Page 98 of So I Won a Werelion

“I love this. This is like the perfect date.”

He let out a sigh of relief. “Good. I wanted all your favorite things to remind you of this day from now on.”

Bibi cleared her throat. “I’d like to dedicate this episode to anyone who’s ever felt like an outcast. To anyone who’s been misunderstood, and anyone who’s had their dreams ripped from them. If you feel like the whole world is against you, just know that I’m always in your corner, rooting for you to do the damn thing.”

“You believed this day would happen when no one else did,” I said.

“If it wasn’t for you, Wendy, I might never have startedThe Mating Game, so you made my dreams come true, too.” She leaned over and air kissed me. Bibi would never ruin my makeup. “After today, Wolf Rock will become home to the Sunset Springs Shifter Museum and Education center. It will be run in part by our very own Wendy Woodhead Wylde and be a place for all shifters to learn about their history.”

“You made my dreams come true today too,” Gabe said. “I’m the luckiest lion in the world. I get to wake up every morning with my best friend in my arms.”

“I’m so excited to spend forever with you. For real this time.” I leaned in to kiss him.

“Oh! We’re not quite ready to seal this with a kiss yet. This is just a formality—seriously, no one object to this union. I wore anoutfit that’s really easy to shift in,” Bibi paused, daring anyone in the crowd to defy her.

My heart pounded, visions of a long-ago ceremony dancing in my head.

But this time, that shifter king didn’t cast me away.

And neither did anyone else.

Bibi put her hand to her chest. “Phew. Would the two of you like to say anything to each other before we make this official?”

“Yes.” Gabe squeezed my hands. “You made me believe in myself again. I came home a broken shifter.”

“We aren’t that different.” Surrounded by so many friends, shifters that I used to think hated me, and my sister who was actually proud of me, the loneliness that I felt for so long seemed like it belonged to someone else. My heart was so full. “I’m glad you gave me another chance.”

“I would’ve done whatever it takes to make you mine.” The words had a growl to them.“But now, I can’t wait to make history with you.”

“The two of you never stop surprising me, and I love that.” Bibi beamed at us. “I now pronounce Wendy Woodhead and Gabe Wylde officially mated!”

Chapter

Thirty-Four

Bibi

“So, Bibi, think you’ll need some extra help on these upcoming episodes?”

My best friend Tina nudged me as the movie started. She taught me everything I knew about reality television. Of course, I brought the sparkle, but she was a treasure trove of technical know-how.

“Hello, Mama Workaholic. Didn’t you just have twins?” I whispered. They were in their double stroller, on the other side of the table with Tina’s mate Sterling. They’d managed to find matching tuxedo onesies and I had never seen anything cuter.

“Yeah. But I keep seeingThe Mating Gamecrew outside your house, watching all the walk-and-talks you did with Wendy, and I’m dying to get back in the game.”

“Maybe we can see about putting you in an advisory role—”

Tina rolled her eyes. “I’m already in an advisory role. I want to get in there and get my hands dirty on some of these dates.”

“Well, I might need you to film my episode wrap-up. Bjorn and Marissa disappeared once the movie started.” They’d filmed some of the footage of the cookout we had before the movie, andthat was the last I saw of them. Gabe and Wendy had changed into comfy clothes, and we’d set up a couch for them to snuggle together during the scariest parts of the movie.

Tina’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to. I brought my brand-new camera so I could film my own footage of the mating ceremony.”

Someone at the other table shushed her.

“She’s broken it in filming the boys. I swear their first words might bemama, get that thing out of my face.” Sterling chuckled softly.

“Where can we film? Maybe near one of the food trucks? Put together a makeshift hotseat situation. There was a photo booth there, right?”

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