Page 2 of The Wolf and His Forbidden Witch
But she couldn’t let Aunt Colleen down, so she resolved to do the best job possible before returning home. She replayed the conversation with her aunt to prepare for her assignment.
“A wolf shifter pack requested a mediator to help with a dispute. Can you go up to the White Mountains to help unruffle some fur?”
She sighed. Wolves. The shifters might be the worst to deal with their ridiculous pride and propensity to settle disputes through violence.
“What’s the situation?”
“Two wolf packs—the Franconia and Sacco—have a dispute over a treaty violation, which included staying off each other’s lands. When one trespassed, the other pack went nuts. You know, a typical territorial response. The Franconia beta, Grayson Dumont, asked for our help to find a way that they can live together in peace once more.”
Aurora replied, “Sounds like it will be a doozy.”
“It could be.” Aunt Colleen arched her brows. “Wolves are notorious for their pride.” She nodded. “But with your calmness and ability to get both sides to see the positives with compromise, I know you’re the best for the job.”
Although Aurora had doubts, she couldn’t say no. “Okay, I’ll give it a try.”
Ever since she’d agreed, she’d felt increasingly anxious, but she couldn’t figure out why. Each night, she’d performed a cleansing ritual beneath the moonlight, yet the odd restlessness remained.
Well, she’d go up to the White Mountains, deal with this mess with the wolves, and return to Salem as fast as possible. The sooner she got this job over with, the better. Then she could figure out the next step of what she wanted to do with her life.
Wolves. She sighed, already regretting how she’d agreed to play referee between furry, supernatural toddlers.
Enough of that. She’d didn’t have time to ruminate. The resort was just down this stretch of road.
Aurora touched her heart-shaped, rose quartz pendant to soothe her anxiety and prepare to face the wolves.
Grayson
“The witch has arrived,”Victoria announced. “She’s in my office.”
Grayson looked up from his mahogany executive desk in his office at the base of Franconia Mountain when his packmate entered to announce her. Victoria worked both as an admin and in a marketing capacity at the resort, reporting to Grayson and Rafe.
“Thank you, Victoria. Send her in.”
Her gaze lingered on him before she spun on her heels and left.
Grayson’s gaze dropped to her rear, which she seemed to put an extra sway in for his benefit. Still, nothing. No reaction on his part. Too bad.
He attempted to keep a professional tone and friendly distance between Victoria and himself. She’d made it clear numerous times that she thought they should be mates. Although she was beautiful with lush red hair, vivid green eyes, and a curvaceous body, he didn’t feel any sparks. The unattached wolves in the pack thought he was crazy. They’d kill to have a chance to be with Victoria. Grayson had known her since they were young and didn’t have any romantic feelings toward her, something he considered essential in a mate.
It was unfortunate. They would’ve been a good match since they knew each other well and had a satisfactory professional relationship. But Grayson couldn’t settle. He longed for the connection between mates, that magical union of two souls. His parents had it. If they had it, why couldn’t he?
Life was short—too short to settle for someone who wasn’t the right match.
He and Rafe had discussed that many times in recent months. They’d spent the last decade building up the resort to the success it now achieved, but both had felt it was time to find their mates. They’d even ventured from the mountains to expand their search. Damon had met his mate, Sophie, during a trip to Massachusetts. That was an odd twist of fate since he’d been so reluctant to ever find his mate.
Grayson snorted. That’s the way that fate worked, didn’t it? He pictured it as a mischievous imp who amused himself by messing in the affairs of other beings.
Victoria returned to his office with a brunette who looked petite standing next to her statuesque frame. The woman wore a white jacket with black and white fur around the hood and a navy blue travel bag slung over her shoulder. Grayson’s wolf perked inside, taking notice of the woman. She had a heart-shaped face and chestnut hair that fell in loose waves over her shoulders. Her most notable feature were her eyes, which were almost too large for her face. They were a striking shade of a blue that bordered on violet. They stared at him from under long dark lashes.
She bit her lip. Her lips were pale, pink, and plump—a mouth perfect for kissing. She was pretty, no doubt, but not a knockout like Victoria. Her beauty was more accessible, more like the girl next door. Something about her made him look closer, and he quickly scanned her up and down. Through her unzipped jacket, the curve of her full breasts were visible beneath a periwinkle blue cashmere sweater. Her black jeans clung to rounded hips.
“Grayson, this is Aurora Crawford, the mediator from Salem,” Victoria introduced.
Grayson stood up from his leather chair behind his executive desk. “Welcome, Ms. Crawford.” He motioned toward the two chairs that were across from him. “Please have a seat.”
“Thank you. Please call me Aurora.” She walked over.
“Indeed, Aurora.” Her name sounded musical, rolling over his tongue. “I’m Grayson.”
