Page 37 of Bearnapped at the Altar

A lot of people’s lives were about to change, including mine.

“Do you want to go with your regular lipstick, or something bolder?” the makeup artist asked, holding out my usual light pink gloss with a little shimmer, which had seemed so sassy before, and a gorgeous hot pink. No shimmer. Just rich, bold color.

“That one.” Today, I was team magenta. I let her apply the color and then turned to Barrett.

He’d gone through a complete grooming ritual—his hair had been trimmed, his beard shaped and tamed with the most delicious smelling oil…I couldn’t wait until we were done with this press conference.

“What do you think?” I asked.

There was fire in those dark eyes. The wardrobe team had dressed him in a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows and dark jeans. “I think you’re absolutely gorgeous. I always thought that, but I love seeing you in your element.”

“I don’t know if this is my element.” I was wearing a light purple mini dress with a lace overlay and the softest little black cardi over it.

“Should be.”

I narrowed my eyes at Barrett. “Are you growling?”

“If I am, does it mean you’ll wear more of those dresses and that lipstick?” He waggled his brows. “Until we’re alone, that is.”

“Absolutely.” I leaned in closer, but I didn’t care who heard me flirt with my bear. “I’ll make sure you’re wearing this lipstick in some very scandalous places.”

“Can’t fucking wait.” Definitely a growl.

“We’re ready when you are.” A production assistant stood at the door, probably saving us from ripping each other’s clothes off in the middle of the makeup trailer.

“Let’s do this.” I took a deep breath as I rose from the chair. Barrett offered me his hand when we got outside.

Damn right I took it.

I loved the quiet confidence of this bear. He could’ve easily torn Gideon to shreds in that office to avenge what he’d done to his clan, but instead, he let me finish what I started. My original plan of humiliating the wolf publicly wasn’t so important anymore. Now I wanted everyone he’d wronged to have a chance to share in this moment of justice. I couldn’t give them back what they had lost, but I could reassure them that he’d never be able to hurt anyone else.

Reporters shouted at us as we approached the stage.

“Tegan, how long have you been planning to destroy Gideon Silverclaw’s empire?”

“We heard that you were fired from his company. Care to comment?”

“Who’s this man with you? Is he a shifter?”

“Wait, isn’t he the one who abducted you on your wedding day?”

“Are you going to reshoot your episode so he can be your Moonlight Beast?”

“Would you consider The Real Werewives offer for a do-over?”

My legs shook as I climbed the stairs. Gideon was already there, along with Larrie. She stepped to the podium first.

“Thank you for gathering on such short notice. As you can see, Tegan Reynolds has been found alive and unharmed, which is such a relief to all of us. Thank you so much for your well wishes.” She pressed her hand to her heart.

It took everything I had not to roll my eyes. Less than twenty-four hours ago, she’d been ready to destroy me, and now the tables had turned.

“You’ve all gathered to hear the statement she’s prepared, so without further ado, I’ll turn the microphone over to her.”

Silence had fallen over the crowd. Barrett leaned in close and squeezed my hand. “You’ve got this, babe.”

I winked at him and then headed to the podium. As much as I’d dreamed of this moment, I’d never thought it would be so public. After a season of Moonlight Mates, I knew how hungry the reporters were for a juicy story. There was a possibility one of them could throw me a curveball that could ruin our case.

Deep breath. Trust the process.

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