Sable
“Uh, hi. I’m looking for Colter,” I murmur as I walk to the open bay doors of the firehouse.
I’m carrying the tub of cookies I made for him, but I made enough in case he decides to share with his squad.
Rhian isn’t picking me up for another hour, so I thought I’d make a quick delivery after showering off the sugar cookie scent from hours of baking.
The scent of multiple alphas is heavy in the air, making my nose twitch, as the guy in front of me turns to glance my way.
“Well, hello, darlin’. Who are you?” the alpha asks, laying the charm on thick. He looks younger than me, maybe around nineteen or twenty, I’m not sure. He’s not someone I went to school with, so I don’t recognize him.
“Colt!” The guy shouts as he grins brightly, walking over to me with the confidence of a very dominant alpha. “You’re much too pretty for old Colt. You sure you aren’t looking for me, darlin'?”
“Oh, I am absolutely positive, darlin’,” I say in a sugary sweet voice as I narrow my eyes on him, my omega sass rising to the surface.
“Fuck off, Hendrix, you little shit,” Colter growls as he approaches us, stepping around the young alpha and blocking his view of me.
“Hey, Sable,” his entire demeanor changes when he sees me, eyes lighting up with his smile.
As he gets close enough to take in my scent, his shoulders relax, and I can’t help feeling smug that I put that look of happiness on his face.
“I brought you cookies to say thank you for fixing my porch,” I say, holding them up for him, since his eyes have been glued to mine. His eyebrows shoot up, surprised.
“Wow, that's really sweet of you. You didn’t have to do this,” he says as he takes them from me, his scent sweetening, as his cheeks turn a very cute shade of pink. Awe, is the big guy feeling shy?
“I know, but I wanted you to know I appreciated your help. And there’s more than enough to share,” I explain, since Hendrix is now leaning around Colter to stare at the bin of cookies in his hands.
“Fuck yeah!” Colter’s coworker whoops, snatching the bin from his hands and sprinting off. My mouth pops open, and I can’t help but stare as the wily fucker yanks the lid off and digs in.
“She said share, leave some for me, you little shit!” Colter growls. “And say thank you, Sable worked hard on those. Show some respect,” he huffs, shaking his head like a disapproving parent.
“Thank you, Miss Sable!” The young alpha hollers around a mouthful of cookies. Now, I’m ‘Miss Sable?’ What happened to darlin’?
“He’s fun,” I tease.
“He’s something.” Colter grunts, turning back to me. “Sorry about that. He’s still young. Smart as fuck, but he’s got raging ADHD, I swear. It’s like trying to train a squirrel that just chugged three energy drinks. Fucker doesn’t need the sugar, but he loves sweets.”
“I made three dozen,” I say, but Colter sighs.
“Knowing Hendrix, I’ll be lucky to get two,” Colter grumbles, but there's a lightness to him right now. I think maybe he likes the younger alpha’s antics more than he’s letting on. “What kind were they? I didn’t even get a glance at them before that pain in the ass snatched them up.”
“Sugar cookies. With green and purple frosting. Different shapes too. The bats have black frosting though.” I shrug.
“No shit? Wow. That's really thoughtful,” he says, eyes shining brightly.
“Well, I should get back to the shop,” I say, “I’ll see you around.” When I go to leave, he pulls me into his arms for a hug, nuzzling the side of my head.
“Have a good day, Sable. Thank you again.”
I stumble a bit as I turn to walk out of the truck bay. Turning back just as I reach the street corner, I see him watching me.
Longing and desire war within me as I let my feet carry me the rest of the way to the shop.
Sable
By the time six-thirty rolls around, I have changed my outfit four times. Rhian said to wear boots, but I can’t decide what to wear with them. I want to look cute, but if we’re going to get dirty… Did he mean dirt-dirty, or something sexier? Or both?
Maybe I can bring clean clothes with me? No, that’s weird.
I end up tossing on a tight purple crop top short sleeve shirt and black high-waist jeans with my purple and black boots. These will be easy to clean, and my ass will look good.
“Sable?” Rhian hollers as he knocks on the door leading to my little apartment above the shop. I take one last look in the mirror to make sure my straight hair isn’t a mess, and my dark mauve lipstick isn’t in my teeth, then pull the door open.
“Hey,” I murmur, feeling super nervous now that he’s here.
