Page 80 of So I Won a Werelion

“Sometimes I feel like I’m the cat. I’ve definitely burned through close to nine lives around here.” I laughed, but Blaire extending the olive branch meant a lot. My time onThe Real Werewiveswas not what I expected, and if Bibi hadn’t talked me into trying this crazy new venture with her, I might have made things a lot worse. “I am happy. I’m finally getting to live my dream on so many levels. I was never able to admit how I really felt about Gabe.”

“And who knew you were this badass archeologist? Everyone is so excited about what you’ve found so far. Laura says that traffic at the library has doubled since word’s gotten out about the artifacts.”

A chill went down my spine. The Hudaknocker still felt like a secret that needed to be kept, and there was no telling who’d gone there to do research. I needed to get back to the library soon to compare notes.

My own notes had revealed some interesting twists I hadn’t been expecting.

“Now you’re also a badass pole dancer.” Blaire did her own spin on the pole. The dressing room had doubled as our practice room. She made it look so effortless, like she could defy gravity. I was getting the moves down, but it didn’t feel as easy as shemade it look. “Do you have any other questions for me before your performance?”

“Nope, I think I’ve got the dance down.” She’d taught me a simple routine which led into the original plan—a lap dance for Gabe.

“Good. Confidence is the most important weapon you can have in your arsenal. If you mess something up, Gabe will never know. Just keep moving. Your body knows what to do more than your brain does.”

She squeezed my hand and headed out of the room.

Bibi covered her mouth with a gloved hand. She’d gone all out for the occasion in a purple sequined catsuit, over-the-knee boots, and wig to match. “That was amazing. Our crew is about to set everything up for you, and Gabriel will arrive shortly after that. Tell me how you’re feeling.”

I took a deep breath. “Like I finally belong here.”

“Oh, that’s a hot take I wasn’t expecting. Care to tell us more?’

I took a swing around the pole. It was getting easier now. More like, I was trusting myself to do the moves. “I’ve always been an outsider in Sunset Springs. Humans didn’t know what to do with me, and shifters wanted nothing to do with me.I felt like the only reason I was here was because I’d failed at what I thought was my true calling. I was embarrassed to still be in my hometown, living a painfully mediocre life.”

“I hate that, but I’m not surprised. You were living in your own prison.”

“I was mad about it, and I felt like I couldn’t change things. The funny thing is, I don’t feel like I did anything different. I’m still me. But everything around me feels completely new. It must be the—”

Bibi held up her hand. “Don’t you dare say the Scepter. Or the Hooter Knocker.”

I laughed. “You’re close, and it’s not a bad description.”

“The reason everything feels different is because you changed. You took a chance on Gabe, and more importantly, you gambled big on yourself, and it paid off. I’m excited to see what else you can accomplish after your mating ceremony. Assuming there will be one. You don’t have to answer that question now—save it for the stage. But what do you see happening after tonight?”

I closed my eyes for a long blink. “Depending on what we discover next, I’d love to work with the local shifters to open an exhibit for the—I know, you’re about to start a drinking game for every time I sayScepter. The museum would be for other shifters so they can learn more about their own history. We are so spoiled with all our natural resources here, plus Laura’s collection at the library, and we have our own living breathing historian. Of course, I’d want to do everything respectfully, and not in a way that causes all hell to break loose because shifters seem to be fond of that outcome.”

“I meant with Gabe,” she said matter-of-factly.

Oh. “Maybe a few more cute dates? It’s almost food truck Friday, and I have an endless supply of horror movies.”

Bibi nodded. “We’re scheduled to be backon The Mating Gamestage next week. Will you be ready to accept his mating proposal?”

My body warmed with the suggestion. “Yes.”

She blew out a breath. “Don’t mind me while I breathe a massive sigh of relief. You managed to keep me on my toes for most of this episode. What would you like to do when the episode is over? Maybe we can help set it up.”

“I’d love to do some traveling with Gabe, of course. I’ve studied all these amazing places and never seen any of them for myself. But I’d also be open to an all-inclusive resort with lotsof palm trees and drinks served in coconuts with little paper umbrellas.”

“That would be a perfect mate moon. Of course, you’d want to bring your fairy dragmother to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.”

“Definitely. As long as I get some alone time with Gabe, I’m game for having everyone come.” And if I kept doing pole in the meantime, I would look amazing in my swimsuit.

Maybe even get a bikini.

“We’ll look into options. But now, I’ll leave you to get dressed. Call out when you’re ready to have your corset laced, and Blaire will tie you into it.”

“Will do.” I blew out a big breath as she shut the door. My outfit consisted of tassel pasties, a corset, and a thong. No stockings, because it was easier to navigate the pole with bare skin. The corset was a lot of work for a short-lived prop, but it sat right under my boobs and made them look amazing.

I wanted to blow Gabe’s mind.

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