Chapter 2

Alec

"Alec,you've got the ski resort today," Niko tells me, and I nod, already pulling my jacket back on.

Niko continues to give out orders, and the other guys start to get ready to head out too. I met everyone who works for the Aspen Ridge Mountain Rescue when we were in the military together. I'm the only Marine out of the bunch and I was the last one to join the team here. I'm also the last of the guys to find their fated mate.

I listen in as Flint and Ash talk about their plans for tonight with their mates and I swallow down my jealousy. My bear paws at me and I try to ignore him. I already know what he wants. I want the same thing.

Our mate.

I was in the Marines for only four years before I got out. I had watched too many of my friends be injured or killed and I knew that I needed to get out while I still could. When Niko called and offered me the job here, I jumped at it, especially when I found out about my friends also joining. All of us were close when we were deployed, probably because we were the only shifters at that base. We've only grown closer since we all started working and living here in this small town.

I've been here for about six months now and I'm making Aspen Ridge and the pack here my home. The only thing missing is my fated mate.

We all head out, and I hop on my snowmobile and take off down the path towards the ski resort. It's not far and I park my snowmobile out back at the resort and head in to talk to management.

A loud gasp catches my attention and I turn as someone comes barreling my way on skis. I reach out, catching the woman before they can plow over me. I react, lifting them up, off the skis and stopping their momentum.

"I'm so sorry!" The girl says right away, and I set her back down.

"No harm," I tell her.

She reaches up, pulling down her scarf and panting.

"You saved me! It's my first time skiing and I probably should have started on an easier hill. I was just desperate to get away from my family and…"

She's still talking, but all I can think is mate. I've just found my fated mate. My bear is going crazy inside of me, screaming at me to claim her, and I look around, noting all of the witnesses.

Who cares?He growls at me, and I sigh.

Human witnesses. They'll freak out if I bite and carry off some girl. Plus, we'll freak our mate out,I point out.

She's pretty.

No, she's perfect,I correct him.

And she is. I can see her black hair poking out from under her wool hat. Her cheeks are rosy from the cold and there's a bright look in her blue eyes. Her curves are all bundled up in her winter wear, and I want to rip it off of her so I can see all of her.

Now we're talking…my bear says, and I roll my eyes.

"Sorry," she says, looking away from me, and I realize that she thinks I was rolling my eyes at her.

"Sorry, I have something in my eye. Think it's an eyelash," I lie, and she nods.

"Sorry for almost running you over."

"You're fine. You want some tips?" I ask her, and she hesitates.

I know I need to get to work, but I don't want to let my mate out of my sight. I can patrol the slopes and hang out with my fated mate. It will be a win-win.

It feels like every part of my body has come to life. Just being near her is electrifying.

Is this how it feels for all shifters? Can she feel it too?

"I'm Alec," I say, sticking my hand out.

"Morgan."

"Well, I'm with the Mountain Rescue team. I need to patrol the slopes and make sure that every is okay. I can take you up and give you some tips," I offer.

"I don't want to get in the way of your job," she protests, and I shake my head.

"It's no bother. The slopes are pretty empty right now. It will get busier once it's closer to the weekend."

"Ah, so you're saying that you can slack off today," she jokes, and I smile.

"Yep. What do you say? You want some private ski lessons?"

"Well, it depends. What are your qualifications?"

"Well, I've never taught anyone before, but I've been skiing a lot."

"And what will it cost me?" She asks, and I know this is my chance.

"How about dinner?"

"Dinner?"

"Yep, I'll even pay and let you pick the place."

"I'd love to, but I'm afraid I have something planned for tonight."

"Tomorrow then."

She eyes me and then nods.

"Alright, it's a deal."

"It's a date," I correct her, and she ducks her head, trying to hide her smile.

"I need to head inside and check in, but I'll be right back. Just stay put, okay?"

"Got it."

She nods, and I jog into the resort and up to the desk.

"Hey, anything that I need to know about?" I ask in a rush.

"Um, nope. No calls yet today."

"Okay, I'm headed out."

The guy behind the counter gives me a strange look, but I ignore him as I rush back outside to my mate.

"Ready?" I ask when I get back to Morgan."

"I wish. I actually have to head in," she says, tucking the cell phone back into her pocket.

My heart sinks and I scramble to figure out how to fix this. She doesn't look like she wants to leave and I'm taking that as a good sign. Maybe she can feel the connection between us too.

"Are we still on for dinner tomorrow?" I ask her and she pauses, studying me for a moment.

"You didn't give me a lesson."

"I will. Name the time and day."

She smiles and nods slowly.

"Alright. Dinner, tomorrow. I'm staying here."

"I'll pick you up. Six o'clock?"

"That works."

"Let me grab your number. In case something comes up."

She passes me her phone and I enter my name and number and then call myself.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she says as she struggles to get out of her skis.

I grab one of her polls and push down on the release button. She blushes, her pale skin turning a darker shade of red.

"Thanks. Are you sure you still want to teach me? I think that I might be a lost cause," she says with a laugh.

"Nah, I'm sure that you'll catch on fast."

