Page 60 of The Purrfect Rival

Dawn paintedthe eastern sky in pale gold and pink as they gathered at the forest edge. Kalyna stood beside Rust, the silence between them comfortable, filled with unspoken understanding after their night together. Around them, an unprecedented assembly had formed—fox shifters from her clan intermixed with lions from his pride, united by the common goal of stopping Boz’s machinations.

Without discussion or ceremony, Kalyna and Rust stepped forward simultaneously. She caught his eye, the corner of her mouth lifting in a smile meant only for him. Then they both shifted.

Where they had stood moments before, a russet fox with twin tails and a magnificent golden-maned lion now faced the waiting company. The other shifters followed their example, bodies transforming in swirls of individual magical signatures—smaller foxes with varying coat colors and larger lions with different mane patterns. In animal form, their clan differences became even more apparent, yet somehow less divisive.

Ready?Rust’s deep telepathic voice filled Kalyna’s mind, more intimate than spoken words could ever be.

Born ready,she responded, her mental voice playful despite the danger ahead.Lead with strength, I’ll scout the flanks.

The gathered shifters watched in amazement as fox and lion moved forward in perfect coordination. No verbal commands were necessary; their bonded telepathy and natural complementary instincts created a seamless leadership. The lion pride fell in behind Rust while the fox clan scattered to flanking positions at Kalyna’s unspoken direction.

They moved deeper into the northern woods, the mixed hunting party following natural formation patterns neither clan had taught but both instinctively understood. Kalyna darted ahead, her smaller form allowing swift, silent movement through dense underbrush.

Six guards at the perimeter,she relayed after a swift scouting run, her fox form barely visible as she rejoined Rust’s position.Two shifted, four human. They don’t expect an approach from the eastern ravine.

I smell your brother nearby,Rust responded, his lion form prowling at the forest edge, massive paws silent despite his size. His golden eyes met her amber ones, communicating unspoken questions.Northeast corner. His scent carries fear.

A scout from Boz’s compound ventured too close to their position. Kalyna’s fox froze in tall grass, her russet fur blending with the autumn foliage. The much larger lion moved with surprising stealth to position himself between the threat and his mate.

Stay low,his telepathic warning vibrated through her mind as he prepared to attack.

The ensuing coordination displayed their perfect complementary nature to the watching hunting party. Kalyna’s fox darted between guard positions, creating diversions with quick movements and flashing twin tails that drew attention. Rust’s lion took advantage of each distraction, powerful form emerging from shadow to neutralize threats with precision strikes.

On your right!Her telepathic warning allowed him to dodge an attack, their bond giving crucial seconds of advantage that an ordinary shifter wouldn’t have received.

The hunting party—lions and foxes alike—followed their lead with increasing confidence. What had begun as an uneasy alliance transformed into something more cohesive as they witnessed the effectiveness of truly integrated tactics.

As they approached the final clearing before Boz’s compound, Rust’s massive lion form circled protectively around Kalyna’s smaller fox body.Remember our promise,his voice rumbled in her mind.Whatever happens, we face it together.

No more species divisions,her fox responded, briefly pressing against his mane in affirmation.Just us.

Ahead, the compound loomed through morning mist—a fortified lodge surrounded by unnatural shadows that suggested magical tampering. Somewhere inside, Echo and the stolen charm awaited, along with Boz and whatever dark ritual he had planned.

Kalyna’s fox eyes met Rust’s lion gaze one final time before they moved forward—two halves of a perfect whole that even ancient clan rivalries couldn’t separate.

The hunt had truly begun.

FIFTY-SEVEN

Kalyna crouched in the underbrush, her auburn fur blending with fallen pine needles surrounding Boz’s compound. Her fox nose twitched, cataloging each scent—gun oil, leather boots, the acrid tang of fear from the prisoners inside. The breeze shifted, carrying a new scent that made her ears prick forward: Echo. Faint but unmistakable.

She inched closer to the chain-link fence, whiskers quivering as she assessed the guard positions. Six at the north entrance, rotating in predictable patterns. Two more patrolling the eastern perimeter, rifles slung carelessly over their shoulders.

North entrance heavily guarded. Eastern wall might be vulnerable in three minutes when the patrol reaches the far corner.

The thought projected naturally toward Rust, whose golden form remained hidden in the deeper shadows twenty yards to her right. His response flowed into her awareness without sound.

South has three humans, one wolf-shifter. Drainage pipe on the west side?

Kalyna’s attention snapped to the concrete pipe he’d spotted. Perfect for fox passage. She signaled to the fox shifters spread throughout the underbrush.

I’ll check the pipe. Cover the eastern distraction in two minutes.

She crept forward, belly low to the ground, her twin tails—the mark of her exceptional magical heritage—pressed flat against the earth. The cold concrete pipe stretched before her, mossy and damp. Her whiskers reached forward, measuring the space. Tight, but navigable.

Her sensitive ears caught a low growl from where Rust waited with the lion contingent. Not threatening—concerned. Her fox heart quickened at the sound, responding to her mate’s worry before her human mind could process it.

A soft huff escaped her as she wriggled into the drainage pipe. The lion would just have to trust her fox instincts. The concrete scraped against her fur as she navigated the narrow passage, emerging into a shadowed corner of the compound.

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