“You look gorgeous,” Rhian says when he sees me, smiling brightly. His scent hits me, soothing my nerves as I step out the door, keys in hand. Hopefully I don’t need my wallet because I left my purse behind, and tucked my phone in my pocket.
“So do you,” I murmur, taking in the sight of him in a gray and blue flannel shirt, blue jeans, and brown boots.
He must have shaved just before based on how smooth his jaw looks.
I nibble my bottom lip because I’m not sure how I should be feeling right now.
I’m a very confusing combination of excited, nervous and turned on.
“Let's go, I have something I think you’re going to really enjoy planned.” Rhian smirks before taking my hand and leading me out of the shop. I take a moment to check the lock on the back door before letting him lead me to the red farm truck that sits along the curb. Cute.
On the drive, I can’t help but look over at him every few seconds.
The setting sun makes the golden tones in his hair look as if they are on fire.
Something I love about this time of year is how early the sun sets.
The slightly mischievous smirk on his lips makes his dimple show, his scent full of anticipation.
“So, where are you taking me?” I ask, glancing around, trying to guess our destination.
“To a deserted cabin in the middle of the woods where I’ll lock you away forever.” Rhian’s smile widens as he glances my way, and I roll my eyes at him. But the further toward the outskirts of town we get, the more suspicious I become.
“Wait, is this the Hill Top Trail?” I ask as we pull onto a familiar road.
“It is.” Rhian nods just as we pass the sign and turn toward the parking lot. This isn’t somewhere I ever spent any time as a kid, until Taron. We used to come here just to have something to do, as we talked for hours. Did he mention that to Rhian?
“I haven’t been here for a while…” I murmur as he parks the truck under a tall tree, shrouding us in darkness. It’s been almost an hour since he picked me up, and the sun has fully set now, even though it’s still pretty early in the evening.
“The town's been decorating it for the holidays for the last few years. It started with Christmas lights but has grown. In mid-November, they will start the process of icing some of the trail for ice skating, but right now it’s decorated for Halloween," Rhian explains before climbing out of the car and making his way to the passenger side.
“Oh, that actually sounds so fun,” I say, opening the door so I can follow him. I’ve got one foot out already, but he swings the door open, giving me more room as he offers me his hand.
“I'm glad. Hopefully, you enjoy what I have planned.” His scent is so strong right now, and I get a little dizzy as I step into him. Apple cider and honeyed hay hits my system like a shot of adrenaline, and I swallow hard. My goodness. Is he wearing a scent enhancer, or am I just that needy?
Could be both.
The trail starts under a large wooden archway that's decorated for Halloween, and I smile as Rhian laces our fingers together as we walk. The main trail has several different side paths, and as we walk, we pass a few other couples.
The green, purple, orange and black lights that decorate many of the trees make me happy, and I’m entranced by it all.
“How's your family?” I ask, and Rhian smiles.
“They’re good. My sister’s excited about her wedding.
She’s having it at the farm. It’s a whole three-week affair.
” Rhian chuckles, shaking his head. “Apparently, my soon-to-be brother-in-law comes from a rich family, and they’re sparing no expense for their only son’s wedding.
Stella didn’t even know he was wealthy until he proposed with a massive alexandrite ring, since she doesn’t like diamonds. ”
“Oh wow, that's incredible.”
“Yep. Her one request was that she get to choose the destination, so she picked the farm. I think her fiancé would have married her anywhere though. It’s his parents that want things just so.
Particularly his mother, from what I hear.
They’re already sending stuff for Nick to stow until December,” Rhian says as we head further down the trail.
“Oh no, is she going to be one of those horrible in-laws that torment your sister?” I ask, really worried about Stella.
“I don’t think so. I think she just shows her love in a very extravagant way.
Her wedding gift to Stella was a lavender Jeep Wrangler with every bell and whistle humanly possible.
She even offered to pay for renovations to the farm, but Nick shut that down.
We do well during the holiday months, so if we wanted to, we could do that ourselves. ” Rhian chuckles.
I’m at ease with his strong but calming scent filling my lungs, and the playful decorations all over. The trail we’re on is lighthearted, with the ghosts and creatures used to startle kids. As we get higher up the path, the lighting gets darker, and I can’t help but move closer into his side.
We’re half an hour into our walk when I hear a twig or something behind us snap. When he glances around, I get this odd sensation down my spine as my omega instincts sound the alarm bells in my mind.
“Why do I get the feeling that we’re being followed?” I whisper to Rhian when I can’t shake the thought.