Page 45 of The Bear's Fated Mate
Alex’s grandmother nodded enthusiastically. “I’m not much of a skier, but I like hot tubs, and running, and definitely the spa. Giles and I will be gone in a few weeks to the spa in this area. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it. Shimmering Delights?”
Chantelle smiled. “It might have been mentioned a time or two.”
Grandma Laureen sighed happily. “We have an entire week booked. I had hoped we’d be able to get away back in August, but Giles had to cancel our reservation at the last minute. The Grand Salon is so wonderful. And the food is fantastic.”
Gramps was suddenly looking everywhere except at Alex and Lara. Fidgeting as if his change of demeanour would make him invisible. “Well, look at that,” he said pointing across the room.
“You had a reservation in August?” Lara spoke sweetly, but she’d obviously picked up on what had caught Alex’s attention as well. “How disappointing that you had to postpone your trip.”
Grandma waved it off before poking Gramps in the arm. “Stop fidgeting like you’re a two-year-old. I don’t know why he gets like this sometimes,” she said conspiratorially to them, right in front of his face. “It’s as if he gets so distracted he simply can’t concentrate for longer than a couple minutes. I think I need to increase his doses of leafy green vegetables. Brain food, you know.”
Alex laughed out loud. “Definitely. I hear kale and spinach are fantastic for memory.”
“Your grandfather hates kale,”Lara shared with amusement before speaking out loud and adding a nail to the coffin. “Brussel sprouts as well, Grandma Laureen. Very important. He should have large servings of those vegetables.”
Alex squeezed Lara’s waist then made their excuses, pulling her away and walking briskly into the hallway.
They barely made it into the more private location before breaking out into gales of laughter.
“Oh my God, the only thing Gramps hates more than kale are Brussels sprouts.”
Lara wiped away her tears. “I know. And maybe that was a little mean, but oh my God, it washim. He somehow manoeuvred to get me up to the spa.”
“You don’t know the half of it. I had snuck into the pack house and found out the information about you going to the spa, but he didn’t know that. That’s why he called and set me on your tracks when I was coming down with the fever.”
Lara blinked. Her amusement fading slightly as confusion rolled in. Then she smacked him on the arm briskly. “Alex Borealis, you snuck into the pack house? What kind of move was that?”
“A brilliant one?” he offered. She continued to glare. “Hey, don’t give me that look. I successfully snuck in and out without any of your wolves catching me. I think that probably means I’ve got the upper hand when it comes to the question of who’s better at security.”
She wrinkled her nose.
“I promise I won’t gloat.” He stole a quick kiss. “I won’t gloat too much,” he amended.
A sharp snicker escaped her, but Lara wrapped her fingers around his arm, and they marched back into the gymnasium.
“There they are.”
“Guests of honour need to get into position.”
“Hurry up, we want to see the show.”
Alex escorted Lara through the eager gathering of wolves, settling her in one of the folding chairs that waited front and center festooned with balloons and streamers.
His brother James came forward and draped a sash around his neck. “Figured you’d need something special to identify you.”
Alex glanced down. There was an arrow pointing to one side above the wordsMated to this Beautiful Woman. “It’s awesome, bro. I’ll wear it proudly.”
His brother finished placing one over Lara’s head then stepped back. Way back, far enough that it was impossible to smack him as Alex read the words on Lara’s sash.I’m Stuck with Him.
He glared at his brother. “Be careful or I will use my superior sleuthing skills to find out what pet names your mate calls you, and I will do something devastating with that info.”
Kaylee shouted from a few rows away. “Is my cute furry baby bothering you, Alex?”
“There you go. Superior sleuthing skills achieved.” Lara leaned over the back of her chair and pointed a finger at her sister-in-law. “Theyarecute. You mean when they’re in their polar bear forms, right?”
“Totally. I mean, they’re big and impressive, but so gosh darn cute. I just want to snuggle him all the time.”
Alex exchanged glances with his brother, both of them sighing heavily. “So much for us being the most feared predators of the north.”
