Page 97 of So I Won a Werelion

Pure power had coursed through my veins that night, but I’d lost it when the shifter king cast me away. I’d thought I’d lost everything. It hadn’t felt safe to hope or dream. Until now.

“Do you feel free like that now?” Bibi asked.

I let out a deep sigh. I’d gotten everything I’d ever wanted—to be taken seriously by the local shifters, a major archeological discovery under my belt, and I was about to promise myself to my best friend. But it would take me a while to stop looking over my shoulder, wondering when I’d lose it all. “I’m getting there.”

“Excellent. All I ask for is progress. Even though your episode is coming to a close, I think we still have some work to do. I oweyou the rest of your makeover for your house, especially after those evil wolves trashed everything.”

“Gabe and I are thinking we want a new place, closer to his pride, and I’d love for it to have the Bibi stamp of approval.”

“Excellent. We’ll put a crew together as soon as you’re back from your mate moon.”

The limo came to a stop. The door opened, and Hugo stood before us. He looked so dapper in his tux. He held out his hand, and Bibi took it. I might have swooned a little when he kissed it.

The look they shared…let me tell you, since she’ll never put it onThe Mating Game…smoldering.

“Cindy!” My best friend waited for me outside of the limo. She looked absolutely stunning in a black dress with fluttery sleeves. The same dress Marissa wore. “I didn’t think you’d be able to make it.”

“Auntie Wendy!” Her twin boys tackled me around the thighs as soon as I got out of the limo.Instead of being dressed up, they were in their pajamas.

“Logan talked to the producers and they agreed to rearrange the shooting schedule so we could get away for a few days. How are you? Obviously, you’re over the moon, it’s your mating day. You’re absolutely glowing.”

“I’m so happy to see all of you. Thank you so much for coming.”

Hannah was waiting behind her. Daphne was there too—Gabe had chosen her mate Leo as his best man. And standing in the back, wearing the same black dress as the other ladies was my sister.

For the first time in her life, Wanda seemed unsure of herself. “I didn’t know if you’d want me to come, but I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I missed this.”

“Of course I want you here.” And that was when I realized where we were.

Ranchero Hills. Now it was called by its traditional name again. Wolf Rock.

The construction equipment was gone, and someone had brought in turf, so many flowers, and folding chairs for our guests. Stadium-style risers had been brought in for the fans ofThe Mating Game.Bjorn trained his camera on me, and I saw myself on the big screens that had been set up on either side of the giant rock formation that was the namesake of the park.

A huge video screen had been set up in front of it, and food trucks rimmed the area.

I looked back at Bibi, mouth open. “What’s going on?”

“Gabriel wanted to surprise you, but I’m sure he won’t mind me giving you a little hint.” Bibi waved to the crowd as they spotted us. “Once it gets dark, this will turn into a pajama party, the food trucks are providing the food, and he chose a few of your favorite horror movies to watch.”

My mouth dropped. “How did he find out which ones they were?”

“I told him.” Wanda grinned at me. Scary movies were the only thing we’d ever had in common. “Can I walk you down the aisle?”

“Absolutely.”

We waited for Bibi and Hugo and then the bridal party to take their places.

“I’m proud of you, Wendy,” Wanda said. “You followed your heart and you got everything you wanted.”

I couldn’t cry as we started walking down the aisle. Good thing Bibi had practiced the walk with me, because my vision was blurry. Gabe was standing at the end, so mind-blowingly gorgeous in his tux. He’d left his long hair free, and it was moving with the breeze.

The rest of him was totally still, his eyes fixed on me.

Golden green fire. The heat from his gaze and all the promises that didn’t need to be spoken out loud swept over me.

Wanda took my bouquet, and Gabe stepped forward. His rough fingertips were on my arms, and then he slipped his hand behind my back and dipped me for a kiss that turned my knees to jelly.

“Hi,” he said when he came up for air.

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