The Designated Mate novel Chapter 75

"You need to calm your heart before we go in; it's racing," she murmured while placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. I took a shaky breath in before releasing it and willing my body to relax. I'm going to be fine. Our plan is foolproof. I can do this. "Alright, now let's get in there and do this shit," she whispered confidently with a smile. I laughed quietly before saying, "let's fucking do this". Grace's head jerked back in shock before a proud look took over her face. She reached out and grasped the door hands, schooling her face into a soft grin before pushing them open. I followed her lead and did the same, linking our arms as we entered the room. If we stuck to each other and Grace managed to keep her attitude from her face (she liked to call it her resting bitch face), we would be able to perfectly execute the 'look, we're just helpless women pay us no mind' facade. I sneakily studied the expressions of the pack members as we walked towards the buffet-style food set up. Everyone mostly looked both confused and intrigued, but kept their comments and questions to themselves.

When I averted my gaze from those surrounding me to the food in front of Kiara and me, my stomach growled loudly. My cheeks heated with embarrassment at how loud the noise was as I tried to brush it off as nothing.

"You ate right before we left?" Grace questioned, a look of confusion plastered across her face.

"I know but I'm starving," I complained while grabbing a plate. She snorted with an eye roll before mirroring my actions and beginning to load up her own plate. "Besides, this actually helps our story. We would normally be hungry if we'd actually traveled all the way here from my birth pack on foot," I murmured quietly. We turned and I waited as Grace scoped out a place to sit.

"Towards the back, at about four o'clock," she spoke, barely moving her lips. "They all look unmated. Not only will this be a good cover up, but young, bulky men are more likely to be guards so we could try and catch a scent," she explained before beginning to walk towards the table in question. I followed behind her, giving my best smile to anyone I made direct eye contact with.

"Do you mind if we sit with you?" Grace asked sweetly, fluttering her lashes a few times for added effect.

"Make some room boys," one of them ordered enthusiastically. The group of them squished together, giving us more than an adequate amount of space to sit. Grace and I thanked them before sitting down and engaging in natural conversation.

"That's grawesome...I mean awesome," he corrected as his cheeks lit up bright red. I giggled, feeling bad for the poor guy. He looked like he was about to start sweating any second.

"Would you mind showing me and my friend around the pack?" I asked, sneakily nudging Grace in the side. His eyes widened to the size of saucers before he began nodding so fast that I thought his head was about to fly off. "Great! We'll just pick up our dishes and we can head out!" I chirped happily, glad to be getting somewhere so soon in our mission.

"So, where would you girls like to go first?" Travis asked perkily.