Chasing Paradise

Epilogue

Gwen jumped as strong hands clamped on her shoulders. “Relax,” Ethan murmured in her ear, running his hands up and down her arms. “Everything is going to go off without a hitch. And if there is a problem, knowing you, there are three or four back-up plans ready in case of an emergency.”

“Five,” she muttered under her breath but Ethan, damn his wolf hearing, laughed. But this inn was Gwen’s future, her livelihood. Because of her dream, Alyssa had moved here, spent her time and money, with the sole intention of opening a successful B&B. What if she couldn’t pull it off?

For the opening of Moonlit Burrows, Gwen had invited Premiers from some of the most influential packs, prides, troops, and, of course, romps, in the country. They boasted seven guest rooms, and all of them were booked. There’d been such a huge response they’d had to schedule alternate weekends as too many people tried booking for the opening. It seemed she hadn’t been as invisible and unnoticed as she’d thought back in California. If things went well, word would spread quickly and they’d have an overnight success. If things didn’t go well…

Gwen didn’t want to think about that. She let Ethan’s warmth surround her, relaxing against his chest and rested her head in the crook of his shoulder.

“Distract me.”

“And how would you like me to distract you, my love? Somehow, I don’t think our usual method would be appropriate right now.” She had to fight back the urge to arch her back as his hands ran down her spine. Gwen giggled. “No, not like that. Well, later like that. I meant talking. Talk to me.”

“Julie’s coming home from school on Sunday. We wanted to throw her a graduation party, but she said it would be too much with Jason and Samantha’s wedding so soon.” She felt Ethan frowning behind her, displeasure changing his scent. He obviously didn’t want her day to go unnoticed, and she guessed Jason and Samantha didn’t either, wedding or not.

“She was sad.” Gwen whispered after a moment of silence.

“What?” Ethan turned her to face him. “What are you talking about?”

“When she was here over spring break. She was sad. She tried to hide it, but it was there if you looked closely enough.”

The scowl on Ethan’s face made Gwen shrink into herself. Would he blame her for not telling him sooner?

His frown lines deepened as he stared at her. “Why do you look like that?”

“Like what?” Gwen tried to muster up a neutral expression but knew she failed miserably. Things had been so perfect between her and Ethan the past few months. Ethan was better than any childhood Prince Charming she had conjured. And now, with her silence, she faced the possibility that she’d already ruined everything.

“Like you’re expecting an attack. You’re looking at me like you think I’m going to tear into you.”

“I just don’t want you to be upset because I didn’t tell you my suspicions earlier. I don’t want you to think I’m keeping things from you.”

His scowl seeped from his expression. “Gwen, stop expecting me to turn from you. I’m not going anywhere. Yes, we will fight. Everyone argues. But I would cut off my arm before hurting you again. Am I upset my sister was sad and tried to hide it from her family? Sure. Am I going to verbally assault you for not telling me? Absolutely not. We may argue, but I will never tear into you. Ever.”

Gazing into her mate’s eyes, Gwen knew he told the truth. He would do everything in his power to never hurt her again. Whatever happened with Moonlit Burrows tonight, she would be fine.

She was wrong in thinking the inn was her future. Ethan was her future. And somehow that knowledge was all she needed to face the evening ahead with steady nerves. She had the utmost confidence the opening would go off without a hitch, but no matter what, she’d always have her wolf at her side, and that made all the difference in the world.