Page 43 of Chasing Stripes

“I like it,” Bartek murmured back, his voice for her ears only. “Your magic is responding to me.”

Each small touch, each private exchange, built something new between them—a language of shared glances and subtle smiles that felt more intimate than any words.

When dessert arrived—a rich chocolate torte that Gloria proudly announced she’d picked up from Honeycrisp that morning—Darius cleared his throat.

“Tell me, Ms. Blu, what exactly are your intentions toward our pride’s alpha?”

Mimi choked on her wine. “Uncle Darius!”

“It’s a valid question,” the old tiger defended. “An alpha’s mate affects the entire pride.”

“We’re not—” Artemis began, but Darius waved her off.

“Those marks on your waist tell a different story, young lady. Magical claim-marks are rare, even among established pairs.”

Artemis felt heat rush to her face, aware of all eyes on her. “We’re still getting to know each other,” she answered carefully. “But I respect your pride’s traditions and Bartek’s position within it.”

“A diplomatic answer,” Darius noted, not unkindly. “But pride leadership requires more than diplomacy. It demands strength, loyalty, understanding of our ways.”

“Uncle,” Bartek’s voice held warning.

THIRTY-SEVEN

“No, let him speak,” Artemis said. She met Darius’s gaze steadily. “I may not be a tiger, but I understand leadership. I know what it means to be responsible for others’ welfare. And I respect your concern for your family’s future.”

“Hmm.” Darius studied her, something like approval flickering in his eyes. “You have spirit, I’ll grant you that.”

“You have no idea,” Bartek murmured, and Artemis felt his hand close over hers beneath the table.

After dinner, Gloria insisted on showing Artemis the family photo albums despite Bartek’s increasingly dramatic protests.

“And this is Bartek at his first shift,” Gloria pointed to a photo of a tiny tiger cub, paws comically large for his body, looking simultaneously fierce and adorable.

“Mother, please,” Bartek groaned, but made no actual move to stop the photo tour.

The twins climbed into Artemis’s lap as she looked through the album, occasionally providing unhelpful commentary: “Uncle got stuck in that tree for THREE days!” “That’s when he fell in the lake chasing a duck!”

“You smell like happiness,” Lily announced suddenly, studying Artemis with uncanny intensity.

“And a little bit worried too,” Jade added thoughtfully. Mimi laughed nervously.

“The girls have vivid imaginations.”

“No, she really does smell like sunshine and honey and something spiky,” Lily insisted.

“The twins sometimes pick up on things adults miss,” Gloria explained with a fond smile. “Tiger cubs often have heightened senses before they can fully shift.”

Hudson settled beside his son, voice low. “It’s good to see you like this,” he said, clapping Bartek’s shoulder. “More yourself than I’ve seen in years.”

Bartek didn’t respond, but his gaze remained fixed on Artemis, something like wonder in his expression.

Later in the living room, the twins insisted on showing Artemis their partial shifting abilities—a challenge for young shifters still mastering their control.

“Watch this!” Lily announced, screwing up her face in concentration. Her features blurred, small fangs appearing, fingers morphing into tiny claws, ears becoming pointed and fur-tipped.

Jade, not to be outdone, managed a more complete shift—her entire head becoming tiger-like before flickering back to human, only to realize her tail was now showing through her dress. “Oops!” she giggled.

Artemis applauded enthusiastically, making the girls beam with pride. When she glanced up, she found Bartek watching her with such intensity, it stole her breath—as if seeing her acceptance of his family’s shifter nature had unlocked something vital in him.

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