Page 8 of Chasing Stripes (Enchanted Falls #3)

EIGHT

B efore Bartek could formulate a sufficiently cutting response, the front door chimed. A man in his mid-thirties with a neatly trimmed beard entered, carrying a padded case.

“Mr. Arbor?” The man approached with a deferential nod. “Marcus Thornwood, Enchanted Spirits. We spoke last week about the artisanal liquor samples.”

Saved by business. Bartek straightened, pulling his professional persona around him like armor. “Right on time, Mr. Thornwood. Let’s see what you’ve brought.”

They moved to the main bar area where Thornwood unpacked several elegant bottles from his case. “This gin is distilled with local botanicals harvested during the full moon. Adds a subtle magical kick without overwhelming human palates.”

Bartek examined the bottles with practiced scrutiny while Thornwood continued his pitch. The craftsmanship looked solid—hand-blown glass with tasteful labeling that would suit Tooth & Claw’s upscale aesthetic.

He reached for a crystal tumbler to sample the gin?—

A sudden gust through the open door carried a concentrated wave of cinnamon-vanilla- fae directly to his sensitive nose.

The scent hit him like a physical blow. His tiger, barely contained from the earlier sighting, surged forward with such force that his vision flashed golden. Every muscle in his body locked tightly as primal need tore through him—the urge to track, to claim, to mate so powerful, it momentarily obliterated rational thought.

His hand spasmed, sending the half-full water glass tumbling. Water splashed across the polished bar top and dripped onto the floor.

Horror crashed through Bartek’s momentary haze. He, Bartek Arbor—alpha tiger, pride leader, business owner renowned for his control—had fumbled like a clumsy cub because of a scent .

“My apologies,” he managed, fighting the urge to look outside. To track the source. To cross the street and...

No.

Thornwood politely pretended not to notice. “No problem at all. These things happen.”

Haavi materialized with paper towels, his expression neutral save for the telltale twitch at the corner of his mouth. “I’ll clean that up, boss.”

Through sheer force of will, Bartek reclaimed his focus. The rest of the meeting proceeded without incident, though every fiber of his being remained agonizingly aware of the bakery across the street. By some miracle, he managed to concentrate enough to select several spirits for Tooth & Claw’s inaugural menu.

After Thornwood departed with a signed purchase order, Haavi sidled up to Bartek, arms crossed and eyes dancing with suppressed mirth.

“So,” Haavi drawled, “should we discuss the elephant in the room, or would you prefer I ignore the fact that you nearly shifted because someone baked cinnamon rolls this morning?”

“Nothing happened,” Bartek growled through clenched teeth.

“Nothing? You nearly broke a four-hundred-dollar water glass with your bare hand.” Haavi leaned against the bar. “I’ve known you fifteen years and never seen you this off-balance. Guess we found your kryptonite in that bakery across the street, huh?”

A rumbling growl vibrated from deep in Bartek’s chest—a sound that would have sent most beings backing away rapidly. Haavi, however, merely grinned wider.

“Your eyes are doing that glowy thing again,” he pointed out helpfully. “And I think I see the tips of fangs. Very intimidating. The delivery guys will be terrified.”

Bartek exhaled slowly, wrestling his tiger back under control. “Don’t you have something productive to do?”

“More productive than watching the mighty alpha tiger get flustered over a pretty fae baker? Not really.” Haavi’s expression softened slightly. “Though if you’re genuinely upset, I can drop it.”

The offer, sincere despite the teasing, reminded Bartek why Haavi was his most trusted ally. Behind the jokes lay true loyalty.

“I’m not upset,” Bartek conceded reluctantly. “I’m... concerned.”

“About?”

“This reaction. It’s...” He searched for the right word. “Unprecedented.”

Haavi’s eyebrows rose. “Unprecedented like ‘I’ve never found a woman attractive before’ or unprecedented like ‘my tiger has never tried to take control in public before’?”

“The latter.” Bartek ran a hand through his hair, disheveling the dirty blond strands. “It makes no sense. I don’t even know her.”

“Maybe you don’t need to.” Haavi’s voice turned serious. “You know the old tales about recognition.”