Chapter 8

Over the next few days, Alexa and Max devoted themselves to following the clues left behind by Evelyn. The documents and journals they found in the cabin provided valuable insights into her search for the hidden treasure. With each new discovery, they felt themselves getting closer to the truth.

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."

Max nodded. "That's right. Only some of those mythical creatures have at least a basis in reality. There are stories throughout the world about people who can shift between human and animal form."

"You mean like a werewolf?" she asked incredulously.

"Not exactly. They aren't confined only to wolves, and it isn't an involuntary response to a full moon."

Alexa laughed. "You make it sound almost real."

Max chose to ignore her last comment and simply continue. "Think about it. The ability to shift between one form and another could be advantageous in a dangerous world. It would allow those who could shift to thrive in environments in which a human would have trouble surviving. Shifters were said to have enhanced genetic immunity, rapid healing ability, and a longer lifespan, thus helping them to leap to the top of the evolutionary ladder."

"I guess in theory."

"But what if it wasn't only theory?"

"I don't understand."

"Understandable. Let me try and explain it a bit better—for as long as anyone has ever known, there have been at least two types of humanoid lifeforms evolving here on earth—one that could shift into an animal counterpart, and one that couldn't."

"You don't seriously expect me to believe that do you?"

"How about you just suspend disbelief, at least for now."

She nodded. "Go on."

"I am one of those who can shift between man and wolf."

He let that sink in.

At first her eyes grew wide with fear and then she shook her head, laughing. "You almost had me there. For a split second. I almost believed you."

He took her hands in his. "You must believe me. You actually don't have a choice, but it is imperative that you believe me."

"Max, that's just not possible."

"I assure you, it is."

He held her hands while she searched his face. It was fascinating to watch the synapses connect as she put together everything they had learned about Evelyn Renner.

"Are you trying to tell me that you believe the skeletal remains of the wolf belong to Evelyn?"

"Yes, and that those of the man belong to Nathaniel. I suspect they came up here to be able to live their lives together more easily. Being a wolf-shifter living among humans as some of my ancestors did is not always easy. People hate and vilify those they don't understand."

"Let me get this straight. You want me to believe you have the ability to change into a wolf?"

"Yes. I know it's a lot…"

"Ya think?"

Max growled deep in his throat, knowing she would not only hear him, but feel it down the bonding link—something else he'd need to explain. He watched as her body shivered in response.

"So, you want me to believe you can just blink your eyes, and poof! You're a wolf?"

"It isn't quite that easy." He stood up and removed his clothes. She was staring at his rapidly hardening cock. "Hey, eyes up here."

She allowed her eyes to drift up as the swirling maelstrom formed around him. Charged particles of light, sound and color flashed all around him and then dissipated, leaving a large gray wolf where a man had once stood.

Alexa shot to her feet. "Holy shit!"

He rumbled softly and sensuously down the link to calm her as he approached. Fascinated, Alexa reached out to him.

"Max?" she whispered.

The large gray wolf nuzzled her hand and moved to rub up against her—his eyes never leaving hers as his tail began to wag slowly.

Alexa plopped back down. "Holy shit," she murmured as she brought both hands up and placed them on either side of his head. Lowering her forehead to his, she rubbed against it.

"It really is you," she said in a whisper filled with wonder. "Can you understand me?"

He wagged his tail.

"Again, holy shit. Can you change back that easily?" He stepped back and bade his wolf to retreat, calling forth the shifting mist that would reveal him in his human form.

She sat in silence, staring at him while he pulled on his clothes.

"Are you all right, sweetheart?" he asked.

"Uh, yes. Or I will be. It's kind of a lot to take in."

"I understand, and there are some things you need to know."

"Such as?"

"Such as the bite wound on your neck…"

She reached up. "That healed a lot quicker than I thought it would."

"Because wolf-shifters have enhanced healing capabilities."

"Maybe, but I'm not a wolf-shifter…" her voice trailed off as she began to put together all that he had told her. "No."

"Yes. And you have every right to be angry with me. I've lived up here for so long by myself I thought I'd never find my fated mate."

"Oh my god. You mean all those romance novels that talk about fated mates are right?"

"They have some of it right, but not all. It is not our way to turn a human without their consent."

"I don't remember giving you mine."

"You didn't. I got carried away. Normally when a male wolf claims his mate, he inflicts a claiming bite. There are a bunch of reasons to do so regardless of whether your mate is a shifter or not. In my case, I wanted to claim you as mine and have you be one with me."

"So, you robbed me of my humanity?" she asked archly.

"Not all of it," he answered blandly.

"Not funny, Max."

"I know but I'm feeling a bit desperate."

She looked at him questioningly. "Why?"

"I just told you, I'm not completely human, and now because of something I did without talking to you, neither are you. I have a friend named Asher Wells. He turned his mate. If you want to talk to Nicole…"

"Can it be undone? Did he ask her?"

"No to both, but it doesn't count that he didn't ask her. He had no choice. If he had waited to ask her permission, she would have died."

He watched as the tension seemed to drain from her body, and a smile started to play at the corner of her lips. "Do you love me?"

"Of course I do. I don't just go around turning humans for fun."

"I don't know that I'd try for the moral high ground at this point. It just occurs to me that I'm not sure it matters, but I do have the ultimate comeback for anything I do that pisses you off. No matter what I've done, I can always hit back with ‘but at least I didn't rob you of your humanity without getting your prior consent." Max groaned. "That's right, buddy. I now have complete one-upmanship over you."