Page 9 of Chasing Stripes (Enchanted Falls #3)
NINE
B artek stiffened. Recognition—the near-mythical phenomenon where shifters instantly identified their true mates through scent or sight. Most modern shifters dismissed such stories as romantic nonsense, but ancient clans still whispered of rare pairs so perfectly matched that their beasts recognized each other on a primal level beyond choice or reason.
“That’s childish superstition,” Bartek said firmly. “Bedtime stories for cubs.”
“Is it?” Haavi’s gaze turned thoughtful. “Mimi swears she knew the moment she met me. Said her fox recognized me before her human side had processed my name.”
“My sister also believes in birthday wish magic and refuses to step on sidewalk cracks.”
“And yet she’s happily mated with two beautiful daughters.” Haavi shrugged. “Sometimes the old ways contain more truth than we modern, sophisticated shifters like to admit.”
Before Bartek could formulate a suitably dismissive response, his phone chimed with a message. He glanced at the screen, grateful for the interruption.
“The contractor needs approval on the final security system settings,” he said, pocketing the device. “I’ll handle it.”
“Running away to hide in technical details?” Haavi’s tone remained light. “Very alpha of you.”
“I’m not running,” Bartek retorted, already moving toward the back office. “I’m delegating. You stay here and finish the front setup.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night, boss!” Haavi called after him. “Though from the look of that reaction, sleep might be hard to come by with a certain baker on your mind!”
Bartek shut the office door firmly behind him, cutting off Haavi’s laughter. The small space offered refuge, its walls adorned with tiger-themed artwork and framed photographs of pride gatherings. A large map of the Western Mountain Tigris territory hung behind his desk, marked with boundary lines and resource notations.
He dropped into his chair, the leather creaking beneath his weight. The map stared down at him, a pointed reminder of his responsibilities. As alpha, he led dozens of tiger shifters, managed their communal finances, protected their territory, and ensured their prosperity. Personal feelings—especially inconvenient attraction—had no place in his calculated existence.
And yet.
The memory of golden hair and that intoxicating scent refused to fade. His tiger, temporarily subdued, still prowled restlessly beneath his skin, eager to break free and cross the street to investigate the source of such powerful attraction.
A knock interrupted his brooding.
“Enter,” he called, expecting Haavi with more teasing.
Instead, a courier stepped in, holding a sealed envelope. “Delivery for Mr. Arbor. From the Enchanted Falls Town Council.”
Bartek accepted the envelope with a nod of thanks. After the courier departed, he examined the heavy parchment, noting the multiple wax seals pressed into its surface. Fox, lion, wolf, bear, fae, dragon, tiger, vampire, and witch emblems formed a circular pattern—the mark of Enchanted Falls’s full Council of Elders.
Breaking the seals, he extracted a letter written in elegant script:
To Mr. Bartek Arbor, Alpha of the Western Mountain Tigris Pride and Proprietor of Tooth & Claw,
The Enchanted Falls Town Council formally welcomes you as a new business owner in our community. Your establishment has been duly registered in our records with noted location in the area designated as the “Borderlands” between the Sparkle District and Fang Quarter.
Given this unique positioning, the council strongly encourages your attendance at our upcoming Community Integration meetings, scheduled monthly at the town hall. These gatherings facilitate harmonious relations between diverse business owners, especially those operating in proximity to different supernatural groups.
Additionally, we recommend establishing cordial relations with neighboring businesses, particularly Honeycrisp Bakery, as cross-district cooperation reflects the values of inclusion upon which Enchanted Falls was founded.
Should you have questions regarding zoning, regulations, or community expectations, please do not hesitate to contact our offices.
Respectfully, The Enchanted Falls Town Council
Beneath the text, nine signatures lined the page, each representing an elder from the town’s supernatural factions.
Bartek tossed the letter onto his desk with a derisive snort. “Perfect timing.”
Another knock sounded, and this time Haavi did enter, tablet still in hand.
“Something interesting?” he asked, nodding toward the letter.
“The town council welcomes us to the neighborhood.” Bartek’s tone dripped sarcasm. “They’re ‘strongly encouraging’ me to attend community meetings and play nice with the neighbors.” He gestured vaguely toward the street. “Especially the bakery.”
The corners of Haavi’s mouth twitched upward. “How terrible. Forced to interact with the pretty baker whose very scent scrambles your brain. However will you cope?”