In the Shadow of the Slopes

Chapter 1: The Jensens' Arrival

The Stevenson Resort sparkled like a jewel nestled deep within the Canadian Rocky Mountains, straddling the border between Alberta and British Columbia. Tucked away from prying eyes, it was a sanctuary for the world's elite—an exclusive retreat where luxury met adventure. The main lodge stood tall against the jagged peaks, its floor-to-ceiling windows framing a breathtaking view of the snow-draped mountains, while a sense of pristine isolation hung in the air. This was where the ultra-wealthy came to escape, to ski untouched powder, and to indulge in the kind of comfort most people could only dream of.

May Stevenson leaned against the railing of the lodge's wraparound balcony, her breath misting in the cold air as she watched a convoy of black SUVs wind up the private road toward the resort. The royal flags on the lead car fluttered in the crisp mountain wind. The King and Queen of Denmark had arrived.

"Here we go," May muttered, more to herself than anyone else, before glancing at her phone. Another Instagram notification blinked on the screen—another high-end ski brand eager for her endorsement. She swiped it away without a second thought and returned her attention to the cars below.

High-profile guests were nothing new for the Stevenson Resort. In fact, the resort's exclusivity meant that May had been surrounded by the ultra-wealthy her entire life. Movie stars, royalty, and titans of industry—they all came here for the privacy and the luxury. But if May were honest with herself, she rarely cared about who stayed, as long as they didn't bring too much drama with them. Today was no different.

She wasn't particularly excited about meeting Princess Carla Jensen, the daughter of the Danish monarchs, either. There was nothing May hated more than entitled guests who expected everything handed to them just because of who they were. And from what she'd heard about Carla, she fit that mold perfectly—polished, privileged, and probably a little too used to getting her way.

"May! I need you in the lobby!" Sarah Stevenson's voice echoed up from below, sharp and commanding. May's mother was a force of nature, especially when it came to the resort. Even after all these years, she still ran it with the same dedication and precision she'd shown when she and Paul built it from the ground up. May sighed, knowing that Sarah wouldn't take kindly to any kind of delay.

May jogged down the stone steps, her boots crunching softly in the fresh snow. The cold air nipped at her cheeks, but she barely noticed. As the wind tousled her short hair, she brushed it back, tucking it behind her ear.

By the time she stepped into the warm glow of the lodge, the convoy of SUVs had already pulled up, and the Jensen family was being greeted by the resort staff. The grand lobby, with its exposed beams and crackling fire, was abuzz with activity. Guests milled about in expensive ski gear, and the scent of pine mixed with the faint aroma of spiced wine.

Sarah was already standing by the entrance, composed as always, though May could see the flicker of tension in her eyes. Everything had to be perfect for guests of this stature, even if it was all just an illusion. May respected her mother's ability to keep the show running smoothly, but that didn't mean she shared her enthusiasm for entertaining royalty and their families.

"Try to be on your best behavior," Sarah said quietly as May joined her at the door.

May shrugged. "I'll try."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, as if sensing May's lack of interest. "Just be polite. This isn't one of your Instagram stunts."

May gave a slight nod but said nothing. Her relationship with social media was different from the polished perfection of the resort. On Instagram, she was herself—unfiltered, adventurous, a bit of a rebel. Here, though, she had to play the part of the responsible daughter of the resort owner, and frankly, she was already over it.