We reached the hotel as the last of the rain was ending. The building’s upper floors were peaceful in the light filtering through the breaking clouds, a warm yellow glow visible in a few windows where guests were settling in for the evening.
Entering the saloon, we crossed the open area, weaving around the tables full of tourists who’d probably sought shelter from the rain—and a good meal. I waved to Greel but didn’t see Jessi, who must be working hard in the kitchen. Their new orc chef would arrive soon, and Jessi would supervise the kitchen while Greel managed the floor staff. The trick was in finding the right fit for each position, but we all knew Lavon well.
We climbed the stairs and when she told me her room number, we walked down the hall, stopping outside her door, Tressa padding behind us.
“Thank you.” Allie turned to face me. “For explaining everything. For being patient with my questions.”
“Thank you for not running away scre-screaming.”
“The night’s still young.” But her smile took the sting out of the words.
I wanted to kiss her again, to feel that perfect fit of our mouths, but she needed time to think about this, time for the idea of being mated to me to settle. Instead, I brushed a strand of damp hair away from her face.
“Dream well, Allie.” Dream of me. Dream of us.
“You too, Hail.”
I waited until she’d entered her room and shut the door before turning to walk back down the hall. Tressa fell into step beside me, her tail wagging.
“What do you think?” I asked her. “Will she stay?”
Tressa gave me a look that clearly said I was asking questions with obvious answers.
I’d made it maybe twenty paces when I heard a hotel door slam open behind me. I turned to see Allie rushing out of her room, her face pale.
“Hail.” She ran toward me, stumbling in her haste. “Hail, wait!”
I caught her as she reached me, steadying her with my hands on her shoulders. “What’s wrong? What happened?” I peered around but didn’t see anyone else in the area. If someone?—
“My room.” Breathing hard, her eyes were wide with fear. “Someone was in my room.”
Ice shot through my veins. “What do you mean someone was in your room?”
“My things…” She shook her head, looking around like she expected attackers to emerge from the shadows. “Everything’s been searched. Clothes thrown around, my suitcase dumped out. Even the bathroom’s a mess.”
Every orc instinct I possessed screamed at me to hunt down whoever had violated her space, to ensure they could never threaten her again. The intensity of it was staggering. I’d heard my brothers describe this aspect of the bond, but experiencing it was something else entirely. I forced myself to breathe, to focus on Allie’s immediate safety rather than vengeance.
Tressa had gone alert beside us, her ears pricked forward and her nose testing the air.
“Did you see anyone or he-hear anything?” I asked.
“No, I didn’t.” Her hands shook. “They’re looking for something, and I think I know who it was.”
The phone calls. The way she’d been checking exits and watching the street. The fear that had been following her since she arrived in Lonesome Creek.
“We need to call Dungar,” I said grimly.
“No.” The word came out sharp and full of fear. “No police. Please, Hail. I can’t deal with cops right now.”
Every logical part of me knew we should report this. Dungar would know exactly what to do, how to investigate properly. But the terror in her voice stopped me cold. Trust had to go both ways if this bond between us was going to have any chance at all.
“Alright,” I said. “No police yet. But you’re not stay-staying in that room tonight.”
“I’ll find somewhere else?—”
“You’re staying with me.” The words came out full of force. The mate bond was roaring at me to protect her, to keep her close and safe. “If someone’s after you, they’re not getting a ch-ch-chance to find you alone.”
“You don’t understand. Being around me is dangerous?—”
