Chapter 15 Aaron
AARON
After several days and a few more truck stop quickies, we finally make it to my family estate.
Pax swallows as he looks up at my modest house on the property. We had to come to my place to pick up the Christmas gifts I have and to calm our nerves.
“You really think they’ll like me? I’m no one. I’m human.”
“No one is going to care that you’re human. A few of my cousins are mated to humans. Not everyone is mated to a mink. There’s gonna be humans and wolves and mink. A few deer, couple river otters, a black bear, a snake, bobcat—”
Pax hugs me, and I lose my train of thought. He nuzzles in my neck, scenting me, and I follow suit.
Pax pulls away first. “Before we go, I need something from you, Alpha.”
I swallow, my eyes narrow on his lips.
“Kiss me.” His eyes plead with mine, and I scoop him into my arms.
I lean in, our lips crashing together, the kiss hungry and desperate.
How have we not kissed yet? He tastes like the lingering Pumpkin Spice Latte from two towns over and I lick his lips open for more.
I press him to the doorframe of my house, practically rutting into him as we continue exploring each other’s mouths.
“Aaron,” Pax laughs my name. “We can’t. There are kids we need to surprise.”
I lick his jaw as I come up for air. “We do in deed.” I release him so I can unlock my door. The scent of cherries and chocolate rushes out once I get it open. Home sweet home always smells so good.
Pax darts in and I just watch as he takes in the decor. Every room is themed, and I hope he plans to explore every one over the next several days. The foyer has Astroturf on the ceiling with a flower chandelier.
“Whoa,” he whispers as he spins and looks up. “This is—”
“A lot, I know,” I say as I grab the frankly huge bag of toys still sitting at the front door where I left it.
“Amazing!” Pax’s eyes sparkle under the chandelier and I want to kiss him again. All night long, in fact. But we have kids to surprise.
“I’ll give you the grand tour when we get back. But like you said, we have kids to surprise.”
His eyes light up at the bag as I heft it over my shoulder.
“We’ll walk over to mom and dad’s. It won’t take long. Unless you wanna drive over there, but it’s just—” I wave in a direction.
“I’m good with walking.”
And so I lock up again and lead the way to the parentals.
“So all of you live together?”
“Kinda? Mom and dad have a boatload of land and offered us kids each an equal section of it to do with as we pleased. I built a house to be close to family. My siblings did the same. True mink aren’t homebodies, they prefer to be loners. But shifter minks, we want community.”
“It’s beautiful here.” Pax’s eyes wander along our path.
The snow falls softly against the darkening sky, each flake shimmering like tiny crystals. I pull up the collar of my coat, glancing at Pax beside me, his wide eyes full of anticipation and cheeks flushed from our quiet walk.
Mom and dad’s house comes into view and Pax sucks in a breath. “It’s a mansion.” He stops and tugs on my elbow. “Aaron, I grew up in a trailer. I’m a mechanic. They—”
My heart aches for him. “They aren’t going to care about any of that. I promise. And I don’t care about it. We’re Fated, and while we’re still figuring us out, I refuse to think down on you.”
“Okay.” He swallows, and I wrap an arm around him, pulling him close.
The sounds of the kids playing in the snow reach my ears and I can’t help the smile. “This is it,” I say, glancing at him. “You ready to step into the chaos of my family’s holiday traditions?”
Pax gives a nervous smile. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” He takes a deep breath and I swear I can see the tension flow off him. “If they’re anything like you, this is going to be amazing.”
I chuckle, appreciating his honesty. “I think you’ll like it here.”
As we approach the house, the joyful sounds of my family get louder. So much of my family are already in their mink or other animal forms, darting through the snow. The moment one sees us, it’s like a wave of animals surge forward.
Pax laughs and grabs my arms a little tighter. I don’t blame him. If I weren’t a shifter, I’d be apprehensive about a stampede of animals coming my way, too.
A flurry of fur and paws knocks me back a step as a few of my family tries to climb my legs to get closer. One nibbling, Rennie, from the tail color, gets around my neck and lays himself like a scarf. Pax barks out the cutest laugh when Rennie’s sister Lorrie does the same to him.
I can’t help but laugh, feeling the warmth of my loved ones. I can’t believe I almost missed this.
My mother, in her human form, stands at the edge of the chaos, her eyes sparkling with joy. She steps closer to greet us.
“And who is this my dear son brings with him?” she asks, taking Pax’s hand gently.
“Uh, Paxton Freely. But just Pax,” Pax stammers, glancing up at me. “I... I’m really happy to be here.”
“Don’t worry, none of the kits bite.” She stops and tilts her head. “Okay, they only bite when provoked, which isn’t often. They’re just excited to see their favorite uncle.”
A shout of “Hey!” rings out from my brothers. Gone only a few days, and I missed this so much.
Mom holds out her hand and Lorrie unwraps herself from Pax’s neck and hops into mom’s offering. “You’re just a sweet baby, aren’t you, Lorrie?”
Lorrie nuzzles mom’s cheek and flops around her neck.
“I didn’t mind,” Pax says.
