I decided I’d continue on and check out the shifter lodge to see if things really were any better.
My heart sank when I saw their parking lot was almost as full as the other. I got out and wheeled my suitcase through slushy puddles. Again.
This second front lobby was an exact duplicate of the human lodge. It was also filled with a lot of people, but they were a bit quieter. And the scent here was different. Less sweat, more spice.
I already knew the routine and immediately went to the end of a long line. Though the clerk at the other lodge said I could cut the line, I didn’t feel comfortable doing it with so much tension in the air.
A man turned and said to me, “It’s full.”
“I know. I’m checking in anyway to see what they’ll do.”
He rolled his eyes and turned his back on me. I already knew if I was forced to pick a roommate it wouldn’t be him.
My back began to ache from all the standing. But I’d come this far. I wasn’t ready yet to leave. I wanted snow and cozy fires. I wanted it alone, but if I couldn’t get that, maybe I could be persuaded to share a room. I told myself if it didn’t feel right I could leave at any time as long as the roads stayed clear.
When I got to the front desk, I calmly gave my name and checked in. “I’m willing to share my room,” I said.
The clerk raised an eyebrow. “Thank you, sir. I can get you in right away if there is someone you already have in mind.”
Quickly, I scanned the crowd. I scented lots of alphas. I wouldn’t have minded an alpha for a roommate, but then I spotted a young man sitting on the floor, back against the wood paneled wall. His knees we were bent, his head bowed. He looked completely defeated.
A strange feeling, almost electric, ran through my body. I knew immediately, instinctively, it was the right move.
“Him.” I gestured to the forlorn guy.
The clerk came out from behind his counter and walked up to the man on the floor. “If you go with him, you can get your room now.”
The man looked up as the clerk pointed toward me. “What? Who?”
“Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until we assign you to someone.”
The man turned his head until our eyes met. I nodded once. I knew I’d made the right choice.
3
Aspen
Isaw boots in front of me and looked up. The lodge clerk stood before me.
“If you go with him, you can get your room now.” The clerk pointed to a guy standing at the front of the counter who was staring at me.
“What? Who?” I looked past the clerk and met the man’s gaze. The man gave me a nod.
Something flared inside my chest. For a moment, I thought I knew him. But no name clicked. He was quite handsome with wavy, gold-brown hair. He projected alpha vibes.
With my heat coming, possibly within a week, that wouldn’t do at all.
“No, no. I couldn’t.”
“Are you sure? It would be a cabin. One of our nicest singles.”
The alpha walked up to me. One sniff and I could tell he was human. What was he doing here at the shifter lodge?
“Hi. My name is Dale.” He started to hold out his hand, but it fell back when I didn’t immediately stand.
The clerk said, “You will each be refunded half your money plus ten percent. It’s all we can offer.”
I should have left an hour ago. Waiting for some lottery that didn’t seem likely to happen until more guests showed up. What had I been thinking? But the worst-case scenario was that I would have to turn around and go home. I was dead tired, and I didn’t want to face my family’s “I told you so’s.”
