Chapter 6 Aspen
Aspen
Every minute I spent with Cole, I watched him open up a little more. His laugh was contagious, deep, and booming, and had me cracking up right along with him.
I also never thought I’d see the alpha shoving peanut butter cups into his mouth like he’d been starving for days. This man, who probably ate at fancy restaurants regularly, was devouring cheap, everyday snacks.
It made him feel more human. Even if this entire situation felt like some sort of fucked up fever-dream. This wasn’t where I saw myself today.
Hell, I should have been on a beach with a pack that genuinely cared about me. Now that the smoke-screen had lifted I saw all the cracks that had been splintering through the foundation the entire time.
I’d chosen to ignore them.
“Alright,” he said. “We have to get to know each other, or this is going to fail. My mom will see right through it. Honestly, I’m shocked she hasn’t already.”
“Okay,” I said, popping a piece of chocolate into my mouth and shifting in my seat to see him better. “Ask me anything.”
“On a typical night in, what do you do?”
“That depends on my mood,” I admitted. “Sometimes I’m in a true crime documentary mood. Other times, it’s a stress-baking kind of night. I’m a girl of many tastes.”
“Do you read at all?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said carefully. “But let’s not bring that up in front of your mom because I’d hate to have to explain the last book I read.”
“Okay, now I have to know,” he demanded playfully, glancing over before looking back to the road. The alpha was biting back laughter now and likely not far off in what he was imagining.
“Let’s just say I like my books spicy… and the more paranormal, the better. Vampires, shifters, monsters. I’m here for it all.”
“So, true crime, spicy books, and baking,” he summarized.
“Yep,” I agreed easily. “That about covers it. I’m fairly ADHD when it comes to hobbies. I like to try new things and go on little adventures. I’d go crazy if life got a bit too monotonous.”
“I guess that makes sense,” he said. “Since you decided to go along with this. And you showed up and jumped in my lap wearing a Santa suit.”
“Exactly,” I said with a grin, completely unapologetic. I have no regrets about my actions that night. Outside of giving the pack a piece of my mind. “It’s time for a new adventure.”
“And your pack?” he asked.
“Ex-pack,” I corrected quickly, turning to look out the window.
“I’m not the kind of person who lets people treat me like garbage, cheat on me, and then waits around for an apology.
I genuinely don’t care if they ever find out the real reason I left.
I know exactly what they did and with who.
I’m fully aware now of every way they let me down.
That’s enough for me to cut them off forever. ”
“Just like that you’re over them?” he asked gently. I wasn’t sure how to take the open curiosity and hope in his voice.
Was he interested?
Was I even okay with that?
Not wanting to think on that too hard, I went with honesty. No one had ever truly seen this vulnerable, raw, fully honest version of me like Cole. I liked that feeling and I didn’t want to fuck it up too soon.
“I’m angry. Hurt. I feel really fucking stupid for not seeing the truth sooner. Mad at myself for not realizing I deserved better. Pissed off at all the lies I took at face value. I should know better.”
My chest was heaving now and I refused to look over and see any ounce of pity he might have in his expression.
I didn’t need it. This omega was strong enough to put it behind her.
“So, no, I’m not just magically over it, but I won’t let them take any more of my time,” I clarified. “I had my moment that night. Now it’s time to move on. Life is too short to dwell on people who don’t make you happy.”
I glanced back at him, grinning now as I took in the snacks between us and the road ahead. This felt more real and right than the last few years of my life with my pack.
“And right now, spending Christmas in an adorable little village, driving you crazy, and having an actual mom around for a bit sounds perfect.”
“If it’s mothering you need, she’s got you covered,” Cole laughed.
It was nice to see a grown alpha not afraid to talk about how much he loves his family.
“My mother was born to be a mom. She will make sure you’re fed, and she will hug you like she’s afraid you’ll disappear if she lets go.
The woman will also hover like it’s her damn job. Just you wait.”
“That sounds kind of nice,” I said, considering it. Karina was such a sweet, fun, and genuine person. I didn’t know her well yet but I had a feeling she put her whole heart and soul into her family and getting to experience even a fraction of it was everything.
“You say that now,” he warned, “but it can be suffocating.”
“We’ll see,” I conceded, then changed the subject. He was right, we had so much more to find out about each other. “Now, soon-to-be-husband. What about you? Who are you when no one else can see you?”
“Boring,” he admitted, wincing. I could tell this was something he was self-conscious about. “I don’t feel like I’ve had the time to figure that out after pouring so much of myself into this company.”
“Then let’s break it down,” I said. “What’s the last movie you watched?”
“I… haven’t.”
“O-kay,” I dragged out. “What about TV shows? Everyone watches TV sometimes.”
“That one I can answer,” he admitted. “I’m a sucker for Alpha Wars.”
“Of course, you are,” I laughed. That show was one all alphas looked up to and wanted to be like. Huge, monster alphas competing to see who comes out on top.
