Chapter 3

Noel

It was dark when I arrived at the cabin. At that moment, all I cared about was a roof over my head and a warm blanket over my body. My bones ached with a weariness and my mind was clouded with the impending decisions I needed to make for my future. Since the snow had begun to fall, there was no sign of a walkway or any indication that anyone was around. It had to be the right place. I’d followed the man’s directions, and even though it was dark and snowing, there weren’t many other cabins around. The ones that were around had lights on and smoke coming from the chimneys. Clearly they were occupied.

A few even had lights strung outside and the glow of Christmas trees in the window. Oh, how I longed to be able to set up my own Christmas tree someday. On the darkest of days, it was a fantasy I’d let myself indulge in. Where somehow, I had my own home, an alpha who loved me, and a tree to decorate.

This year I felt further away from that than I’d ever been.

I gathered the groceries and my small bag of items and made my way inside. The cabin was small but cozy—a single open space with only the bathroom separated. A narrow staircase led up to the loft where the bedroom was. I figured that would be the warmest spot, with heat rising and all.

Oak beams lined the ceiling and walls. The stone fireplace dominated the south wall. A single woven rug sat on the floor in front of a well-used couch. A feeling of hominess and comfort filled the place. Or perhaps it was just because I was here without my family nagging on me at every turn.

The fireplace, naturally, was unlit, and there was no wood in the holder. I’d seen a pile outside, but did I have the energy to start a fire? Not really. I dropped my things on the small table just outside the kitchen and headed upstairs. All I wanted was to crawl into bed and rest. Maybe a nap in my wolf form would do me some good.

After removing my clothes, I shifted, curled up on the bed, and made a little nest out of the thin blankets. There were probably more somewhere tucked in a closet, but I had no energy to find them. I could stay plenty warm in my fur. I drifted off quickly.

I awoke to the sound of the door thudding shut downstairs. A small whimper escaped me before I could stop it. My heart thundered and my fur stood on end. I tried to stay quiet, not wanting to draw attention to myself.

My escape options were limited. I was stuck in the loft where there was only a small window. I had no idea where I could run if I were to get away.

“Hello?” a voice called from downstairs.

It was an alpha. Somehow, I knew that without seeing him. I let out another soft whimper, then cursed myself for not staying quiet. Well, too late now. The alpha would definitely pick up on my scent. I couldn’t hide. I couldn’t run. At least not yet. A few thuds followed, and then I heard footsteps climbing the stairs.

“Who’s here? I know someone is—I can scent you,” he called out. “I’m not sure why you’re in this cabin, but I’ve rented it for the week.”

What? I had rented it for the week. Sort of. The old man had told me it was empty. A bright light suddenly flashed in my face, and I burrowed into the blanket, feeling more like a scared rabbit than a wolf.

“Hey,” the voice softened, calming. “I’m not going to hurt you. Can we talk?”

Yeah, right. Since when does an alpha not hurt an omega they randomly find? If there was one thing I knew for certain it was that alphas weren’t to be trusted. Yet this one didn’t scent at all like others I’d encountered.

The sugary scent of mocha with a hint of peppermint filled the air with each step that he took toward me. His movements were slow, like he was trying not to scare me.

He blocked my only way out, so I didn’t exactly have a choice. Slowly, I shifted back to my human form. As soon as I had hands, I clutched the blanket to my chest, shivering as I stared up at him.

“Who... who are you?” I asked, clutching the blanket tightly around myself.

“My name’s Garrick,” he said calmly. “And you are?”

I swallowed, my throat tight. “I’m Noel. Some guy named... I don’t remember his name exactly, but he told me I could stay here. He said the cabin would be empty. I’m not trespassing.” I hated how my voice shook. I could blame the cold, but it was definitely fear. My life was in this man’s hands, and I had no way of knowing what his intentions were.

Garrick let out a low chuckle. “I don’t know who that would be, but this cabin is rented through the company that owns it. And I’ve got the receipt on my phone.” His eyes softened as he looked at me. “Do you have any record of him letting you stay here?”

“No... I just... he said I could have the place, and I believed him.” I shifted, hugging the blanket closer. “But if I need to go, I can go.” How I was going to survive in a snowstorm would be a challenge.

He exhaled a visible puff in the cold air. “Not right now, you’re not.”

I froze. What did that mean? My body tensed, my muscles coiled tight. What would he do to me?

“It’s dark, it’s late. And it’s really cold outside.” He glanced around the space, then back at me. “Look, let me get a fire started. You can go back to sleep if you want. There’s no need for you to leave right now.”

I shook my head, hesitant. “I don’t want to impose.”

He held up his hand to reassure me. “It’s fine.” He paused. “By the way, what pack are you from?”

“None.” I forced myself to sound stronger than I felt. “I’m, uh... between packs at the moment.” That wasn’t technically a lie.

He nodded. “Well, I’m from—” He paused, not filling in the blank. “Just on vacation here for the week. We’ll figure all this out in the morning, all right? You don’t have to be scared of me. You have no reason to trust me, but I mean you no harm.”

“I’m not scared,” I said, lifting my chin, trying to seem braver than I was. Truth was, I was terrified, but... well, fake it till you make it, right?

He smiled slightly. “Of course, you’re not.” He gestured downstairs. “I’ll get the fire going. I’ve got some firewood in the truck, should be dry, along with a few fire starters. And I’ve got food, too, if you’re hungry.”

“I... I’ve got some, too,” I offered, though it wasn’t much. Really, I had nothing to offer him. “There’s wood on the porch, I think. I saw it when I arrived.”

“Great. Get some rest if you can,” he said, moving back down the stairs. “I’ll check the linen closet, see if there are any extra blankets.”

I nodded, fighting back a yawn as my eyes grew heavy. My wolf stirred within me, instinctively calming in the alpha’s presence. I knew better than to let my defenses drop, but... I didn’t really have a choice. And honestly, there were worse places to be.