Page 27 of Grin and Bear It

Thora shot a desperate look at Artair, who seemed equally uncomfortable.

“Grandma,” he said firmly, “Thora isn’t looking to join a clan. She’s here on business.”

“Business brought her to our doorstep,” Eira countered. “But something else entirely may keep her here.”

“I never stay anywhere long,” Thora said, perhaps more sharply than intended. “That’s the nature of bounty hunting.”

“Is it the nature of the job, or your choice?” Eira’s penetrating gaze made Thora shift in her seat. “There’s a difference, my dear.”

Mercifully, Bryn intervened. “Thora, tell us about your most dangerous capture. Was it those vampire twins everyone talks about?”

Grateful for the subject change, Thora launched into the tale of tracking identical vampire siblings who could psychically switch places to create perfect alibis. As she spoke, she noticed Jash leaning forward eagerly, while Bryn asked intelligent questions about her tracking methods. Even Eira seemedgenuinely interested, her earlier matchmaking temporarily set aside.

Artair remained quieter, watching Thora with an expression she couldn’t quite decipher. Each time she glanced his way, their eyes met briefly before one of them looked away. The tether between them pulsed gently with each exchange as though responding to their awareness of each other.

“You tracked them through three states using nothing but a partial magical signature?” Jash asked, impressed. “That’s incredibly difficult.”

Thora shrugged. “Vampires leave distinct energy traces. Once you know what to look for, it’s just persistence.”

“And exceptional skill,” Artair added unexpectedly. When everyone turned to him, he continued, “Few bounty hunters could maintain a tracking spell over that distance without it degrading.”

Surprised by his knowledge, Thora raised an eyebrow. “You know something about magical tracking?”

“I’ve done my homework on magical signature recognition in security systems,” he replied. “Different application, similar principles.”

“He could have gone into magical security research, but family business called,” Bryn told Thora.

Something flickered across Artair’s face—a brief shadow that suggested the choice might not have been entirely his preference.

“The Maxen legacy comes with responsibilities,” Eira said, pride and firmness mingling in her tone. “Artair has always understood that.”

Thora studied him with new interest. The bear shifter had depths she hadn’t anticipated—educational achievements, potential career paths not taken, family obligations that shapedhis choices. She recognized the weight of expectations; she simply carried different ones.

As dinner progressed, Thora found herself relaxing despite her earlier wariness. Bryn’s genuine warmth and quick humor made conversation easy. Jash’s enthusiastic questions about her work, while occasionally overwhelming, came from genuine professional interest rather than judgment. Even Eira, despite her blunt matchmaking efforts, showed a sharp intelligence and wry wit that Thora couldn’t help but admire.

“Who’s ready for honey cake?” Eira announced as the main course concluded.

Bryn clapped her hands like an excited child. “I’ve been saving room all evening!”

Eira disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a golden-brown cake drizzled with amber honey. As she cut generous slices for everyone, Bryn leaned toward Thora.

“You know what would make this more fun? A contest.”

Artair shook his head. “Bryn, not everyone shares your competitive streak.”

“Scared I’ll beat you, big brother?” Bryn teased.

His eyes narrowed slightly. “You’ve never beaten me at the honey cake challenge.”

“What’s the honey cake challenge?” Thora asked despite herself.

Bryn grinned. “Simple. Whoever eats the most slices wins.”

“That’s it?”

“It’s a bear clan tradition,” Artair explained. “Honey is sacred to us, and the ability to appreciate it fully is considered a sign of good character.”

“And strong stomach,” Jash added with a chuckle.

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