Page 5 of Bearnapped at the Altar

My hands shook as I typed out the text message. An email would’ve been more professional, but this was an emergency. I had no idea what this service would cost me, if I could even pay for it, but I’d figure it out, because the possibility of spending eternity with Gideon Silverclaw was fucking bullshit.

Chapter

Two

Barrett

This wasn’t the type of job I normally took. But these weren’t usual circumstances.

“Looking dapper, man,” my partner Bellamy said as he clapped me on the shoulder. His expression changed from encouragement to concern when my body tensed on contact. “Sure you’re good with this assignment? We can switch roles if the ceremony will be too much for you.”

“No. I want to do this,” I growled as I tightened the knot on my tie, leaning into the discomfort. It wasn’t just that I had no idea how I’d pull this job off dressed like this, but I hadn’t worn a suit since I buried my mate.

Renee had been gone three years, and nothing had filled the emptiness. Especially now that our daughter Natalie had begged to do a semester of astronaut school. She had a long way to go before she could actually launch into space, but this was a unique program that gave her access to an experience that was usually only reserved for the military or NASA.

All that was left of the two most important ladies in my life were the unfinished science experiments I hadn’t had the heart to break down and put away. If I wasn’t surrounded by half-built spaceships and mystery potions, I’d have to admit that I was actually alone for the first time in my life.

That the school bus wouldn’t be dropping Natalie off in a few hours. That Renee wasn’t coming back.

My jobs didn’t usually make me feel feelings. But this one was different. Sawtooth Security, the firm I’d ran with a small team of highly trained specialists, had had their eye on Gideon Silverclaw for years, watching him gobble up pack land and displace his own kind without any plausible explanation. There was no way I could let him claim this woman too. Tegan Reynolds had made some shocking accusations in her text message, and if her evidence was solid, we could finally nail this guy.

Not to mention the money from this job would pay for Natalie’s astronaut school. She’d wanted to go so badly, and for her to get into one of the competitive collegiate programs, she needed to have this kind of experience. As much as I wanted to keep her close, I had to let her fly. In this case, literally.

This job would keep her flying.

“Are you sure? Haven’t seen you like this since…” Bellamy shook his head. He didn’t need to finish the sentence. He’d been with me through the good, the bad, and the ugly, and I was proud to call him a friend. “Let’s just go do the damn thing.”

A black van with darkened windows and fake plates waited for us in front of my cabin. Bellamy drove. I needed to get my head back in the game before we got to the mating ceremony. I glanced at my phone, and there was a message from Natalie.

Just what I needed to get out of my head.

Natalie: I have my first test today and I’m nervous.

Me: Did you study?

Natalie: All night long.

Me: Get some rest. You’re gonna do great.

Natalie: What if I don’t?

Me: Then you’ll know where you need to improve.

Natalie: But I want to get it right the first time.

Me: They don’t expect you to be perfect.

But I knew where she got it from. My job had no margin for error, and she’d seen me beating myself up for not being able to save her mother.

Natalie: I want to be though.

Me: Do your best. I’ve got to go to work. Love you. I’ll check in with you tonight to see how things went.

I slipped my phone into my suit jacket pocket and quickly surveyed the scene. There were cars and production vehicles everywhere. Tegan Reynolds, my client, was a contestant on the reality show Moonlight Mates. I binge-watched to get familiar with the major players.

Silverclaw I knew all too well, but to pull this off I needed to know the host of the show, the other contestants, and especially the beautiful woman who’d hired me.

Not that I should be thinking of her that way, but she was stunning. With pink hair and bright amber eyes.

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