Chapter 3 Pax
PAX
Why do plane rides suck? I’m burning up next to someone, and we’re not even touching. Sweat beads on my forehead. Maybe it’s PHS that sucks. It always hits me so hard. I don’t know why I thought it would be a good idea to fly when I’m dealing with pre-Heat syndrome.
“Dear, are you in Heat?” The flight attendant who’s been taking care of us leans over my sleeping seatmate to ask.
“PHS,” I mumble.
“You poor thing.” The flight attendant rummages around in their cart and pulls out what appears to be a wash rag. They give it a little shake and hand it over.
“It’s cold.” I rub it against my cheek, so grateful for the chill. “Thank you.”
They hand me another and indicate the back of my neck, so I wrap it around and sink into my seat, much more comfortable. “Thank you. Thank you.” They give me a warm smile and pass me a cold water bottle.
“It’s a long flight. I’ll come around again and give you some fresh ones in a few hours. But ring me if you need me here sooner. PHS isn’t any fun. Worse than PMS, if you ask me.”
I huff out a small chuckle. “I can’t imagine having to go through both. Thank you again.”
They tip their head and leave.
Thankfully, the flight is uneventful, and the driver I rented waits for me at my gate.
It’s a thirty-minute drive to my destination, and my driver chats away, telling me all about the holiday festivities around.
I’m more relaxed than I’ve been in months.
It’s going to be an excellent vacation, as long as I can get rid of the guilt for taking time for myself again.
I drop my head back and close my eyes, letting the rhythmic motion of the car soothe me for a moment.
When we finally pull up to the cabins, a wave of excitement washes over me. The quaint wooden structures are nestled among towering trees, and the scent of pine fills the air. I step out, taking a deep breath, ready to leave my worries behind me.
As I walk toward the cabin designated as the check in office for Winter Wonderland Wilderness Lodge, I spot the clerk through the door. He seems on edge, glancing around as if he’s expecting something or someone.
A little bell jingles above the door when I enter. “Hey there,” I say, forcing a smile. “I’m Paxton Freely. I have a reservation.”
The clerk, Branson by his nametag, looks up. There’s a twitch in his jaw that makes me uneasy. He types a few things into the computer. “Right, Paxton. Cabin 22. Here’s your key,” he says, handing it to me without looking me in the eye.
“Thanks,” I reply, trying to shake off the weird vibe. “Everything okay?”
He nods quickly, but his eyes dart away, focusing on something in the distance. “Yeah, just… a lot going on. Enjoy your stay.” He gives me a bright smile, but it doesn’t exactly meet his eyes.
I can’t help but feel a knot tighten in my stomach, but I force myself to brush it off. I’m here to relax, not get caught up in anyone else’s drama. “Will do,” I say, hoping my voice sounds cheerful.
I leave the office and make my way down the path to my cabin. The sun filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. I slide the key into the lock and push the door open, stepping into the cozy space.
The cabin is just as I imagined. All warm wood accents, a small kitchenette, and a fireplace that is going to be amazing on especially chilly nights. I close the door behind me and lean against it for a moment, breathing in the sense of tranquility. This is perfect.
But… why are there snow boots by the front door? And a coat on the hook? Do they always decorate the inside of the cabin with fairy lights?
Branson’s anxious demeanor lingers in my mind, gnawing at my thoughts.
Maybe someone did some maintenance and forgot their boots?
I shake my head, trying to clear it. I didn’t come here to worry.
I came for peace, for a break from everything.
The boots and coat are decoration. They aren’t even wet.
And the fairy lights add a bright sweetness to the atmosphere.
I hang my coat next to the decorative one and slide off my boots.
I side step the puddle they made so my socks don’t get soaked. Wet socks are the worst.
I glance around the cabin as I make my way to the bedroom. The weight of the world lifts a little more as I settle in. Time for me to enjoy this vacation.
I drop my duffle on the dresser and plop on the end of the bed to text Buckle.
Pax: Made it here all in one piece.
Buckle: Good to hear man. Take it easy! This is for you. Don’t think about anyone else, unless of course you’re getting dicked down ;)
I roll my eyes.
Pax: Think I’m gonna take a nap and explore later.
Buckle: Sounds good. Send pics!
Pax: Will do.
I push to my feet and lay my cell phone on the nightstand before tugging off my shirt. The jeans go next because there’s no way I can sleep in something so confining.
The bed looks so inviting, but it’s strange to have so many stuffed animals.
They look familiar, like I’ve seen the brand before, but don’t ask me what brand that is.
I don’t bother with sliding under the covers, PHS makes me ridiculously hot.
I simply lay on top of the blanket and stuffed animals until I’m comfortable.
But comfort doesn’t last because something wiggles under my head. I sit and stare at the space my head had just occupied and yelp. There’s something under the covers!
“What the fuck? What the fuck?” It still moves!
I jump to my feet and grab my phone, quickly hitting the number for the front desk.
“Branson here. How can I help?” He sounds more chipper than he did when I checked in.
The wiggling moves to the center of the bed and I back away until I fall into a chair against the wall. “I—I think there’s a rat in my bed!”
