Page 13 of Scent of Home

They go quiet as I open the cabin door. The river side of the cabin is glass, so you can see the clear blue water and boulders. In heaven, this is an extra special place.

“So, this is the cabin. There’s a bedroom through there. A bathroom. You can swim in the river, though it’s a bit cold this time of the year. But enjoy your stay.”

I step back, suddenly reluctant to leave them, but I’ve run out of excuses to stay.

Locke whirls and sweeps his golden hair out of his eyes as he watches me retreat.

“Where’s the big guy live?” Locke asks.

I’m disappointed by the question, but at least he gives me a reason to delay my leaving.

“Shane lives up that way,” I point up the river.

Locke walks up close to me and reaches past me, dangerously close. So close I can smell the vanilla scent of him, stronger than it was before. He looks at me sideways as he grabs his backpack off the chair behind me and winks.

A rush of heat goes through me, and I focus on him and the graceful, lazy movements.

It occurs to me that Locke is out of his element. He’s toned down. The hint of seduction and confidence is bleeding back into him with every second. His grin is lethal. I think I may have underestimated him.

“Finn,” he all but purrs. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

I narrow my eyes and turn towards him as he circles around me. Erin is still standing by the window, staring out over the water, but Locke is bristling with energy.

Challenging, aggressive, and very arousing energy. His eyes glint as his teeth flash. Those long fingers shove the backpack back onto the chair and then sink deep into his pockets, drawing and aiming my gaze right down. I force myself to look up, look into his eyes. The smirk has deepened.

“Can I help you with anything else, Locke?” I say the words calmly, evenly.

His pupils dilate, and I know I’m not imagining his attraction for me. His nostrils flare as he inhales, drawing in my scent.

I lean back casually. Yes, I know I’m just a beta, but I’m my own person. And it doesn’t seem to matter to this man in front of me. He just wants me. I can see it. That’s not going to happen.

“Oh, there are definitely things that I need help with,” Locke murmurs.

“Just give me a call, anytime,” I say in a low voice. Smiling politely, all professional.

Locke looks me up and down, really slowly. His smile flickers and drops off. Confusion crosses his face before he blanks it.

I turn to find Erin leaning against the glass with her arms crossed. She raises an eyebrow, and I can see what she thinks. I can also see that she doesn’t seem threatened or to mind.

I take a step back, and she laughs lightly.

“Come to dinner. Around six.”

She dips her head, her hair falling artfully around her. Damnit, all I want is to grab her and kiss her until she can’t breathe.

I leave before I end up finding an excuse to stay.

Once I’m outside, I smile up at the cloudless sky. For the first time in a long time, there’s excitement in my chest and a thrilling anticipation pumping through my veins.

I turn towards Shane’s cabin and consider going up there to yell at him for a bit. In the end, though, I turn and take the trail up to the falls. I want to keep this feeling for as long as I can, bask in it for a while.

Who are they?

And what is he? He doesn’t feel like an alpha nor a beta. I’d know if he was an omega. He’s a mystery. A muted designation.

And why does he look so familiar?

Who is he?

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