Chapter 25
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Laney stood near the finish line in the town square, sipping a cup of coffee from one of the vendor stands. The early morning sun filtered through colorful banners that still hung from the festival’s opening night. Around her, families and friends gathered along the route, waiting to cheer on runners as they came to the final stretch.
She took another sip of coffee, the warm liquid providing comfort against the morning chill. Her mind drifted back to her dream about Max from the night before, heat rising to her cheeks at the vivid memory. Even now, she could feel the sensation of his imagined touch, his strong hands on her body.
A cheer rose from the crowd as the lead pack of runners came into view around the final corner. Laney stood on her tiptoes, scanning for Max. Her breath caught when she spotted him, running near the front of the group.
Max was shirtless, his broad chest and muscular arms gleaming with sweat as he pushed hard toward the finish. His dark hair was slicked-back from his forehead, determination etched across his face as he kept pace with two other runners at the front of the pack.
The sight of him triggered an intense reaction from her inner fox. The animal instinct inside her responded viscerally to his powerful form, his musky scent carried on the breeze. Laney felt a flush spread from her neck to her face as her fox stirred restlessly, recognizing its mate.
In the final sprint, two other shifters edged ahead. Max crossed the finish line in third place, chest heaving but a broad grin spreading across his face as volunteers handed him a bottle of water. Laney felt a surge of pride watching him finish so well, mixed with an overwhelming physical attraction that left her momentarily breathless. She hadn’t expected such a strong reaction to seeing him like this.
The race organizers quickly arranged a small awards ceremony near the finish line. Max stepped onto the makeshift podium in third place, accepting his bronze medal with a good-natured smile. As the small crowd applauded, his eyes scanned the onlookers until they locked onto Laney. He winked at her, a gesture so intimate amidst the crowd that Laney felt as though they were the only two people there. Her inner fox practically howled with delight.
After the brief ceremony, Max grabbed a towel from a volunteer, wiping sweat from his face and chest as he made his way toward her. He was still shirtless, his running shorts sitting low on his hips. Laney fought to maintain her composure as he approached, his scent stronger now that he was close.
“Hey,” he said, slightly breathless. “I’m so glad to see you this morning.”
“I’m glad to see you, too,” Laney replied, taking another sip of coffee to calm the sudden rush of desire coursing through her. “Congratulations on third place.”
“Thanks.” Max ran the towel across his shoulders. “Those wolf shifters have an unfair advantage. They’re built for speed.”
“You looked pretty fast to me,” Laney said, immediately regretting how breathless she sounded.
Max grinned, clearly pleased by her reaction. “I’m starving after that run. Want to join me for pancakes? The fire department sets up a great breakfast spread.”
“Lead the way,” Laney said, grateful for the chance to focus on something besides his half-dressed state. “I could use something sweet this morning.”
They walked together toward the beer garden, which had been transformed to a bustling breakfast area. Long tables were set up where families and friends gathered in the daylight. The warm aroma of pancakes filled the air, and local vendors displayed bottles of maple syrup and jars of honey.
Max pulled out a chair for Laney at one of the less crowded tables before heading to the serving line to get them both plates of food. She watched him navigate through the crowd, exchanging greetings with townspeople who congratulated him on his race finish.
When he returned, he set a stack of pancakes in front of her along with small containers of different syrups and a pat of butter.
“The dark amber one is my favorite,” Max said, sitting across from her. “It’s tapped from maple trees right here on Fate Mountain.”
“It all looks delicious,” Laney said, drizzling syrup over her stack. She dug in, groaning at the flavor of the syrup and fluffy pancakes.
Between bites, Max paused, his expression turning more serious. “There was something odd during the race,” he said, lowering his voice. “When we crossed over Pine Creek, I caught a weird chemical smell. It’s further downstream than where we tested before.”
Laney set down her fork. “That aligns with my findings. I’ve been running more field tests, and they confirm the contamination persists. I’m still waiting on the county to intervene, but they’re moving frustratingly slow.”
They exchanged serious looks, both acknowledging the ongoing threat to Fate Mountain’s water even amid the festival celebrations. For a moment, the weight of the unresolved problem hung between them.
“They’ll have to address it soon,” Max said finally, reaching across to squeeze her hand.
Laney nodded and returned to her pancakes, savoring the rich flavors of the local syrup.
“Mmm, you were right about this syrup,” she said, changing the subject. “It’s amazing.”
“Anything with sugar is worth waking up for,” Max said with a grin, breaking the tension.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Laney laughed, pointing her fork at him. “Though I think you might have a slightly different motivation for early rising.”
“The run? It’s tradition. I’ve been running it every year since I was old enough to enter.”
Laney smiled at the glimpse into Max’s history. Each small detail made her feel more connected to him, more certain that their mate bond was real and lasting. They finished their breakfast as the square grew busier with festivalgoers arriving for the day’s events. Max wiped his mouth with a napkin and sighed contentedly.
“I should probably head back and shower,” he said, gesturing to his still sweaty self. “I definitely need to clean up before the next festival event.” He looked at her, a hopeful expression on his face. “Would you want to meet up later for the beer tasting and BBQ contests? They start around four.”
“I’d love to,” Laney replied, not even trying to hide the enthusiasm in her voice. “It sounds like fun.”
They stood from the table, disposing of their plates and cups in nearby recycling bins. Max slung his towel over a shoulder and glanced at her with an affectionate grin that made her heart skip.
“I’ll text you where to meet,” he said. “Until then.”
“Until then,” Laney echoed, watching as he turned and headed off toward the path that led behind the brewery to his house.
She stood there for a moment, still riding the high from his physical presence, her inner fox longing for more time with him. Yet the mention of tainted water lingered in the back of her mind.