “So sweet.”

Knotting. He’d always thought it was a breeding thing with wolves, but it was likely that all shifter men had the ability, regardless of orientation.

Elam shivered as Nic’s mouth moved over his back then across his shoulders, kissing, nibbling and licking his way along Elam’s flesh.

“S’good, Nic.” Elam sucked in a deep breath. “Alpha.” Elam’s forehead was pressed to the couch cushion, so he was unable to see Nic’s expression. However, Nic had tensed and was no longer kissing him.

“Do you understand what you’re saying to me?”

Nic had gone back to nipping at his skin, his swollen cock jerking inside his body on occasion.

Elam groaned, squirming beneath Nic, barely able to move from how securely they were attached, along with the comforting weight of Nic’s frame covering him.

“I think so. At least I’m understanding what you are to me. That your spirit has been calling to me ever since you carried me out of the snow.”

“How do you feel otherwise? Are you in pain? My knot probably won’t subside for a few more minutes, though. My first time. Sorry.”

Elam was glad that Nic couldn’t see his blush. “Don’t be. I love it. And other than this overall achy feeling, I feel great.”

Nic let out a long breath that Elam took as being one of relief. “Your bite looks fine too. It’s almost healed over.”

Unlike Nic, Elam’s dick had already gone soft, but Nic still held his hand pressed over it, as if claiming possession of his manhood. Elam smiled to himself. Was this what he’d wanted when he was with Andy? To be claimed, owned? During the three years they’d lived together, Elam had thought they were building toward a lasting relationship. But even if he left out the infidelity, Andy had never been as invested emotionally, something that had been clear to him when they’d broken up and was even more so now that he was with Nic. Elam was certain Andy would never view him as being worth the time and energy it would take to give him the attention that Nic did.

“Oh…” Elam bit his lip as Nic’s knot began to recede, surprised by how sad it made him. Itdoesn’t matter. He’s your mate now. They had their whole lives ahead of them.

A harsh jab of pain shot through Elam’s gut and he clenched his fists against the agony.

Something’s wrong. As soon as Nic pulled free, Elam curled into a ball, a keening cry torn from his throat as his muscles tightened then stretched as if he were being ripped apart from the inside. Nic’s frantic yells cut through the shroud of pain and he tried to lock onto the meaning of his words.

“…shifting. Don’t fight it Elam, you have to let your body do its job. Let your wolf free!”

I’m dying. Oh my God, I made a horrible mistake and I’m dying.

In a whoosh the agony stopped, and he realized he’d tumbled to the floor. He glanced up, but his vision wasn’t the same, it was distorted, yet sharper at the same time. Every scent in the cabin assaulted his senses, but the one that rose above the rest, the one that called to him, was Nic’s. He whipped his head around, his neck feeling thicker, heavier and…

Fur!

He tried to call out to his mate but the only sound he could manage was a series of yips and barks. The white wolf from earlier appeared in his field of vision and his first instinct was to leap on him, nuzzle him, then roll over and show his belly.

Alpha. Mate.

He tried to express more, but only single words would come to him.

Scent. Need.

His Alpha jumped on the latch to the cabin door and as it opened, he glanced over his shoulder, yipping at Elam and somehow, he knew he was meant to follow, to go outside. The white wolf took off, jumping off the porch and landing in the snow with Elam close behind. Elam’s landing wasn’t nearly as graceful as he collapsed in the deep drift, the mechanics of using four limbs instead of two still rather awkward.

His Alpha— Nic, his name is Nic—danced around him, nudging him with his snout in encouragement so he wouldn’t give up. He marveled that he wasn’t cold, that he was so comfortable.

Move. Run. Run!

His Alpha charged away and after he stumbled a few times—his heart racing in panic that he’d lose sight of Nic—he finally got his legs coordinated enough that he could move.

Can’t keep up.

He could scent his mate but could no longer see him.

Too far ahead!