Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
“ I s she always like that?” Thora asked.
“That was actually subdued for Bryn.” Artair pinched the bridge of his nose. “I apologize in advance for my family.”
“Are they all as... enthusiastic?”
“No. Grandma’s much more direct.”
Thora couldn’t tell if he was joking. “Wonderful.”
“She’ll be evaluating you,” Artair said bluntly.
“For what?”
A hint of color touched his cheeks. “Bear clans have traditions about... potential connections.”
“We’re not connected,” Thora said quickly, ignoring the tether that literally connected them. “This is a magical accident.”
“Try telling that to a two-hundred-year-old bear shifter with matchmaking tendencies.”
Thora stared at him. “Matchmaking? You can’t be serious.”
“Unfortunately, I am.” Artair straightened his tie, professional demeanor returning. “Grandma believes strongly in fate. A magical tether will only validate her theories.”
“Great. Just great.” Thora ran a hand through her hair, momentarily forgetting the corporate polish of their surroundings. “What’s next, a compatibility test? A shifter wedding dance?”
The flash of guilt across Artair’s face made her eyes widen.
“No. Tell me you’re joking.”
“The compatibility test is just a family dinner tradition,” he assured her, though his expression remained concerned. “But fair warning—there may be inappropriate questions about genetics and cub potential.”
Thora pressed her fingers to her temples. “This day just keeps getting better.”
Surprisingly, the corner of Artair’s mouth quirked upward. “If it helps, I’ll be equally mortified.”
Something about his wry humor made Thora’s annoyance fade slightly. She studied him—the powerful bear shifter in his tailored suit, willing to endure his grandmother’s matchmaking schemes with patience. There was more to Artair Maxen than she’d initially assumed.
“Fine,” she sighed. “Let’s get this over with. But if there’s any talk of cubs, I’m making a break for it, magical tether be damned.”
“Fair enough.” His smile widened slightly, reaching his eyes and revealing a glimpse of the man beneath the CEO facade. “Though I should warn you—Grandma can track better than most hunting dogs.”
“I’m beginning to think your family might be more dangerous than any bounty I’ve hunted.”
“You have no idea,” Artair replied, and this time, they both smiled.
The Maxen family estate sprawled across the edge of Enchanted Falls, the main residence a stunning blend of rustic timber and modern architecture. Stone buildings with wooden accents nestled among ancient trees, connected by winding pathways lit by soft, glowing orbs that floated mysteriously in the evening air.
Artair’s driver delivered them to a smaller building separated from the main house—what Artair referred to as “the family dining lodge.” Despite the modest name, the structure resembled a high-end log cabin the size of a small restaurant.
“Grandma Eira prefers the intimacy of the lodge for family gatherings,” he explained as they approached the door.
“Right. Intimate,” Thora replied, eyeing the massive timbers and sprawling porch. “Just a cozy little thousand-square-foot dining room.”
“Two thousand, actually.” The corner of his mouth twitched. “Bears need space.”
Inside, warmth enveloped them. A fire crackled in a stone hearth large enough to cook an ox, and the air carried the rich aromas of roasted meat and spices. Antique bear clan tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of forest hunts and ancient rituals.
Bryn had arrived ahead of them and stood chatting with a tall, lanky man with wire-rimmed glasses who looked vaguely familiar to Thora.
“Jash?” Artair sounded surprised. “I didn’t expect you tonight.”
The man adjusted his glasses. “Your grandmother invited me.” He turned to Thora, his expression shifting to barely contained excitement. “You’re actually her. Thora Halliwell. The sabertooth bounty hunter who captured the Wilson twins in Creston Valley!”
Thora blinked, taken aback. “You know about that?”
“Know about it? I’ve followed your career for years!” Jash extended his hand enthusiastically. “Jash Clancy, head of security for Maxen Enterprises. Your takedown of Gabriel Thornton—the way you tracked him through three cities after he switched forms—absolute genius. I wrote my master’s thesis on shifter tracking techniques and referenced your methodology extensively.”
“Jash is also my oldest friend,” Artair added with a bemused expression. “And apparently your biggest fan.”