Page 7 of The Werewolf’s Wrong Mate

At the front desk, the receptionist slid a black key card across the counter. It bore the same silver wolf crest as the staff collars and Mara’s tablet.

“Room 314,” she said. “West wing. Partial ocean view.”

“Partial ocean?”

“You’ll have a lovely view of the west gardens and shoreline.”

“So the ocean is available if I work for it.”

Her smile held. “Yes.”

“I respect honest branding.”

She blinked, unsure whether that was praise.

It was, technically.

A welcome packet waited beside the key card, tied with blush ribbon. Tessa’s wedding colors again. If I survived the weekend, I was never looking at pale pink without wanting to invoice someone for emotional damage.

Mara appeared beside me. “Your itinerary includes tonight’s rehearsal dinner on the west terrace, tomorrow’s beach ceremony, and the farewell brunch.”

“Packed schedule.”

“We find structure helps guests relax.”

“Does it?”

“It helps staff predict them.”

I looked at her but her expression remained pleasant.

Maybe she had meant to say that. Maybe she had not.

Before I could decide, Grant appeared at my shoulder without Tessa.

Too close.

I felt him before I looked. Expensive cologne, warm skin. Audacity.

“You always did love making strangers uncomfortable,” he said.

I kept my eyes on the key card. “Only when friends and family aren’t available.”

His laugh was quiet.

“That mouth,” he said, voice lowering to something more invasively private.

I went still.

The receptionist reached for another packet, pretending not to hear but Mara’s gaze sharpened.

Grant lowered his voice. “I seem to remember better uses for it.”

Heat flashed up my neck, but it wasn’t desire. It was rage. Fast and clean.

I turned to him with a smile that hurt my cheeks. “Careful. You’re about six inches from giving your fiancée a very educational welcome weekend.”

His eyes held mine. For one second, the mask slipped, and there he was. Bored with what he had won. Irritated by what he had lost. Already testing the fence because fences existed to flatter men like him.