Page 100 of Destined For The Wolf Daddy

I smiled and nodded, trying to believe that. “Things will come together soon, for better or worse. Eventually, something will give.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “Something will give.”

Chapter 15

Cole

The next day was busy from the moment I opened my eyes.

I did my best to let Marley sleep in as I got ready. She was still having a hard time at night after the last injection, and I didn’t want her to be overly tired at Lana’s big event. That said, as soon as I turned on the shower, she was rolling out of bed and padding over to the bathroom, rubbing her eyes and yawning.

“You should go back to sleep,” I suggested. “There’s still some time for you to rest.”

“I dunno,” she said. “Everything is super loud. Still having a hard time sleeping while there’s stuff going on in the room.”

“I could always go use another bathroom,” I offered.

“No. Honestly, I should get up. I technically have more to do to get ready than you, anyway,” she said, stretching her arms over her head.

“Well, you’re welcome to join me for a shower.”

She smiled sleepily, and I had to hold myself back from picking her up and kissing her against the wall. She was so precious, but I knew that starting that whole thing would be a slippery slope. Kissing would lead to touching, then to fucking, and then neither of us would want to leave the room.

After getting ready, the day became a whirlwind of activity. Marley and I were on and off our phones, trying to handle pack business at the same time Lana was calling us, asking for the whereabouts of this or that vendor and where to find the extra trash cans. Just the standard fires that had to be put out throughout the day when a big event was going on.

We were expecting over a hundred people to attend, which was great for Lana’s campaign budget, but not so great for things not going horribly wrong. We seemed to be well-acquainted with Murphy’s law these days.

All the same, when we arrived at the office near sundown, Marley and I were more than ready for a restful evening supporting our friend.

The dress code was casual but elegant. Marley wore a beautiful long dress made of silky fabric, and I wore a well-tailored suit with a tee instead of a dress shirt. Noah was dressed in his little khaki pants, a collared short-sleeved shirt, and a matching bow tie, his wild curls the usual halo of chaos around his head.

When we entered, the vibe in the room was a mix of excitement and warmth, like stepping into a friend’s house for a lively gathering. Tables were set with a mishmash of linens that somehow looked effortlessly stylish, even more so than when we’d left the night before. Lana had added clever splashes of color, giving the whole room a sort of modern, chic feeling that was so indicative of the things that were important to her: attention to detail, perfectionism, comfort.

Lana, the mastermind behind it all, stood near the entrance, greeting guests with that infectious smile of hers. The rented carpets underfoot were plush, almost too inviting to walk on with shoes. The air was laced with the sweet scent of flowers, arranged strategically in corners and on tables. Lana's touch was everywhere, from the cozy seating arrangements to the quirky yet sophisticated art pieces that adorned the walls.

Guests—a mix of friends, family, and supporters—chatted animatedly, their laughter creating a delightful hum in the air. Lana, in her elegant evening gown, flitted between conversations, making everyone feel at home. It was evident that this event was more than just a fundraiser; it was a celebration of community and shared values.

The stage, now a hub for a local jazz band, became the epicenter of the evening's entertainment. The music was calm and quiet enough to speak over without shouting. Guests young and old swayed to the beats while holding glasses of sparkling apple cider, creating an impromptu dance floor that added a touch of festivity to the atmosphere.

In the heart of the room, a display showcased items for a silent auction. It wasn’t your typical high-end affair—instead, it had a down-to-earth charm. Local artists had contributed paintings, artisanal educational toys and books for children, and quirky experiences up for grabs. It was a testament to Lana's ability to weave together different threads into a flawlessly executed event.

“This all looks even more amazing than yesterday,” Marley gushed as she greeted Lana with a kiss on the cheek and a hug. “Is there anything else you need help with? Anything that didn’t get done last-minute?”

“No, it’s all going smoothly so far, thankfully,” Lana said with a nervous laugh. “At least for now. I haven’t had a chance to check out the cake yet. Part of me is terrified that we’re going to have gotten someone else's funeral cake or something.”

“Do they even make cakes for funerals?” I asked.

“I don’t fucking know,” Lana said with a sigh. “Speaking of funerals, if you see Travis somewhere, can you send him over? I’m about to kill him.”

I laughed. “We’ll drop off Noah with the sitters, and I’ll find him for you. Do you need help with something or just want him nearby?”

“I just want him nearby,” she said a bit begrudgingly. “But don’t tell him that. Come up with something better.”

I shook my head. “Alright, but only because you’re already feeling stressed out. Next time, I’m gonna make you share your feelings.”

“Gross,” she said, cringing. “See you guys later.”

We took Noah to the kids room he’d help organize for the day, depositing him with Ginger and Paulette. He seemed more than happy to be left to his own devices as we parted. There were plenty of other children already present, playing and coloring.

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