Page 24 of Grin and Bear It

Thora surprised herself with a laugh. “At least I’m warned now.”

“See? She appreciates honesty.” Bryn checked her watch. “One hour, Artair’s cabin. Don’t be late or Grandma will assume you’re doing something scandalous with this magical tether.”

“Bryn!” Artair’s face flushed.

“What? Everyone’s thinking it.” Bryn squeezed Thora’s arm before letting go. “Can’t wait to hear your stories, Thora. And maybe later, I can show you the supernatural spots in town that tourists never find.”

With a cheerful wave, she vanished as quickly as she’d arrived, leaving a bewildered Thora in her wake.

TWENTY-FIVE

“Is she always like that?” Thora asked.

“That was actually subdued for Bryn.” Artair pinched the bridge of his nose. “I apologize in advance for my family.”

“Are they all as... enthusiastic?”

“No. Grandma’s much more direct.”

Thora couldn’t tell if he was joking. “Wonderful.”

“She’ll be evaluating you,” Artair said bluntly.

“For what?”

A hint of color touched his cheeks. “Bear clans have traditions about... potential connections.”

“We’re not connected,” Thora said quickly, ignoring the tether that literally connected them. “This is a magical accident.”

“Try telling that to a two-hundred-year-old bear shifter with matchmaking tendencies.”

Thora stared at him. “Matchmaking? You can’t be serious.”

“Unfortunately, I am.” Artair straightened his tie, professional demeanor returning. “Grandma believes strongly in fate. A magical tether will only validate her theories.”

“Great. Just great.” Thora ran a hand through her hair, momentarily forgetting the corporate polish of theirsurroundings. “What’s next, a compatibility test? A shifter wedding dance?”

The flash of guilt across Artair’s face made her eyes widen.

“No. Tell me you’re joking.”

“The compatibility test is just a family dinner tradition,” he assured her, though his expression remained concerned. “But fair warning—there may be inappropriate questions about genetics and cub potential.”

Thora pressed her fingers to her temples. “This day just keeps getting better.”

Surprisingly, the corner of Artair’s mouth quirked upward. “If it helps, I’ll be equally mortified.”

Something about his wry humor made Thora’s annoyance fade slightly. She studied him—the powerful bear shifter in his tailored suit, willing to endure his grandmother’s matchmaking schemes with patience. There was more to Artair Maxen than she’d initially assumed.

“Fine,” she sighed. “Let’s get this over with. But if there’s any talk of cubs, I’m making a break for it, magical tether be damned.”

“Fair enough.” His smile widened slightly, reaching his eyes and revealing a glimpse of the man beneath the CEO facade. “Though I should warn you—Grandma can track better than most hunting dogs.”

“I’m beginning to think your family might be more dangerous than any bounty I’ve hunted.”

“You have no idea,” Artair replied, and this time, they both smiled.

The Maxen familyestate sprawled across the edge of Enchanted Falls, the main residence a stunning blend of rustic timber and modern architecture. Stone buildings with woodenaccents nestled among ancient trees, connected by winding pathways lit by soft, glowing orbs that floated mysteriously in the evening air.

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