“Duh,” Trinity giggled. “I assumed Peppa wouldn’t be there so soon after mating, and I already talked to her team. She definitely wasn’t bragging when she said that she has her kitchen running like a well-oiled machine. At any other restaurant I’ve opened, the kitchen staff would’ve freaked out if the executive chef couldn’t be there the second night. But not your mate’s people. Once they knew she was okay, they told me to make sure she knew that they had everything covered, and she should take as much time with you as she wanted.”
I wasn’t surprised that they weren’t worried about running the kitchen without me since I was lucky to have lured them all down here with me. Each member of my team was a kick-ass chef. But any thoughts about how awesome my friends were melted away when Cason ended the call and pressed his body against mine.
6
Peppa
My lioness and Cason’s wolf were tussling in the backyard when I heard the ring of my cell phone. Darting toward the patio, I shifted into my human form and glanced down at the screen to see who was calling. My mate stalked over in all his naked glory, and I held a finger in the air as I backed up a step so I could answer before he took the phone away from me. “Hey, Trinity. Is everything okay?”
Before she could answer, he snagged the phone out of my hand and put it to his ear. “How are my niece and nephew?”
“Put it on speaker so I can hear, too,” I hissed.
He heaved a deep sigh while doing as I demanded, and I caught the tail end of Trinity’s response. “But they miss their aunt and uncle. That’s not why I’m calling, though. I need Peppa to come into Timber Treasures at some point today.”
Cason pressed his finger against my lips so my answer was muffled before he replied, “Nope. Sorry, she’s busy.”
I glared up at him as Trinity argued, “When I told you to take some time to yourselves while you were in the early stages of mating, I didn’t mean that you should keep Peppa tied to your bed for almost a week.”
Cason pulled me against his chest and growled, “I’m not ready to give her up yet.”
“I’m not asking for you to send her off to the restaurant and never see her again,” Trinity snapped. “I just need Peppa to come in for a little bit so she can come up with new specials. We rotate them out each week, and it’s been six days since our opening. I waited until the very last possible moment to bother you guys with this.”
She wasn’t exaggerating. Normally, I would have decided on what to offer for the specials a few days ago. I’d been so wrapped up in my mate that I hadn’t realized how much time had passed since it had felt as though we were the only two people in the world. “I really do have to take care of this.”
“Only if I can come with her,” Cason grudgingly conceded.
“Even if you weren’t mated with my executive chef, you’d always be welcome at Timber Treasures,” Trinity assured him. “You’ve been one of my favorite people ever since I realized that when you pleaded with me not to reject Damon, you believed our mating meant you were cursed to spend the rest of your life alone.”
I’d learned a lot about my mate during our time holed up together, and I had already figured out how good of a person he was. But hearing the sacrifice he’d been willing to make for his brother drove home how lucky I was that fate had paired me with such an honorable man. I sniffled a little to hold back my tears as I pressed a kiss to his chest, right over his heart.
“C’mon, brother. You have to let the poor woman up for air sometime,” Damon hollered in the background.
“Like you have any room to talk,” Cason muttered, his arms tightening around me. “You couldn’t keep your hands off Trinity after you found her, either.”
I interjected before they started trading insults the way my brothers did. “Maybe we’ll stop by to see the babies after we’re done at the restaurant.”
“Ah, how I miss the days when people came over to see us,” Trinity teased.
“Yeah, I’m not feeling the love over here,” Damon added.
Cason winked at me. “Tough shit, bro. You need to come to terms with the fact you’ve been replaced in my affection by my adorable niece and nephew.”
“What-the fuck-ever,” Damon grumbled before hanging up on us.
Cason nudged me into the house, copping a feel while he did so. “As much as I love seeing every bare inch of your body, we better get dressed if we’re going to head into the restaurant. If you stay naked any longer, I can’t be trusted not to fuck you until you don’t have any energy left.”
“Quit threatening me with a good time.” I looked over my shoulder and wagged my brows but then thought better of teasing him when his dark eyes flared with lust. He wasn’t joking about being able to leave me in an exhausted heap. If he tumbled me into bed—or any other flat surface—then we’d never make it out of here in time for me to be useful in the kitchen tonight. Racing forward, I beat him into the bathroom. Not that getting there first did me any good since he followed me inside, straight into the shower.
Needless to say, we didn’t make it to Timber Treasures as early as I might have liked. When we walked hand-in-hand into the kitchen, my team was hard at work filling orders for a packed dining room. Larken was the first to spot us, and she beamed a smile at me before eyeing my mate up and down and giving me a thumbs-up. My lioness wanted to hiss at her, but I knew my friend was just being a goofball. Plus, I didn’t want to scare her off since she hadn’t known shifters existed a few months ago and had only seen my animal once.
“If being mated makes a girl’s skin glow like that”—she pointed the tip of her piping bag toward us—“then I hope there’s a hunky shifter out there for me.”
Considering she’d never mentioned anything about being interested in a guy, it very well could turn out that she was destined to be someone’s mate. But I didn’t have time to consider the possibility before everybody else realized Cason and I were there. Aero was the first to come over. Holding his hand out to my mate, he said, “I hope you know how lucky you are.”