Branson scoffs. “I assure you there are no rodents—” He stops and sucks in a breath.
“Well, there’s a big fucking rat in my bed. I need someone to come deal with it or switch me to another cabin. I’m not dealing with—”
The lump moves. Fast. It’s out from under the covers and on the floor, racing towards me and I scream like a child as I scramble up the chair.
“Get away!” I yell as if a rat can understand me.
There’s a broom leaning against the wall and I grab it, pointing towards the creature.
If I’m honest with myself, I can tell it’s not exactly a rat, but I have no idea what it is.
A ferret maybe? It’s actually adorable, but I keep the broom out in front of me just incase it’s rabid.
“Paxton. Mr. Freely? Are you still there?”
“Yeah, and so is the critter that crawled out from under the quilt. Send help.” I whisper the last part as the animal stares me down.
I blink, and the creature turns into a human. What.The.Fuck?
“I am not a rat. How rude! I’m a mink!”
I suck in a breath and keep my eyes above their waistline, not wanting to see below the belt without permission.
But they’re built like an Alpha I’d like to ride during my Heat.
They have beautiful deep auburn hair that matches the color of the animal.
The mink. The scruff of their jaw has the same color, with a patch of white off-center from their chin.
Their eyes are deep, soulful brown. They lick their plush lips.
“But I see this is just a misunderstanding.”
My brain comes back online from seeing an animal turn into a human and it scrambles to understand. “You—you turned into a human. You were an animal. Now you’re human. The—the rumors are true.”
The mink person tips their head as they observe me. “I’m a shifter, yes.”
“Oh, no, not again,” Branson says on the line just as I drop my hand and let my cell fall to the cushion of the chair.
“Shifters aren’t real,” I whisper.
“We are. What are you doing in my cabin? I was dreaming of sugar cookies, and you almost crushed me with your giant human head.”
My mouth opens and closes. “This is my cabin?” I’m not so sure. There were those boots. “Will you put clothes on? You’re distracting.” I turn away, but all I want to do is to watch the way they move.
The mink person makes a little huff noise. “I’m Aaron Rising. You might have heard of me? He/him please.”
“Are you famous or something? Never heard of you.”
He quirks a smile and turns. “Not too famous, no. But famous enough.” He opens the bedroom closet and rummages around. When he faces me again, he’s in a frilly pink silky robe. It’s rude to scent someone without their permission, but I’m tempted to find out his designation.
There’s a knock at the door and we both head towards it, but Aaron makes it there before I do.
“Ah, Branson. What can we do for you?” Aaron says in such a sexy voice, I almost melt. Slick wets the back of my underwear and I’m sure both men know I’m wet.
Branson swallows and hangs his head. “Please forgive me. I accidentally double-booked the cabins. There aren’t any free ones open. I can offer a refund to one or both of you if you’d like to leave. I’ll even personally pay for a hotel room to make it up to you.”
Aaron eyes Branson, then me. “I have no problem sharing if…”
“Paxton. Pax.” I swallow. “He/him.”
“If Pax is okay with sharing.”
“I wasn’t planning on sharing,” I mumble.
Branson nods so hard I think he’ll give himself whiplash.
“Actually,” I start again. “I really can’t share if you’re an Alpha.” I look at Aaron.
“Which I am.” He leans over and snuffles along my neck without touching me, sending goosebumps down my spine. “But you don’t have to worry about me. If we hook up, I can’t get humans pregnant.”
“You can’t?” I tip my head. “Hey! What makes you think we might hook up?”
“Sugar, you’re about to go into Heat. We’ll be lucky if we make it to dinner before you’re begging for my knot.”
Branson’s eyes go wide. “I can certainly pay for an Omega only hotel if you’d like Mr. Freely.”
“No.” It takes everything in me not to stomp my foot. “I booked this place because it was supposed to be sweet and homey and everything I wanted during my Heat. A hotel won’t be like…” I wave my hand around at the decorations. “This.”
“Ah,” Branson pokes his head through the door and says. “You decorated. It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Aaron says. “I do like making places feel like home wherever I am.”
I sigh and squeeze my eyes shut for a second. “I’ll stay.”
“Really?” Branson seems so relieved, and his shoulders drop.
“Yes, really. I don’t have the energy to deal with anything right now. Plus—” I turn to glare at Aaron. “I have my Heat supplies, so I won’t be needing your Alpha services.” My cheeks are so hot you could probably cook three eggs on them.
Aaron smirks and turns back to Branson. “It seems like my room mate over reacted to his first time seeing a shifter. If you’ll excuse us, I’ll teach him some manners over the course of our stay.” He closes the door in Branson’s face and focuses his attention on me again.
My mouth drops open and I close it. “Sorry. I just never expected to find something in the bed and that something looked like a giant fucking rat under the covers.”
Aaron holds up a hand. “I prefer you not use that kind of language. Unless we’re in the bedroom.” He winks and sashays away, leaving me open-mouthed again.
“By the way,” Aaron hollers from the bedroom. “You’re very sexy in your underpants and socks.”
How the hell did I forget that’s all I was wearing?