AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Marissa, there are three very handsome shifters on the other side of that wall who are very curious to find out what questions you have for them. Are you ready?”
“Absolutely,” I lied, steeling myself before I looked at my notes. I’d agonized over these questions, crossing out so many because I felt like they had been directed toward Bjorn.
No matter what his answers were, I was not picking him.
I cleared my throat, and the crowd fell silent. “Why are you interested in a human mate?”
Bibi winked at me. “Shifter Number One?”
“Because I believe in fate.” I’d recognize that deep voice anywhere. The audience whooped in response. They were as familiar with Bjorn as they were with me. “But I don’t think you should just accept what’s handed to you. If you want something, you should go for it. My pack didn’t provide me with a mate. If they don’t adapt, they’ll die. That means I have to find her. Bring her into my pack. Everything in my life has led me to find my mate. That’s where fate comes in. And if she just happens to be human, I’m okay with that.”
We’d worked together twice now, and I didn’t know any of that about his pack. Had fate been putting us in each other’s path? Ugh, I couldn’t afford to feel swoony toward the bear.
“Shifter Number Two?” Bibi saved the day.
“Human ladies are wilder than wolves.” That got a rise out of the crowd. “They’re up for anything. And I mean, anything.”
I thought after producing a couple of these episodes, I’d be ready for these guys. I used to plant a couple cocky jerks into the pool just to spice things up. Note to self: never do that again.
“I’ve always been drawn to humans,” Shifter Number Three said. “And I have to say, something drew me here. To you.”
I hoped the microphone didn’t pick up my groan. Freaking Hudaknocker.
“Those were all very insightful answers,” Bibi said. “Marissa, what’s your next question?”
“If I choose you, you’ll have three chances to take me out. But I want to know, what’s your idea of a fun night in?”
“Excellent question. Shifter Number One?”
“I’ll make you dinner on the grill, and we’ll sit outside as we eat and watch the sunset. Maybe we’d play a game. Then we could talk and laugh, maybe snuggle under a blanket in front of a fire.”
I hated that I was picturing myself snuggling with Bjorn.
“Two words,” Shifter Number Two boomed into the microphone. “Massage oil.”
The crowd liked that way more than I did.
“We’d order takeout and watch movies.” Shifter Number Three must have done something because the crowd laughed. “And then we’d sleep in and head out to brunch the next day.”
That all sounded lovely, but I was picturing doing it with Bjorn.
“Last question.” And I was doubting everything. Could I come up with something new on the fly that would solidify my choice? No way. Stick to the plan. Improvising was what got me into this mess in the first place. “How will you show me, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I’m meant to be your mate?”
“You did great,” Bibi mouthed and then brought the mic back to her lips. “Shifter Number One?”
“I can’t wait to get to know you.” Damn it, Bjorn sounded sincere. “I want to quiet your fears and make your dreams come true. I can’t give specifics because I don’t know all those things yet—” the crowd went wild “—but you’ll never feel like it’s you against the world again.”
I hated to admit how nice that sounded.
“I will make all your fantasies come true,” Shifter Number Two added.
“When you pick me, you’ll feel that lightning strike deep in your soul, just like I felt for you. We’re meant for each other.” Shifter Number Three scoffed. “If you have to work for it, then she’s not your mate.”
That was a dig at Bjorn. The crowd oohed in confirmation. I should not be feeling protective of the bear. At all.
“Thank you so much for all those very insightful answers.” Bibi took the control back. “I certainly enjoyed getting a glimpse at all of you. Now, Marissa, you have a very difficult decision to make. Have you chosen the shifter that will have three dates to convince you he’s the one?”
ChapterFive
