Page 252 of The Werewolf’s Wrong Mate

Grant stared at Ronan and Ronan stared back. Grant was many things. Charming when it suited him. Selfish always. Cruel in the soft, polished way of men who thought consequences were for people with less money.

He was also a coward. That part of him recognized the truth immediately.

He nodded.

“Good,” Ronan said.

Tessa looked at Grant with no softness left in her face. “Goodbye.”

His mouth tightened, but he didn’t answer. The wolves escorted him out and no one stopped them.

Aunt Linda waited until the door shut before saying, “I never liked him.”

My mother looked at her. “You said he had nice teeth.”

“That is not the same as liking a man.”

Tessa started laughing. It came out broken. Then harder. Then with tears.

I reached for her across the table, and she grabbed my hand.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“No.”

“Cassie.”

“No. We are not doing the thing where you take responsibility for an emotionally beige man with nice teeth.”

She laughed harder and cried at the same time.

“Emotionally beige,” Cormac murmured.

Aunt Linda leaned toward him. “You’re enjoying this.”

“I enjoy accuracy.”

“Do you enjoy dinner?”

The table went silent again and Cormac blinked.

Sava muttered, “For fuck’s sake.”

Aunt Linda smiled sweetly. “I meant generally. Once you are done bleeding.”

Cormac looked at Ronan. Ronan stared at him as if daring him to create one more diplomatic issue.

Cormac looked back at Aunt Linda. “Generally, yes.”

Aunt Linda’s smile widened.

I leaned toward Tessa. “Aunt Linda is getting a werewolf boyfriend.”

Tessa whispered, “Do we call him a nice wolf?”

I lost it. My laugh pulled at the stitches so sharply that Sava cursed and Ian nearly stood.

“Do not make me regret joy,” Sava snapped.