Page 50 of Rescued by the Alpha

He blinked a few times then seemed to snap out of his trance. “Oh. Right.” After he climbed back in bed beside them, he continued watched them for a while then gazed up at Elam. “What about you? Are you hungry?”

Elam snorted. “Starving, actually.” He smiled. “But ladies first.”

“Okay. I’ll fix up some eggs and bacon for you when she’s done.”

They both continued to enjoy their perfect, beautiful baby as she drank her fill, and as he’d done so many times since he’d first learned he was pregnant, Elam marveled at the miracle of it all and of the new life he held in his arms. But none of it would have been possible had he not come to Alaska then allowed Nic into his heart.

“I love you, Nic. More than you’ll ever know.”

Nic kissed his cheek. “No more than I love you. Forever, right?”

Elam grinned. “And ever and ever.”

Epilogue

Nic flipped another elk burger on the grill, glancing around the yard of the rental until his gaze landed on Elam feeding Sophie—who had hit the three month mark the day before. Elam was seated in one of the many lawn chairs scattered about for the family summer gathering. Alex, perched on a chair next to them, laughed at something Elam said and he laughed back, Nic’s heart warming the way it always did when he watched his beautiful mate. Elam caught him staring and grinned, his smile lighting up his face.

Nic gave him a small wave then went back to checking the burgers for doneness. He rarely put much heat to them, but while his wolf only ate raw meat, Nic preferred at least a smidgen of brown on the edges. He pressed down on each patty as his mind wandered to the recent meeting with the Alliance. Although Nic had been christened temporary Alpha over the Yukon Delta Pack, the intention had never been that he would remain in the position. Not only was a single Alpha not allowed to rule over two packs, he wouldn’t have wanted the title anyway. Several worthy candidates had stepped forward to be considered, and Nic had found them all to be good potentials. A death challenge wouldn’t take place for leadership, though. Due to the unusual circumstances—including Yuri’s lack of a direct heir—the Alphas of each Alliance pack would vote instead.

Nic’s father wandered up to him, sniffing the scent of the grilling meat as he approached. He held a partially-consumed beer bottle from which he took a long draw before speaking.

“You want me to help you with the house this week?”

The month before, Nic had begun building what would become his and Elam’s permanent home.

“Yeah, that’d be great. I’m ready to begin on the roof.” He hoped to get most of it completed before the fall rains hit. He glanced sideways at his Papa. “Uh, there’s something I’ve been meaining to bring up.”

His father arched his eyebrows and took another sip of his beer. “Then out with it, son.”

Nic sucked in a breath before he continued. “How are you holding up after stepping down as Alpha?” The memory problems his father experienced on occasion had worsened after the pack battle and the loss of Artur.

His father drained the rest of his beer then tossed the empty bottle into the bin for recyclables.

“Look, I’ve hit my sixties and I’d already planned on stepping down in a few years anyway—like I’d explained to you before. But son, I just couldn’t do it after your brother betrayed us the way he did.

And while he gave me a lot of trouble there toward the end, I still loved him.” He ran his fingers through his salt and pepper hair. “I don’t have it in me anymore.”

Nic considered his father for a moment, then gave him a nod. “I know. Just want to make sure.

That’s all.”

His papa jerked his head toward Elam. “Why don’t you let me take over here? Go spend some time with your mate and my granddaughter.”

Nic quirked a smile as he scooped a patty onto a plate so he could bring it to Elam. “Thanks.”

After passing off the spatula to his father, he dressed the burger up the way he knew Elam liked it, then brought it over to where he was relaxing with Alex. He set it on the picnic table next to them and extended his arms to Elam. “Here. Let me take her so you can eat.”

Elam had Sophie up on his shoulder and was patting her back. “That’s okay, Nic. You go ahead.

I’ll grab something once I put her down.”

Nic frowned. “No, you won’t. You’ll eat now.”

Elam smirked as he lifted Sophie up and handed her to him. “Bossy.”

Alex snorted out a laugh. “Yup. Always has been. Probably always will be.”

Nic ignored his sister and Elam and hoisted a squirming Sophie onto his shoulder. He tried to help with her whenever he could, but he still felt out of his element when performing all the baby tasks he’d never dreamed he’d one day be doing.