Page 50 of Frost and Felines

Kieran's arm tightened around Mallory's waist as she tried to hide her face, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. His tiger hummed contentedly at her modest reaction - so different from the socialites he used to date who would have preened under the attention.

"I just did what needed to be done," Mallory said, but Kieran could hear the pleased note in her voice.

"You did more than that," he murmured in her ear. "You made this place better. Definitely made me better."

The staff broke into smaller groups, sharing stories about their favorite Mallory moments. His tiger practically jumped up and down hearing how she'd helped Amy handle difficult guests, how she'd taught the kitchen staff new organization techniques, and how she'd even gotten shy Chase to open up.

"Remember when she told off those teenagers who were harassing the housekeeping staff?" Charlotte said. "I thought their eyes would pop out of their heads."

"Or when she redesigned the lobby display in an hour after Gregory's 'accident' with the previous one," Amy added.

Kieran watched Mallory interact with their staff, her genuine smile lighting up her face as she traded quips with them. His tiger paced desperately inside him, wanting to make herunderstand this was where she needed to be - with him, with their family at The Hearthstone.

But logically, he just had to be patient. She was still learning to trust in happiness again. For now, he was content to hold her close and watch her bloom in the warmth of their makeshift family's love.

"You keep staring," she whispered, turning in his arms.

"Can't help myself." He pressed his lips to hers, claiming her mouth with a fierce yet tender kiss.

The shrill fire alarm pierced through Kieran's blissful moment with Mallory, making his tiger bristle at the interruption. The taste of champagne still lingered on his lips from their kiss when Charlotte burst through the door, her usually composed demeanor shattered.

"Fire! The roof's on fire!" Charlotte's voice carried over the alarm's wailing.

Kieran's protective instincts surged as he grabbed Mallory's hand, leading the charge outside with his staff close behind. The December air hit his face, carrying the acrid smell of smoke that made his sensitive tiger nose twitch.

Orange flames licked up the side of his beloved inn, casting demonic shadows across the pristine snow. His tiger roared inside him, demanding action, but he forced himself to pause and assess the situation. The fire seemed concentrated on the eastern corner of the roof, right above the newly installed electrical system.

"Gregory," he growled, his voice dropping to a dangerous octave. The chaos witch's scent still lingered in the air, mixed with the distinct tang of chaos magic.

Mallory squeezed his hand, her platinum hair reflecting the flames' glow. "We need to act fast before it spreads."

The sight of his mate's determined expression, combined with the horror on his staff's faces as they watched their homeburn, made Kieran's blood boil. His tiger clawed at his insides, desperate to protect what was his.

"Charlotte, call the fire department," he ordered, his tone holding the authority of an alpha. "Everyone else, get the guests out. Now."

The flames crackled mockingly above them, sending sparks dancing through the air like twisted fireflies.

"This ends tonight," he murmured, his eyes reflecting the fire's glow. "No more games."

23

MALLORY

Mallory's expression hardened as she watched the staff's faces contort with horror. The Hearthstone wasn't just Kieran's home - it had become hers too over these past weeks. Her protection spell should have prevented this. Gregory must have found a way to disable it, or he was more powerful than she had anticipated. The thought made her stomach clench.

Taking a deep breath, Mallory reached for her magic. The familiar electric tingle coursed through her veins as she focused on summoning just enough rain to douse the flames licking at the eastern corner of the roof. Not too much - she couldn't risk losing control. A small, concentrated cloud formed above the burning section.

"Look!" Charlotte pointed toward the side of the building. "There's Gregory!"

Before Mallory could blink, Kieran shifted. His massive tiger form bounded across the snow, his powerful muscles rippling as he tackled Gregory to the ground. Gregory yelped as Kieran's massive paw pinned him down.

Relief soon flooded through Mallory as her targeted rain cloud extinguished the last of the flames. For once, her powers had cooperated perfectly. The small victory filled her chest with warmth.

"Get your filthy paws off my husband!" Vivian's shrill voice cut through the night air as she stormed toward them, her designer boots crunching in the snow.

"Your husband just committed arson," Mallory said, moving to stand between Vivian and Kieran. "He's not going anywhere."

"You have no proof," Vivian sneered, her perfectly manicured hand clutching her designer purse.

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