“Oh, come on. When I was a kid, it was what all alphas wanted to be. A show where big, huge alphas fight gladiator style to be the strongest. Who wouldn’t love it? It’s definitely my comfort show that I put on when I actually have a minute for something.”
“I mean… omegas and betas probably watch for a different reason,” I teased. “Alpha in peak form and all that.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “Peak physical form, huh?”
“Exactly,” I said primly, making him laugh. “All those strong biceps and big alphas. Eight-packs, not even six-packs.” I pretended to fan myself, making him scowl. Oh, it was too fun to tease this alpha.
I just wished I knew why it was so easy with him. Were my defenses down or were we just made to be… friends?
“They slick themselves down in body oil,” he deadpanned. “It’s all smoke and screens.”
“Husband, do you want to slick yourself down in body oil for me?” I asked, batting my eyes. “That would be a great Christmas present.”
He huffed out a laugh and focused back on the road, turning off the main highway onto a country road. The gravel kicked up as the tires moved through it.
We were definitely not in the city any longer. I rolled down my window despite the cold and breathed in deep. It was clean, crisp, and fresh. The kind of jolt that brought you back to life.
This was exactly what I needed.
“Okay, serious now,” I said as I rolled my window back up and warmed my hands on the warm air blowing through his vents. “Do you read?”
“Mostly other magazines. I like to keep an eye on the competition. Plus, I read every article that goes into ours.”
“Really?” I asked, stunned. “I didn’t think a man of your status went through every issue. Don’t you have a team for that?”
“Of course, I do,” he said, and then reached over, snagging the chocolate that was headed for my mouth and popping it into his own.
“That doesn’t mean I don’t want to make sure it’s perfect.”
“Touché,” I said, more than a little impressed. I’d honestly pegged him as one of those rich men who delegated everything. That absolved him of the crime of chocolate theft. I snagged a fresh peice and put it in my mouth quickly this time, not giving him a chance to strike.
It was clear that Cole took his job, and his responsibility, very seriously.
“What do you eat for lunch at work?” It was a strange question, but color me curious. I wanted to know everything that made this alpha tick. Was he adventurous in his tastes? Boring? Methodical?
“I’m lazy when it comes to meal prep,” he admitted. “I get catering orders and separate them into lunches. That way I get hot food every day that doesn’t taste like garbage. Mom passed her lack of cooking skills on to me.”
“And let me guess, you eat while you work?” I asked, raising a brow. He really was every bit the workaholic his mother called him.
Cole’s cheeks flushed slightly, and I bit back a smile. He was adorable.
“Okay, okay, your turn,” he said. “What do you do for lunch?”
“Usually food trucks or whatever else was quick and close to the building. Then, I cooked dinner at home.”
“For your ex-pack?” he asked carefully.
“No,” I admitted. “We lived separately. I only saw them on weekends or sometimes for date nights.”
“Interesting,” was all he said. He sounded almost happy about that new fact.
“Okay, alpha,” I said, realizing our time was just about over. “Give me the most basic information about yourself. The things someone marrying you would know.”
“I hate onions. My closet is organized by color. I’m meticulous about my place. I have anxiety. I like being in control.”
His eyes flicked to mine. I shivered, because that could definitely be taken more than one way.
And I knew he meant it that way, too. Already I was learning his tells. He had a small smirk when teasing, serious face but burning eyes when being flirty, and his relaxed face when he was just chatting. I wanted to learn and catalog every one.
“Your turn, chaos.” Oh, a nickname. Look at us already settling into this marriage thing. I loved that he chose that particular one and not something cute. It fit better.
“Well,” I said, thinking it over. “I’ll eat almost anything.
I love new experiences: food, activities, everything big and small.
I love thrift stores and antique shops. They have the best clothes and fun little trinkets.
This world has enough consumer trash, so I try to shop secondhand and breathe new life into things.
My whole apartment is full of bright colors and organized chaos. ”
He visibly winced.
“And you think with that reaction your mom is going to believe this?” I asked, throwing my hands up.
“I’ll get used to it for my fiancée,” he said calmly.
“We’ll see about that,” I said, determined now to be my unrestrained self and test his limits. “I’m guessing this is going to be a shared-room situation.”
His eyes widened like he’d never once considered it.
“You’re right,” he said slowly. “She would absolutely put us in the same room.”
“This is going to be an interesting two weeks,” I teased him. “Just do me one favor.”
“Of course.”
“Don’t assume things about me. Don’t get mad or frustrated, and not tell me why. I need communication. I’m not a mind reader, and I’m not going to pretend to be. If you’re upset with something, just tell me so we can fix it or work through it.”
“I’m not big on confrontation, but if something really bothers me, I will.”
“Good,” I said, relaxing back against my chair with a soft smile as I stared at the landscape. “Then we’ll get along just fine.”
He reached for the radio and flipped through stations until a Christmas channel came on.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside poured through the speakers.
I started singing along, and to my shock, he joined in. Cole’s voice mixed with mine, and we were both grinning by the end.
We might be opposites in almost every way, but I had a feeling this ridiculous little partnership was going to work out just fine.