Page 3 of So I Won a Werelion

I tipped my chin up, refusing to show how much that rejection still stung. “He said his pride didn’t take mates.”

Only Bibi could make a frown a work of art. “But they have, and they do.”

“At the time, they didn’t,” I said dryly.

“How does that make you feel?” It was Bibi’s signature question onThe Mating Game, but she’d honed it onThe Real Werewives, and I had plenty of experience with all its sharp edges.

“Like crap. It was controversial as hell when the lions in that pride started taking mates. It wasn’t easy for them. They practically tore that pride apart.” As much as it cut to transport myself back to that night in the forest and unearth those old hurts, it was good to talk about this. I knew Bibi was doing this for a reason. She was trying to clear the way for my new mate, whomever he was. “As an adult, I understand what Gabe had to lose, going against his pride. But damn, I wish he’d put it all on the line for me.”

No, I wouldn’t cry.

Since that night in the forest, Gabe and I had focused on our friendship. He’d become my best friend, and I wouldn’t regret that. I loved our friendship—even if we’d never really cleared the air about that fateful night so long ago. He’d recently movedhome after living in New Zealand for almost twenty years. I hadn’t seen him much since I was prepping for the show, but maybe now he’d be ready to tell me what was going through his mind all those years ago.

Maybe I’d finally be ready to ask him.

“After all that,” Bibi said, “why do you still want a shifter to claim you?”

I’d had plenty of practice answering this question, too. The reason was as inexplicable as it was true. “Because there’s something magical about shifters. I’m drawn to them. I’ve tried to date human men, and they just don’t do it for me. So what if I’ve been rejected before? I believe I’m meant to be with a shifter, and I’m not a quitter.”

Bibi clapped with obvious delight. “Well, you’re in luck, because your magical life is about to begin. There are three handsome shifters waiting for you on that stage. I handpicked them—with the help of the audience, of course—out of dozens that flew to Sunset Springs from around the world, just for the chance to claim you.”

Chills ran down my spine. “Where have you been all my life?”

A fairy dragmother would have come in handy on numerous occasions before now. She could have spared me a world of hurt onThe RealWerewives.

Bibi waved her hand, bejeweled nails flashing. “One of the reasons I picked you for this show is because you never give up. You’re a fierce woman who knows exactly what she wants, and is willing to put herself out there to get it. I know you’ve had a hard time in the shifter world, Wendy, but you’ll be an inspiration to women who are pursuing their dreams in the face of massive adversity. We’ll show them what’s possible when you never give up.”

I squared my shoulders. “I’m so excited.”

“Good,” Bibi said. “Your mate is waiting on that stage.”

A heady mix of excitement and terror made it impossible to reply.

Bibi stepped smoothly into the void. “It’s almost time for you to go on that stage. Do you want to practice your questions, or do you have any last-minute questions for me?”

If I didn’t go now, I never would.

“I’m ready.” I nodded to the makeup artist and rose from the chair.

Bibi squeezed my hand. “You so are.” She led me out of the trailer and gave me a fierce hug. “The next time I see you will be on stage.”

Marissa, the show’s producer, stood at the bottom of the stage stairs and held her hand out to me. I started to reach for her, then my gaze traveled past her, and my heart tumbled to my feet. Behind her stood a tall, golden god of a man—beard trimmed, and sun-kissed locks pulled into a loose bun. His tan made his green eyes glow, and he couldn’t contain his smile when he saw me.

My best friend, and the one shifter I’d never gotten over.

Gabe was here, just like he said he’d be.I walked past Marissa in a daze and let Gabe wrap me in the kind of hug that deliciously crushes your ribs and lifts your feet off the ground.

“You’re gonna be great up there,” he murmured, his voice low and threaded with an emotion I couldn’t identify. Whatever it was, it was all lion and I loved it. “Your mate can’t wait to claim you.”

I reluctantly slid out of his arms and tried to smile up at him. He’d said those words to me at Cindy’s mating ceremony, when I thought he was going to kiss me.

Spoiler alert: he didn’t.

“I’m nervous,” I confessed.

“Don’t be.” He tipped my chin up. “If he treats you wrong, I’ll kick his ass.”

I let out a shaky laugh. “Promise?”

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