~*~
Otto
Dex huffed and sniped at me as I followed him and the stranger up the trail to a veritable mansion perched on the mountainside. Once inside, I accepted the track pants and t-shirt our, ahem,hostoffered me and settled onto the loveseat Dex gestured me to.
I waited until Dex returned from the other room in a pair of fleece pants covered in dancing ice cream cones and a long-sleeved flannel shirt in shades of purple that matched one of the pictures. Keeping my tone as calm and unthreatening as I could, I asked, “Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”
“You mean the friend you attacked for no good reason?”
Since Dex wasn’t done sniping at me, I just nodded. “Yes. That friend.”
Across from me, the Alpha in question coughed and I would have bet real money he was hiding a laugh.
Dex glared at me but relented. “Otto, this is Stan. He manages the rental and is kind of a live-in cook and caretaker. Stan, this is my sometimes stalker, Otto, and I have no idea why he’s here.”
I quirked a brow at Stan. “Nice to meet you. You must have your hands full going back and forth between the properties.”
Stan gave up on hiding his smirk and laughed out loud.
“What are you talking about?” Dex asked with a huff, curling up on the couch and pulling a blanket from the back over him.
“Remember when I said I could clear a few things up?” Stan asked, sending a gentle smile in Dex’s direction. “This isn’t a vacation rental and I’m not a chef slash concierge.” He winked at Dex. “This is just my house.”
“What?” Dex was staring at him in confusion. “I don’t understand. Then why am I here?”
Stan laughed and walked over to squeeze Dex’s shoulder lightly. “Well, I came home from the grocery store the other day and found a strange Omega napping on my loveseat.” He shrugged. “You didn’t seem very threatening and I wasn’t really sure what was going on, so I just went with your assumptions. Once I figured out what happened, you seemed really happy to have company and I enjoyed spending time with you, so I didn’t see any reason to correct it. Besides,” he teased lightly, “I was afraid you might starve in the other cabin if they didn't deliver groceries, and I couldn’t be responsible for that!”
The only part of Stan’s confession that stuck with me was that heenjoyed spending time with my Omegaand a small growl slipped free.
“Oh, step back, cowboy,” he huffed in amusement. “I didn’t mean anything untoward by it. Dexter and I just had a nice companionable time, that’s all. There was nothing even remotely inappropriate happening.”
Dex was still staring at Stan in horror. “You made my bed. And made me eggs. After I broke into your house? I am so, so sorry!”
“No need to be,” Stan assured him. “And I don’t think it actually counts as a break-in if I leave the door unlocked.” Hebrought a couple of water bottles over, handing one to each of us. “I had no idea anyone thought you were missing, though.” He sent me a sincere look. “If I’d known anyone was worried about him, I would have let you know.”
I up nodded Stan, acknowledging his apology before cracking my water bottle and taking a deep drink. “You might have more company,” I commented, glancing up at the clock sitting on the fireplace mantle. “The other two friends should be headed this way, but I don’t know how long it will take them to get here.”
“Other,” Dex sniped under his breath. “Right.”
Ouch. Those barbs were starting to sting a bit.
“We probably ought to get you moved to the other cabin,” I suggested without responding. “I mean, unless you’re staying here?”
Dex sighed and sent Stan another apologetic look. “It will only take me a few minutes to get my stuff together.”
“No rush, Dexter,” Stan assured him. “In fact, it’s time for your snack, anyway. Why don’t you both stay for that and when you’re ready, I’ll drive you over to the cabin you meant to be at? Assuming you have the right address?”
“I have it,” I assured him quickly. “The house number was right, but it is on Bramblebush road instead of Berrybush road.”
“Easy mistake,” Stan said cheerfully. “So, you’ll stay for a snack before you leave me?”
Dex nodded gratefully. “With serious pleasure, Stan. With serious pleasure.”
ChapterThirteen
Dex
By the time my bag had been repacked and we devoured a plate of brisket nachos, there was still no sign of Taylor or Corbin, and I was starting to worry. Stan seemed to pick up on it because when Otto stepped out onto the porch to call out for my missing friends, he caught my eye and gestured me to the hallway away from the patio door.
