Chapter 22 Thea
THEA
Returning to work after the heat has been okay. It’s still super slow. I’ve been working on some deep cleaning projects within the lodge. Taz is still my shadow. He’s been coming in handy today. I’ve put him to work to move some furniture as I clean.
He huffs about it but it’s all bluster. The New Year’s party is tomorrow night, so a lot of the staff have been setting up the dining room today.
I never realized some of the half walls in the dining room weren’t fixed since they blend in so well.
I was confused when I saw a couple of the staff carrying one out of there.
The main dining hall is a beautiful room.
The ceiling is high, including the second story of the lodge, allowing for the chandeliers to hang at varying lengths.
The left wall where guests will walk in is nothing but floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass door leading out to a small patio.
We got a little more snow last night. Seeing it outside these windows and the trees in the distance covered in it as well will never not look magical to me.
I freaked out a little when I realized we would be going to the party since my heat is over now.
Ben helped me, though. The main reason I was anxious was because I didn’t have anything dressy in my wardrobe.
I had some casual skirts but nothing to wear to a party like this.
Ben told me it wasn’t black tie and had already gotten me a dress for the party.
I still don’t know how I feel about that.
I haven’t seen it yet. He refuses to show me until I have to get ready.
And people think alphas are the controlling ones. They clearly haven’t met many betas like Ben. I smile to myself as I enter the break room, grabbing a water.
“Hey, I’ve been looking for you. I have good news,” Ben says happily, pulling me into a hug.
Laughing lightly, I return his hug and give him a quick kiss. “Oh, what is it?”
“We hired someone to replace you. She’ll start in a week,” he answers, his hand still holding me close.
I don’t say anything, mixed feelings swirling within me. He told me that was the plan before. I guess I’ll miss doing the work and being here. I’ve come to love the lodge, not as much as Ben, but I see his love and passion everywhere here. Keelan’s too in all his gorgeous carvings.
“You’re not happy?” Ben says slowly, his eyes narrowing and lips turning down now, erasing his smile.
“It’s not that necessarily. I just don’t know what I’ll do after this. Things are so uncertain.” I walk over to the windows overlooking the lake. Ben follows and stands next to me.
“You’ve been working so hard just to survive.
You deserve a break and time to figure out what makes you happy.
Jake went through the same thing,” he says, making me look at him.
His lips turn up slightly at my reaction before he continues, “I’m sure he’ll tell you more about it if he hasn’t already, but he didn’t work for a while after he left the bureau.
He found the forest rangers organically and felt that was his path up here.
No one is going to rush you into working.
We’re pack and we take care of each other. ”
I remember Jake mentioning something like that before.
“Connor said something similar after I quit my corporate job. That I deserved a break.” My gaze returns to the lake.
It’s so still, a facade of calm. I can relate to that.
At least before I came to the valley and met my scent matches.
I don’t want to feel like I’m wearing a mask anymore.
I haven’t as much lately but I still fall back on it.
I lean over closer to Ben, resting my head against his shoulder, letting out a deep breath. “So when’s my last day?”