Page 64 of So I Won a Werelion

“How will you navigate the forest in those boots?” Wendy pointed at Bibi’s feet. Her hiking boots sported a five-inch heel. “I’d land flat on my ass in those.”

She waved her hand. Her nails had camouflage paint. “I know my way around the wilderness. Now, let’s go over this checklist one more time. We have tents, sleeping bags, dig gear, food, fire supplies, a camera crew, and the handsomest security guards in the business.”

“Did you get the maps?” Wendy asked. After that amazing date, she was focused on the relic again. But I felt like I’d made some progress.

At least, she knew exactly where I stood when it came to her. Maybe after we completed this mission and got what we came here for, we could concentrate on the part of the episode wherethe human fell head over heels in love with her best friend, the lion.

“Got them,” I said. No surprise, Wanda had lost her shit when the shutdown order came in for Ranchero Hills. The housing development had been surrounded by reporters all day, hoping to catch a soundbite from Wanda or Derek Jared. While they were threatening legal action, I slipped into Wendy’s house and grabbed her research materials.

She opened the box, considering the haul carefully. Tonight, she looked fucking gorgeous. Her long dark hair had been pulled back in two braids, exposing the long line of her neck. Her sweet scent rolled off her body in waves. It was a mix of excitement, fear, and pure sex. If we crossed paths with any predators, they’d pick up on it immediately. Today we’d fired a warning shot, and we’d be crazy to think no beasts would try to answer.

This mission was risky under the best of circumstances. My own alpha warned me against it. But he didn’t take charge of the pride by not taking chances.

And I was distracted, following the line of Wendy’s open button down, and admiring the swell of cleavage peeking out of the dark green tank underneath. In a few hours, we’d be in a tent, in sleeping bags, and I had plans for my mate. I’d finish what we started in that hot air balloon.

She looked up at me and frowned. “Did you get my text? About the shelf near the desk?”

“I got everything from there, and the bottom shelf of the big bookshelf in the living room.”

“Crap. A few things were missing.” She closed her eyes for a long blink. “And those things wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

“Everything looked the same as it was the night I was there.” I couldn’t say that with certainty, since fresh after my shift all I’d wanted to do was claim her. “Nothing was out of order.”

She nodded and covered her mouth, but it didn’t hide the way her body trembled. “We have a conscientious thief, which makes me feel zero percent better.”

“It’s a good thing you’re staying with me,” Bibi growled.

I seconded that emotion, but my mate should be with me. I shouldn’t have been relying on an army to keep her safe.

Soon, my lion reminded me.

Wendy went through the pile again, more frantic this time. “The maps I used on the last dig, the one where we had to run for our lives, isn’t here. That’s the one with all my notes. My thoughts for things that I’d do differently if I got another chance. Sweet moon, they got the good stuff. Which meant they took the time to look through my stuff and…”

“Maybe someone let them in?”

She gasped. “The only person who has a key to my house is Wanda.”

I put my hands on Wendy’s shoulders to try to calm her. An electric current flowed from my body to her skin. It happened every time I touched her, and I refused to give the Scepter enough credit to think that is had more power than a mate connection.

“You know more about this artifact than anyone in this group, and more than whoever stole your shit. They might have the materials, but they don’t have what you’ve got up here.” I tapped the side of her head lightly. Her smile made my cock twitch. “They can’t take that away from you.”

“I feel so… violated.” She shook her head and pursed her lips. “And sick and tired of everyone trying to take this away from me.”

I brushed my lips against her soft cheek. “I understand how that feels.”

“How are you not pissed off all the time after losing your career?”

“I am.” And it felt freeing to say it out loud. “But I’m not letting that bastard take everything from me. He gifted me with a whole new life. I get to reconnect with my family, help rebuild my pride, and finally claim my mate. If none of that happened, I’d still be in New Zealand, miserable. I wanted you, Wendy, and Jonathan Kyle showed me that rules didn’t matter. It was time to make you mine.”

You said the wrong thing.My animal was close to the surface, and I’d be shocked if he didn’t make an appearance tonight.She feels like a consolation prize. Show her why everything will be different this time. She doesn’t know how to win. You do.

Bibi stood in front of us with her hands on her hips. “Are you two ready to go? If we want to take advantage of the last of the daylight, we need to go now.”

Wendy steeled herself. “I don’t know what we’ll find tonight, but I’m glad you’re my plus one on this adventure, Gabe.”

I leaned in and kissed her, and her body melted into mine. Finally. I didn’t know the first fucking thing about archeology. But damn if I didn’t know a few things about these mountains.

The caravan of vehicles snaked through the mountain roads. Wendy’s face was turned toward the window, her body tense.

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