Page 16 of His Rescued Mate

One afternoon, as they were studying an old map that Evelyn had drawn, Max pointed to a spot near the cliffs where they had found the tin box. "That looks promising," he said. "Evelyn's notes mention a landmark that matches the description of that rock formation."

Alexa nodded in agreement. "Let's go check it out."

They paddled the canoe across the lake and then hiked to the rock formation, the rugged beauty of the landscape serving as a reminder of the island's wild, untamed spirit. As they reached the base of the cliff, they began to search for any signs of a hidden entrance or marker that might indicate the location of the treasure.

After hours of searching, Max finally spotted something unusual—a small, weathered stone that seemed out of place among the larger rocks. He carefully moved the stone, revealing a narrow opening in the cliff face.

"Alexa, look at this," he called out, excitement evident in his voice.

Alexa joined him, peering into the dark opening. "This could be it," she said, her heart pounding with anticipation.

They squeezed through the narrow entrance, finding themselves in a hidden cave. The air inside was cool and damp, and the faint smell of earth and pine lingered in the air. As they ventured deeper into the cave, Max removed his flashlight from the pocket of his jacket. The beam revealed a large, ornate chest covered in dust and cobwebs. But more than that, it revealed two skeletons—one human, and one wolf.

"This must be it," Max whispered, his voice tinged with concern.

As he moved past the skeletons, careful not to damage or disturb them, Max moved toward the chest, kneeling down and opening the heavy lid. Inside was a collection of gold coins, jewelry, and other valuable artifacts. But what caught their attention the most was a small, intricately carved box, sealed with wax and nestled among the treasures.

Max carefully lifted the box from the larger chest, opening it to reveal a bundle of letters and a small, weathered journal. As he read the first letter, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions—sadness, relief, and resolution.

"It's from Evelyn," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "She was writing to her family, explaining everything.”

“What’s everything?”

“Part and parcel of what we need to talk about. You take the small box and head down to the canoe. I’ll get the chest and we can take it back to the cabin. It’s getting late. I think she wanted them to know the truth.”

“Do you think that’s Evelyn?” Alexa asked, pointing to the skeleton.

“I think one of them is,” he answered, kissing her to silence the question he knew was coming. It would seem that his great aunt had never turned her beloved Nathaniel, but they had died together. “I’ll explain everything when we get back to the cabin. I think she wanted them to know the truth about where she ended up and how she had fared. I can’t tell if she’d forgiven them or not."

Alexa reached out, placing a comforting hand on his chest. "You've found what she left for you to find. I think she meant for you to uncover the truth."

Max nodded. "I think you’re right. I love you, Alexa. I want you to remember that. I couldn’t have done this without you."

Alexa smiled. There was something about the way she looked at him that filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction and hope. Their journey had been long and challenging, and the next few hours would only be more so, but they had finally uncovered the secrets that had been buried for generations.

As they stood together in the hidden cave, surrounded by the past, they knew that their journey was far from over. There was no telling if this would be the end of it or merely the beginning, but it didn’t really matter. He knew now what had happened to Evelyn and that, as far as he could tell, she and Nathaniel had lived out their lives together.

With the treasure and the letters in hand, Alexa and Max made their way back to the cabin. The weight of their discoveries hung in the air, a mixture of triumph and the realization of the deep and abiding history that had been uncovered.

After dinner, they headed down to the firepit for the first time since they’d made love. He could tell Alexa was feeling a profound sense of accomplishment, and happiness. He felt the same. Maybe knowing Evelyn’s story would help him tell her all she needed to know. She had come to Kodiak Island to find and write about a great adventure. That had transformed into something far more personal and meaningful than either of them had ever imagined.

Max stared into the flames, his expression contemplative. "I've spent a lot of years trying to deny who I am, where I come from and where I want to go in the future,” he said quietly. "But now, thanks to you and Evelyn, I realize the past isn’t all that important. The fact is that it brought me to this place and this time with you. It’s good knowing what my great aunt went through and that she not only survived but thrived. Evelyn and Nathaniel found their way. I know we will too. I have faith you’ll hear me out and think about what I have to tell you. You've given me a new perspective, a new sense of purpose, and I think I am going to do the same for you."

“You already have,” she said smiling and seeming to feel the warmth and truth of his words. "And you've given me the adventure of a lifetime. I came here to write a story, but I found so much more."

Max leaned closer, his gaze intense. "Alexa, there's something I need to tell you. Something you need to know.”

“Max, whatever it is, it’ll be okay. I promise."

They moved closer, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss that seemed to convey all the emotions they’d been holding back for days. It was a kiss filled with love, gratitude, and the promise of a future together.

As they held each other by the fire, Max knew that their journey was far from over. The next few hours might be intense, but they would both be better for having gone through it.

“So, what is it you have to tell me?” she asked.

“All I ask is that you listen to what I have to tell you with an open heart and mind. I don’t know how much you know about cryptozoology…”

“A little. It’s like the science or search for mythical creatures.”

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