Page 17 of The Purrfect Rival

Something deeper was happening. Shifter politics, ancient artifacts, contradictory records, and now a nighttime intruder with connections to powerful families.

Her fox bristled protectively, no longer focused on romantic pursuits but on territorial defense. The library washersto protect, and someone had violated its sanctuary. The same instinct extended to Rust—a desire to warn him, to share this discovery with her mate.

Kalyna’s mind raced with possibilities, none of them reassuring. One thing seemed increasingly clear: the library’s problems extended far beyond cracked support beams, and solving them might require more than architectural expertise.

It might require the unexpected alliance forming between a fox and a lion who defied centuries of species separation—an alliance marked by sparks of compatible magic and an inexplicable pull that grew stronger each time they met.

As she secured the building for the night, her phone buzzed with a text message.

Made it home safely. Hope you did too. -Rust

Her fox purred with satisfaction at his protective instinct. Despite her day-long battle against her primal nature, Kalyna found herself smiling as she typed her response.

Safe and sound. But I need to talk to you tomorrow. Found something interesting after you left. -K

She hesitated, then added:

Thank you for today.

Her fox nudged her to write more, to hint at her feelings, to acknowledge what both their animal sides already knew. Kalyna firmly pressed send before she could give in to the temptation.

Some boundaries were better maintained even if her fox disagreed.

FIFTEEN

Rust’s phone buzzed at 6:15 AM, yanking him from a dream where he’d been chasing something copper-bright through moonlit woods. Sheriff Ironclaw’s text glowed on the screen:

Incident at library. Your presence required immediately.

His lion stirred, instantly alert. Something about the library meant something about Kalyna.

He dressed in three minutes flat, choosing his sharpest charcoal suit almost unconsciously. His lion preened at the thought of seeing her again, even as his human side cursed its inappropriate timing.

Focus. This is official business.

The drive into town took twelve agonizing minutes—each one filled with his lion’s restless pacing and unhelpful suggestions about how close he should stand to Kalyna when he arrived. Rust gripped the steering wheel tighter, pushing against the primal urges.

The crowd outside the library scattered any romantic notions. Angry voices carried across the morning air:

“—always taking what isn’t theirs!”

“—convenient how the mayor controls the money!”

“—Leonids can’t be trusted with fox magic!”

Sheriff Ironclaw blocked the entrance, his wolf-shifter frame tense with alertness. He nodded at Rust’s approach.

“Mayor. Better come inside. It’s a mess.”

The atrium buzzed with voices. Library staff clustered near the circulation desk, whispering urgently. Dr. Crowthorne from the Historical Society gesticulated wildly to several solemn council members.

And in the center stood Kalyna.

Morning light streamed through stained glass, painting her copper hair with jewel tones. She clutched something in her hand, her posture rigid, shoulders squared against an invisible weight.

His lion surged forward with such force that Rust nearly stumbled.Mine. Protect. Comfort.The intensity of the reaction shocked him—this possessive instinct grew stronger every time he saw her.

Sheriff Ironclaw’s voice cut through his thoughts. “Two problems. The fox heirloom is missing from its location. And about forty percent of the library renovation fund disappeared overnight through electronic transfer.”

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