Page 64 of Chasing Stripes

“Or Bartek could move into your apartment above the bakery,” Tilly countered. “Though it might be a tight squeeze for someone his size.”

“I haven’t agreed to this yet,” Artemis protested weakly, though the handprints warmed pleasantly at the thought of continuous proximity to Bartek.

“Haven’t you?” Thora raised an eyebrow, pointedly looking at their glowing marks that had spread considerably since that morning. “Because your magic seems pretty decided.”

“The pride house makes the most sense,” Bartek stated decisively. “Better security, more space.”

“Always the practical alpha,” Haavi teased. “Nothing to do with having her in your territory, I’m sure.”

Bartek’s growl only made everyone laugh.

“We should discuss this privately,” Artemis suggested, overwhelmed by the well-intentioned meddling.

“Excellent idea,” Rust agreed, his mayoral authority parting the crowd. “But decide quickly. The soul-tether’s energy signature is highly distinctive—if our enemies are tracking magical signatures, you’re essentially a glowing beacon.”

The sobering reminder of danger tempered the group’s good humor.

FIFTY-SIX

Bartek led Artemis to a secluded courtyard behind the council building, both needing a moment away from well-meaning interference. An enchanted fountain bubbled peacefully at its center, magical fish in shimmering colors swimming through the waters.

“I’m sorry,” he began, running a hand through his hair in a rare display of uncertainty. “The council has no right to dictate our living arrangements.”

“It’s not entirely unwelcome,” Artemis admitted softly, tracing a pattern on the stone rim of the fountain. “The directive, I mean.”

His eyes snapped to hers, searching her face with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.

She gathered her courage. “The tether pulls me toward you constantly. Being apart physically hurts. When you left me alone to shower this morning, even that small distance was uncomfortable.”

“You feel it too,” he breathed, visible relief washing over his features. “Like an ache when you’re too far away.”

“When you dropped me off at the bakery earlier, I counted seconds until you came back inside,” she confessed, meeting his gaze. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I’m speechless most of the time.”

The vulnerability in her voice called to something deep in him. He stepped closer, drawn inexorably to her. “I’ve never needed anyone. Not like this.”

“It terrifies me,” she admitted. “Not just the magic or the danger, but how completely I want to surrender to this connection when I’ve spent my whole adult life being fiercely independent.”

His hands framed her face with exquisite gentleness despite his strength. “I’ve spent my life being what the pride needed. The perfect alpha. The responsible leader.”

“And now?” she whispered, leaning into his touch.

“Now I’m discovering that being perfect meant denying part of myself. The part that needs you.” His thumb stroked her cheekbone tenderly. “The part that wants to wake up beside you every morning and fall asleep with you every night.”

Artemis’s eyes filled with unexpected tears. “I ran away to the city because I was afraid of belonging too much to Enchanted Falls. Of being defined by my family’s legacy.”

“And now you’re literally magically bound to the town’s alpha tiger,” he noted with slight humor, the corner of his mouth lifting.

“Fate has an interesting sense of irony,” she agreed with a watery laugh.

His thumbs brushed away her tears. “Stay with me at the pride house. Not because the council ordered it. Not even because it’s safer.”

“Then why?” she asked, though she already knew the answer in her heart.

“Because I sleep better with you near. Because my tiger purrs when you enter a room.” His voice deepened with emotion. “Because I’m trying to imagine going back to life without you in it, and I can’t.”

The handprints flared blindingly bright at this admission, their combined magic swirling the fountain water into elegant spirals and causing the magical fish to dance in formation.

“When did you become so poetic, Tiger Hunk?” she teased, but her voice trembled with emotion.

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