Page 71 of Howl You Doin'

"It was purple!"

"And now it's everyone's favorite room." She squeezed his hand. "Face it, wolf - you're stuck with me and my reasonable suggestions."

His thumb traced circles on her palm, sending shivers up her arm. "Promise?"

The raw vulnerability in his voice made her heart skip. "Promise."

Fiona's heart stopped as Caleb slipped from his chair to one knee beside their table. The floating lights seemed to gather around them, casting a warm glow that made his blue eyes sparkle. Her wine glass trembled in her hand.

"Oh god, you're not having a medical emergency, are you?" The words tumbled out before she could stop them.

Caleb laughed, the sound rich and deep. "Trust you to ruin my perfectly planned moment with sass."

"You planned this?" Heat rushed to her cheeks as other diners turned to watch. "Is that why Wade's been grinning like an idiot all week?"

"Fiona." Caleb squeezed her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "For once in your life, stop talking."

"Make me," she challenged, though her voice cracked with emotion.

"I'm trying to." He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. "Fiona Ashwood, you walked into my community center and turned my whole world upside down. You challenge me, supportme, and somehow manage to love me even when I'm being impossible."

"Which is often," she whispered, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.

"Which is often,"he agreed, opening the box to reveal a ring that sparkled like captured starlight. "Will you marry me? Make my life difficult forever?"

Fiona's laugh came out half-sob. "That's the worst proposal line I've ever heard."

"Is that a yes?"

"Of course it's a yes, you impossible wolf." She threw herself into his arms, nearly knocking them both over. "Though I'm definitely telling Wade how badly you botched that line."

"He helped me practice better ones." Caleb slipped the ring onto her finger. "But somehow, this felt more us."

"It was perfect." She kissed him as the restaurant erupted in applause. "Though I'm definitely painting our bedroom purple now."

"Don't push it, witch."

29

CALEB

Caleb adjusted his tie for the tenth time, staring at his reflection in the mirror of the community center's back room.

"If you keep fussing with that tie, you'll strangle yourself before the ceremony even starts," Wade said, leaning against the doorframe with an amused smirk.

"I just want everything to be perfect." Caleb dropped his hands and turned to face his best man. "Never thought I'd be here, you know? Alpha of both packs, about to marry a fire witch who just so happens to be the love of my life."

Wade crossed the room and straightened Caleb's tie himself. "Life's funny that way. One minute you're trying to protect the community center from vandals, the next you're getting married in it."

The familiar scents of pine and fresh flowers wafted through the building. Outside, Caleb could hear the bustling of pack members settling into their seats. His enhanced hearing picked up snippets of laughter and excited chatter.

A knock at the door interrupted them. Emmett poked his head in, his eyes twinkling. "The bride's arrived. Still time to make a run for it if you want."

"Not a chance," Caleb said, his heart skipping a beat at the thought of Fiona. "Though I'm pretty sure she'd just track me down with a ring of fire."

"Probably," Wade agreed. "And we'd help her."

Caleb smoothed down his jacket one last time, taking in a deep breath. The mix of emotions coursing through him - joy, anticipation, love - felt more powerful than any full moon. "Who would have thought that hiring a stubborn witch would lead to all of this?"

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