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KIERAN

K ieran balanced three boxes of Christmas ornaments in his arms while navigating through the inn's crowded lobby. The scent of cinnamon and pine needles filled the air, mixing with the warmth from the crackling fireplace. His tiger purred at the festive atmosphere, even as his human side fought to keep track of the million tasks ahead.

"And don't forget the Wilson family needs their room switched," Charlotte called out, her sensible shoes clicking against the hardwood floors as she followed him. "They specifically requested a view of the garden, not the street."

"Already handled." He set the boxes down near the twelve-foot Christmas tree dominating the corner. "Moved them to room twelve this morning while they were at breakfast."

"The caterer called about the Christmas Eve dinner."

"Let me guess - another price increase?" His muscles flexed as he reached up to hang a glittering silver ornament.

"Actually, they're short-staffed and might not be able to handle our event."

The ornament nearly slipped from his fingers. "You're kidding me. We're three weeks out!"

"I have three other catering companies on standby." Charlotte adjusted her reading glasses, consulting her ever-present tablet. "Though they're all significantly more expensive."

"Of course they are." Kieran ran his hand through his auburn hair, his tiger bristling at the mounting challenges. "What else?"

"The holiday craft fair needs more vendor space, the Santa we hired called in sick, and Mrs. Henderson complained about the carolers being too loud last night."

"Mrs. Henderson complains if people breathe too loudly." He grabbed another ornament, this one a delicate glass snowflake. "Tell the vendors we can use the sunroom, I'll fill in for Santa - did it last year anyway - and the carolers can move to the back garden for now."

"You're going to be Santa again?" Charlotte's eyes crinkled with amusement. "Last time you made three children cry."

"They were tears of joy."

"They were tears of terror. You growled at one of them."

"He was trying to pull my beard off!" Kieran protested, though his lips twitched with the memory.

Charlotte shook her head, but her smile remained. "Sometimes I forget you're actually running this place and not just charming the guests."

"I can do both." He winked at a passing family, earning giggles from the children. "It's called multitasking."

"Speaking of which, the mistletoe delivery arrived but they sent twice what we ordered."

"Perfect - hang it everywhere. Maybe it'll help some of our guests find their holiday spirit." His tiger rumbled with delight at the thought of spreading some romantic cheer, even if his own love life had been deliberately quiet lately.

Later that afternoon, Kieran balanced on a ladder, weaving pine garland along the dining room's exposed wooden beams. The scent of fresh evergreen mixed with the warmth from the stone fireplace in the corner, creating that perfect cozy atmosphere his guests loved. His tiger's enhanced senses picked up the sounds of children laughing in the lobby and the soft Christmas music playing through hidden speakers.

Charlotte's footsteps approached, her usual confident stride hesitant. That caught his attention immediately.

"What's wrong?" He didn't bother turning around, focusing on securing the garland with invisible wire.

"We need to talk." Her voice dropped low. "Privately."

The serious tone made him pause. He descended the ladder in fluid movements and led them to a quiet corner. "Spill it."

"The heat's out in the east wing." Charlotte twisted her hands together. "And before you ask - no, it's not normal wear and tear. