Chapter 6 Thea
THEA
Spending the weekend unpacking and getting the house set up took a lot more energy than I thought, especially since I had to drive an hour back to the store for things I inevitably forgot.
Then starting work Monday. Rebecca wasn’t kidding when she said this was part of their busiest time.
I feel like I’ve been going nonstop all week.
Which I’m grateful for, and being so tired to just eat and spend a little time reading before bed has been great.
No time to think about anything too deeply and that’s how I like it.
There’s one week left in October and then Rebecca said once it’s November the workload drops pretty drastically.
I looked at the bookings and she was right, because they dropped by over half the first week of November.
Maybe I can spend more time cleaning the lodge.
There must be some kind of deep cleaning projects that get done during slow times.
I volunteered to work this weekend, which Rebecca pushed back on a bit, saying I needed my time off.
Ultimately, I convinced her, but she insisted I take next Tuesday off.
I would’ve said I have no problem working two weeks without a day off, but the effort to be allowed to work this weekend was a lot and she definitely wouldn’t have allowed it.
It’s a good thing that she cares, I’m just not used to it.
My corporate job looked down on any time you take off.
We barely took any trips during those six years I worked there.
Can’t go down that road either, that time is untouchable.
Might as well be a different person, a different life.
Right now, I’m taking a short break for my lunch.
I still can’t get over how nice this employee lounge is.
The fire is going, making it hard to go back to work.
Still, I have twenty minutes left. Just then someone walks in.
Looking up I’m surprised to see it’s Ben.
Based on his expression he seems equally surprised to see me.
Maybe this isn’t a common time to take a break.
Rebecca said I can take mine whenever I felt like it, just let the front desk know so if any guests ask for anything, whoever is working it can take care of it or take a note for when I’m back.
“Good afternoon,” he says stiltedly.
“Afternoon.”
He walks over to the fridge, reaching down to grab something, then begins walking towards me. “Do you mind if I join you?”
Yes I do. “Of course not,” I say as pleasantly as I can.
Pulling out a seat across from me at the table, he sits and begins unwrapping a sandwich.
My eyes slowly appraise him. He tends to wear business casual type of outfits, usually a collared shirt with a solid sweater over.
For some reason that mixed with dark hair, piercing eyes, and his glasses gives him this effortlessly cool vibe that I don’t think he’s aware of.
Or I’m reading way too much into it. Force of habit, Gods forbid at my old job you wore the same outfit twice in one month.
That place really was worse than high school.
When my eyes move upward I find he’s already looking at me.
Good going Thea, looking like a creeper to your boss.
I sit up a little straighter and nod towards his sandwich. “That looks good, what is it?”
His expression is hard to read. “Just a turkey club. It was Parker’s turn for lunches and it’s always some kind of sandwich.” There’s a slight teasing tone to his voice.
Remembering the rambling alpha I met that first day, here I can’t help but smile. “Not much of a cook is he?”
Ben laughs. “No, but he gets by enough. We barely let Eli try to cook anymore.” That surprises me I wouldn’t have thought he was bad at anything. Maybe it was his attitude, he was just so upbeat. Honestly, I can’t relate to that but I do admire it in others.
“Good to know then, avoid food cooked by Eli,” I say, but why it’s not like I’ll see him much.
There’s that look again, like he’s questioning me.
The longer we sit here the more of his scent I’m catching.
Even with the high-end air filters in this place some of it still comes through with us being so close.
It’s bergamot, putting me at ease, safe but in a different way than Parker’s scent made me feel safe.
I don’t like it—no that’s not true, part of me loves it and wants more of his scent. I don’t trust it.
For the next ten minutes we make meaningless small talk in between his eating and my reading.
Though I’ve basically been reading the same paragraph over and over.
I can’t focus with his scent swirling around me.
The filter system must need to be looked at, because his scent shouldn’t be this strong.
Good thing I have on descenter. His scent reminds me of the park back home and it’s making my mind go to a place I can’t right now.
“Thea?” Ben says, snapping me out of my spiraling. “You okay?”
“Mhm, yeah. Sorry, lost in my thoughts.” I try laughing it off.
He looks concerned. Why does he care? Is this a small-town thing, people care?
In Chicago I could count on one hand the number of people who tried to get to know me or make any effort in those seven months.