“They’ll all do it, if you don’t watch it,” my brother Leon says coming up behind mom. “We’re still having fun out here, but we’ll all introduce ourselves shortly. I’m Leon. These two are mine.” He takes Rennie from my neck and I miss the warmth.
“I really don’t mind,” Pax says with a laugh. “They’re sweet.”
“Come inside, both of you,” my mother beams, leading us toward the porch door. “Let’s get you warmed up.”
Once inside, the heat hits me like a comfort blanket. The scent of roasting meat, cinnamon, and cookies envelops the room. More laughter and cheerful chatter comes from the living room.
I press a finger to my lips so mom doesn’t ruin the surprise when I enter the living room. I prance in with my bag and, “Ho! Ho! Ho! Who’s been good this year?”
Misty squeals and pushes to her feet to slam me with a hug.
“You big a-hole! You told us all—” Her eyes go wide when she notices Pax.
Her mouth drops open. “Who is this?” She sidles up next to him and gives him the same examination she gives all of our prospective partners.
Making sure they’re good enough for her big brothers.
Pax, thank goodness, doesn’t even flinch. I may have warned him about Misty on the way here.
“Pax Freely. Fated mate of Aaron.” He holds out a hand, but she lunges for him in a hug that knocks him into a wall.
“Misty Elena Horence, where are your manners?” my mother says as my sister’s Omega laughs from the couch.
“It’s okay,” Pax squeaks when Misty lets him go. “I’m excited to meet everyone. Sorry about just dropping in like this. We got bored at the cabin.”
Misty bounces on her toes. And Pax and I launch into the PG version of how we met. As we do, others gather round.
I tell my part where I’m just laying down for a nap.
“I need a chair to demonstrate,” Pax says, and one of my cousins obliges.
“I just got off this long flight from Virginia and I was so tired. So, I get to the cabin and lay my head on the pillows and something is moving under my head.” His eyes go delightfully wide and the kids gathered around cackle.
“I move and there’s this big moving lump in the middle of the bed.
I grab my phone.” He slides it from his pocket.
“And dash away.” He hops on the chair and trembles, miming a phone call.
“Yes, hi. There is a giant rat in my bed.” The kids’ laugher peels out and Pax grins so wide.
My heart is full watching him tell the story.
“Silly Pax, he’s not a rat!” one of the kids say.
“Oh, I found that out real fast. Aaron shifts right there. Naked! And tells me he’s not a rat, thank you very much!”
More laughter. I really needed this. My mind swirls with endless design possibilities, and I wish I had my sketchbook with me. Pax being so open with my family makes my heart warm. I can’t believe he’s mine.
Mom comes around with a tray of hot chocolate. Pax’s eyes light up when she passes him a steaming mug. “For me?”
“Absolutely,” she says, handing it over. “You’re doing so well, Pax. I know all of this must be overwhelming, but we don’t bite. Well, unless provoked.”
His cheeks flush with warmth. “Thank you. I’ve never felt this… part of something before.”
I squeeze his hand, feeling a fierce protectiveness surge within me. “You’re part of us now. Always.”
“Okay, who’s ready for snowball fights?” my brother Ralph calls, tugging on my sleeve. “Join us! We want to see if you can dodge better than us.”
“Sure thing!” I laugh and squeeze Pax’s hand. “Come with us?”
“Of course. Still need to work out some of those riding kinks.” He presses a quick kiss to my nose.
“You said kinks.” I wink before chasing my siblings and nibblings and everyone outside. Pax laughs behind me.
Once I’m out the door, I strip and shift to my mink form. I love the feel of snow beneath my paws, I join the fray, darting through the chaos.
I glance back at Pax, who watches from the porch, wrapped in a blanket mom found.
“You coming out?” Leon calls out.
“In a bit!” Pax says. “I want to watch first. Gotta size up the players,” he replies, his eyes bright with excitement.
The kids squeal as a few of the older ones throw snowballs, and I can’t help but smile, feeling alive in the moment. I burrow into the snow and pop up over and over. It’s one of my favorite things to do as a mink.
Soon Pax joins us, throwing snowball after snowball at everyone. He’s gentle, no doubt not wanting to hurt anyone.
After a while, we all return inside, breathless and covered with snow. Pax is waiting for me with a soft smile and a steaming mug of hot coco.
“Did you have fun?” he asks, amusement in his voice.
“Definitely. Did you,” I ask, shaking off the chill.
“So much,” he says, stealing a drink of my hot chocolate.
Once everyone is dry and clothed again, we gather around the dining table, laden with steaming platters of holiday food. My father pats Pax on the back, grinning. “You’re brave to come into all of this so suddenly. Our family can be a little loud, but it’s all love.”
Pax nods, his voice soft but sincere. “Thank you for welcoming me. I was pretty afraid, but Aaron assured me it’d be good. And I’ve had the best time so far.”
I give him a side hug and kiss the top of his head. He melts into me.
As the night deepens, the house buzzes with music and laughter after we open presents. Pax and I share a blanket near the hearth, his face glowing from the festive lights.
“Feeling okay?” I whisper, leaning closer.
“Yes, it’s just... more than I expected,” he replies, looking around. “But I feel safe here, Aaron. I feel like I belong.”
His admission hits me straight in the chest. “You belong here. I promise.”