Cason released my hand, but before shaking Aero’s, he circled behind me and wrapped his other arm around my shoulders. Pulling me into his side, he growled, “I know that she’s a goddamn miracle and all fucking mine.”
“Hey, man. No offense intended.” Aero held his hands up. “I just meant that fate gave you a great mate.”
“Damn straight,” Bexley agreed with a grin, pointing the knife he’d been using to slice an elk steak at Cason. “And you’d better treat her right or else you’ll have to deal with Aero and me.”
“You never have to worry about that with me. I’ll cherish Peppa each day of our lives,” he swore, making my heart swoon.
His vow must have had the same effect on Thora because she sniffled. “Aw, that’s so sweet. I’m with Larken, I want a shifter hunk of my own, too.”
“What? Working with Bexley and me isn’t good enough for you?” Aero joked as he lifted a sauté pan away from the flame and shook the asparagus that was paired with the elk medallions on the current weekly specials.
I brushed a kiss against Cason’s cheek before pulling away from him to walk over to each section so I could get a better look at the produce. Picking up a cherry tomato, I popped it into my mouth and enjoyed the burst of sweetness on my tongue. “I still can’t get over how fresh everything is.”
“I know what you mean.” Larken tossed a blueberry at me instead of placing it on the tart she was plating. “I always thought farm-to-table was just a trend, but the produce we’re getting from our local suppliers is way better than the ingredients we used at Castagna.”
“Yeah, William would shit a brick if he ever had dinner here.” Bexley set a plated dish on the pass and grinned. “Even with his giant ego, he wouldn’t be able to deny that the menu you’ve created is leagues better than anything he’s ever done.”
“Sure he would,” Aero disagreed. “The man has his head so far up his ass that he would never be able to admit how good Peppa�
��s food is. Not after he fucked up by pushing her buttons until she had no choice but to leave. I wouldn’t be surprised if he loses that Michelin star you earned him when the guide is published again next year.”
“If that happens, it’ll only be because you guys all came with me,” I insisted, grinning at the thought of how embarrassed my old boss would be if that happened. “His kitchen won’t easily recover from the loss of all your talent.”
This time, Bexley pointed his knife at me. “Enough with the compliments. I like hearing them as much as everyone else, but you trusted me with your kitchen, and I don’t want to let you down. We have a full house out there waiting to enjoy your dishes.”
“I’ll let you guys get to it then.” Walking back to Cason’s side, I slid my palm against his. “While my mate and I head into my office so I can figure out next week’s specials and update my orders with the suppliers so we’ll have everything we need for the new dishes.”
“Close the door if you’re going to get naughty in there,” Larken called just as we entered the office. Cason slammed the door shut behind us, but it didn’t block out my team’s laughter. In all fairness, though, it also didn’t stop them from hearing my moans when my mate decided we needed to christen my desk.
7
Cason
“Holy fucking shit.”
“What?” I’d only been half-listening, but my head jerked up when my mate’s sharp tone registered. I was heading into the kitchen as she continued, “Is there something wrong with the venison?”
Some of my tension eased when I realized it was just an issue with the food, but I still kept moving until I was at her side. I’d been working out of her office for the past week while she ran the kitchen when the restaurant was open. Luckily, the accounting work I did for the pack could be done from anywhere as long as I had internet, so I’d been able to catch up on everything that had stacked up while I’d been out of town while still sticking close to my mate. I’d always been good with numbers, and the pack owned a fuck ton of businesses. I handled all of our accounts receivable, which was why I couldn’t fall too far behind on work. The cash flow was necessary for our town to thrive.
“Nah, not a damn thing is wrong with any of the proteins we’ve been getting in.” Bexley pointed toward the dining room. “But remember that joke I made about how William would react if he ever stepped foot in Timber Treasures?”
Peppa’s golden eyes widened, and her plump lips formed a perfect O as she gasped. Stroking my hand down her back, I growled, “Is that bastard here?”
“I don’t know. I’m almost afraid to look,” my mate admitted, slumping into my side.
Since she was working the pass, we were facing the kitchen instead of the dining room. Twisting my neck to look over my shoulder, I scanned the tables and tried to figure out which guy was the one who’d screwed Peppa over. Although his actions had ultimately led to our mating, I still wanted to fuck him up for hurting my woman.
“No, but our newest customer is even more of a surprise.” My eyes narrowed as my gaze landed on the man standing in front of the hostess stand. Dressed in a three-piece suit with a fucking fedora on his head, he stood out like a sore thumb. “Armand is here.”
“Armand?” Peppa whisper-shrieked.
Larken walked toward us and peered over our shoulders. “Holy crap. It’s really him. What in the world is he doing in Timber Ridge?”
“Armand wouldn’t leave what he thinks of as civilization unless he has a damn good reason.” Aero jerked his chin toward my mate. “He has to be here for Peppa.”
A growl rumbled up my chest, and fur brushed against my skin. I loved how much Peppa’s team respected my mate and her abilities in the kitchen, but I didn’t like the possibility that some guy I didn’t know had traveled all this way for her. Neither did my wolf.
