Page 3 of Clashing With The Grumpy Wolf

A text buzzes on my phone and I glance discreetly down at the screen. The delivery of table linens is delayed in Boston. Another problem to solve.

Ugh.

“I’ll take the orb.” Seraphina nods curtly. “But make it platinum instead of gold.”

"Of course," I say, relieved she's chosen anything at all. "I'll have the glassblower make the changes immediately."

Courtney beams, clearly pleased that at least one thing is going right. "Excellent choice, Ms. Draak. They'll look simply stunning."

“Leave us,” Seraphina commands, not looking at her.

Courtney's smile falters. She glances at me, uncertain, then hastily places her laptop down on Silverine's desk. The sleek device remainsopen, its screen facing Seraphina and myself. A small indicator light near the camera lens blinks briefly, catching my eye for just a second.

"Thank you, Courtney," I say gently. "Could you call the glassblower about the platinum adjustment?"

She nods quickly. "Of course."

With one more nervous glance at Seraphina, she hurries out, closing the door behind her with a soft click. Seraphina watches the door for a moment, then turns to me. Without a word, she reaches into her purse and pulls out a small velvet box.

She places the box in my hands. It's heavier than it looks, the velvet worn soft with age. I open it slowly, already suspecting what might be inside.

The tiara nestles in cream silk. Emeralds the size of robin's eggs are set in a platinum band that curves and twists like living vines. Dragon motifs are etched between the stones, so detailed I can see each scale. I’ve never seen anything like it.

“Is this what I think it is?” My voice is small and squeaky like a mouse.

"The Draak matriarchal crown," Seraphina says, her voice softer now, almost reverent. "Worn by generations of our clan’s matriarchs on their wedding day. I will not take my vows without it."

I swallow hard. "It's… exquisite."

"It's priceless," she corrects. "Both in value and in meaning. Which is why I needed you to see it."

"My grandmother is passing it to me and it’s my responsibility to safeguard it for the next generations of Draak as well." A flash of vulnerability crosses Seraphina's face, so brief I almost miss it. "Trust is the mortar between the stones of a dragon clan. At least, that’s whatmy grandmother always says. So, I am trusting you with the knowledge that the tiara is here, in Windfall Manor, until the ceremony."

"I thank you for your trust, Seraphina." My voice dies and my head spins. I know that dragons are a closed-off community and weary of outsiders, especially when it comes to their wealth and status. It means a lot that she shows me this.

“I’m trusting you with a lot, Julia.” Seraphina’s violet gaze burns right through me. “Choosing who I place my trust in is a test of my ability to lead.”

When all I do is open and close my mouth like a fish out of water, Seraphina nods, like somehow I’ve accepted.

“Come.”

She moves behind Silverine's large mahogany desk, her fingertips tracing along the intricate carving on its topmost drawer. With a soft click, a concealed shelf built into the cabinetry swings open to reveal the small digital safe embedded seamlessly into the cabinet's back panel. Seraphina punches in a quick sequence of numbers and the safe door opens smoothly. She carefully places the tiara inside.

“Windfall Manor is full of secrets,” she murmurs. “No one else knows about this safe except my grandmother, myself, and now you.”

Seraphina's eyes bore into mine with fierce intensity. Then she closes the safe and turns around to face me.

“You are now part of this clan.”

With that, she sweeps from the room, leaving behind the scent of smoke and expensive perfume.

I stare at the place where the concealed safe is hidden. My hands shake slightly as I brace myself on the rich mahogany desk.

The weight of this responsibility settles heavy on my shoulders. The Draak wedding isn't just another event; it's the cornerstone of my new beginning. If I succeed, Ever After & Co. will be established among the elite as one of the best event planning companies on the East Coast.

If I fail…

I won’t recover. Not professionally. Not personally.