Page 68 of So I Won a Werelion

“Would shifters claim their mates at these ceremonies?” I asked. “Right in the open?”

Lars nodded. “All the time. Shame is a human emotion that shifters have been forced to adopt. We’d celebrate these unions because they brought more prosperity to our pack.”

“A piece of the Scepter was discovered by a human reporter. Will he be able to find out what it is?”

A low growl emitted from Lars’ throat. “The ancients will spell the Scepter for anyone not meant to discover its secrets.”

“But you just said…” I was having a hard time wrapping my head around all this information. “The ancient spirits didn’t like me, but I’m here, and you’re helping me.”

“You’re not being shielded, because you’re the mate of a powerful shifter,” he said.

“This has been amazing, but we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow, and a girl needs her beauty sleep.” Bibi stretched her arms in the air and yawned.

“Seriously?” I knew better than to challenge Bibi, but we had this amazing resource in Lars and I seriously could have talked to him all night. But the energy here made her uncomfortable.

“We’ll need all available daylight tomorrow to do a thorough search,” Hugo added. He’d been quiet so far, his gaze mostly on Bibi. I felt for the wolf, because I knew what it was like to be in love with someone who kept me at arm’s length. But my fortune had changed, and hopefully his would, too. “And our fire should be out before we attract any unwanted attention.”

A low growl emitted from Gabe’s throat. And the vision of people in my house, carefully rifling through my things until they found the most important research left a slimy residue on my skin.

We’d formed a semicircle of fancy glamping tents at the base of the waterfall. The fire was the least of our worries.

“Marissa and I will be sharing a tent. Wendy, you are more than welcome to join us, unless you’ve made other arrangements,” Bibi said.

Hugo turned to her. “I’d feel better if we were in the same tent.”

She put her hands on her hips. “There’s nothing to worry about. The big, bad wolf is afraid of me.”

My heart broke for him.

Gabe pulled me in closer. “I’d love it if you spent the night in my tent.”

Heat burned in my cheeks. Against my neck with each breath Gabe took. And most noticeably, it pooled between my thighs.

Lars had just told us about mating ceremonies that had taken place in this very spot. Shifters, surrounded by love, proud to claim their mates.

I wouldn't let a human emotion stand in the way of Gabe doing just that.

“I’ll have to take a raincheck,” I said to Bibi, and then took Gabe’s rough hands in mine. “Because I’m spending the night with my lion.”

Chapter

Twenty-Two

Gabe

One of the biggest lessons I learned in my time as a competitive snowboarder was to never take anything for granted. Didn’t matter how much I trained or prepared, someone else could always best me.

Wendy could’ve said no, she didn’t want to stay with me, and even though I’d confessed my love for her, I would’ve respected that. It would’ve been a long, uncomfortable night.

But she said yes.Fuck yes, she said yes. And if I was lucky, I’d make sure she kept saying it all night long.

We ducked to fit under the flap. A bed awaited us, complete with pillows and fluffy blankets, surrounded by a string of lighted orbs.

“It’s kinda romantic,” Wendy said. “I thought it was ridiculous Bibi wanted to bring all this stuff, but it’s perfect.”

“Of course it’s too much. Everything Bibi does is over the top.” I turned to face my mate and put my hands on her arms.“I worried it would attract the wrong kind of attention.”

Wendy stiffened under my touch. “I heard you growl out there. Are we in danger?”

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