He came over and handed me a box, the kind that looked like it would have a pet inside. I got nervous seeing the holes that could only be used for breathing. “Is it going to bite?”
“Nah, it’s from the florist a couple of towns over. You’re good.” He handed me a clipboard to sign as delivered.
“Okay.” I signed for it, and he left.
When I opened the box, I found a plant and an envelope. I opened it. It said,Welcome home. He wasn’t talking about this place or even my house. He was talking about himself. He’d mentioned I was his home, and this was his way of saying he could be mine.
Behind the card was a photograph. I pulled it out to find a picture of tires that were blissfully full. On the back, it said,The tire fairies must have fixed it because it was good to go when I got to the diner this morning.
It had me smiling. That’s when I realized I didn’t even have his phone number. How could I properly thank him? Sure, I could wait until I saw him again, but that felt rude.
I grabbed my plant and ran outside.
“Wait!” I called to the delivery guy, catching him just as he was climbing into his vehicle. “Do you work for the florist? Or can anybody have a delivery from you?”
“Anyone. Private contractor. Why?”
“Can you hold on? I’ve got a delivery for you.”
He looked at me skeptically but told me I could. I ran to my room and grabbed a little fox key chain I’d had forever. It currently had the keys to my now-nonexistent house on it. I took the keys off, tossed them in the trash, and grabbed the small box of tea I had on my dresser. I took the last of the tea bags out and put the key chain inside along with a little note.
This is where I used to keep the keys to my home. I guess that means it’s yours now.
I thought it was cute and clever, but after he drove away to deliver it, I wondered if that was so. I’d find out soon enough.
Chapter Twelve
Lux
I received notification that my flowers were received, and I waited, expecting to get a call or a text. Not that I wanted a thank-you, but I did desire to know if I’d been on base in my choice of gifts. Humans loved flowers the websites all said. It was an accepted gesture, especially from an alpha after making love. Made sense to me. I liked flowers a lot. But maybe the card? I could have/should have written something else? I was questioning everything from the day I was born when I heard a rap on the door.
Could it be Rain? Coming to thank me or kiss me or otherwise indicate I had made the correct move for wooing my human? I hurried to answer it, but when I opened the door, I saw a male but not the one I wanted.
“Yes?”
“You’re Lux?” he asked.
“Yes, can I help you?” I should call Rain myself and make sure he really did get the flowers and that the note was with it when he did.
“Delivery for you.” He held out a box of tea. I took it, and he nodded. “Have a great day.” Then he turned on a heel and left, leaving me staring after him. I closed the door and carried my delivery to the kitchen counter. That was where tea went, I supposed. Setting it down, I noticed the box was open and there was some kind of spot on the top. Like someone spilled something on it. How odd. I picked up the box again. It seemed too light.
Why would anyone send me a box of tea, especially one that looked to have already been used. So strange. I lifted the lid,grumbling under my breath. I wanted to go see my mate and make sure he got my gift, not stand around here being pranked.
What the…
Inside the box, instead of tea, I found a little fox key chain. My heart began to pound as I unfolded the note accompanying it.
This is where I used to keep the keys to my home. I guess that means it’s yours now.
I rubbed the furry little fox over my cheek and ran for my shoes. My mate was sending me a message with the fox. Who told him? How did he know…or did he? I was confused, but no matter what, I was willing to accept that the time had come to move forward. By hiding my other side, I was not giving him credit. He had the right to know who I was so he could decide if I was the fox for him.
Nervous beyond belief, I drove to the motel and got out of the car. I paused. Maybe I should have brought another gift? It might have been helpful, but I didn’t want to leave. I was too close to my mate, and I had to see him. Stroking the little fox I’d stuffed into my pocket for luck, I lifted a fist and knocked on the door.
Seconds later, my mate answered and seconds after that, his scent reached my nose. His different scent… Gods, could it be true?
“You’re here. The flowers are beautiful.” He threw his arms around me and hugged me tight. “Nobody ever gave me flowers before. You’re so great!”
I hugged him back, but the conversation I had in mind had changed. Along with his scent. It was sweeter, stronger, and it had my fox doing backflips. “How are you feeling, omega?”
