Page 56 of The Purrfect Rival

“Careful,” she warned, humor dancing in her eyes. “Keep looking at me like that and we’ll never make it to the meeting.”

“Would that be so terrible?” His voice dropped to that rumbling tone that made her fox practically purr. “The town has survived without us for centuries. It could manage one more day.”

“Don’t tempt me.” She tossed his shirt at him, laughing when he caught it without looking. “The faster we deal with clan politics, the sooner we can return to more... pressing matters.”

His answering smile promised exactly that.

FIFTY-TWO

They departed, Rust reluctantly leaving Kalyna at her door with a kiss that promised continuation of their discussion. Preparation for the council meeting demanded they maintain at least the appearance of professional separation, though the mark on her wrist pulsed with their connection throughout her morning routine.

By the time Kalyna arrived at the council building, whispers had already spread through the clan representatives. Small clusters of delegates broke apart as she passed, eyes following her with new speculation. Whether they sensed the change in her magical signature or simply responded to rumors of her presence at the festival with Rust, the scrutiny made her fox bristle with uncharacteristic boldness.

Let them wonder, she thought, straightening her spine as she entered the ancient meeting hall.

The ancient meeting hall buzzed with tense anticipation. Kalyna stood near the massive oak table, keenly aware of Rust’s physical presence beside her. His scent had changed subtly since their bonding—still unmistakably lion but now carrying notes that her fox recognized as marking him as hers. The realization sent a possessive thrill through her that she struggled to contain.

Lion clan members filed in first, their movements direct and purposeful. Fox delegates arrived moments later, entering with characteristic fluid grace. The contrast between their styles couldn’t have been more apparent—lions claimed space with shoulders back and chins raised; foxes adapted to space with subtle maneuvers and watchful eyes.

Lysander Foxworthy nodded curtly to Kalyna, his shrewd gaze lingering on her neck where Rust’s mark remained partially visible despite her high-collared blouse. She resisted the urge to adjust her collar, refusing to show discomfort under her uncle’s scrutiny.

“Interesting choice of accessory, niece,” Lysander murmured as he passed, voice pitched for her ears alone.

Kalyna straightened her spine. “Not only a choice, Uncle. A destiny.”

His eyebrows rose fractionally—the fox equivalent of open shock—before he continued to his seat.

As the meeting progressed, Kalyna couldn’t help noticing Rust’s increasing tension. Each time a male fox delegate addressed her directly or leaned too close while examining documents, his knuckles whitened. From her position beside him, she caught the subtle extension of claws beneath the conference table, the almost imperceptible rumble building in his chest.

Back off—mine.His lion didn’t need to voice the sentiment; it radiated from every line of his body.

What surprised her was her fox’s enthusiastic agreement. Rather than chafing at his possessiveness, her instincts preened under his protection. This bond was changing them both in ways neither clan teaching had prepared them for.

When Fenris Stormclaw complimented her expertise on artifact restoration, leaning perhaps a fraction too close, Rust’s shoulders tensed visibly. The subtle shift in his posture—from mayoral authority to predatory readiness—didn’t escape Jinli Leonid’s notice. The lion elder’s assessing gaze flickered between them, comprehension dawning in her ancient eyes.

Recognizing the need to defuse the situation before Rust’s lion pushed forward, Kalyna deliberately tilted her head to the side, exposing the curve of her neck toward him—the ultimate fox gesture of trust and submission. The effect was immediate. Rust’s posture relaxed, the faint rumble in his chest subsiding to something almost like a purr.

Across the table, several elder foxes exchanged knowing glances, recognizing the hallmark signals of a forming mate pair: complementary body language, instinctive calming responses, unconscious synchronization of movements.

“If we could return to the matter at hand,” Jinli Leonid prompted, though Kalyna didn’t miss the faint approval in the elder’s eyes. “The retrieval of the heirloom talisman.”

The meeting continued with less tension, though Kalyna remained acutely aware of Rust’s proximity. When the lions presented their characteristically direct single-page plan, several fox delegates bristled visibly. In response, the fox representatives unfurled elaborate scrolls detailing multiple contingencies and alternative approaches.

“Typical lions,” Lysander muttered, just loud enough to carry. “Always believing direct confrontation solves everything.”

“And foxes would rather scheme from the shadows and act surprised when they get bitten,” Fenris countered, scales shimmering with irritation along his forearms.

The atmosphere tightened dangerously. Lion clan members unconsciously lowered their chins—a precursor to threatening postures. Fox delegates’ pupils narrowed to slits, their fingers subtly elongating toward claws. Centuries of ingrained clan separation threatened to derail their fragile alliance.

Before Rust could intervene, Kalyna stood. “Both approaches have merit,” she said firmly. “Lion directness provides the framework; fox adaptability ensures we’re prepared for changing circumstances.” She met Rust’s gaze across the table, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. “Together, they create something stronger than either alone.”

The simple truth of her statement resonated through the room. Arguments paused as delegates considered the practical application of her words to the plans before them.

“The librarian speaks wisdom,” Jinli finally declared, breaking the silence. “Perhaps our differences can become strengths rather than obstacles.”

The remainder of the meeting proceeded with cautious cooperation. Fox and lion delegates began tentatively integrating their plans, creating something neither clan would have developed independently. As discussions concluded, Kalyna caught Rust watching her with unmistakable pride.

“Your diplomatic skills never cease to impress me,” he murmured as delegates filtered out. “You bridged that gap more effectively than I could have.”

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