The Motel Room
1522 Words
Autumn set her bag on the bedside table and paused by the window. The city glowed under a blanket of Christmas lights. She could even see the massive tree in the town square, glittering gold and red. Snow drifted down softly, feather-light and magical.
Christmas was supposed to be magical. Christmas meant miracles. That’s what dad always used to say.
Then where is mine?
Do I not deserve even one small miracle?
She wiped her eyes quickly just as a knock sounded. The door opened, and Caleb stepped inside.
“Hey,” he greeted with a gentle smile, closing the door quietly behind him.
Autumn exhaled. The moment I think about Christmas miracles, he walks in? She shook her head. I am probably just overthinking it. It means nothing. Just a transaction, remember?
She mustered a smile. “Hey. You should take the shower first, and then maybe we can order some pizza? Does that sound okay?”
“Pizza sounds good,” Caleb replied warmly.
“I put supplies in the bathroom for you. Toothbrush, razor, everything.”
Caleb nodded and headed into the bathroom. The moment the door clicked shut, Autumn wandered the room aimlessly, trying to keep herself busy. Her hand brushed her bag, and she pulled out a stack of papers—the marriage registration forms she had once dreamed of signing with Julian.
A hollow ache settled in her chest. I wanted to register our marriage this Christmas… What a fool I had been.
The bathroom door suddenly opened, releasing a wave of warm steam into the room.
Autumn turned—and froze.
Caleb stepped out, freshly shaved. His beard was gone, revealing a sharp jawline and striking features she hadn’t noticed beneath all that scruff. Drops of water slid from his damp hair and down his bare chest. The towel around his hips sat dangerously low on his waistline.
A single bead of water trailed down the hard ridges of his torso—eight solid, sculpted abs—and disappeared into the towel.
Autumn swallowed hard.
God… he’s handsome. How did I not see that under all those layers? And those abs— Even Julian, who practically lived in the gym, didn’t look half this good.
Hold on. Is that Eight freaking pack? How can a homeless man look like… that?
Her jaw dropped.
Her brain short-circuited.
The lines were deep enough to cast shadows. His obliques formed a V that pointed straight down to the towel clinging to his hips. A homeless man? Looking like this? What was he—secretly a fallen god wandering the streets?
Autumn’s mouth parted. Her throat dried.
His body looks like it was made for sin. For worship. For pinning someone against a wall and—
Her thoughts derailed as her knees wobbled. The papers slipped from her hands and scattered on the floor.
Caleb stepped closer, bending to pick them up for her.
Which only made things worse—his towel dipped even lower, and every muscle in his torso flexed as he crouched.
Autumn had to force herself not to whimper.
He handed her the papers with an easy smile, completely unaware of the hormonal crisis he’d just sent her spiraling into.
“Hey, are you okay? You’re all red.” He leaned in, concerns tightening his brow. “Are you feverish?”
Before she could react, his palm pressed gently to her forehead.
‘Humans are quite weak. She was out in the snow—maybe she caught a cold,’ Maximus, his wolf, muttered in his head.
‘Yeah… I’m wondering the same,’ Caleb replied internally, his frown deepening.
Autumn instantly went hotter—though not from any fever. The moment his skin touched hers, sparks shot across her forehead, racing down her spine. Her breath caught. Every thought she’d been drowning in—Julian, the papers, the disappointment—evaporated like they never existed.
Oh god, he’s so close.
And he smells so good.
And those muscles… and that jawline… and his lips—
Would it be completely insane if I kissed him?
Her toes actually curled, her body rising the tiniest bit as if her soul was ready to meet his halfway.
No! Autumn, get a grip. You barely know him. You can’t just… kiss a random man fresh out of a shower! No matter how good he smells.
With a trembling breath, she stepped back, forcing space between them, clearing her throat. “I… I’m fine.”
Caleb didn’t look convinced. His eyes scanned her flushed face again. “Why are you still red then? Are you sure? Maybe I should call a healer for you.”
“What’s a healer?” Autumn blinked.
Caleb froze for half a second. “Oh—I mean a doctor,” he corrected quickly, scratching the back of his neck.
That’s a weird term to use for a doctor. As if he meant to summon someone who could fix me with a swish of her wand, Autumn thought. She shook the strange feeling off before replying, “No, I’m fine. Besides, you can’t summon a doctor—you have to go to a clinic for that. Which can be expensive.”
Right. Her world is different, Caleb reminded himself.
“Here, you dropped this.” Caleb reached out to give her the papers—then paused when he saw what they were. A marriage registration form. His chest tightened. She really wanted to marry her ex. Thank the goddess that bastard had revealed his true colors before it was too late.
“Oh—yeah, thanks,” she murmured, taking it back.
“You wanted to register your wedding?” he asked quietly. “When was the appointment?”
“Yeah. Tomorrow morning.” Her voice softened into something fragile. “I always had this silly dream… getting married under the Christmas tree in our town. It always looked so magical with the snow and fairy lights.” She huffed a bitter breath. “I was so dumb to think fairy-tales could come true.”
“Don’t call yourself dumb.” Caleb stepped closer, gently cupping her face in his large, warm hands, lifting her gaze to meet his. His voice dropped, sincere and steady. “You are kind. You are beautiful. And you are the most amazing person I’ve met so far.”
His thumb brushed her cheek, as if they were lovers for years. “You deserve every fairy-tale ending.”
Autumn’s breath hitched. For a moment she couldn’t speak. This man—he said it like he meant every word. Like he saw me. Really saw me.
No. Autumn, stop. It’s just a transaction. He’s only being nice because you helped him. Don’t fall again. Don’t be stupid.
She carefully stepped out of his hold, forcing a small, brittle smile. “Anyway… you must be hungry. Sorry, I got carried away. Let me order the pizza.”
Caleb simply nodded, though his eyes lingered on her a moment longer—as if he wished she had let him hold her just a second more.
She fumbled with her phone for a moment before groaning softly. “Shoot! Looks like deliveries are closed because of the heavy snow.”
“I can go and get you something to eat. There are plenty of restaurants around here,” Caleb offered. And I’ll make sure to bring you the best, he thought.
“Oh, I can go too. Let’s go together.” Autumn insisted quickly.
Caleb nodded and slipped back into his worn, dirty clothes. Then the two of them stepped out into the night.
The snow was piling up fast, soft flakes swirling under the streetlights. A sudden gust cut through Autumn, making her shiver. Before she could hide it, Caleb stepped closer—his massive arm looping around her waist, pulling her flush to his side.
The warmth hit her instantly. So did the shock.
Her breath hitched as her eyes snapped up to his. Her heart thundered in her chest, loud enough she was sure he could hear it.
“Stay close, fiancée,” he murmured with a teasing smile, his voice a deep rumble she felt in her bones. “I’ll keep you warm.”
He’s a stranger. He’s just a stranger, Autumn reminded herself—but her heart didn’t listen. Every time he held her, something in her melted. Something recognized him.
Why do I feel so safe with him? So… drawn to him?
As if I have known him for years. As if our souls had met long before tonight.
Could he really be my Christmas miracle?
Caleb didn’t wait for her reply; he simply guided her toward the nearest pizza place, keeping her tucked securely against him the whole way.
When they stepped inside the small, nearly empty shop, the man behind the counter looked up. The moment his eyes landed on Caleb, his posture snapped straight. His pupils flashed with a faint glow—just for a heartbeat—before he dipped his head in a stiff bow.
“Alpha…” he murmured under his breath.
- Writer
