Clashing With The Grumpy Wolf (Monsters of Saltford Bay #3)

1. Chapter 1

Julia

"This absolutely won't do."

Seraphina Draak's voice slices through the elegant stillness of the morning like a diamond with fangs.

Her pearl-colored scales are polished and smooth, her dazzling amethyst eyes blaze with barely controlled anger and her wings flick at the tips in a clear sign of annoyance.

Her jet-black hair is perfectly styled in an elaborate braid that trails down her back and her tail taps on the stone floor in a slow, steady pace.

I’m used to dealing with Others of many species, but dragons are especially intimidating. This bride is no exception.

Around us, high windows filter in muted sunlight through sheer golden-thread curtains, casting glittering patterns over onyx and slate floors. Deep cherrywood shelves line the walls, stacked impeccably with leather-bound volumes and framed dragon family portraits.

This is the private office of Silverine Draak, the matriarch of the Draak dragon clan and the most powerful dragon on the East Coast. As the next in line to inherit the powerful title of matriarch, Seraphina Draak is not only the most important client of my entire career, but she’s also the most difficult.

But I have things under control. Well, kind of. Mostly. I mostly have things under control.

Seraphina points at the centerpiece sample with a perfectly manicured index finger, disdain etched clearly on her elegant face.

"Where are my Vanda coerulea ?"

My stomach tightens. Here we go.

The problem isn’t the fine porcelain vase that glimmers with an antique copper finish or the delicate baby’s breath blooms falling to the side like miniature cotton clouds. It isn’t even the sprigs of lavender poking through the arrangements like fragrant fingers.

It’s the orchids.

The incredibly rare, incredibly delicate blue orchids that Seraphina Draak insists must be present in the centerpiece of every table during the reception as well as in her bouquet.

My gaze goes to the centerpiece and the replacement that my assistant, Courtney, managed to source for me. The beautiful pale-purple orchids fall in graceful cascades on each side of the crystal vase .

They're beautiful. Elegant. Completely wrong.

Come on, Julia. You got this.

I brace internally, my fingers tightening on my color-coded binder. Blue for food vendors. Green for invoices. Pink for entertainment. Purple for the A-list celebrity guests with special requirements.

Everything has its place, its system. Control the chaos. Control the outcome. This is what I’ve built my career on, my life on.

"There's been an unexpected complication," I begin, my voice measured and gentle. I paste a professional smile on my lips and push on. “I’m afraid the shipment of Vanda coerulea we were expecting has been… well, to put it in simple terms… destroyed.”

Seraphina freezes. The temperature in the room drops by at least ten degrees.

"Excuse me?" Her voice is dangerously soft, but her blazing purple gaze is not. The distinct smell of ashes that follow every dragon increases.

My stomach makes a funky little loop and I have to force the saliva down my suddenly clenched throat.

“The shipping container’s refrigeration unit failed during transport.

The entire shipment was completely ruined.

” I keep my tone low and the smile on my face, but inside, my guts are melting in a toxic stew.

“It won’t be possible to find another supplier of Vanda coerulea orchids, not with such a short notice. But as you can see—"

"So you're telling me," Seraphina cuts in, voice as cold as an arctic morning, "that you have no flowers for my wedding?"

“Oh, no, you have many options.” I feel my professional smile stretch on my face and I hope I don’t look like a demented clown.

“The vendor assured me that they have a number of other blooms for you to choose from, all lovely and all fitting perfectly well with your color scheme. They will reimburse you the difference, of course, plus ten percent as a way to apologize for the inconvenience.”

Seraphina folds her arms across her voluptuous chest, her beautiful evening dress shimmering in jewel tones of purple and magenta, accentuating her already sculptural beauty.

"So your vendor destroyed my rare blooms and all you have to offer me is some pathetic alternative?" Seraphina asks, not even bothering to comment on the rest of the arrangement. “Don’t tell me you didn’t secure a backup vendor for this. I specifically told you about the importance of orchids.”

Shits and giggles. This isn’t going to go well.

“You can still have orchids,” I say, my gaze falling to the elaborate centerpiece, my mind racing too fast for my brain to catch up.

“It’s the specific subspecies of orchids that is proving incredibly difficult to source on such short notice.