Well I also didn’t go out of my way to meet anyone either, but still.
“If you need anything don’t hesitate to ask me or Rebecca.
Or if it’s with the house let any one of my pack members know and we will fix it.
” I look up at him. His eyes are so blue, his expression so genuine, open.
It makes me wonder if I was ever that open.
If I was, it was long before the stalking, before my corporate job.
“Thank you. It’s nothing like that, think I’m just a little homesick.” Why the fuck did I say that? I need to get away from his scent, it’s making me too at ease around him.
I start packing up my things as he asks, “Where are you originally from?”
“Florida,” I say quickly as I get up. “Sorry, I need to get back to work. Have a good day.” Then I’m rushing out of there like it’s on fire.
The rest of the day goes by in a blur, which I’m grateful for.
Ever since lunch with Ben, I’ve felt off somehow.
That little crack that made me think of home I haven’t been able to seal it up.
It felt like it was constantly poking at the edge of my thoughts all afternoon.
At least I can take my time with this last cabin I have to turn over.
Rebecca said they won’t be renting it at all throughout the winter season as they are making improvements to it.
I’m surprised they’d put this one off market for so long since it’s one of the Andromeda cabins.
As I climb the few steps to the porch, I see a black truck off to the side of the cabin.
Maybe they are already starting work. I don’t see anyone around and go about my routine like usual.
A little while later when I’m bringing the linens to the cart for laundry, I run into what feels like a wall.
I can’t see too well since I wanted to make one trip and carry everything in a giant bundle versus using the basket and making two trips.
Hands are grabbing at my shoulders to steady me and I lose my grip on the linens.
They fall onto the porch and standing opposite me is the biggest man I’ve ever seen.
I thought Max and Connor were big with their ridiculous height and wide muscular frames.
This man, alpha, is somehow bigger. I should be scared but I’m not.
His scent surrounds me. Fresh oak. Why does it make me feel protected?
Can scents make you high? I swear some of these alphas are making me question that.
Reluctantly, I take a big step back. Since we’re outside taking the step away gives me some much-needed fresh air.
Looking up, and I mean up, because this alpha has to be more than a foot taller than my 5’4” height, I see brown, almost amber eyes boring into me.
He has a few pieces of dirty blond hair falling over his forehead as he reaches up to scratch his beard lined jaw.
“I’m…I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there,” I finally stutter out.
He doesn’t say anything or move. Just continues to stare at me.
Feeling awkward as hell now I quickly scoop up the laundry and bring it to my cart.
Turning around to continue with the cleaning I still have to complete, he’s still standing by the doorway looking at me.
It’s fine, just do what you need to and leave.
I did most of the second floor, I just have the first left to do.
These big cabins always make me work up a sweat, there’s just so much to do.
I should reapply my descenter. I don’t know if anything is coming through.
Maybe if he doesn’t go inside it won’t be noticeable.
Stepping back up onto the porch I ask, “Are you one of the workers doing the improvements Rebecca mentioned?”
He nods in the affirmative. Okay. Not much of a talker, I get it.
“Okay well I’m halfway through the turn around and then I’ll be out of your way.
” I hold my breath as I walk by him and back into the cabin.
My plan was to take my time with this one since it’s the last for the day and no new guests are checking in for it.
I’m too unnerved for that and end up rushing through what’s left.
I don’t feel too bad about it. My guess is since they’re doing work on it, we’ll have to clean it all over again before they open it back up for guests in the spring.
I close up the cabin and look around for the giant alpha, finding him at the foot of the porch stairs. It looks like he’s taking measurements. Hurrying down the stairs and out of his way, I say, “It’s all set, sorry for any inconvenience.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for,” a deep masculine, almost gravelly, voice says from behind me.
It literally stops me in my tracks. What in the fucking sorcery is happening?
I look over my shoulder and see him looking at me, though this time his gaze is softer.
Not knowing what to say, I nod and return to my cart, heading back to the lodge.
Part of me is screaming to leave this town.
There are too many alphas and a beta that are affecting me in ways I clearly don’t know how to handle.
Maybe my heat suppressants are failing early?
I need to get that sorted. That has to be the cause of all this.
The last thing I need is a heat and getting mixed up with anyone.