“It doesn’t matter why he’s here.” Peppa whipped off her apron and slammed it on the counter. “Because he won’t be staying long.”
“You want my help getting rid of him?” I asked as she turned to stare into the dining room, tapping her toe against the floor.
“Nope.” She flashed me a quick smile. “I totally have this.”
“Damn straight.” I dropped a quick kiss on her lips and lightly swatted her ass. “Go out there and give him hell.”
She straightened her shoulders before marching away. My gaze stayed glued to the sway of her hips. The sight was mesmerizing, and Bexley had to let out a low whistle to get me to look away. “Are you really going to stay in here while she handles that?”
“Hell no.” I grinned at him over my shoulder. “I was just giving her a head start since the view was so damn good.”
“Newly mated males,” Aero chuckled, shaking his head.
“They always have a one-track mind,” Bexley agreed with a nod.
I ignored their banter as I followed Peppa, angling myself so I could lean against the wall behind her after she led Armand to a table in the corner. When one of the waiters came over to ask what they wanted to drink, she waved him away while I eavesdropped without any shame. My mate was smart, and her senses were sharp. She knew I was near and was okay with me hearing whatever this asshole had come here to say.
“I never expected to see you in my restaurant, Armand.” Peppa leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re a big city guy, and the nearest airport is a two-hour drive away.”
Armand’s nose wrinkled as he huffed out a breath. “The trip wasn’t very convenient, but I felt as though this conversation needed to take place in person instead of on the phone.”
“What did you come all this way to say to me?” Peppa asked.
“Your talents are being wasted here.” Armand circled his hand in the air. “You belong in a Michelin starred restaurant, not some hole in the wall place where nobody can truly appreciate your culinary genius.”
Peppa leaned forward and hissed, “I would have to disagree about that. I feel a heck of a lot more appreciated at Timber Treasures, with an owner who trusts me to create the menu and run the kitchen, than I did when I worked at Castagna. You do remember why I left, right?”
“Yes, of course I—”
She didn’t let Armand finish whatever bullshit he’d been about to say before interrupting him. “Because you and William didn’t even trust me to cover the kitchen for two measly weeks, even though it was literally in my job description and the menu was already set. Instead, you insulted my abilities by bringing Martin in to do my job for me.”
Armand reared back in his chair as though he was shocked by how angry my mate was. “That was never my intention.”
“You know what they say.” Peppa shrugged. “The path to hell is paved with good intentions.”
“Please, Peppa. I’m trying to rectify my mistake,” Armand pleaded.
“I’m sorry, but I’m going to need you to be a little more blunt.” Peppa dropped one of her hands on the table and started to strum her fingers on the hard surface. “I’m a mere female, after all. Sometimes I need to be man-splained, or at least that’s what Martin seemed to think when he bossed me around for those two weeks while William was on vacation.”
“I never thought you were an inferior chef because of your gender.” When Peppa didn’t react to his statement, he heaved a deep sigh. “I want you to come back to Chicago. We need you at Castagna.”
“You can’t have Peppa. She’s mine.” I rushed forward, glaring at the interloper who dared to try to take my mate away from me.
While Armand gaped at me, Peppa kicked the chair to her left out from under the table and gestured toward it. “You might as well sit down if you’re going to be a part of this conversation, Cason.”
When I dropped down onto the seat, Armand’s brows drew together. “Your new boss seems to be excessively territorial, Peppa. Coming back to Chicago may be better for your safety, too.”
“He isn’t the owner of Timber Treasures. He’s my husband,” she corrected, reaching out
for my hand and lacing our fingers together.
“Oh.” Armand’s gaze darted between us before his shoulders slumped. “And he’s from here?”
I lifted Peppa’s hand and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “Yup, your fuckup sent the woman of my dreams straight into my arms. I’d thank you except for the fact that your actions hurt her.”
“I suppose that’s fair.” Armand gave me a jerky nod. “If it helps at all, I’m already paying the price for my mistake.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Peppa replied before I could gloat.
“The kitchen at Castagna is a mess,” Armand admitted, scrubbing his hands down his face. “William lost the respect of the chefs who didn’t follow you here, and replacing you and the others who left has been nearly impossible. People should be lining up for the opportunity to work for one of the few restaurants with three Michelin stars in the United States, but too much damage has been done to William’s reputation. It’s made the truly talented chefs cautious about working beneath him for fear that he’ll clip their wings instead of helping them grow.”
I was happy to hear that Peppa’s reputation as a chef hadn’t taken a hit after the stunt that William had pulled, but she just sounded sad as she said, “Their concerns are valid, Armand. I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but my skills in the kitchen were a big part of why Castagna earned that third star. I don’t know if William was too proud to admit it or resentful of what I’ve accomplished at my age, but looking back now, I finally realize that he never truly treated me as his second in charge. He never asked for my opinion on the menu or suppliers. He only ever trusted me to execute the dishes he created.”
“And I only now realized that his request to bring Martin in was due to the fact that he was threatened by your talent, Peppa. I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner. Maybe if I had, you’d still be at Castagna.” Armand heaved another deep sigh.
Her Destiny Page 4
