I wasn't really sure what Zack was up to But before we left the pack house he told me to pack an overnight bag.
Then he told his dad that we might be back later tonight or in the morning, he said that he hadn't decided yet.
I ask where we were going but all I got for a response was " you'll see."
But at least he did tell me to pack something to wear to dinner for tonight. He even stood inside the closet while I was trying to figure out what to wear.
But then when I grabbed my black pleated mini skirt and a crisp white tailored shirt. He reached over my shoulder and snatched the skirt from my hand and told me . " You can't wear this, no way, never."
The sudden snatch and grab startled me so I spun around and faced him with my hands on my hips.
"Why?" I ask,tilted my head to the side totally confused. It might not have been the right outfit for where we were going. But the never part really confused me.
"Because, it's too damn short and your butt pokes out ,which will make it shorter." He pointed out and even slapped my butt with his free hand. Damn his long arms!
" Zack!" I yelped , feeling my face grow hot as I rubbed my stinging butt cheek.
"What? It's like four inches long." He grumbled, holding my skirt out at arm's length eyeing it skeptically.
" It's long enough." I argued, as I tried to snatch my skirt back. But he moved it up over his head and he was too freaking tall for me to reach it.
So, I gave up and tried to reason with him." My mom bought that skirt for me to go with my dad to a pharmaceutical expo. Now, do you really think she would buy me something that showed my butt?"
" When was it? when you were like five?" He grumbled, still eyeing my poor skirt like it had offended him somehow.
I rolled my eyes, internally of course. But I kept my cool because I know how to handle a bossy Alpha .
They may be grumpy, possessive, and bossy, but if they love you there's nothing they won't do for you. Alphas want the people they love to be safe and happy.
And Zack's a piece of cake to get what I want from. All I have to do is show him a logical reason or just hug him. Dirty play I know, but with an Alpha sometimes that's the only way to soften them up.
Fortunately Zack's nowhere near as stubborn as my dad. Or as bossy for that matter. "No, it was only a few months ago.Just lift the bottom of the skirt up." I said calmly,,and watched as he lifted the hem of my poor skirt and scrunched his brows together when he realized there was shorts sewed into the skirt.
" Now, you see why I'm so sure that my butt won't show." I said with a smile. Not a I told you so smile, but a genuine happy smile.
Happy because Zack's very reasonable and I knew that I just won.
"Okay, but none of those flimsy high heels." He huffed, handing my skirt back. Typical bossy Alpha, but he's hot.
"Okay " I agreed, only because I had planned on wearing my black knee high riding boots anyway. But he didn't know that so I gave my grumpy Alpha mate a hug and thanked him for being so reasonable.
Then finished packing the rest of my bag, Zack even made sure that I didn't forget my pajamas this time.
We then drove into Juneau in Skyler's truck with the trailer. First thing we done was pick up the supplies to fix the stairs leading up to Chloe and Skyler's apartment.
Then we dropped the trailer off at Zack's office and drove on over to the airport and boarded Zack's helicopter.
That's when I ask again." Where are we going?"
" It's a surprise?" He replied, with that sexy little grin.
Well, needless to say I didn't ask any more. Not because I wasn't curious. It was because before I even knew it we were landing on top of a big snowy mountain.
Zack then shut down the helicopter and turned in his seat. " Do you know what we're setting on top of?" He ask,with a big smile on his face.
And of course I didn't, but by the way his eyes were shining and that excited smile he had plastered across his face. I could tell that it must be somewhere special.
So, I looked outside the window taking in the large expansion of white space. then shook my head " No"
. " We're on top of a Glacier". He said, excitedly.
Well, that definitely got my attention and Needless to say I was totally shocked." No way" I almost yelled, scrambling to unbuckle the three point harness that Zack had buckled me into.
Zack laughed, seeing me frantically pushing at the buckle."Slow down babe.I'll get you out." He said, sounding quite amused about my current situation.
" Okay, but hurry." I blurted out, giving up completely on releasing myself. Lowering my hands to my sides as I anxiously watched Zack unclip all three buckles.
But before I could open the door he shouted.
" Wait"
"Ugh, why?"I growned, throwing my hands up in the air and swinging my head around to glare at his overprotective ass.
Which only made him laugh."You do know this glacier is thousands of years old." Okay, so now I get a geology lesson before I can go explore. But I didn't complain I just waited for him to continue. "It's not going anywhere before you put the coat on that I brought for you."
Well, I knew that it was useless to try and argue with him and I wasn't going to get out without it. So I ask " Where is it?" As I was already moving towards the back of the helicopter climbing over the control panel like a monkey.
" In that black bag underneath the seat." He said, as he moved to the back right behind me.
