A Grizzly Kind Of Love (The Mating Game Book 3) by Georgette St. Clair

gray.
    “I don’t know about honorary. More like ornery,” Frederick said cheerfully. He glanced at Zane. “Getting used to the new leg, though.” Frederick stuck his hand out and pumped Wynona’s hand with a firm grip. “Very pleased to meet you, I’m sure.” He glanced at the wolf cub, which was licking Wynona’s foot. “Lucas, you stop that, now – that’s not polite,” he said with a frown. Lucas turned and ran back into the garden.
    “He just came to us a few weeks ago. He’s still a little shy,” Frederick said apologetically. “And this young lady is Rory, the best chicken wrangler ever.” The little bobcat shifter beamed at that.
    Frederick grabbed one of the suitcases, and Wynona struggled not to wince as he painstakingly slung it over his shoulder, almost tipping over.
    She glanced at Zane, who shook his head and mouthed, “Let him do it.”
    “You kids go on in! I’m right behind you!” Frederick said.
    They walked up the front steps, onto a porch with a porch swing, and into the house.
    A female fox shifter with gray hair pulled into a bun stood by the sink, washing dishes, and when she turned around, her face lit up. “Zane, what a wonderful surprise! We didn’t expect you for two more weeks! And you brought a guest, how lovely!”
    Two other shifters stuck their heads into the room, looking at Wynona curiously.
    “Yes, forgive my bad manners for not calling to let you know I’d be coming,” Zane said.
    “You know you’re always welcome here. You did wipe your feet, now, didn’t you, dear?”
    “No ma’am, I did not. My sincere apologies.” He walked over to the doormat and wiped his feet.
    Wynona stared at him in open-mouthed astonishment as he rejoined her. “Who are you?” she whispered.
    “Wynona,” he said, “I’d like to introduce you to my aunt, Christine Wiley, and Shea and Dean.” Shea was a wolf shifter who appeared to be about fourteen, and Dean was a bear shifter who looked to be about seventeen or eighteen. They both came over and shyly shook Wynona’s hand, saying, “Pleased to meet you.”
    Frederick came in with the suitcase and set it down on the kitchen floor with a thud and an oof . “I’ll get the rest,” he said, sounding slightly winded. “Be right back.”
    Wynona itched to run out and get the suitcases, but she sensed it was important to Frederic to do it himself.
    Zane pulled out a package from his suitcase and handed it to Christine. “A hostess gift for you,” he said with a small bow. Christine opened it. It was a wicker basket, and it contained perfumed soaps. “From both of us.”
    “Oh, that’s so lovely, dear, you remembered my favorite scent!” She beamed at him like a proud mother. “And we got your thank you note, by the way. I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the jams.”
    Wynona stared at Zane with narrowed eyes. “A thank you note? Again, who are you?” she muttered. He winked at her.
    Christine looked at Wynona and clapped her hands with glee. “And you’ve finally found your mate! We knew you would! We’ll put you in the guest cottage out back. Where’s your ring, dear?”
    “My ring?” Wynona echoed stupidly. “Uh, well, you see… I—”
    “I’m still shopping for the perfect ring,” Zane said. “It’s got to be the perfect ring for the perfect woman. Aunt Christine, one thing, very important. Nobody can know we’re here.”
    “Mum’s the word. A nice private honeymoon, then.”
    “Oh, it’s really not—” Wynona started to explain.
    “—necessary at all, but thank you anyway,” Zane interrupted her again.
    “Dear, do not start out your married life by interrupting your wife,” Christine chided him. “We raised you better than that.”
    Frederick came through the door dragging the other suitcase as she said that. He nodded.
    “Listen to your auntie. By the way, do you need help with anything?”
    Zane nodded. “Actually, yes, haven’t changed the oil in my car in a while.”
    “Zane,