Page 76 of Clashing With The Grumpy Wolf

I take the tablet from her hands, zooming in on the design mockups for the fundraising gala for Saltford’s Rehabilitation Center for Wild Animals where the kraken harbormaster is the guest of honor. The grumpy guest of honor whose tentacled face seems to be permanently etched with a scowl.

"The man literally suggested barnacles and rope coils as decor," Seraphina continues with an elegant sniff of disdain. "Barnacles, Julia! Unbelievable."

I can't help laughing. In the three months since Seraphina joined Ever After & Co. as my business partner, I've come to appreciate her bluntness. Our styles couldn't be more different. I favor elegant simplicity while she pushes for dramatic flourishes, but somehow it works.

"We'll compromise," I say, picking up my stylus and quickly sketching a new design on the tablet. "Sea-glass lanterns with coral-etched place cards. It gives maritime without making the venue look like we decorated with shipwreck debris."

Seraphina tilts her head, considering. The movement causes light to ripple across her scales.

"That's… actually perfect."

Seraphina suddenly glances at her elegant wristwatch and stands abruptly.

"I just remembered I have a scale treatment appointment." She gathers her things with uncharacteristic haste. "I have to go."

I raise an eyebrow.

"You're leaving? We still have a lot of work to do. We’re supposed to talk to the catering company for the quinceanera of Ariel Singmoore in an hour! Mermaids are super picky about their catering, you know that."

A flicker of something like guilt crosses her face, quickly replaced by her usual composed expression.

"You'll manage just fine. Keep working."

With a flutter of shining scales, she's gone, the door closing behind her.

I stare after her, confused. What’s going on?

Something's definitely up. Seraphina doesn't get flustered, and she certainly doesn't forget appointments. A few moments later, the office door swings open. I cross my arms, expecting Seraphina to return with some heartfelt apology for losing her mind and leaving me with a mountain of work.

Instead, Deputy Chemko steps through, followed closely by Maya Lorne.

"Is everything okay?" I stand, a flicker of alarm running through me. "Did something happen? Where’s Adrian?"

Neither answers directly. Instead, they move to the sides of my office door as more pack members filter in, creating a semicircle around my planning table. They're all smiling, some nudging each other with knowing looks.

My heart rate increases. What's happening?

Jeremy Wolfsbane enters next, Adrian's father looking distinguished as always with his silver-streaked hair and warm eyes. He gives me a paternal smile that eases my tension slightly. Whatever's happening, it can't be bad news if Jeremy looks this pleased.

Meredith follows, elegant in a tailored suit that emphasizes her regal figure. Her expression is carefully neutral, but there's a softness around her eyes I've rarely seen.

I stand straighter, smoothing down my slate-blue pantsuit. The pack members are all here, crammed in my new office, and the atmosphere has shifted to something more serious.

Then Adrian walks in, and everything else fades away.

He's dressed in a black button-down shirt that accentuates his powerful build. His face is freshly shaved, his usually unruly hair slightly tamed. But it's his eyes that capture me completely—intense, focused entirely on me with an emotion so powerful I can feel it through our mate bond, pulsating like a magnet.

And in his hand, he holds a small velvet box.

My breath catches. Time seems to slow as Adrian crosses the office toward me, moving with deliberate steps while the pack forms a circle around us. The reverent silence is broken only by the soft sound of his footfalls on the hardwood floor.

When he drops to one knee before me, I press my hand to my mouth. The ring box opens to reveal a stunning piece, a platinum band with a large moonstone surrounded by smaller diamonds. I recognize it immediately as the Wolfsbane family heirloom Meredith had shown me weeks ago.

"Julia," Adrian says, his voice low and slightly rough with emotion. "I knew you were my mate from the moment I first scented you."

I fight back tears as he continues.

"In the eyes of my pack, we’re already true mates, but I want to honor your human traditions too." He pauses, reaching for my trembling hand. "I want to stand beside you as your husband, your partner through all seasons."