The Hunt Masquerade - Milly Taiden Page 0,46

It was so on-brand with who the woman was that all Chantal could do was laugh.

This was the world of the rich and shifters.

-

Why Gwen had stayed in the Winslow Hotel the night of the masquerade when she had an actual mansion, complete with rows of statues lining the laneway, Chantal didn’t understand. Her tiny little rusted car looked out of place on the opulent drive, but what could she do? She wasn’t a rich shifter.

She was an up-and-coming designer. Her wealth was in her family and friends.

The doorbell, a loud gong which was downright comical as it echoed through the night, was quickly answered by a tall, burly man with shaggy black curls. She had definitely seen him at the masquerade proposing to Gwen.

The poor guy looked dazed but blissfully happy. Maybe Rush would get the same look in his eyes when they married. One day. Maybe.

If he ever called her back.

“You must be Chantal Katz,” the man said. He held out his hand for her to shake. “I’m Rocco, by the way. I heard that you were the one who designed the amazing dress Gwen was wearing the night of the masquerade.”

“Yup, that was me.”

“We got back together because of that dress,” he said with a smile.

“Oh, I don’t know about that. You got back together because you’re mates, and you belong together.”

Rocco wrapped Gwen in her arms. “Well, that is true too. But when I saw her in that dress, I got a clear vision of what it would be like to get married to this wonderful woman. It put all of my dumb bullshit about commitment into perspective.”

“See?” Gwen giggled. “I told you that I needed a nice white dress.”

“You did,” Chantal agreed.

“So, you think that you can design me something even more amazing for the wedding?”

“Of course,” she agreed with a smile.

“I really would like it to hit above your knee, babe. You know how I feel about your legs.”

“No,” Gwen told her fiancé. “That’s not appropriate for a church wedding. I need something long and with a train.”

Chantal watched the entire exchange with a smirk. “You know, Gwen. You could do two dresses. One long gown with a train and veil for the ceremony and then something short and fun for the reception.”

Both bride and groom looked at her like she had brought them world peace on a platter.

“That is genius!” Gwen clapped her hands

“Designer lady, you rock. I’m going to get to dance with my wife’s legs on full display. Just like that first night when we met in the club.”

It took some convincing to get Rocco out of the living room and into the kitchen with the caterers. He was really an involved groom, and from what Chantal could tell, shifter men all seemed to be attentive and kind.

Even if her latest conversation with Rush had left her feeling strange about their relationship.

Once Rocco was tucked away into the kitchen, Chantal took a deep breath. “Can I ask you something about mates?”

“Mates, like how Rocco is my mate?”

Chantal nodded. “I met someone at the masquerade. He is a wolf shifter, and he says that I’m his mate. He explained it all to me, and I believe him. I do. I just—” She took a deep breath. Gwen was her client. She was a paying patron, and here Chantal was, about to talk about all of this personal stuff. It was so not professional, but what else could she do?

There was no way she was going to ask Jeremy about it. She had always been too shy to pry into the whole shifter business. This was hardly the kind of thing you discussed with your big brother figure.

“Chantal?” Gwen asked, concern pulling her delicate features into a frown.

“Well, if I’m his mate, is it normal that he is extremely withdrawn from me today? I mean, we have only been together a few weeks. I just get the feeling that something is happening. Could he be—reconsidering the mate thing?”

Gwen gave her a small smile. “The thing with mates is that it is impossible to be ignored or resisted. Rocco needed time to work his shit out about marriage, but he knew just like I did, that no matter what, we would be together. It is a strong bond. Nothing but death breaks it. If he is withdrawn, ask him about it.”

“Yeah, but—” Chantal sighed. “My only other boyfriend cheated on me. I’m scared that all of this will go away in the same manner.”

“There