Page 16 of Grin and Bear It

“Kalyna’s shop,” he said. “This way.”

Every step required coordination. The tether allowed about ten feet of separation before pulling them together with increasing force. After several awkward attempts to walk independently, they fell into an uncomfortable rhythm.

The whispers followed them:

“Did you see how fast she moved?” “Never seen Maxen caught off guard like that!” “Five silver says they’re mated by next full moon...” “Bear and tiger? Not in a thousand years...”

Thora blocked out the gossip, focusing on the problem at hand. The magical tether pulsed with energy, responding to their emotions. When her frustration spiked, the cord glowed brighter; when Artair growled under his breath, it vibrated subtly.

More disturbingly, whenever their mutual attraction flared—a stolen glance, an accidental brush of clothing, a shared rhythm in their steps—the tether hummed with something that felt disconcertingly like satisfaction.

“What exactly are these cuffs?” Artair demanded as they navigated the winding streets.

“Shifter-dampening restraints,” she replied, professional embarrassment coloring her tone. “Custom-made for high-level targets.”

“Clearly not custom-made well enough.”

Despite the situation, Thora’s lips twitched at his dry delivery. Her sabertooth practically preened at his display of strength—breaking enchanted restraints designed to hold alpha shifters wasn’t a common feat.

Good match,it insisted again.

He’s a bear,she countered silently.We’re cats. Not compatible.

This one different,her sabertooth insisted.Smell him. Perfect.

Thora couldn’t deny the pull she felt toward Artair’s scent. Beyond the specifics of woodsy cologne and bear musk lay something else—a base note that resonated with her own personal scent in a way she’d never experienced. Like complementary notes in a chord, their scents seemed designed to harmonize.

She risked a glance at his profile as they walked. The anger had subsided somewhat, replaced by focused determination. His jaw remained tight, shoulders squared beneath his expensivesuit. Authority radiated from him in waves—not the forced dominance of someone with something to prove, but the natural command of a born leader.

Despite her predicament, Thora found herself... appreciating the view. She’d encountered plenty of attractive men in her line of work, but none had triggered such an immediate, visceral response in both her human and shifter sides.

As if sensing her appraisal, Artair’s eyes slid to meet hers. That same electric connection sparked between them, momentarily halting her breathing. His nostrils flared slightly as he caught her scent—undoubtedly betraying her unwilling attraction.

A flash of heat entered his eyes, pupils dilating slightly before he forcibly looked away. The tether between them pulsed with golden light, responding to the spike in mutual awareness.

They arrived at a narrow storefront wedged between a bookshop and a café. The hand-painted sign above the door read “Magical Mishaps & Remedies” in flowing script that occasionally rearranged itself into different fonts. Beneath this, smaller letters warned: “Solutions Guaranteed (Results May Vary).”

Artair pushed open the door, a small silver bell announcing their arrival with a musical chime that transformed into the sound of a cat’s meow mid-ring.

EIGHTEEN

The shop’s interior assaulted Thora’s senses. Shelves crammed with bottles of glowing potions lined the walls, interspersed with floating feathers, half-written sigils pinned to corkboards, and jars containing what appeared to be miniature thunderstorms. The air smelled of cinnamon, ozone, and something distinctly foxlike.

“Kalyna!” Artair called.

From behind a beaded curtain emerged a slender woman with copper-red hair cascading in waves past her shoulders. Warm brown eyes took in the scene before her—Thora standing awkwardly near the door, Artair’s imposing presence beside her, the golden tether connecting them—and lit with undisguised delight.

“Artair Maxen, twice in one week? To what do I owe the—” Her gaze landed on Thora, and she smiled warmly. “Ah, a new face! Welcome to Enchanted Falls, and specifically to my humble establishment.”

The fox shifter circled them, studying the tether with professional interest. “I’m Kalyna Foxworthy, magical mishap specialist and part-time librarian.” She extended a delicate hand to Thora. “And you are?”

“Thora Halliwell,” she replied, accepting the handshake after a moment’s hesitation. “Bounty hunter.”

“Who mistook me for her target,” Artair added, irritation evident in his tone.

Kalyna’s smile grew mischievous. “Oh my. That’s certainly a novel way to introduce yourself to the town’s most eligible bachelor.”

Thora’s cheeks warmed. “Can you remove this?” She lifted her wrist, causing the tether to shimmer.

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