Page 16 of Maid for Her Snow Beast

“Nothing specific. All I know is that Ms. Seitta’s room was trespassed upon. Nothing was taken or damaged, at least none known at the time. I’ll be investigating further when I return to the motel. Perhaps there were more rooms that were broken into. The rest of my pack are following the intruder’s scent trails now.”

The idea of someone breaking into Val’s room makes me feral. My words come out in a garbled mess. “Intruder? Where? Who?”

My claws lengthen. I don’t realize how close I am to my primal state until I grip Vane’s door frame and see my whitening fur.

To Vane’s credit, he shows me fear. “We don’t know where. The only thing I know for sure is that whoever it was, was a human male. Based on the direction of his travel, he’s headed directly back to the human side of things.”

I calm enough to return fully to my base form. “For Val’s sake, I hope that human is long gone.” If ever I find the coward, I will make it my mission to find him and punish him for scaring Val.

Vane nods. “I hope so, too. For what it’s worth, I have the feeling that Val may know more than she’s letting on.” He recounts the state she was in, how she became dizzy and lightheaded. There were other symptoms, too, all of which indicated she had a panic attack. Anxiety so great she nearly passed out.

I file this information away. I hate that Vane knew something of my mate before I did. Perhaps Val will share her secrets with me when she is more comfortable.

“Do you wish to join us in our search?” Vane asks.

Outrage simmers in my blood. I wish to bring this threat to light. But all I desire is to be with Val and ensure she’s protected.

“No. I will stay here to protect my m—guest.” How I long to say mate.

Vane isn’t fooled. The wulver grins. “Agreed. You should be with your mate.”

Chapter Eight

LATE NIGHT SNACKS

Valiana

The cottage has amenities to rival luxury hotels.

A welcome basket full of prestige spa products waited for me in the bathroom. On my bed, a pile of fluffy blankets and towels, with a pair of soft-soled, shearling slippers. By the entry way, a pair of tall, shearling-lined suede boots begged me to wear them. A matching, oversized fleece wrap hung casually above them.

Talk about side benefits.

How did it come down to this?

Just a week ago I was freaking out over a stupid haircut and style gone wrong. And now? Now, I am literally living the best day of my life—even with the panic-inducing ordeal at the motel.

Every little point along the way may not have been exactly ideal, but if this is how I end my day, every day? Sign me up.

I am in a beautiful cabin in my own living space in the mountains by the lake surrounded by forest.

I am in freaking Avalon Vale. The most exclusive community because it is not even open to visitors.

And the house… I came prepared to work expecting to do a little heavy lifting. However, a beautiful house that only needs regular maintenance?

It’s as if someone together all of my unspoken desires, some that I barely even knew myself and made them real.

And let’s not mention the homeowner. What a dream of a client. In more ways than one.

I blush thinking of him. Here, in private, I can indulge in a little crush without feeling icky that I’m drooling over a client.

Although technically, if Jack posted the listing and drew up the contract, would Torben still be a client? Or would he be a more like a roommate?

Just thinking about Torben makes my pulse flutter. I can’t explain it, but there is something about his presence that unlocks something inside me. I feel so comfortable being able to say anything to him.

Who I am when I’m with him reminds me of who I used to be. Before I became this anxious shell too afraid to speak my mind or meet people because of Everett Young.

I shudder to think of my psycho stalker. I refuse to believe that Everett has found me. It would be impossible. And yet…it’s happened before.

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