Page 7 of His Rescued Mate

Alexa smiled, feeling a deeper connection to him in that moment. Despite their different mediums, they shared a common passion for capturing the world around them and expressing it through their work.

As they continued their hike, Alexa couldn't help but feel a growing sense of anticipation. There was something about Kodiak Island that felt almost magical, as if it held secrets waiting to be uncovered. And she had a feeling that Max Renner would be at the heart of unraveling those secrets.

CHAPTER 4

BENEATH THE SURFACE

As the days passed, Max found it difficult to ignore that Alexa was his fated mate and yet, he could not seem to find a way to tell her. There was a myriad of problems that came with that knowledge. Max waited until Alexa had turned in for the night and then headed down to the lake. For the past several nights he’d found it preferable to go down to the lake, shed his clothes, shift, go for a dip in the frigid water and then go for a run. It didn’t help with his growing need to claim Alexa, but it helped him keep his wolf in check.

Tonight, instead of the cold lake and a hard run, he lit a small fire in the fire pit, pulled out his cell phone and called Asher Wells. Asher was a park ranger here on Kodiak and was only loosely tied to the pack at Wolf Run up in Mystic River. They weren’t close friends, but they did share a bond: neither was a member of the pack up at Mystic River and had become lone wolves. It had suited Max well enough for the most part. He enjoyed his own company and the solitude. It allowed him to focus on his art. He smiled. It was only since Alexa repeatedly told him that the things he created were art that he’d begun to believe it.

Besides, he had friends and when he needed another wolf to talk to, he could call Asher. Even if he hadn’t liked and respected Asher, he knew his advice would be spot on. It wasn’t all that long ago that Asher had been in a very similar position. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be necessary to turn Alexa without her consent to save her life—although in some ways, Max wondered if that might not have made it easier.

Sitting down, Max picked up the phone and called Asher.

“Max? Hi, it’s Nicole, Asher’s just bringing in the last of the groceries. Babe? It’s Max. Is everything okay?”

He liked Nicole. “It’s fine. It’s just one of those times it would be nice to have a pack.”

“Oooh,” she laughed, knowingly. “I heard you picked up the travel writer who was supposed to stay with Joe. We were in town to do our grocery shopping and take Joe some meals he can just heat up. You know if you want to talk about her, it might not be the worst thing to talk to a woman.”

In the background Max could hear Asher coming to save him. “If he wanted to talk to a matchmaking she-wolf, he’d have called you direct,” said Asher, taking the phone. “Max? What’s up?”

Asher might have thought he was scolding his mate, but Nicole wasn’t easily intimidated, and Asher was crazy about her.

“Has she always been psychic?” Max asked.

“Not really. She’s just an incurable romantic and wants to see everybody happily involved. So, is there a problem with the travel writer? What’s her name? It seems rude to refer to her only by her profession.”

“Alexa Carrington, and no, there’s no problem. It’s probably best that she’s out here with me. I’m not sure I’d have been able to tolerate her staying at Joe’s place.”

Asher groaned. “Fated mate?”

“Yeah. I felt her presence before she even stepped off the plane. I figured since Nicole was also human and from the lower forty-eight, you might have some words of wisdom for me.”

“Honestly? I got lucky. Nicole almost died, and I had no choice but to turn her. Let’s hope you don’t find yourself in the same situation.”

“I don’t think I will,” Max chuckled. “For one thing Alexa is an experienced mountain climber and outdoors person. She’s been all over the world writing about all kinds of remote and wonderful places.”

“And she has no idea about our kind, right?”

“Doubtful. Although she’s probably more susceptible to accepting it than most. She talks about the various legends she’s heard and understands how ancient people were trying to make sense of their world.”

“Only we’re real. We exist. We can shift from human to wolf and back again.”

“Tell him to lead with being wolf means a healthier metabolism, being able to eat what you want, and an increased libido,” laughed Nicole.

“It also means better hearing so you can eavesdrop on conversations that weren’t meant to include you,” chided Asher.

“You do know she has absolutely no fear of you, right?” teased Max, feeling the tension in his chest lightening for the first time since Alexa had entered his world. It was as if he was getting a glimpse into what his future could be.

“I am well aware my fated mate has me wrapped around her little finger. Once I knew Nicole was my mate, I had this plan to take it slow and introduce her to the idea of who we are and what it means to be wolf. Unfortunately, she decided to ramp up the timetable and almost got herself killed so I had no choice but to claim her. All that aside, if you know, tell her. If you’re unsure of how she’ll react, make sure you can control the environment, but whatever you do, don’t lie to her. Fated mates get cranky when they think you’ve lied to them, don’t you baby?”

“I’m going to assume that last question was directed to your mate.”

“That would be correct. My beautiful fated mate who I am now holding captive and thinking of all the sensual ways I can subdue her. So, unless you need something more from me…”

Max laughed. “No. Take care of your lady.”

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