Page 46 of Grin and Bear It

“It was tactical,” Thora corrected. “He’s more vulnerable to bear bane than I am.”

“Mm-hmm.” Kalyna’s skeptical hum spoke volumes. “Pure strategy. Nothing to do with the fact that you’d rather take a poisoned dart yourself than see him hurt.”

The observation hit uncomfortably close to home. Thora had acted on instinct, her body moving to protect Artair before her mind had time to weigh tactical advantages. That wasn’t like her. She prided herself on calculated risks, not impulsive self-sacrifice.

What terrified her most was that she knew with bone-deep certainty that she’d do it again in a heartbeat.

As Willow and Kalyna conferred over a new herbal mixture, Jash approached with his tablet. “We’ve secured the suspects for questioning. Preliminary scans show they’re using sophisticated anti-magical tech, similar to military grade.”

“Any connection to the other break-ins?” Artair asked, his deep voice rumbling through the room.

“Same manufacturer marks on the equipment. I’m running background checks now.”

“Good. Keep me updated.”

Jash nodded, returning to his computer terminal. Willow and Kalyna moved to the kitchen area, discussing herbal preparations in low voices. Thora couldn’t help noticing how quickly Artair’s network had mobilized—Willow for healing, Kalyna for magical support, Jash for technical analysis. They functioned like a well-oiled machine, each person knowing their role without being told.

It struck her that despite his solitary bear nature, Artair had built something she never had—a community of people who would drop everything to help when needed. The realization stirred an unfamiliar longing in her chest.

Artair knelt beside Thora, his large frame somehow making the gesture appear more significant. “You shouldn’t have taken that hit,” he said quietly, genuine concern in his eyes. “Bear bane could have killed you.”

“It would have definitely incapacitated you,” she countered. “Tactically speaking, I made the right choice.”

“Is that what it was? A tactical decision?” His dark eyes searched hers, seeing more than she wanted to reveal.

Thora looked away. “What else would it be?”

His fingers brushed her cheek, turning her face gently back toward him. “You tell me.”

FORTY-THREE

The simple touch sent warmth spreading through Thora that had nothing to do with fever or poison. His hand was rough with calluses—unexpected for a corporate CEO, evidence of physical labor she hadn’t considered. His eyes held none of the calculation or manipulation she was accustomed to seeing in men who showed interest in her.

Instead, there was only open concern, gratitude, and something deeper that made her heart race.

“I don’t know,” she admitted finally, the words barely audible. “I just... reacted.”

Something in his expression softened at her confession. His thumb traced a small circle on her cheekbone before he withdrew his hand, but the ghostly imprint of his touch lingered on her skin.

“Thank you,” he said simply.

When he unconsciously slipped into the bear grooming motion against her hair, she found herself too weak to pull away—and too honest with herself to pretend she wanted to. The gentle strokes eased something tight in her chest, her sabertooth rumbling with contentment.

“You’re doing it again,” she murmured, but made no move to stop him.

Artair’s hand stilled. “Sorry. I?—”

“It’s fine,” she interrupted, surprising herself. “Just...not in front of them.”

A smile—warm and genuine—transformed his serious face, softening the angles of his jaw, revealing a dimple in his right cheek. “Understood.”

Thora’s heart stuttered, and she blamed it entirely on the bear bane.

From the kitchen, Kalyna’s voice drifted over. “Pupil dilation now at 51 percent. We’ve hit a new record, folks.”

Thora groaned, closing her eyes. Artair’s quiet laughter rumbled beside her, his hand resuming its gentle motion in her hair. Despite herself, she leaned into his touch, her sabertooth purring with satisfaction.

The movement brought her face closer to his, close enough to see the fine lines at the corners of his eyes, to catch the subtle scent of pine and honey that clung to his skin. Something shifted in his expression—a flicker of heat that made her breath catch.

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