“I am Kip’s mate! He can’t go find a mate someplace else. I am his mate!” I recognized that I sounded like a lunatic in this moment, but my bear didn’t care. He roared beneath the surface. Kip couldn’t go somewhere else to seek a mate. I was here! I was waiting for him to notice me!
The two exchanged a glance.
“Braxton, are you sure about this?” Jules asked.
“Yes,” I said. “I’ve been trying to get him to notice me for a year and a half, but he doesn’t realize I—”
“Braxton,” Jules interrupted, “have you been trying to ask Kip out on a date for a year and a half?”
I groaned. When he said it like that, it sounded ridiculous. “I always ask how he’s doing. I try to have conversations with him. Anytime we’re given a task for work, I try to find a way to have us do it together. Alpha always pairs us together because I asked him to. Remember last year, we built the equipment shed for the high school?”
“Oh no,” Jules said. He covered his cheeks with his hands.
“What?” I said.
“Kip thinks you’re teasing him when you do that! He told me that he’s pretty sure you think he’s incompetent. Or worse, that you think of him as a younger brother.”
“Not going to lie, I thought that, too. You always seem to be teasing him, Braxton.”
“What? I would never—” I grabbed Westley’s arm. “You have to tell me where he’s going. I’ve got to talk to him. I can’t let him try to find another alpha. I’m his alpha. I—”
Westley put a hand on my shoulder and pushed me away from him. I hadn’t realized that I’d invaded his space. “He booked a cabin at the Winter Wonderland Wilderness Lodge. That’s all I know. That’s all I’m telling you. Mom and Dad have more information. Kip left his entire itinerary with them if you’re curious.”
“Nope. I’ve got to go. I’ve got to get there before he does.” Which would be impossible since he just left, and I hadn’t packed, booked a flight, or made any sort of arrangements with the Alpha to leave the den.
“How are you going to get there before he does? He’s literally on the way to the airport right now,” Jules asked.
Thanks, Captain Obvious. This was not the time to poke holes in my plan. I needed eternal optimism and a positive attitude. Luckily, I could supply that myself.
“Don’t know. But I’ll figure it out,” I said.
How I was going to get approval for time off during the exact same week one of our other enforcers already had off, I had noidea. I’d figure that out, too. Either way, I was going to get my mate.
Chapter 3
Kip
The lodge and the area around it where I would spend my vacation were absolute perfection. All around me there was snow and Christmas and couples walking down the sidewalk holding hands. The storefronts were all decked out with holiday cheer from all types of cultures. Even in the light of day it looked festive. I bet at night, the town absolutely glowed with holiday magic.
I had my face practically plastered against the window as I sat in the backseat of the car taking me to the lodge.
There was a bookstore that had a cute snowman family sitting outside reading books. The bakery had a giant gingerbread man cookie painted on their window. He wore a top hat and had a cane like he was dancing. Even the post office joined in the fun and had a mailbox designed just for Santa’s letters. Children were lined up three deep to drop their letters in.
I couldn’t wait to get started with my vacation and explore this wonderful place, although the first thing I needed to do was get a shower and settle into my cabin. I had selected a single-room cabin where I could unwind and have the privacy I needed, just in case I found the alpha I was looking for.
I paid the driver, got out of the car, and took in the sight of the lodge. The Winter Wonderland Wilderness Lodge promised a picturesque holiday getaway where guests could relax and enjoy their time away from the world. Whether they wanted to socialize or cozy up in their cabin alone, the lodge had what they needed. I’d found the place on the Simply Fated Vacation rentals site and fell in love immediately. Originally when I started looking for a place to vacation, I figured I’d go tropical like Westley had and I’d go to a resort like what he’d found—minus the paid escort. But then I found the lodge, and my bear had purred like a cat at the sight of all the trees and the surrounding area. I’d take mountains over ocean views any day of the week. Plus, there was a lake nearby, which just might have some fish for my bear to enjoy.
“Checking in for Kip,” I said.
The clerk behind the desk was a short man with an easy smile. He had a bit of a baby face that you couldn’t help but be kindto. He seemed a little more frazzled than I expected. His brow furrowed while he stared at his computer, and his hair looked like he’d run his hands through it several times. Even his tie was slightly crooked.
“Let me see what we have. Sorry, things have been a bit of a mess. There’s been a slight snafu with our booking system. I’m not sure how this happened.”
“Is there anything wrong with my cabin?” I asked. I was sympathetic to his plight, but also, this was the only vacation I had, and based on the area I was in, it didn’t look like there was much else by way of places to stay. I needed my room. Hell, I’d event take a downgrade if that was necessary, I just wanted a place to rest. And a shower.
“No, no, everything should be fine. We have a room for you. Here it is. Okay, yep, looks like everything’s squared away for your cabin. It’s ready right now if you want to go in. I can try and find someone to help carry your bags.”
I smiled. “That won’t be necessary. I’ve just got the one.”
