AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A live feed came into view. Crowds had gathered in front ofThe Mating Gameheadquarters, which wasn’t unusual. The camera panned the crowd, and there were several drag queens, front and center where they belonged, in outfits just like I’d worn on the show!
How fantastic.
The chyron on the bottom of the screen readLove Is in the Air in Sunset Springs.
“Hopeful romantics have been flocking to this small Colorado town ever sinceThe Real Werewivesfilmed their most recent season here. NowThe Mating Gamehas taken up the cause, bringing people together in a retro game-show-style approach with shifters, but does this town hold the secret to happily ever after?”
“That voice is familiar,” Hugo said.
“A little too familiar.”
Suzanne Marlowe, Marissa’s mother, appeared on the screen. “And what the heck is the Hudaknocker?” she said to the camera.
At one time, I’d looked to her as an inspiration in reality TV, but after Bjorn had exposed her as a fraud, she was no longer a vibe for me.
“The Hudaknocker is an ancient relic, known until now only in a shapeshifter whisper network, but of course, you know I have the scoop. The Hudaknocker is one of a trio of artifacts that were known to aid shifters in their quest for fulfillment. Legend has it that couples in the presence of the Hudaknocker are unable to resist each other. Yes, folks, it’s just as juicy as it sounds. I’m surrounded by people who’ve come to Sunset Springs, hoping to soak in some of the Hudaknocker’s effects and find the love of their lives.”
I put the tablet down on the table in disgust. “Marissa might be trying to sabotage her episode before it even begins.”
ChapterFour
Marissa
“It’s getting crazy out there,” the stylist said. “I thought I’d be late for work with that crowd.”
“Isn’t it great?” My mom was in the chair next to me. She wasn’t going on camera; she was just here for moral support. That was what I was telling myself, anyway. She’d booked a flight to Sunset Springs the moment I told her about becoming a contestant, and she’d been filming content for her social media channels nonstop. Suzanne Marlowe wouldn’t let a little thing like a fraud claim keep her down when there was a juicy story to be broken wide open. “Love makes the world go round. In the meantime, all these people are here cheering you on and hoping for their own dreams to come true someday.”
I thanked the hairstylist and moved to the makeup chair. I’d been in this trailer more times than I could count, but it was a total game-changer to be getting worked on. It made things real.
“And you wouldn’t have any expectations about this episode?” I asked.
Mom claimed views onThe Scoopwebsite have been through the roof since she arrived in Sunset Springs. I didn’t have the heart to fact-check because I wasn’t sure if I’d be more upset if it was true or if she was making the whole thing up. Not to mention anyone who got in the way of her comeback would have hell to pay.
“I want you to be happy, Marissa. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”
“But you haven’t asked me anything about the episode. Or the show. You’ve just run with this Hudaknocker thing.” And it wasn’t cool. The Hudaknocker was an ancient shifter relic, and we’d worked very closely with the local shifter packs onThe Mating Gameto make sure we told the story in a respectful way. As much as I liked to say that the Hudaknocker’s energy was what compelled me to have sex with Bjorn, it wasn’t supposed to have any effect on humans.
But now the town was full of humans who’d answered my mom’s siren song, looking for love in all the presumably wrong places. And when they didn’t find it, it was quite likely I’d be the one to take the fall.
Mom sighed. “Then tell me what I should be focusing on. People want this story. If engagement keeps up like this, I’ll have to hire a social media team. This is exciting, Marissa. They don’t care about that bogus scandal anymore. People want the scoop from Suzanne.”
With a sigh, I closed my eyes. The makeup artist was ready to work on my shadow anyway, but I needed a minute.
“I have a question,” the artist said as she moved the fluffy brush over my lids. “Do you think you’ll choose Bjorn? He’s so dreamy.”
A knock on the door saved me from answering that question.
“It’s the most wonderful time of the season!” Bibi exclaimed as she entered the trailer. She squeezed my shoulder. “I’d give you a kiss, but Marjorie would not be happy if I ruined her hard work. Oh, look, we have a legend in the trailer. Ms. Marlowe, it is such a pleasure to meet you. I’m Bibi le Bonnet.”
“How could I not know who you are? You’re turning reality TV on its head.”
I opened my eyes to catch Bibi doing something unusual. Frowning. Today she was dressed in all red—a jumpsuit with matching lipstick and her hair pulled into a high ponytail on top of her head.
She wasn’t alone. Tina, who had been with Bibi the night of the ceremony, was with her, looking sophisticated in a white pinstriped suit.
“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult, but I’ll take it as a compliment,” she finally said. “I’m honored to have you here, but we need to get to work on this episode, so I’ll have to ask you to join Stephanie, my producer, backstage, and you’ll be close to all the action while it happens.”
Oh, no. Bibi just kicked my mother out of the trailer. That would not go over well.
