Page 15 of His Undercover Wolf

“I know but out situations are different.”

“Yeah, you didn’t arrive home to find the man you thought you were going to marry in bed with another she-wolf,” I retorted.

Zarina laughed and I glared at her as she argued, “You have to admit it was pretty funny that they were knotted together and couldn’t get apart for a good ten minutes.”

I laughed. It had been pretty funny at the time. Nearly two years had passed since Nick’s betrayal, and I still blamed all men for his failings.

“I’ll never forget standing there while they thrashed around attempting to get apart. By the time Nick did get free, his dick was fire engine red, and a layer of skin had been rubbed away. I hope he was in agony for at least a couple of days.”

“Couldn’t have happened to a more worthy dickhead,” Zarina laughed before becoming serious. “Honestly, Otsana, you need to stop allowing Nick to live in your head rent free and give Xavier a fair chance without comparing him to Nick. From what you said earlier, I believe he could be your life mate. Wear the dress for me? The emerald one is gorgeous, but this is you.”

“Why for you?”

“Because I want to watch my best friend walk out of the house looking like a princess who is going to meet her Prince Charming.”

I smiled, wondering what I would do without Zarina’s wise words and support. “Help me dress and then do something with my hair.”

Zarina mock bowed with one arm sweeping before her. “Your wish is my command.

Half an hour later, I studied the woman in the mirror. It was difficult to believe the beautiful lady looking back was me. Zarina placed her hands on my bare shoulders and looked over my shoulder, meeting my eyes in the mirror.

“You look even more beautiful than I envisaged.” It surprised me to see her eyes welling with tears.

I covered one of her hands with mine. “Thank you for everything.”

“Go and knock the chainmail off your knight. I’ll be waiting to hear all about your date.”

We linked arms and headed downstairs.

“Let me give you a lift, I’m sure Xavier won’t mind bringing you home.”

“Why not, but I won’t be doing anything stupid like inviting him in and jumping his bones.”

Zarina laughed and I locked the door to the house after we left before we climbed into herPorschethat was parked in the driveway.

Nerves fluttered in my stomach as Zarina drove the short distance to the restaurant—Nerves of excitement tinged with just a hair’s breadth of nerves.

Chapter Six

Xavier

I arrived at Zorollosten minutes early and went inside to speak with the owners of the prestigious, award-winning restaurant—Jarod and Penny, who were good friends from school. The place was located in Casantra, a few minutes’ drive from my home in Fritton, a suburb on the other side of the mountain.

Home was a three-bedroom period cottage that had been built in 1860. I’d bought it as a neglected, dilapidated ruin but it was on a large plot of land and what remained of the building had good bones.

I searched the internet and eventually found a company who prided themselves on period rebuilds using authentic materials and there hadn’t been a bad review amongst the hundreds published. It had taken six months to meticulously reconstruct Butternut Cottage, a name it had been given when the original owners had painted it a yellowy orange color. The final results had been outstanding and worth every penny. The company had also taken care of furnishing and decorating the interior, taking direction from me on every detail of the property. I’d been conscious of the potential to be overdemanding and our relationship had been an amenable one.

“Xavier,” Jared greeted me with an outstretched hand, and we shook as soon as I stepped inside, while he peered over my shoulder. “Not your usual evening to dine here. Penny said you were bringing someone, that it wasn’t Cillian, and to set a table for two. I must say the information shocked me and I thought Penny must have misheard your request.”

“Penny heard correctly. I will have a lady joining me in a few minutes, but I’m early so came in to say hi.”

“Xavier!” Penny rushed forward and crushed me in a hug before pressing a kiss to my cheek and taking a step back. She glanced around, none too subtle and no doubt looking for my plus one. “I thought you said you were bringing someone?”

“I am, she should be here in a few minutes. I just wanted to say hi before I go back outside to wait for her to arrive.”

“What’s her name?” Penny asked, always the curious one of our group and not hesitant in inquiring about what she wanted to know. I often said she would never die wondering about something or someone.

“Otsana, and she’s a lady I met earlier this afternoon.”

---