Page 14 of So I Won a Werelion

His eyes widened.

“No,” he growled.

That wasn’t the least bit believable, but it had been a day, and we’d deal with this sinister thing if it actually managed to bubble to the surface. The reporters that covered the show had a habit of overpromising and underdelivering. And I had a show to produce. “Gabriel, we’ll talk soon. I promise that together, we’ll be unstoppable.”

He gave me a hug and headed to the door, where he was greeted by Hugo.

They nodded to each other, but that was all. Hugo was a wolf of few words.

“You missed the planning part of our emergency meeting, but you’re just in time for the security brief.” I smoothed my skirt. I’d changed out of my stage dress in favor of a more businesslike blazer and pencil skirt.

Don’t worry, I hadn’t gone totally conservative. This suit looked fantastic with fishnets.And I still wore the wolf ears.

“These events have a way of bringing weaknesses to the surface,” he said as he took the seat that had been occupied by Gabe. Hugo always looked so rugged and handsome. Today he wore a black T-shirt that had been practically painted onto his muscles, and a pair of black cargo pants tucked into combat boots.

I groaned. “Let me guess. Montana sent you a love letter, addressed to me. You can return to sender, sealed with a kiss.”

My old pack had been hanging around in the forest, drooling all over themselves for an opportunity to catch me off-guard. The last I’d heard from them was during our press junket for Cindy and Logan’s episode. I’d braced myself for their appearance at the mating ceremony, and was relieved when only Pedro, Cindy’s ex, crashed the party.

Pedro was predictable. The longer Montana dragged this out, the more I sweat under my sequins.

And today had gone off without a hitch, even if we didn’t have a couple ready to film yet.

“I wish that was all that happened.” He let out a long, frustrated sigh. “Got a visit from Pedro this morning. He’s making a habit of showing up in Green Mountain, now that Cindy and Logan are mated.”

I growled. “Don’t tell me that wolf is giving them trouble.”

“That wolf can’t fight worth a shit. But he thinks he deserves a spot in the pack. He’ll be a pain in the ass until he burns his last bridge. Jackson’s had enough, so he’ll be gone soon. In the meantime, Pedro doesn’t know when to stop talking, which works in my favor.”

“Should Pedro be on payroll?” I raised a brow. Hugo was too trusting of his old friend turned foe. Pedro had almost cost him his job. But I kept Hugo on as head of security because, despite his flaws, I’d never find a wolf who was more loyal.

After growing up in the Montana pack, loyalty was everything to me.

Not to mention Hugo was an amazing kisser. But we were keeping things strictly professional while we worked together on the show.

“He claims a Montana wolf made it to the stage.”

Every mouth in the room dropped.

“What? How? We’ve thoroughly vetted every shifter that gets invited to play the game.” Marissa frantically swiped at her tablet, like she’d find information on the offending wolf.

“They could have used someone else’s ID,” Bjorn suggested. “We probably need to do background checks before the next time we go on stage. Can’t take anyone’s word at face value.”

A chill went down my spine. “If that’s the case, a wolf probably died to give that traitor the opportunity.”

Marissa gasped. “Neither contestant on stage with Gabe today listed Montana as an address. Shifter Number One was from Washington state and Number Three was from Utah.”

“Montana has many satellite bases. We’ll have to start going deeper than that. Make them prove pack affiliation.” Hugo let out a frustrated sigh. “They’re getting in my head, Bibi. I’m worried that they’re distracting me from the real problem.”

“What’s a bigger problem than a Montana wolf getting this close to Wendy?”

He leaned forward. Heat radiated from his body. “If some shifters are to be believed, Wendy’s the real problem.”

Ugh. Not that again.

“Can everyone get over the fact that she’s dated a lot of them? Wendy was brave for trying so many times to give her heart to someone.”

Maybe Wendy loved the thrill of the chase more than the catch. The wolf in me could understand that. But the show producer in me hoped this human was ready to be caught.

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