Chapter 13 Aaron
AARON
“What do you do for Christmas?” Pax asks as we settle in with a bag of popcorn each and a list of movies to watch.
“Well, first we drink a boatload of hot chocolate, then we shift and play in the snow for hours and hours and hours. It’s so cute watching the little ones play in the snow.
Then we drink more hot chocolate and eat a big meal, open presents, then set up a few tents in my parents’ house so the littles can camp in the living room.
It’s always so much fun.” My shoulders sag a little. Why did I give that up?
“And you’re missing it this year.”
“I am, but I’m glad I did.” I don’t even convince myself. “What do you do for Christmas?”
Pax gives a self-deprecating chuckle. “The last couple years my Heat has come around so I just stay home then rest through the new year. But...” He chews on his bottom lip before taking a drink of hot tea. “Hear me out...”
I munch on popcorn as I wait for him to finish his thought.
“We could keep our plans and stay here. Or...” He looks around. “This place is nice, but we could go experience your family Christmas?”
“Oh, my gosh, you’re bored out of your gourd too!” I nearly fist pump the air.
“Yes! I thought it’d be fun to hang out in this cute cabin and just do nothing.
And I’m sure we can find something to entertain ourselves, but I didn’t research and I’m just sitting here thinking I’m with this sexy Alpha and just bored knowing we could be doing something.
But if your siblings and nibblings aren’t expecting you, it’d be a really fun Christmas to just show up, right? ”
I pop to my feet, popcorn going everywhere. “You know what? Let’s do it! I have my car. We can be at my parent’s house by Christmas if we head out tonight.”
“Yeah?” Pax asks.
“Yeah!”
We start packing and cleaning, laughing as we go.
I’m so excited and my mink is close to the surface. “They’re gonna be so surprised when we show up. Not only that, but you’re my Fated. They are going to be so thrilled.”
We pack up my car and then it’s time to talk to Branson at the front desk. The poor man.
“Good evening,” Branson says as we enter the office together. “It seems the two of you are getting along. That’s great. How can I help you?”
Pax scrubs a hand through his hair. “Here’s the thing. This place is great. Beautiful. Amazing. But, we’re leaving.”
“And if it’s possible, we’d like a tiny refund for the rest of our stay.” I pinch my forefinger and thumb together.
“If possible,” Pax adds.
“Of course. Of course,” Branson starts typing and a sheen of sweat forms on his brow. “I’m so sorry for the double-booking.”
“No need,” Pax says as he grabs my hand.
“I found my Fated mate,” I say.
Branson sucks in a breath. “Congratulations. I’m so glad something good came of my mistake. It seems to be what’s happening with the double-bookings.”
“No complaints, but we decided we wanted to be with family after all,” I explain as I dig out a ziplock bag of treats. “Hopefully this helps. It’s a few pumpkin loaves and cookies for anyone that wants them. There were just too many for us to take with us and I don’t want them to go stale.”
“Thank you. And I got you both checked out with refunds for the rest of your stay. I hope you join us again sometime.”
“Plan on it,” Pax says as he pulls me in for a kiss on our way out. It’s just the sweetest peck on the cheek.
Once we’re on the road, Pax takes my hand over the console.
“Now we’re in a vehicle for days on end.
We have to get to know each other. Like what kind of ice cream do you like?
If I weren’t hogging the bed, which side is your favorite?
What does your ideal day look like? When do you wake up? When do you go to bed?”
All of Pax’s questions make me smile. “This is a long, long, long drive. Are you sure you wanna ask so many questions right up front? What will we talk about later?”
“I’m sure I’ll have a thousand and one questions by the time we get to our destination. Like how many nibblings do you have? What are your parents like?” His shoulders turn in and he tries to make himself smaller. “Do you think they’ll like me?”
“Absolutely. They will like you. They’ll be upset that I didn’t say anything about coming and that I have a Fated mate with me, and then they’ll take you in with open arms.”
“I wish I could say the same about my family. Mother will question why I kept you from her or she’ll question my sanity. My sisters will, of course, welcome you with open arms. Shit!”
I press the brakes, and he starts laughing.
“I forgot to give Buckle an update after... Everything.”
I ease on the gas, thankful there wasn’t anyone behind us. That could have been a disaster. “Ah, you really do need to tell him you’re off the market. At least for now.” I know Pax said Buckle was just his friend, and I want to say I’m not jealous, but I think I am.
“You know, it’s kinda hot when you’re all huffy about my best friend.
” He types what appears to be a novel on his phone.
He asks if he can tell Buckle about me being a mink shifter and I give him permission.
Then the two go back and forth for a few minutes before his phone rings. “Sorry ‘bout this.”
“Don’t be. Answer it, don’t keep him waiting.” I’m eager to hear what this other Alpha sounds like.
Pax nods and answers. “Got you on speakerphone with Aaron.”
“What are your intentions with Pax?” Buckle’s voice is deep and sexy.
“Hello to you, too, dear Buckle.”
Buckle coughs, and it sounds like he’s taking a drink. “Sorry about the attitude. I should be happy. Now Pax knows about shifters and I can finally tell him the truth without betraying my family’s promise.”
Pax’s mouth drops open. “You’re a shifter?!”
“Chipmunk.”
“Ha!” I let out. “I’m a mink!”
“And I’m just a plain ol human.” Pax sighs deeper into his seat.
“No,” Buckle and I say at the same time. I reach for Pax’s hand again.
“You’re not just a human. You’re my Fated.”
On the line, Buckle says, “I thought we were Fated, but that literal spark never happened. I felt it when the two of you touched. I knew you’d found your mate.”
“But how?” Pax asks.
“Because the two of you are so close.” My heart aches for Buckle, though. If he thought he and Pax were Fated, he must be in pain now. “Buckle, for what it’s worth, I believe you’ll find someone.”
“Thanks,” Buckle says, and he sounds genuinely happy. “The nibblings are calling. If I don’t hear from you before, Merry Christmas. Both of you.”
“You, too,” Pax says as I repeat the greeting.
Pax ends the call. “So... My best friend is a chipmunk shifter and my Fated is a mink. How is this life?” He grins up at me.
“Because Fate has looked over you for years, my sweet.” I kiss his knuckles and he goes quiet. “What’s wrong?”
“It doesn’t feel that way. But I don’t wanna think about any of that. I want to get to know you and we don’t have movies to distract us.”
“Ah, that was the plan. Get me away from the TV. You know me too well already.”
“No, no.” Pax laughs, and it’s magical. “If you ever get to meet Buckle, he’ll tell ya that I can talk someone’s ear off. I just gotta get comfortable first.”
“I look forward to chatting about everything.”
And for hours we talk about everything and nothing, and it’s glorious.
“You slept in hammocks?” Pax asks.
“Yep, all four of us boys. We tried bunk beds, but the hammocks were way more comfortable shifting between human and mink as kids. I still have a hammock that I sleep in every once in a while.”
“I hope there are lots of baby pictures.”
“I’m sure there are.” A yawn makes my jaw pop. “Darlin’, how about looking for a hotel?”
“Or I can take over and we go a little longer while you take a nap?”
Another yawn. “Sounds perfect.” We find a gas station to fill up and switch drivers.
“Wake me up if you need me to navigate.”
“Will do, sleep tight.”
Next thing I know, Pax is waking me up three hours later at a cute motel.