Of course he was.He was being paid handsomely to do so.Between the security detail and the money I lost in the crypto scam, I prayed thatThe Wolf’s Moonran for forty more seasons.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I slept in.I was used to early call times, and the four o’clock morning meeting with my anxiety.Finally telling someone my whole story had benefits.
I found a note on the counter.Out with Gigi
Lucky dog, getting the heck out of this cabin.I never thought I’d envy a pet, but here I was.I brewed coffee and put some yogurt and berries into a bowl.
They had to come back soon.I would assume that they wouldn’t want to be spotted either.Anyone who was looking for me would easily be able to figure out that Beau worked for Sawtooth Security.
If they’ve already found you in the middle of Sawtooth Forest, you’re in more trouble than you think.
My wolf was right.She was always right, and it was time I started trusting her.
I was done with breakfast, and Beau and Gigi still weren’t back.Gigi didn’t seem like a high-energy dog, but Beau was definitely a high-energy bear.If I was already getting stir crazy, he had to be feeling it too.
If his team was as good as everyone claimed, we wouldn’t be here that much longer.
Something about that made me sad.I’d heard bits and pieces about the local pack from Amelia, one of my castmates who was from Sawtooth Forest.She’d been spending all her downtime here now that she’d been reunited with her fated mate, who was also from the Sawtooth pack.By her account, the local wolves checked all my boxes—progressive, protective, and playful.Maybe I’d get a chance to meet them before I left.
Maybe you’ll be spending more time here than you think, my wolf suggested, and I groaned.You can’t tell me you haven’t noticed how the bear looks at you.
He was my babysitter, I reminded her.And he probably thought of me as a flight risk, and moon knew what else after I’d told him how I’d fallen for that scheme lock, stock, and barrel.Not to mention he was at least ten years younger than me, and besides the post-shower encounter, he’d been nothing but professional.
I needed to stop thinking about him, Mark Peters, and all the other things that would be sure to be keeping me up at night sometime in the very near future.
Reading more of my steamy book was definitely not the answer.I combed the books on the built-in shelves on either side of the fireplace, but they didn’t seem like the kind of books that were meant to be read—more displayed to show that whoever lived here valued knowledge.
And all I could think of was snuggling with a certain bear in front of the lit fireplace while snow fell outside.
On one of the lower shelves, there were board games and a jigsaw puzzle.Perfect.There was no way to have scandalous thoughts while I pieced it together.I cleared off the table, opened the box, and sighed.
This wasn’t an easy puzzle.It had been a minute since I’d put one of these together, but my auntie had loved doing them, and I used to help.I’d grown up in a Hollywood family, and it was a simple thing that had felt so normal.My heart warmed as I remembered sitting by her side, considering the pieces as I sorted.Edge pieces went together in one pile, then pieces with sky in another, and the mountain pieces in another.
I’d forgotten how relaxing this was.There was no way I’d finish this today.Even my auntie, who I would proclaim as expert level, would’ve needed at least a week for this one.
A key turning in the lock made my heart jump into my throat.Fear paralyzed me.What if one of the goons who was able to walk into my workplace and steal my driver’s van managed to find me here?That was ridiculous.Beau should’ve been on the property.But a dozen things should’ve happened to keep that guy from abducting me.
The door opened and my vision tunneled.I was vaguely aware of the click-clacking rhythm as Gigi trotted into the room.She stopped short, her fur rose, and she started barking her head off.
I wanted to ask her what was wrong, where Beau was, but the words were stuck in my throat like someone gripped it with their hand.
“Who’s there, girl?”Beau said.Relief washed over me, but my body was still frozen.He appeared in the living room, moving slowly, and holding a gun.“Where’s Kayla?”
Gigi only barked in response.
My gaze met Beau’s, and he wasn’t the sweet, easygoing bear I was falling in…something with.He was all animal instinct and ready to protect what was his.His eyes were hard, body on point, like he was ready to shift.
“Hey,” he said softly.“What happened?”
I barely managed to shake my head.
“Are you alone?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
His eyes searched mine, and he decocked the gun and put it back in the holster.He stepped closer, and Gigi launched into a brand new bark storm.“It’s okay, girl.Kayla’s right here.”
And that was when the sob escaped from my throat.My hand flew to my mouth, trying to contain it, but it was too late, because it wasn’t an isolated thing.I broke down.