She gives me a grateful look and then nods, bending to pick up her skis. She's struggling to hold onto it all so I pluck everything from her hands.

"I'll return it for you," I tell her, and she smiles.

"Thanks. I'll see you later."

I nod and watch her leave. My bear is pacing inside of me, angry that we're just letting her walk away.

We'll see her again soon,I promise him, but it doesn't really help. He's still upset.

Once she's out of sight, I return the ski equipment and then head back to my snowmobile and go on patrol. I run into Flint as I head down a side trail, and he slows down.

"Pretty slow," he says through a yawn, and I nod.

"Yeah, the slopes are pretty quiet."

"You have anything?" He asks, and I pause and then blurt it out.

"I found my fated mate."

His eyes widen and then he grins.

"Fuck, Alec! That's great. What's her name? Where is she?"

"Her name's Morgan. She's staying at the resort."

"Did you get her number?"

"Yeah, and we're going out for dinner tomorrow."

"Cool! Congrats, man," he says with a happy grin as he leans over and claps me on the shoulder.

"She's a human," I tell him, and he nods.

"That makes it a little more difficult," he says.

I know that he's right. With another shifter, we both would have been able to smell that we were each other's fated mates and would have bitten and claimed each other already. With a human mate, though, I'll need to explain shifters, fated mates, the mating heat, and all of that.

"You got this, Alec. It will be great, and you know you can ask any of us if you need help. We've all been in the same boat."

"Thanks."

He's right. All of my friends have human fated mates and it worked out for them so it should for me too. I just need to not mess anything up.

"Better get back to work, but I'll see you later."

"See you," I say, fist-bumping him before we both head off in opposite directions.

I continue my shift, scanning the slopes for anyone who might need help, but aside from someone wiping out on their snowboard, it's pretty slow.

I'm about to go back to headquarters to check in before I head home for the night when I get a text. I pull out my phone and my heart starts to race when I see that it was Morgan who text me.

Morgan: Want to grab drinks tonight? I need to relax a bit before I try to go to bed.

Alec: Sure. I'll meet you in the resort bar in ten?

Morgan: Perfect.

I grinas I tuck my phone away and turn my snowmobile towards the ski resort. I park behind the building and then head inside, pulling off my winter gear as I go. I tuck my hat and gloves in my jacket pockets and unzip my coat. It's nice and warm in here, and as I walk into the bar, I shrug out of my coat.

Morgan isn't here yet, so I sit down at a quiet table in the back of the bar area.

"Hey, you off shift?" The waiter asks as he sets down a napkin in front of me.

"Yeah, I'm meeting someone."

He nods, adding another napkin.

"Know what you want to order?"

"Um, no. I'll wait until she gets here."

He nods, wandering off to check on another couple and I scan the entrance. Morgan walks in a few minutes later and I swallow.

Goddamn. She's fucking beautiful.

She's wearing a plum colored dress that hugs her curves and has my mouth watering. Her hair is pulled back into some kind of fancy twist and she looks way out of my league. I swallow down my nerves and smile as she heads my way.

I push to my feet and move to pull out her chair.

"Oh, thanks."

"My pleasure."

"How was work?"

"Boring," I admit, and she smiles.

"So, I was the only one that you saved?" She asks, and I laugh.

"Yep. How was your dinner?" I ask.

I'd rather learn more about her than talk about my quiet shift.

"Terrible, but I knew it would be," she sighs.

"Really? Was it the food? Cause I thought it was supposed to be great here."

"No, the food was delicious. It was the company."

My bear roars inside of me.

"Was it a date?" I ask at the same time that my bear growls the question inside of me.

"No. It was my parents and… their friend," she finishes.

I want to ask her about that, but before I can, our waiter comes back to take our order.

Morgan grabs a menu, scanning it quickly.

"Can I get a raspberry martini, please?" She orders.

"Sure, and for you, Alec?"

"I'll just take a beer. Whatever is on tap."

He nods and heads back to the bar.

Morgan is looking around the place and I wonder if she likes it.

"What brought you to Aspen Ridge?" I ask.

"It's supposed to be a family vacation," she says, and I smile.

"You're here with your family?"

"Yeah. It's just me and my parents."

"No siblings then?"

"Nope, I'm an only child. What about you?"

"Only child. My parents passed away a few years ago though."

"I'm so sorry, Alec."

"Thanks."

We're silent for a moment and then the waiter is back with our drinks. I take a sip of my beer and watch as Morgan grabs her martini and downs half of it in one gulp.

Something is clearly bothering her, so I set my beer down.

"Is everything alright?" I ask her, and she takes another big gulp of her drink.

"This is going to sound crazy," she starts, and my eyebrows raise.

Is she going to tell me that she can feel this thing between us too? Can she tell that we're meant to be together?

My bear and I are both on edge as we wait for her to go on.

"This is going to sound so crazy," she repeats, "But… will you marry me?"

My mouth drops open as my bear roars in victory inside of me.

"Yes," I blurt, and she blinks.

I'm in shock. I thought that winning my mate over would be harder than this. Not that I'm complaining, but still. This feels too easy.

So, what's going on here?