Ford wasn't so restrained. He broke out into hysterical laughter. "I've been saying that for years, but I grew up with George. People see how big he is and they flip. Anyone who really knows George knows he's too gentle for his own good. He couldn't hurt a kitten."
George had no idea why anyone would want to hurt a kitten.
"Is there anything I need to know about your bear form? Anything that might impact my ability to protect you?"
"Uh…" George glanced at Ford for help.
"Yeah." Ford laughed. "Don't get between a bear and his honey."
George smiled, relaxing. He couldn't really think of anything that would be an issue, but what did he know? Most shifters considered him odd because he was born so big, but had no desire to lead a clan.
Leon's dimples appeared again when he grinned. "Honey, huh?"
George couldn't interpret the look Leon gave him. He'd like to think the man was flirting with him, but he wasn't delusional. Leon was here to do a job and for no other reason. Whatever fantasies were floating around in his head were just that. Fantasies.
"We really should go talk to Ford's alpha," George said, to get his mind off what he couldn't have and onto something else. "It would be a good idea to inform him of what was going on before the media does."
"I'll go with you," Leon said. "I want to get a feel for this alpha, see if he's going to be a threat or not."
George didn't really know what to make of that statement. Leon was a human. What hope did he have against an alpha bear shifter? George also didn't like the tight knot that formed in his gut at the thought of someone harming Leon, which was very strange.
"Relax, George." Leon grinned. "I spent a lot of years in the service, did several tours in Afghanistan and other remote locations around the world before going to work for Gareth. You are also not the first shifter I've protected. I know what I am doing."
"Uh, okay."
"When are you supposed to meet with the officials to claim your money?"
"In a couple of days," George replied. "My lawyer is setting up a trust to try and keep my name out of it as long as possible."
"You know someone will leak your name at some point, right?"
George nodded before shooting Ford a quick glance. "My cousin said the same thing."
"So, we need to go on the premise of when, not if. At some point, the world will know who George Carver is, and we need to be prepared for the fallout when that happens."
George grimaced. "Peachy."
Just what he wanted in life.
World fame.
