Her Destiny (Shifted Love 5)

“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.”