Page 71 of Chasing Stripes (Enchanted Falls #3)

SEVENTY-ONE

“T he fountain,” Artemis said decisively. “That’s where we start.”

As the group shifted into planning mode, debating entry points and security measures, Artemis felt a gentle tug. She glanced up to find Bartek watching her, a silent question in his eyes. Without words needed between them, she nodded, understanding his desire for a moment alone.

They slipped into the small office at the back of the bakery, closing the door against the strategic discussions. The moment they were alone, Bartek gathered her close, his arms encircling her waist. She melted against him, her cheek finding the hollow of his shoulder, the spot that already felt like it had been shaped precisely for her.

“What are you thinking?” he asked finally, his voice a rumble she felt through her chest.

Artemis sighed. “About my parents. If my mother knew enough to hide these coordinates, was their accident really an accident? Did The Collector—” She couldn’t complete the thought, the possibility too painful to voice.

Bartek’s hand came up to cradle her face, tilting it until she met his gaze. The amber of his eyes had deepened with emotion, flecks of gold catching the light from their bond.

“We’ll find the truth,” he promised. “Whatever it is.”

“I’m afraid,” she confessed, the admission easier in the privacy they’d created. “Not of fighting, not even of getting hurt. But the thought of our connection being severed...” She placed her palm against his chest, feeling his heartbeat strong and steady beneath her touch. “I’ve only just found you. I can’t lose this.”

The vulnerability in her voice seemed to unlock something in him. His expression softened, the stoic alpha giving way to the man who had claimed her heart.

“Artemis,” he began, his voice rough with emotion. His fingers brushed a strand of hair from her face with exquisite gentleness. “You need to know something.”

She held her breath, struck by the naked emotion in his gaze.

“You’re not just my mate,” he said, each word deliberate and weighted with truth. “You’re my heart. I think I’ve been waiting for you my entire life without knowing it. Every part of me—tiger, alpha, man—belongs to you now.”

His thumb brushed her cheekbone, catching a tear she hadn’t realized had fallen. “Even if this magical connection between us somehow broke, my choice would still be you. Always you.”

The raw honesty of his declaration washed through their bond. The golden light intensified, spreading outward from where they touched until it filled the small room with warmth. On a nearby shelf, a jar of honey began to glow in response, and the potted herbs in the windowsill suddenly bloomed out of season.

Words failed her. Instead, Artemis rose on tiptoes, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that conveyed everything she couldn’t articulate. He responded instantly, one hand sliding into her hair while the other drew her closer.

A soft knock finally interrupted them.

“I hate to disturb what is clearly a meaningful moment,” Kalyna called through the door, her voice caught between amusement and embarrassment, “but you should probably know that the spice rack is rearranging itself out here, and three batches of dough have decided to rise without yeast.”

Artemis laughed softly against Bartek’s lips, her forehead resting against his. “We should probably go help.”

“Probably,” he agreed, though he made no move to release her.

“Though I’m genuinely curious to see what else our magic might spontaneously animate,” she added with a small smile.

He chuckled, the sound a rumble she felt through her body. “Maybe we should find out after we save the town.”

“It’s a date,” she promised, reluctantly stepping back from his embrace but keeping their fingers intertwined.

When they rejoined the others, the planning had evolved into organized chaos. Maps covered every surface, magical communication devices beeped and pulsed, and pride members arrived in waves to assist with preparations. No one commented on the golden glow that still emanated from Artemis and Bartek’s joined hands, though Haavi’s knowing smirk suggested he had plenty of opinions he was mercifully keeping to himself.

The bakery’s front door swung open again, revealing Gloria with the twins bouncing excitedly on either side of her.