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We piled into the van. No one said much. We were all too nervous about what we’d find. Before we left town, digital highway signs warned us of avalanches on Lionsgate Highway and didn’t recommend travel.
“Is that them?” Gabe asked, his hand coming between Hugo and me in the front seat to point out the window.
Bjorn was indeed naked, and he held Marissa in his arms. Hugo pulled over, and I ran out of the van, hugging them both when I got to them.
“You scared the daylights out of me.” I was never letting these two out of my sight ever again. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Man, are we glad to see you.” Bjorn kissed my cheek. “But Marissa needs to be looked at immediately. She’s been out in the cold for too long.”
* * *
“I don’t think I’ve ever stayed in bed this long,” Marissa said. Once we found her on Lionsgate Highway, we brought her straight to Jenny, our pack healer. She knew exactly what to do—putting Marissa in a warm bath and giving her warm liquids to drink. Thank the moon, there was no frostbite or lasting damage. But she’d suffered from dehydration and exhaustion, and Jenny suggested it would take about a week for her to fully recover.
I ordered her more pairs of cute flannel pj’s and fuzzy socks than she’d be able to use in her lifetime. Her bed in the spare boudoir had gorgeous new throw blankets and bolster pillows, and Sunny and Gretta had stuffed my fridge with veggie soups, green juices, and kombucha.
But the thing that was probably most beneficial to her recovery was the bear that would not leave her side. We had a new roommate, and his name was Bjorn.
The poor thing blamed himself for her condition, but after hearing what happened, I believed he’d made the best decisions he could.
We didn’t say this in front of either of them, but we were all more than relieved that Marissa had survived. Because she shouldn’t have.
“I think it’s fun. It’s like we’re having a never-ending sleep over.” I’d taken the opportunity to order myself new satin jammies too. And I’d gotten some for Bjorn because who could resist a shifter in gray sweatpants?
Okay, I ordered some for Hugo too. Because I certainly couldn’t resist a wolf in flannel. Someday, that Vegas trip would happen, and a girl couldn’t be too ready.
Marissa swiped her tablet. “People are starting to wonder why they haven’t seen any of us lately. They’re speculating something happened with Hannah that we haven’t reported. Word’s out that her SUV was found in a snowbank way out of town. I don’t know who Hugo paid off to keep the news of the truck we were in being abandoned in an avalanche out of the news, but he deserves a raise.”
I took the tablet away from her. “I don’t even want you thinking about the show.”
I hadn’t told her about Suzanne’s claim about the Hudaknocker yet. I didn’t want to stress her out while she was trying to recover.
“We’ve got to do something soon, or else my mom will make a move. It’s all over the forums that the two of you had a disagreement outside of HQ. They think she’s trying to start her own dating show, and some of them think she’s angling to take overThe Mating Game.”
“Beebs is legendary,” Bjorn growled. “The show wouldn’t exist without her.”
“And my mother is notorious.”
“Then you know that she says she has the Hudaknocker.” I sighed. “I was waiting to tell you about it until you felt better.”
“Well, then we have another problem because she claimed there were some wolves threatening her over its whereabouts. Saint and the guys said it wasn’t them. The alternatives aren’t good.”
I patted her on the shoulder. “When you feel well enough, it might be best that you talk to her about it.”
Marissa chuckled. “You think I can talk sense into her? I’m willing to try, but I make no guarantees. I’m still worried that she’ll use it in conjunction with whatever dirt she claims to have on you.”
“She’s got nothing.” And it was time to take control. Take our town back.
“Are you sure there’s nothing she can surprise you with?” Bjorn asked.
“Positive.” But it didn’t mean I thought the Hudaknocker exchange would go smoothly. “It’s time to change the narrative, and we’ll have to do something we’ve never done before.”
Marissa and Bjorn exchanged looks.
“What did you have in mind?” Bjorn asked.
“I’m going to have to talk about myself. I know, it’s crazy, I love being seen. But it’s all a performance because it lets me do what I really want to do, which is make people happy. Even when I was emceeing at The Orchid Lounge, I loved watching the performers come into their own. They would blossom on stage. It brings me so much joy to see that.”
“Think of this the same way,” Marissa said. “You’re going on stage so you can take control of the situation. My mom always used to say that. She always wanted to make sure the story went how she wanted it to go. We can beat her at her own game because I know her game inside and out. She wanted me to think there was some big, dark secret in your past. Take the story away from her. You know you have your own threads on the forums. People adore you, and they want to know more about you.”
