Page 41 of Stout Bear

“She’s sensationalizing a routine microbial phenomenon for attention. Meanwhile, my BioClean system remains top-tier,” Flint said.

Laney attempted to regain the mic, flipping through her folder to find references clearing her record. The projector’s images still glowed behind her. Her voice wavered as she pointed again to her data, hoping facts spoke for themselves. She saw council members stiffening, some impatiently checking their watches.

“I... I have proof. If you would just look at these results... they’re not overreactions, they’re consistent with serious contamination,” Laney said, her voice cracking.

“No one doubts you care, Ms. Collins, but let’s be objective. You’re a half-shifter with a chip on your shoulder,” Flint said.

She could barely breathe. This was her worst nightmare realized, a public reaffirmation of her deepest fears. She saw a lifetime of being dismissed and criticized flash before her eyes.

Laney tried one last time to show crucial slides, gesturing emphatically at the projector. The council chairperson rubbed his temples, politely but firmly indicating her time was up. The overhead lights seemed harsh, intensifying the dryness in her throat and the sweat beading at her temples. She stammered a concluding statement, voice trembling.

“I... can’t make you believe me, but I swear on everything, these toxins are real,” Laney said, her voice cracking.

“We appreciate your input, Ms. Collins, but we’ll wait for the county’s assessment. Meeting adjourned,” the Council Chairperson said in a crisp tone.

Heart pounding, Laney realized the council was effectively dismissing her. Flint smiled triumphantly at the corner of her vision. Her chest ached, convinced she had failed as a scientist.

Laney snatched up her folder, tears threatening as she hurriedly unplugged her laptop from the projector. The hall’s fluorescent glare felt unforgiving. She avoided eye contact, pushing through the crowd. Ivy Bright tried to catch her eye, but Laney looked away, embarrassed. Flustered, she nearly bumped into a table before regaining her balance.

“Poor girl, she seems too eager to prove herself,” someone whispered.

“I failed... I really failed,” Laney said to herself in a near-silent choke.

The shame and outrage coiled inside her, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. She fled the meeting convinced she had let down the brewery, the Bright Institute, and herself.

Chapter

Thirty-Six

Max sprinteddown the hallway after Laney. “Laney! Wait!” he called.

His bear roared inside him, demanding he protect his mate. Max burst through the double doors just in time to see Laney heading down the concrete steps. He caught her by the arm, turning her around to face him.

“Let go of me,” Laney said, yanking her arm away. Her face was flushed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I can't do this anymore.”

“Laney, please. Just listen?—”

“No!” she cried, her voice breaking. “You saw what happened in there. Flint humiliated me in front of everyone. Just like at my last job. Just like my whole life.”

Max reached for her again, but she stepped back, creating distance between them. The streetlamp cast harsh shadows across her face, highlighting the pain and shame in her eyes.

“They'll never believe me,” she said, wiping angrily at her tears. “No matter how much evidence I have, no matter how right I am. I'll always be the half-shifter who doesn't belong anywhere.”

“That's not true,” Max insisted. “I believe you. Your research is solid. We'll find another way to prove it.”

Laney shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “Don't you get it? There is no other way. Flint won. The council believed him over me without a second thought.” She gestured back toward the town hall. “They didn't even look at my data. They just saw my inadequacies.”

“You're not inadequate,” Max said, his bear growling with frustration inside him. “You're brilliant and brave, and I need you.”

“No, you don't,” Laney said, her voice suddenly quiet. “You need someone strong, someone whole. A real shifter who can stand beside you. Not a failure who can't even convince a town council to save their own water.”

“Laney—”

“I'm done,” she interrupted, backing away. “I'm done trying to prove myself. I'm done fighting battles I can't win.”

Max felt panic rising in his chest. His mate was slipping away, and he couldn't find the words to stop her. “Where are you going?”

“Away from here. Away from this town. Away from...” she hesitated, fresh tears welling in her eyes, “away from us.”

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