Page 12 of What a Wolf's Heart Decides

“You might have to spend your birthday away from home.”

She waved a hand. “I’m not worried about it.” Her party plans were a bust, anyway.

He studied her for a second. Then he gave a nod. “D'accord.” Okay. “I’ll have Remy book a flight.”

She jumped up. There was so much to do—packing and shopping. Definitely shopping. Upstate New York was cold, but it wasn’t the Cascades.

The Cascades with wild freaking ponies to love. She’d go on a date or two, whatever. But she was most definitely going to see those horses.

She whirled and headed for the door, her head spinning with tasks she needed to accomplish before she left for her mountain adventure.

“Haley.”

Max’s voice stopped her. Crap. She’d just turned her back on the Alpha without being dismissed.

She spun around. “Sorry. I was just—”

“Pas de problème.” No worries. He’d stood, and now he circled the desk and stopped in front of it. “There’s just one last thing.”

“Yes?” She forced herself to stand still, even as every part of her wanted to bolt out the door, drive into town, and load up on ski jackets and hiking boots.

Max cleared his throat. “The Washington Alpha. He’s not exactly . . .”

She tilted her head. It wasn’t like Max to be at a loss for words. “What is it?”

“He’s not the warm and fuzzy type.”

A chuckle escaped her before she could stop it. “No offense, Max, but I’ve yet to meet an Alpha who is.”

That got a faint smile out of him. But then his eyes turned serious. “Bard Bennett has experienced hardships in life. Just be careful around him. Stay courteous and respectful.”

Good grief. He made it sound like she planned on acting rude or obnoxious. She opened her mouth, but he lifted a hand.

“I phrased that wrong.” He smiled. “I know you’ll mind your manners. Anyway, you probably won’t see him much.”

Probably not. Most Alphas were too busy to play host to visitors. She might meet him, but she was unlikely to do more than shake his hand.

Max looked at his watch. “It’s still early yet. If you leave now, you can probably hit the stores before they close.”

Casual. Act casual. “Yeah, I could probably use a few things.”

His raised eyebrow let her know he wasn’t fooled for a second. “Go ahead and use the pack credit card.”

“Really?”

“My treat. Just spend judiciously.”

She straightened her shoulders. “I’ll be a model of judicious spending.”

“Mmmhmm.” He turned and headed behind his desk.

Dismissed, she made a beeline for the doors, visions of cute ski gear spinning through her head.

And if she worried about Max’s puzzling warning about the Washington Alpha—or how his smile hadn’t quite reached his eyes when he spoke of Bard Bennett—well, she was just nervous about the trip. Who wouldn’t be? She was traveling three thousand miles for a blind date.

As she hit the hallway and headed for the stairs, she shoved her misgivings aside.

Washington meant mountains and horses and maybe even romance. Plus, her birthday was coming up.

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