Page 54 of Chasing Stripes

“Especially then,” Tilly’s eyes twinkled. “The magic seeks balance. A fae brings different strengths than a shifter. Together, you complement each other perfectly.”

The door opened as Gloria entered, Hudson’s tall figure behind her.

“Is she all right?” Gloria demanded, crossing to Artemis with surprising speed. She touched Artemis’s shoulder with motherly concern, then turned fierce eyes on Bartek. “And you? Shifting so completely without preparation strains even an alpha.”

“I’m fine, Mother,” Bartek assured her, touched by her concern.

“The pride’s been mobilized,” Hudson reported. “Patrols around both the bakery and Tooth & Claw. Haavi’s coordinating with council security.”

Gloria studied the handprints with open fascination. “Soul-tether marks,” she murmured. “Your grandmother had similar markings with your grandfather.” She smiled at Artemis. “Welcome to the family, dear.”

“Isn’t that... premature?” Artemis asked, her cheeks coloring.

“The magic doesn’t make mistakes,” Gloria said simply. “The marks wouldn’t appear without genuine compatibility at the deepest level.”

She turned her attention to Tilly. “Will she be able to travel tonight? She shouldn’t stay here, not after a targeted attack.”

“My apartment upstairs—” Artemis began.

FORTY-SIX

“Out of the question,” Bartek interrupted, surprising himself with his vehemence. “Not until we identify who’s behind this and neutralize the threat.”

“Agreed,” Hudson nodded. “She needs the protection of the pride.”

“The pride house has excellent magical barriers,” Gloria added, addressing Artemis directly. “Plus the combined protection of our shifters.”

Bartek watched Artemis’s expression, prepared for resistance. Moving to the pride house represented a significant step—one he hadn’t anticipated taking so quickly. The golden handprints had accelerated everything between them.

“Your mother’s right,” Tilly said unexpectedly. “You’d be safer there, surrounded by protection.” She patted Artemis’s hand. “I can manage the bakery for a few days. Your safety comes first.”

“I...” Artemis looked up at Bartek, her hazel eyes searching his. “Would that be okay?”

The hesitant question gutted him. Did she truly not understand?

“More than okay,” he said softly. “I won’t rest until you’re somewhere I know is safe.”

Until you’re with mehung unspoken between them.

As his parents discussed logistics with Tilly, Bartek remained beside Artemis, her hand clasped in his. The handprints pulsed in unison, their magic quieter now but still visibly connecting them.

“This is all happening so fast,” Artemis murmured. “A week ago, I didn’t even know you existed. Now I can’t imagine...”

“I know,” he agreed. For years, he’d convinced himself romance would interfere with his duties to the pride. Yet now with Artemis, he couldn’t imagine continuing without her. The thought terrified and exhilarated him in equal measure.

“Do you regret it?” she asked, vulnerability clear in her voice. “Being tethered to a fae baker instead of a nice tiger shifter girl?”

The question struck him forcefully. How could she doubt, even for a moment?

“Artemis.” He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “I’ve spent years telling myself duty comes before personal happiness. That the pride needed my full attention. That business success required my complete focus.”

Her eyes never left his face as he continued.

“Then you walked into my life with your golden magic and cinnamon scent, and suddenly every excuse I’d made collapsed. You make me want things I’d convinced myself I couldn’t have.”

“What things?” she whispered.

“Partnership. A mate who challenges me. Someone to come home to at night.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You.”

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