Page 70 of Clashing With The Grumpy Wolf

"Come in," I call, turning away from the window.

Seraphina enters, her violet scales gleaming in the morning light. Her eyes are bright with excitement and nervous energy.

"Good morning," she says, her wings gently flapping. "I couldn't sleep any longer. Is it too early to start?"

I check my watch and smile. "Not at all. The makeup artist will be here in thirty minutes, but the beautician is here for your scale treatments."

As I help Seraphina settle into the preparation routine, the beautician begins applying the special oils that make dragon scales gleam.

"I can't thank you enough for what you did," Seraphina says as the beautician works the oil into the scales along her shoulders. "Recovering the tiara, after everything that happened. Percy told me some of it, though I suspect he left out the more dangerous parts."

I focus on making sure the oil is evenly distributed, deflecting the praise professionally.

"I was just doing my job, nothing more."

"You and I both know that’s not true." Seraphina turns her head to look at me. "You went above and beyond on every single detail. It’s even more impressive when we know your assistant was actively working to sabotage you."

I don't answer immediately, feeling the hollow ache that Courtney's betrayal has left inside me. I haven't fully processed what happened. My focus has been entirely on ensuring today's perfection, but I’m sure it will hit me once the adrenaline of the day wears off.

"I’m really sorry Courtney betrayed you like that," Seraphina says gently. "Percy told me that it was all orchestrated by your old boss. Is that right?"

I give her a brief, edited account that focuses on the successful recovery rather than the personal betrayal.

"The important thing is that we recovered the tiara and the culprits have been apprehended," I conclude. "Today is about your happiness. Everything else can wait."

Seraphina reaches out and squeezes my hand, her grip surprisingly gentle for someone with such strength.

"You're remarkable, Julia Schroeder. Percy and I are lucky to have found you."

The door opens again, and the room suddenly fills with activity as makeup artists, hair stylists, and Seraphina's grandmother arrive. I slip out of the room to allow Silverine and Seraphina privacy. They don’t need me there anymore.

I walk around the grounds, focusing on my professional role, directing the flow of the morning. I love this. This is the best part of my job, seeing the results of months of preparation come together into a seamless, wonderful day.

Time passes slowly in a succession of small events and I lose myself in my job.

"The orchid arrangements need to be brought out of refrigeration two hours before the ceremony, not a minute earlier," I tell a staff member as I move through the manor. "And please remind the string quartet that they start at exactly four p.m."

I check every detail personally, the flower arrangements being placed just so, the procession music being rehearsed one final time, the catering staff arranging delicate appetizers on silver trays. The familiar rhythm of wedding preparations soothes me.

Throughout the morning, I catch glimpses of Adrian, directing security personnel at the main entrance, speaking with dragon elders near the ceremony site, checking identification at the security checkpoint. Each time our eyes meet across the room, something warm unfurls in my chest.

A promise of later. Of us.

I pause at the entrance to the ballroom, watching guests begin to arrive, the shimmer of dragon scales in every color imaginable, the sparkle of selkie skin catching the light.

"Ms. Schroeder?" A staff member touches my elbow. "Mr. Ashbane is asking for you."

I find Percy in one of the manor's sitting rooms that has been converted into a groom's preparation area. He stands tall in his formal attire, wearing a suit cut from fabric that moves with his broad shoulders, designed specially to allow for the flight off the cliff at the conclusion of the ceremony.

"Julia." He smiles when he sees me, though his hands continue nervously adjusting his cuffs. "Is everything proceeding according to schedule?"

"Perfectly," I assure him. "Seraphina looks stunning. The guests are arriving. The weather is cooperating."

At precisely four p.m., I take my position at the back of the aisle as guests settle into their seats on the cliffside terrace. I watch as Percy takes his place beneath the arch, his golden scales reflecting the late afternoon light.

Silverine Draak makes her entrance, leaning on a jeweled cane but walking proudly, her injury from days before much improved. She nods regally at me as she passes.

Then Seraphina appears at the top of the aisle, and a collective gasp ripples through the gathering. The bride is radiant in her custom gown, the tiara gleaming against her shining pale scales. The dress itself seems alive, hugging her generous curves and highlighting her sculptural beauty.