Page 61 of The Magic of Destiny
It had been a long and interesting few hours since the Maven/Rick reveal. He had to have been under a very powerful curse in order to have hidden his true form from Bagheera and I.
Currently, we were running through the forest. After all of the drama and developments over the past twenty-four hours, I really needed to de-stress. My mind couldn't stop wondering where my Cub was and if she was okay. The mate bond thrummed just as strongly as ever, so technically I knew she was alright, but I didn't like being separated from her.
Our feet flew across the dead leaves and fallen twigs at high speed, and I pushed Bagheera to go faster. Harder. I wanted to feel my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest, the blood pumping through my veins. I'd never been one to cower from danger, but damn if I didn't wish I could just grab everyone and run. Then I could keep them all safe. Cook for them and shit. Get my mate nice and plump from some delicious home cooking.
Bagheera rumbled his agreement with that thought. Unfortunately, there was no running from this. A prophecy, fate... The stars always shine in the night sky, no matter where a person tries to hide.
There was nothing to be done about this prophecy. All we could do was try to stay ahead of our enemies and keep our woman safe. Since killing Sloane's father, I had to admit I was feeling better mentally. After so many situations lately that had left me feeling like a failure in terms of protecting my pack, I’d needed that win.
‘It was a long time coming,’Bagheera growled through our connection.
‘I only wish I'd been able to make it slower. Or that Sloane would've at least gotten a punch in,’I replied.
‘All that matters is that the scum is dead. He even tasted like an asshole,’Bagheera grumbled, and shook our head in disgust.
I snorted.‘A cat asshole?’
‘Worse. If I had to guess, I'd say his taste was on par with a turtle's,’Bagheera said thoughtfully.
‘A turtle. You know something? You're a weird cat,’I replied with laughter.
‘What? It's probably slimy and they have that little tail that doesn't match the rest of their body at all. I don't trust them.’
‘You've clearly put a lot of thought into this.’
‘I don't care for the way their necks grow and then shrivel back.’
‘I had a turtle friend once. You're right—his asshole was weird,’Napoleon chimed in.
‘Napoleon. Where have you been?’I asked. He'd been pretty much silent the entire run.
‘Been right here, géant. I've been preparing for battle, mentally. You can't expect to win a war without mental preparations. Many men have fallen, thinking it's all about physical prowess and brute strength. Wrong. With the appropriate planning, I could kill a man seven different ways with an ascot and choke him with a baguette.’Napoleon cackled maniacally.
‘Okay, that took a violent turn which I should've really been expecting…’
The mate bond suddenly surged, alerting me that my mate was close.
‘She's back!’Bagheera roared, and we took off for the house, racing through the forest.
Napoleon cheered.‘To our woman!’
‘Mine,’Bagheera snarled in warning.
‘Ours,’Napoleon replied.‘Though I do fancy that beastly red-haired demon. I like the look of war in his eyes.’
‘For fuck's sake,’I muttered.
It was late afternoon, the air humid and hot. The woods provided shade though, so it wasn't too unpleasant. Birds took flight as we tore through the thicket. The rabbits and squirrels got a free pass today since the only thing my panther was interested in was our Cub.
Breaking through the treeline, we roared to the heavens. We were answered with a fireball that rose into the sky like a rocket. Fuck, I was so happy they were home.
We rounded the corner of the cottage and found Fischer, Sloane, and Saige standing together. They must've only been here a few moments because nobody else had come out yet to greet them.
“Baggie!” Sprout shouted, opening her arms.
“Slow it down, big boy!” Sloane shouted, and it took everything in us to lessen our speed.
Saige laughed and waited for us to reach her. We landed on top of her—gently, because we were gentlemen...Gentlecats?She rolled onto her back and wrapped her arms around us, sinking her fingers into our thick fur. Loud purring poured from us as she scratched and tickled and kissed our face.
