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“Maybe we could talk to Lars. If anyone knows these mountains, it’s him.” The problem was he was in beast mode until further notice. “I’ll ask Hugo how we can get in touch with him. I think we can schedule some segments and make people aware of what’s happening to your pack because they’re certainly not alone.”
“That would be great if they’re up for it.”
“Of course. I know that bears can be quite private. But now, I’ll have to ask you to be anything but. Let’s talk about last night.”
Bjorn groaned, picking up the handle to work on his next set. But there was no hiding his smile.
“I had a good time with Marissa,” he said as he slid back on the machine. “I was glad we planned something wholesome because my bear is feeling some things.”
I was worried that Bjorn wouldn’t just be private, he’d be stubborn, so this confession was delightful. “What kind of things?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “This is so weird. You’re my boss.”
“And a friend, and for this episode, your fairy dragmother,” I reminded him. But I had to admit, it was a little uncomfortable. “We’ve reclassified both of you for this episode, or else this whole thing would be an HR nightmare.”
He let go of the handle and got off the rowing machine. He grabbed his water bottle and took a long sip. “You sure you’re ready for this?”
My eyes widened, but I quickly gathered myself. “You think you can shock a drag queen wolf shifter? I went on tour with a rock band. I can assure you, I’ve seen it all.”
“Don’t doubt it for a second.” He grabbed a towel and dabbed his neck as he sat on the weight bench. “The things I’m feeling for Marissa, I’ve never felt them before. They’re…primal.”
“Oh.” Wasn’t expecting the bear to go from zero to candid just like that.
He raised a brow. “Too much?”
“No. It’s perfect. I don’t have to tell you that you’ll have the final say over what the public sees.”
He nodded. “These feelings scare me. I would’ve never made a move on her, but she was going on and on about how my approach to covering the mating ceremony was wrong, and my bear told me to kiss her. Honestly, I thought she’d smack me across the face, and as I went in for it, I expected to end the night sprucing up my reel for my next job. But she reciprocated, and then our bodies melded together like we were thinking the same thoughts. They weren’t even thoughts, it was pure instinct. Like there was no option but to go all the way.”
Not what I wanted him to say. At all. “Do you think it could have been because of the Hudaknocker?”
He shrugged. “At the time, I was pretty convinced she might be a shifter. She was hungrier than I was at some points. It was hot.” He took another sip of his water. “But was it hot because it was so wrong? I think that’s why last night was so good. We needed to catch our breath when it came to each other. No relationship could survive that level of intensity.”
Whoa. I was delighted we were having this talk because Bjorn’s version of the incident at the mating ceremony wasn’t completely different from Marissa’s, but it was certainly a different perspective. “How long have you felt that way about her?”
“I always thought she was cute. But I didn’t do anything about it because she was my boss’ daughter. My coworker. AtThe Scoop, she was kind of flirty, but I just took it as a little fun. Nothing more. We kept it professional, but it was kinda hot.”
This was fascinating. “So you didn’t always hate each other?”
“No. Not until we had an obvious difference of opinion about how the situation atThe Scoopwas being handled. Her mom was putting herself in dangerous situations, making those deals, and if I hadn’t said anything, it would’ve blown up in her face, but with much worse consequences.” He sighed. “We also didn’t work as closely together as we do onThe Mating Game. So things have definitely intensified in the last few weeks.”
For now, I would ignore how that timeline coincided perfectly with the discovery of The Hudaknocker. “What would your pack think of Marissa?”
He took a moment to think about that. “They’re all about loyalty. That’s why not having land to call their own is so hard for them. Honestly, I’m not sure how they’d feel about her.” He paused again. “Sometimes I’m not sure how they feel about me. Without a mate, I kinda feel like a throwaway.”
My heart. “Is that why you’re working so hard?”
“Yeah.” He sighed. “Mates are prized in my pack because they’re so rare. If you can attract one, you’re special.”
“Well, I think you’re amazing.” I wanted to give him a hug. “Did that hold you back from doing something about your feelings for Marissa?”
There was a soft knock at the door, and I turned to find the handsomest wolf in the world. No big surprise Hugo was there since we were in his house.
“Seems like I’m not the only one who knows a thing or two about holding back on their feelings,” Bjorn said quietly.
“It’s not my episode,” I whispered, then turned to Hugo. “I thought you were hard at work in your office.”
“Didn’t mean to interrupt. I was, but there’s something I think you should see. Looks like there might be a situation at HQ.”
