Page 9 of The Werewolf’s Wrong Mate

He left with a bow of his head and a reminder to avoid the east grounds.

When the door closed, the room went quiet. I stood there for a moment, alone at last, with the ocean making bright noises beyond the balcony and my sister’s wedding itinerary waiting on the desk.

Then I exhaled. My face hurt from holding itself together.

I crossed to the closet and unzipped the garment bag. The bridesmaid dresses hung inside in layers of blush chiffon, tasteful, expensive, and cruel in the way only pastel could be. Tessa had chosen well. They would look good on me, it would make me look complicit.

I touched the fabric.

Thirty-eight years old. Betrayed by a man who used therapy language as a weapon and a sister who cried beautifully enough that everyone forgave.

And here I was. Still showing up. Still making everyone comfortable enough to enjoy the view.

My phone buzzed.

A text from Tessa.

Tessa: Thank you again for coming. I know it means a lot to Mom. And to me. I love you.

I stared at it until the screen dimmed.

Then another text came through.

Unknown number.

Unknown: You looked good walking away.

My stomach dropped, it didn’t need a signature to tell me who it was.

A third bubble appeared.

Unknown: You always did.

I locked the phone and set it facedown on the desk.

For several seconds, I did nothing.

Outside, voices drifted up from the lawn. Laughter. Glasses. My family gathering itself into something photogenic.

Then Henry barked again, this time, the sound came from below my balcony.

I stepped outside. The west lawn spread beneath me in clean green slopes. Staff carried trays. Bridesmaids clustered near the bar. My mother stood beside Tessa, already arranging people by height and perceived usefulness. Henry sat at the end of his pink leash, which Tessa had tied to the leg of a cocktail table.

Four days, I told myself. I only had to survive four days.

Chapter 2:

A Toast to Poor Decisions

Cassie

By six o’clock, I had learned three important things about Halcyon Ridge.

The first was that the resort staff could appear anywhere within twelve seconds of a guest looking mildly inconvenienced.

The second was that “partial ocean view” meant I could see the ocean if I leaned over my balcony far enough to make my father nervous.

The third was that blush chiffon looked good on me.