If you would consider a slightly purple Vanda variety instead, I’m sure you will find—"

"Unacceptable." She lifts her palm, cutting through my explanation like a knife. " Vanda coerulea orchids are nonnegotiable. My grandmother wore them at her wedding. My great-grandmother wore them as well. I could go on and on. A matriarchal wedding isn’t just any wedding. It’s a declaration of a clan’s power. "

I blink at this new information, feeling all the more like I’m drowning in a sea of sand. It’s that uncomfortable.

“I know what’s at stake.”

“No.” Her eyes narrow, irises shifting from violet to a sharper amethyst. “You really don’t. ”

I try to swallow, but all I manage is to push an air bubble down my clenched throat. The pain is vivid and sharp, but I don’t dare make a sound.

"This wedding is all about tradition. It’s about bloodline. It’s about power. I am to be the next matriarch of the oldest dragon clan on the eastern coast. Every element matters."

Her gaze flicks to the centerpiece again. She moves closer. Fingers trail across the marble and her mouth purses as she picks up the purple orchid, then shakes her head.

"I took a chance on your company despite your lack of experience because I thought a young woman like you had ambition. Don't make me regret it."

The sting of her words hits harder than she knows. Or maybe she does know. Dragons are apex predators. They have excellent instincts for weakness.

“Then I’ll keep calling.” I take a breath, although I feel like crawling under the nearest desk. “If any supplier has some available, I will find them. But if we want a chance at matching your vision, we need to contemplate the possibility of a replacement.”

Seraphina’s eyes turn to slits and she opens her mouth to counter, but a knock interrupts her.

Courtney, my assistant, pokes her head through the polished oak door of the office, blond ponytail bouncing and cheeks pink, clearly flustered by navigating the manor's mazelike halls. Clutched protectively under one arm is her ever-present silver laptop, while the other hand carries a bag so large it’s a miracle she can lift it.

“I brought the favor samples,” she says, cheerful and slightly breathless. “They’re so lovely, I’m certain you’ll be delighted! ”

Seraphina turns slowly. I catch the tiny twitch in Courtney’s smile as she tries to read the temperature in the room. It drops by another few degrees when Seraphina says nothing.

“Right,” Courtney mumbles, stepping fully inside. “We have four final options, all based on your initial feedback…”

She lays them out on the desk with shaking hands, nearly knocking over the centerpiece in the process. I catch it just in time, giving her a reassuring nod. This is not her fault. She's only been with me for six months, my one and only hire since opening my new company.

"Perhaps we should focus on selecting the favors this morning," I suggest smoothly. “I’ll update you when I have new information on the orchids.”

Seraphina's gaze stays locked on mine. After what feels like an eternity, she turns sharply toward the desk.

"Show me."

Courtney jumps into action, opening the first box. "This is the miniature crystal sculpture we discussed, featuring you and the groom." She presents a delicate figurine of two dragons in flight, their tails intertwined.

Seraphina picks it up, examining it with a critical eye.

"The second option is the blown glass orb containing the Draak and Ashbane crests in gold leaf." Courtney reveals a stunning sphere that catches the light, projecting golden shadows across the walls.

"And these are the gemstone coasters featuring both family crests," she continues, displaying a set of four polished stone discs, etched with intricate dragon designs.

"The fourth option?" Seraphina asks, setting down the crystal sculpture with visible disinterest .

"Custom-blended tea in porcelain jars," Courtney explains, showing her a delicate white jar with blue dragon motifs. "The blend contains jasmine and spices as you specified."

Seraphina examines each option with meticulous attention, saying nothing. The silence stretches until I can hear the distant crash of waves against the cliffs outside.

“These are… they’re all very high-end.” Courtney shifts beside me, eyes darting between us. “The glass orb is imported, and the crest is hand-etched—”

“Julia,” Seraphina cuts in. “Which one do you prefer?”

“The orb.” I don’t blink. “It’s the cleanest design. Visually elegant. Impossible to forget.”

She lifts it, examines the gold-leaf detail inside, then sets it down again.

The pause is unbearable.

A text buzzes on my phone and I glance discreetly down at the screen. The delivery of table linens is delayed in Boston. Another problem to solve.

Ugh.

“I’ll take the orb.” Seraphina nods curtly. “But make it platinum instead of gold.”

"Of course," I say, relieved she's chosen anything at all. "I'll have the glassblower make the changes immediately."

Courtney beams, clearly pleased that at least one thing is going right. "Excellent choice, Ms. Draak. They'll look simply stunning."

“Leave us,” Seraphina commands, not looking at her.