Page 40 of Grin and Bear It

“There’s nothing to tell,” Thora protested, though the heat in her cheeks betrayed her. “We were partially shifted in the same room. End of story.”

“Beginning of story, more like,” Bryn corrected. “Mutual shifting is a big deal. Bears don’t shift around just anyone, especially not in sleep. Too vulnerable.”

“Neither do sabertooths,” Lucella added thoughtfully. “I read that in defensive situations, sabertooth shifters maintain consciousness through their transitions specifically to avoid vulnerability.”

Thora frowned. “How do you know I was asleep?”

“Lucky guess.” Lucella’s innocent smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Also, Bryn texted us all the details.”

“Traitor,” Thora glared at Bryn, who didn’t look remotely apologetic.

“Hey, this is the most excitement we’ve had since the vampire coven tried to start a blood bank last spring.” Bryn grinned. “Besides, if you’re going to be my sister-in-law?—”

“I am not?—”

“—I need to make sure you have proper support. Friends. Confidantes.” She gestured to the table. “Ta-da! Instant girl squad.”

THIRTY-EIGHT

Despite herself, something warm unfurled in Thora’s chest. She’d never had female friends—bounty hunting circles tended toward competitive rather than cooperative, and her childhood at the orphanage had been marked by isolation.

“I appreciate the thought,” she said carefully. “But I’m not staying in Enchanted Falls.”

“Plans change,” Kalyna shrugged.

“The Falls has a way of keeping those who belong here,” Lucella added. “And pushing away those who don’t.”

“Which is why humans can’t even see the town,” Bryn explained. “The barrierknows.”

Thora’s skepticism must have shown on her face because Kalyna laughed. “Don’t overthink it. Just give yourself permission to enjoy whatever happens while you’re here. Including my extremely eligible, extremely eligible, extremely strong future brother-in-law.”

“You said extremely eligible twice,” Thora pointed out.

“Did I?” Kalyna’s expression turned innocent. “Must really be true then.”

“What she’s trying to say,” Lucella interjected, “is that Artair’s a good man. Serious, yes. Intimidating to some, definitely. But loyal to his core.”

“And protective,” Bryn added. “Bear shifters mate for life, you know. Once they choose someone, that’s it.”

Something in Thora’s chest constricted. “I’m not looking to be chosen.”

“Maybe not,” Bryn’s voice softened. “But have you considered that you might deserve to be anyway?”

The question lodged in Thora’s throat, unanswerable. She’d never thought in terms of deserving anything—only surviving, hunting, moving on to the next target. The concept of permanence, of someone choosing to keep her, felt as foreign as the quaint magical town around her.

Yet the previous night’s dream returned to her—Artair’s arms around her as they both partially shifted, her sabertooth curled contentedly against his bear form. The rightness she’d felt in that moment had terrified her upon waking.

“I should go,” Thora said, reaching for her wallet. “I need to prep for tonight’s stakeout.”

“Stakeout?” Kalyna perked up. “Sounds intriguing.”

“The Maxen jewelry store on Oak Street,” Thora explained reluctantly. “It houses several valuable bear clan artifacts. Prime target for Blackwater.”

“Oh!” Bryn’s eyes widened. “That’s where the ceremonial binding chalice is displayed. It’s been in our family for twelve generations.”

“Binding chalice?” Thora raised an eyebrow.

“Used in mating ceremonies,” Lucella explained. “When bear shifters find their fated partner, they drink honey mead from it together during the bonding ritual.”

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