Chapter 4

4

Maize stood in the center of the cabin, her eyes taking in the rustic charm of her surroundings. The soft glow of the afternoon light filtered through the wooden shutters, casting a warm, inviting hue across the room. The cabin was a perfect blend of minimalist design and natural elements—exposed wooden beams, handcrafted furniture, and earthy tones that exuded a sense of tranquility. It felt like a sanctuary, a place where she could finally breathe.

She wandered through the living space, her fingers brushing against the smooth, polished wood of the dining table. The furniture was sturdy, each piece telling a story of care and craftsmanship. The smell of the wood, rich and earthy, reminded her of Gideon. It was a comforting scent, one that made her feel inexplicably safe.

Maize gave herself a shake. But the idea didn't lodge from her head.

Gideon made her feel safe? It should have thrown up warning signs. She should've seen red flags waving everywhere. Yet, looking out the window, all she saw was green.

She hadn't missed the way he'd tried to hunch down a bit, trying to make himself look small when Liza had approached.

How had he known?

Maybe he'd scented the fear on her?

Maybe he'd sensed the bond between Liza and Rob?

But that was BS. There was no bond between the two of them. Rob's behavior had been quintessential abuser. He'd tried to separate Liza from her friends and her family. It had been a red flag, and by the time Maize had gotten done with him, the wolf?—

Well, he hadn't waved the white flag. Rob had seen green. He'd kept coming after them, following them from hotel to hotel, shelter to shelter. Maize doubted he'd follow them here. The Ironwood Pack was one of the strongest on the East Coast. Maize had no intentions of staying here for the rest of her life. Just long enough for Rob to give up and forget about Liza. The year that this project would take should be enough.

And in that year, Maize would be sure and keep her distance from the wolves. Though standing next to Gideon Blackwood hadn't gotten her hackles up. In fact, her shoulders had relaxed for the first time in weeks.

As Maize moved toward the fireplace, she noticed a collection of framed photographs on the mantel. Curious, she picked up one of the frames and studied the image. It was a picture of Gideon with a group of men in fatigues. The group grinned for the camera, their expressions filled with camaraderie and warmth. Another photo showed him with a woman who had to be his mother, their smiles identical. They looked happy, content—a stark contrast to the predatory image Maize had of wolves.

Gideon had been respectful, even kind when he spoke to her sister, and the compliment he had given Liza about her designs had been genuine. Despite her initial wariness, Maize found herself wanting to believe that not all wolves were like Rob. Gideon seemed different—safe, dependable, and family-oriented. But could she trust her instincts after everything she and Liza had been through?

She set the photo back on the mantel and sank onto the couch, her thoughts swirling. This cabin felt like the home of her dreams, a place where she and Liza could start anew. But there was more at stake here than just their safety. This job was her biggest opportunity to date, a chance to prove herself in a world that had often passed her over.

The countless times she had been overlooked for promotions because she didn't fit in with the old boys' club still riled her. She hadn't gone golfing with the guys or been invited into the spaces where deals were made over cigars and scotch. Instead, younger, less qualified men had climbed the ranks, while she remained on the sidelines, her talents unrecognized.

Here, on Moonridge Mountain, things could be different.

Gideon had invited her to the moon festival. It was a gathering of the people who would be making decisions about the community's development. This was her chance to show them what she could do, to make connections and build a reputation that could lead to more work. He'd said that shifters, fae, wizards, and witches would all be there. It was the perfect opportunity for Maize to expand the business.

"Liza, I'm going to go to the moon festival tonight."

Liza appeared in the doorway from the second bedroom. Her sister chewed at her lower lip, a habit they both got from their mother. "I'm coming with you. No, don't talk me out of it. I'm tired of being scared of my own shadow. I won't let Rob take any more from me."

Maize smiled at her sister. Standing in the afternoon light, she saw a glimmer of the woman Liza had been. The fearless go-getter who was full of life before that dog dug his rangy claws into her.

"Gideon seemed nice."

Maize knew that tone. It was the singsong voice of a little sister looking for mischief. Maize didn't bite.

Gideon hadn't been nice at first. He'd said he thought she was a man. Sure, after that, he had been decent, interested. And she was pretty sure this was his cabin that he'd given them to stay in.

"All wolves can't be like Rob," said Liza.

"Let's go see for ourselves."

They dressed and headed out of the cabin, but Maize couldn't help the sense that she was being watched. She shrugged it off. It was a residual from looking over her shoulder for the last six months with that psycho wolf. But that's why they were here in this territory. Rob wasn't stupid enough to enter. At least she hoped he wasn't.