Page 42 of Once Upon A Bear

But he supposed this was what it would be like, falling for Guinevere. The man she loved wouldn’t be her only priority—she was also going to take care of everyone else.

He blinked rapidly as his mind caught up to his thoughts.

He was falling in love with her.

This was something he hadn’t expected, and yet, it seemed so inevitable. Something about Guinevere had been calling to him since the first time he’d seen her. Perhaps it was his wild nature that knew, somehow, that she was the one for him. Or perhaps it was simply that this was something he’d never experienced before and had no words to describe.

As Guinevere walked around his brother in a circle, her eyes scanning up and down his form, Gideon’s hands clenched into fists at his side. He didn’t want to be jealous—she was only doing her job.

Perhaps it was the bear in him that had become so territorial, but he couldn’t imagine letting her go after this. No, even after he broke his curse, he fully believed that he would not be able to let her leave him behind.

And with that realized, he turned to his mother.

“Perhaps we should see if Guinevere would like some tea,” he said. “Since I stole her from the café before she was able to enjoy her refreshments. And of course, she’ll need to wash up.”

Guinevere looked down at her hands, stained with his brother’s blood, and nodded. “I don’t need tea, but I would appreciate some soap and water before I take my leave.”

His mother brightened up at the thought and reached for Guinevere. “Oh, no, please come, my dear. You simply must have some tea—I’m sure Liliana will want to meet you too.”

Gideon narrowed his eyes. She had changed her tune far too quickly. Any concern over Kellan had disappeared in favor of an urge to get Guinevere inside the manor. “Can we leave Kellan now, or do you wish to see him walk?”

She was up to something, and if he had to guess, he would guess that she had assumed that Guinevere might make a nice bride for one of her sons…and while normally he might have protested, this time he was entirely on board with the idea.

“I think Lord Kellan no longer requires my assistance,” Guinevere said, glancing back at his brother one more time. “But really, I don’t need—”

“I insist,” his mother said, wrapping her arm around Guinevere’s waist and leading her toward the house. “After you came all this way, it’s the least I can do to repay you for caring for my son’s well-being.”

Gideon noticed she didn’t specify which son.

He grinned and made as if to follow after them, but his brother reached out and gripped his shoulder.

“I wonder what that’s about,” Kellan said smoothly.

Too smoothly. Kellan had definitely seen right through him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Gideon said, fighting back the urge to bark the words. “I am glad Mother is being so hospitable.”

His brother fixed him with a stern look. “Be careful. If you want to keep her, you cannot be erratic.”

The word hit like a knife in his back.

He knew Kellan meant well, that he was simply trying to help him, and that it frustrated his whole family that he kept disappearing so much.

If only he could tell them what had been happening.

Hopefully soon.

“I think she’ll be exactly the steadying influence that I need to finally settle down,” he said, clapping his brother gently on the shoulder, only feeling slightly bad when his brother winced. “It’s good to see you on your feet. I wasn’t prepared to become the heir.”

Kellan let out a dry bark of a laugh. “I know. Don’t worry. I’m still here.”

And so was Guinevere…so why was he wasting time with his brother?

Gideon watched as his mother led Guinevere into their home, linking arms with her and bringing her straight into the family’s favorite sitting room.

His mother was not trying to be subtle about this: she was definitely trying to matchmake.

The question was if she was trying to matchmake for him or for his brother. A growl rumbled in his chest at the thought.