Page 14 of Mink Hijinks
I turn off the shower and stand in the quiet bathroom. Three days. Aaron took care of me for three whole days. No complaints. No questions. He just took charge and helped. I never thought I’d find an Alpha that would care that much. Other than Buckle.
If I asked my best friend to help me through a Heat I know he would. He’s helped me when I was so sick I could barely move. Bringing me soup and making sure I took care of myself.
But there’s something about the way Aaron soothed away all my fears.
Aaron said we’re Fated, and I saw the evidence. When I reached out and grabbed him, there was a visual spark I’d never seen before. Like tiny fireworks exploding where we connected. Something twinged my soul in that moment. I can’t explain how my heart felt ripped open and raw.
I rub my chest. My heart still feels open and raw.
I swipe a hand through my hair before wrapping the towel around my waist. What does it mean to be Fated? I have my life and Aaron has his. I won’t bow to an Alpha for anything, but... I want to get to know him. We could be friends at the very least, but I’d like to explore what sparked in this bathroom.
I look around and chuckle at the mess I made. Hopefully, there’s a laundry room somewhere so I can take care of everything.
I dry and dress in the clothes Aaron brought me. A soft t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. It’s a cozy ensemble and I’m grateful he thought to dress me in softness.
The room smells like Christmas morning when I have the courage to leave the sanctuary of the bathroom. I find Aaron in the kitchen whipping up something as he sings and dances to techno Christmas music.
“Ah, welcome back to the land of the living!” He says when he spots me. An alarm goes off and he shakes his ass as he opens the oven door. More pumpkin loaves. “I think they saved the day a few times. I decided to make some more, but now it’s all the food we have in the cabin. I was planning on going grocery shopping to restock.”
I nibble my bottom lip. “How are you so energetic?”
Aaron looks down at himself and back at me. “I am?”
“I think so?” I rub my shoulder and look away. “I’m exhausted. How long was I out after that last wave?”
Aaron glances at the microwave clock, then at the table. “About five hours? I didn’t want to leave you alone, even though I was sure it was your last wave. I took a shower and started baking up a storm.” He laughs when he looks at the table again. “I might have gone overboard on the sweets.”
“I like sweets.”
“Same. Same.”
“Uh, thank you. For everything. I mean it.”
“My pleasure, darlin’.” He lifts one of the cooled pumpkin loaves and hands it to me. “Now you need to refuel and rest. Don’t worry about anything, I’ll?—”
“At least let me buy some delivery pizza? So you don’t have to go out for groceries tonight.”
He blinks back at me. “It’s no trouble.”
“I insist. And I’d like to go grocery shopping with you, but I’m not up for it yet. I just need a bit more rest.”
Aaron pulls a chair out for me and pushes my shoulders down, making me sit. “I didn’t know you’d want to go with me. But I’m happy to wait. And you don’t need to buy pizza, I’m happy?—”
“Really, it’s the very least I can do to say thank you for...” I wave a hand around as I moan into my first bite of the loaf.
“Darlin’, that was no hardship. None at all,” he practically purrs. He squeezes my shoulder and goes back to his bowl of whatever he was making before.
“Seriously, thank you,” I whisper. “I know we don’t know each other, but I could trust you.”
He bobs his head. “We’re Fated, but also I at least try to treat people with respect. It’s an honor to help an Omega through their Heat. Anyone that thinks otherwise is a shithead. Pardon my language.”
I laugh around my next bite, thankful I don’t choke. “Talk to me about this Fated business. Context clues tell me it’s something about destiny, but... Why would Fate care enough to pair people together?” And why am I worthy of having one?
Aaron taps his bottom lip as he puts his bowl back on the counter. “That’s pretty much it. Fate gives us a person or people she’s deemed perfect for us for one reason or another and poof, we’re Fated mates.” He licks at his spatula and I watch his tongue clean the batter.
“So, I have no choice?”
“Oh, we all have a choice. And if I’m honest, I’d love to see why Fate threw us together.” He licks the batter from his lips and throws the spatula in the sink.
