LIAMWeeks, and there was still no sign of Maxine. I was positive at this point that she had fled the town but to where? Even her father, Alpha Harold, hadn't heard anything about it. Where could she have gone, and why had she left without a word?Still, I sent scouts to look for her. I hope to hear news about her soon. Varis walked into my office, carrying documents. His eyes were tired, the bags under them darker than usual.Ever since Maxine had left, he had to take on the job of both his role and hers. It wasn’t fair to him, but I couldn't bring myself to hire anyone else for her position. Not yet. I wasn't going to hire anyone unless it was her.But, at this rate, I need to give Varis peace. "I have the documents for the automobile shop here and for your meeting at 3 pm." He said, putting them on my desk one after the other."Thank you," I replied, glancing through the files. The stack seemed taller each day. "I appreciate all you’re doing, but it’s clear you’re stretched too thi
MAXINEThe next morning, right when Regina was ready for work, we blocked her path. She frowned, looking at the both of us."What is it?" She asked."It's nothing," I replied. "We just realized how tired you were and we wanted to know if you needed any help with your work.""I'm fine, thank you." She said, stiffly. She stepped around us and left the room. Zel and I looked at each other and nodded.We began to deep clean our room. The plan was simple. We were going to do nice things for Regina to get her to like us. After that, we would try asking her questions. She looked like a hard nut to crack so, we were going for this instead.After cleaning up and laying the beds, we got to work. We kept a close eye on Regina and when she was tired, we offered a cold sweating bottle of water. She eyed Zel skeptically before taking it from her and downing the liquid.Zel smiled and left her alone. I noticed Regina hesitate before she continued working. When it was time for us to manage check-ins
MAXINEThere was no one in the room. It was a closet for cleaning products. Inside, there was nothing but cleaning supplies and dust-covered shelves. Zel walked into the room and stepped out."What the hell? Nothing?" She asked, her voice returning to its normal tone now that the fear was gone."I heard it coming from here," I said, also confused. I was positive that the sound had come from here. "This doesn't make any sense. We both heard it.""Maybe it's just the lodge. You know, old buildings can make weird noises." Zel tried.I looked around the room and saw the small keg of cleaning reagent on the floor. I picked it up."This made the sound?" Zel asked, taking it from me.I looked up at the shelf where the others were lined up, and arranged. This couldn't have just fallen on its own. They were too close for one to just fall. This keg was pulled out.I nodded. "But, it didn't fall on its own. Look." I pointed at the shelf. "It has to be pulled out from there. It can't just fall. A
MAXINE"The same Mr. Grayson who runs the lodge now?" I asked.The woman nodded. "Yes, the very same. He's kept the place going, but those who know the history avoid it. How do you know that?""We heard the stories," Zel smiled."Do you think he knows what's going on?" I asked.The woman shrugged. "Hard to say. But if anyone knows the truth, it's him. But, be careful. Some secrets are better left buried, never to be known."We thanked her and turned to leave but she stopped us. "What are your names?" She asked."I'm Annalise. And that's Zelda." I replied."You can call us Anna or Zel," Zel smiled.The woman smiled back before she gave Zel the small grandfather clock that she had been admiring. "You gave me enough money to cover that," She smiled as she packed it up for Zel.Zel thanked her and we left, our minds racing with the new information. As we walked back towards the bus stop, I kept remembering the old woman's words. Could Mr. Grayson's wife's spirit truly be haunting the lodg
MAXINEHe had short curly blond hair and blue eyes. His skin was a beautiful tan orange and his jaw was chiseled. When he smiled, I was so distracted by his dazzling teeth and pretty lips. They looked like kissable lips…I didn't realize that I had been staring until he chuckled and said, "I'm Conrad." He said. "What's your name?"I cleared my throat. "Annalise." I replied and shook my head quickly, "But you can call me Anna.""Annalise," he tested my name on his lips. Why did it sound so good? Why did I want him to keep saying it that way? "I like that. I'll see you later, Annalise."He walked past me and I turned to watch him go. I didn't realize when a dreamy sigh escaped my lips. Was he real? He looked like he was carefully sculpted by a Greek god."I saw how you looked at him!" Zel teased bumping shoulders with me. "He looks like a cute guy."I acted like I didn't care as I began to fold laundry. "Yeah, I guess.""You guess?" Zel asked. "Are you still hung over hot Alpha who chea
MAXINEWe turned to look at Mr. Grayson, standing by the door. His grip on the handle was white. I swallowed deeply. I hadn't even heard him."Well?" he asked, taking yet another step closer. "What do you think you're doing?"His hands were clenched into fists and his eyes burned with anger. The air in the office seemed to shift with the implication of what we had done.Zel stood frozen, literally caught red-handed. There was a file opened in her hands. I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice."You can't speak?" Mr. Grayson asked, lifting one of his brows."We...we were just looking for some cleaning supplies. We wanted to take out a stain in a carpet and…" I stammered. The excuse sounded so flimsy and weak.Mr. Grayson scoffed. He looked at Zel and then at me. "Cleaning supplies? In my office? Do you take me for a fool?"Zel stepped forward, a defiant look on her face. Her chin was held high. "We're not fools, Mr. Grayson." She began. "We know that something is wrong here. We heard
MAXINEWe turned slowly and saw the dark figure by our door. We quickly rushed backward, putting space between us. There was a pair of glowing eyes and a growl escaped its mouth."Who are you?!" I demanded, finding my voice. I held onto Zel protectively.I growled, my bones shifting and claws extending out. I felt the fur grow on the side of my face, my legs, and my arm. I didn't fully shift.This was a dangerous situation and I needed to act fast if this thing tried to attack us."What do you girls think you're doing?" the figure growled, sending shivers running down my spine. "Snooping around about the lodge like that."Now that we knew why this strange enemy was here, I was somewhat relaxed. It meant that there was something sinister about the lodge and it had finally manifested itself to us."So, you're the spirit tormenting the Gray Lodge," I said matter-of-factly.The thing seemed to chuckle. "And what if I am? What are you going to do about it?" It asked.Zel stepped forward. "
MAXINEWe let the shock of what he said settle between us for a moment. The silence reigns. The only thing we heard was the sound of the tires against the road."What happened to him?" I asked. He looked through the rearview mirror at me in the backseat."He disappeared. It was a little while after my wife’s death. I’ve been searching for him ever since, hoping to bring him back. I think maybe the curse has a hand in this I just hope he's still alive."We didn't ask him any more questions and were stuck in silence until we reached the lodge. Mr. Grayson pulled over and helped us bring our things out of the trunk."You girls move back into your room. We'll talk some more tomorrow." He said."Does this mean we have our job back?" I asked, optimistic.Mr. Grayson nodded with a small smile. "Yes."Zel and I exchanged a smile. "Thank you," I said.He wished us goodnight and we walked back into the lodge. Zel and I carried our bags before we knocked on our room door and walked back inside.