After putting on a coat we both jumped out of the helicopter and I immediately bent down to actually feel this huge chunk of ancient ice. Which was really just crusty snow.
Then we walked around as I listened to Zack explaining " This glacier isn't one of the tourist attractions like Mendenhall but it's unique because it's not retreating. One of the guys who used to work for me, now works at the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Service. He brought me and Skyler here right before my Alpha ceremony. We found something very interesting and I would like to show it to you. But before I can do that I need to land the helicopter over there." He said, pointing out towards an open area that was in a lower elevation.
" Okay" I nodded, just enjoying listening to Zack explain what I was actually seeing. Like the crevasses.Apparently they're not just shallow cracks they're really deep cracks that are extremely dangerous caused by the glaciers movement.
He also pointed out something he called a moulin and explained that it's a hole carved by rushing water.
Then as we were walking along he suddenly pulled me over to what just looked like a big dirty line in the snow and crouched down.
"This" he said, touching the edge of the dark line. " Is a moraine, it's dirt and rock debris that have been left behind or pushed along by the ice."
I also crouched down to touch the dark edge thankful that Zack was with me to explain what I was seeing. It made our time on top of the glacier more memorable, the science aspect of it is something we both love.
His degree is in geology and even though he's not finished his courses yet . He's extremely knowledgeable about not just the glaciers. But the earth itself, rocks, minerals, and of course the core of the earths geological
Structure.
Which makes me think that Zack and I are pretty much on the same page.And I can see his point more clearly now. And just maybe understand better why we're mates.Because I too think his intelligence is very sexy. Well that, and his hot as heck body, and his eyes. Oh, and did I mention his gorgeous face. Sigh.
Before I really had no clue why the moon goddess chose me to be Zack's mate. It truly seemed that we were worlds apart and had absolutely nothing in common.
I'm a freaking nerdy little dork that hung out in a medical research laboratory with my dad all the time. And all I had ever heard about Zack was, what party someone seen had him at and what girl had the so called privilege of hooking up with him. But now..
" Andie" I heard Zack call my name bring me back from my musing.
I blinked, slightly startled." Yes" I said dumbly.
" Are you ready to see what else I have to show you?" He asked, reaching out his hand to help me stand back up.
"Definitely "I beamed, taking Zack's outstretched hand.
———————————————————
Zack's POV
After we got back to the helicopter I flew around to the spot where I had landed before when Mason was with me.
I was a bit nervous but tried to act cool and nonchalant as possible. I unbuckled Andie's harness as smoothly as I could. Thankful that my hands didn't shake and jotted my chin towards the black bag.
"Let's put those snow suits on, sweetheart." I muttered, as I crawled towards the back of the helicopter.
Andie followed right behind me without out saying a word. I think she's really into this, and curious about what else I'm going to show her.
Which I didn't expect anything less my mate loves science and the outdoors. So I'm confident that she'll be blown away with the choice I've made to share what I hope will be the most amazing experience ever for a first kiss.
So after we hopped out of the helicopter I grabbed the bag with my climbing gear in it. Then I grabbed Andie's hand with my free hand.
I didn't fuck around and just made a beeline straight to the spot I wanted to go. Thanking the moon goddess that it was still there even though the weather has been kinda warm this summer.
" Do you know what this is, sweetheart?" I ask, dropping the bag right in front of the small opening at the base of the glazier.
Andie bit her lip and peeped into the hole then said." Maybe" a bit uncertainly.
I smiled."What do you think it is, Babe?" I ask, as I tried to keep the excitement out of my voice.
"Is it the opening of an ice cave?" She ask, still trying to get a peek inside, she even leaned her head forward to the edge of the opening.
" Yes it is, and if you want to go inside I'll take you down, but we have to be careful. Because this isn't one of those ice caves that the tourists visit. This one is a fairly new one, glaciers more all the time and there's always the Rick of it shifting or changing at any moment . My friend who works at the DGGS didn't even know it was here until we came up here for him to take some samples." I explained, so that she would know the risks involved in going inside an unexplored ice cave.
" Are you crazy, you know I want to go inside." She said, totally stocked about it.
Which pleased me thoroughly because I really didn't want to wait until Skyler got back to fly to Fairbanks. Just to hope for a good light show from the Aurora. It's really not the perfect time of the year to see the lights so it would be iffy.
With all the confirmation that I needed I reached inside the black bag and pulled out my climbing gear.
Then I helped Andie into a harness and put some cleats on her hiking boots. After getting Andie all geared up. I put my gear on and secured the rope on a big bolder the only suture available that would hold both our weights.
" Okay, baby come here." I beckoned, to have Andie stand in front of me so that I could tether her to my body.