Page 29 of Grin and Bear It

“I’m not the settling-down type,” Thora insisted.

“Neither was my friend Kalyna,” Bryn countered. “But the moment she saw Rust, she was smitten.”

“Kalyna Foxworthy?” Thora asked, remembering the quirky fox shifter whose spellwork had failed to break their tether.

“That’s her! You’ve met already?” Bryn leaned forward eagerly.

“She tried to help with this.” Thora gestured to the golden cord.

“Don’t worry,” Bryn assured her. “By next week, some poor witch will accidentally turn the mayor into a toad or something, and you’ll be old news.” She brightened. “You should meet Kalyna properly. You’d like her—she’s got your sarcastic sense of humor.”

“I’m not here to make friends,” Thora reminded her, yet found herself curious about the fox shifter whose spellwork had both failed spectacularly and revealed a sharp wit.

“Everyone needs friends,” Bryn insisted. “Even badass bounty hunters. Maybe especially badass bounty hunters.”

Before Thora could formulate a response, Eira beckoned Artair to sit on an ottoman before her chair. “Come here, your hair’s a mess.”

With practiced motions, Eira began smoothing Artair’s dark hair, her fingers working in specific patterns—a stroke from crown to temple, a circular movement near the nape, a gentle tug at the ends.

Thora watched, fascinated by the ritual’s obvious familiarity. Artair’s eyes drifted half-closed, his bear responding to the grooming with visible pleasure.

“This is the traditional bear courtship grooming,” Eira explained, noticing Thora’s interest. “Mothers teach it to cubs to prepare them for future mates. The specific pattern stimulates bond formation and shows care.”

Artair’s eyes opened, embarrassment crossing his features. “Grandma, it’s not a courtship demonstration, it’s just fixing my hair.”

“Of course, dear,” Eira replied, not stopping her methodical movements. “But cultural education is important for potential family members.”

Thora couldn’t look away. The intimate gesture between grandmother and grandson carried a weight of tradition and love that made her chest ache with a strange longing. She’d never known her family, never experienced the comfort of cultural rituals passed through generations.

As Eira’s fingers moved across Artair’s temple, Thora noticed a strand she’d missed—a lock that curved awkwardly against his forehead. Without thinking, she reached out, smoothing it into place with the same pattern she’d just observed.

Her fingers brushed his warm skin, and a jolt of connection passed between them. The tether flared golden-bright for a heartbeat.

The room fell silent. Eira’s hands stilled. Bryn and Jash exchanged wide-eyed glances.

Thora yanked her hand back, mortified by her instinctive action.

“Well,” Eira broke the silence, satisfaction radiating from her like heat from the fire. “I believe that confirms it.”

“Confirms what?” Thora asked warily.

The old woman merely smiled. “You’ll see.” She rose with surprising grace. “It’s getting late. I should retire.” She patted Thora’s shoulder as she passed. “Welcome to the family, dear.”

“I’m not—” Thora began, but Eira had already swept from the room.

TWENTY-NINE

An awkward silence descended. Bryn cleared her throat. “I should probably head out too. Early meeting tomorrow with the library foundation.” She hugged Thora impulsively. “This was fun! We should get coffee sometime. I want to hear more about your sabertooth techniques. Maybe you could even show me a few moves.”

The genuine enthusiasm in Bryn’s voice caught Thora off guard. “Um, sure. Maybe.”

“Great!” Bryn beamed as if Thora had agreed to be her best friend forever. “And don’t worry about Grandma. She means well, she’s just been waiting decades for Artair to find someone who can match him.”

“We’re not matched,” Thora clarified, though the words sounded unconvincing even to her own ears.

“The honey cake challenge suggests otherwise.” Bryn winked. “Nobody’s ever matched him bite for bite before. That means something in bear culture.”

Before Thora could process that information, Bryn was hugging her brother and then dragging Jash toward the door despite his protests that he hadn’t finished asking Thora about her tracking methods.

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