Page 38 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Maid

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. "Actually, Dean's helping me start my own company. He's developingspecialized software for event planning and running the business."

"Of course he is." Maggie's knowing look said it all. "Because he loves you."

"Mom!" Max's excited voice interrupted our conversation. "Look what Dean taught me!"

A small, slightly wobbly holographic puppy materialized beside him, wagging its tail before dissolving into sparkles.

"Very impressive," Maggie praised. "But maybe we should take a lunch break? Growing programmers need fuel."

Dean's relief at the suggestion flowed through our bond. He'd been worried about entertaining Max, despite doing an amazing job. His stoic self still struggled with uncertainty around children. Max's childlike glee was so different from the cold, formal upbringing he'd endured.

Lunch became an interactive story session, with Dean using his tech to illustrate Max's increasingly wild tale about knights, dragons, and robot ninjas. Even Maggie got drawn in, suggesting plot twists that had Max giggling and Dean's eyes crinkling with genuine mirth.

"Mom!" Max turned to Maggie with his best pleading expression. "Can Dean come to my show and tell? Please? Everyone else's uncles are boring!"

The word uncle sent a cascade of emotions through our bond, surprise, joy, a touch of fear, but mostly acceptance. Dean beamed at being accepted into our family pack, even as his human side processed the magnitude of Max's casual inclusion.

"We'll see, buddy." Maggie's eyes twinkled. "Eat your lunch before the dragon steals it."

The holographic dragon immediately perked up, eyeing Max's sandwich hopefully.

Later, after Maggie and Max left with promises of weekly dinner visits, I found Dean in his office. He stood at the windows, looking at the city skyline.

"You're incredible with him," I said, sliding my arms around his waist.

"He makes it easy. Smart kid."

"Mmm. Gets that from his aunt."

"Modest too," he teased, then grew serious. "Nina, about your wedding planning business."

"Dean."

"Let me help." His thumb traced my cheekbone. "Not just financially, though that's part of it. But think about it, AI-powered planning systems, virtual reality venue tours, security protocols for high-profile events. We could revolutionize the industry together."

Hope bloomed in my chest, bright as sunrise. "You'd do that?"

"Of course," he murmured, "I'd do anything for you. Partners?"

I rose on tiptoe, kissing him softly. "Partners. In everything."

His chest rumbled as he deepened the kiss. The endless well of love he had for me still took my breath away. Dean's arms around me felt like home, his warmth seeping through my sweater.

Who would have thought a grumpy billionaire wolf would turn out to be my happily ever after?

But then again, sometimes the best love stories start with a mess that needs cleaning up.

Epilogue

NINA

SEVEN YEARS LATER

"Mrs. Nightfang, the Princess of Monaco is on line two." My assistant's voice crackled through the intercom, competing with the subtle hum of the state-of-the-art security system Dean had installed. "And Noah just reprogrammed Jenkins to speak in pirate voices again."

Through the windows of my corner office, boats bobbed in the waves off the shore of Huntington Harbor. The scent of fresh flowers from today's client meeting still perfumed the air.

I glanced at my six-year-old son, who grinned unrepentantly from his blanket fort under my custom-designed desk. His dark curls and hazel eyes were pure Dean, but that mischievous smile was all me. Already, I could sense the faintest hint of wolf in him, though he was too young to shift.

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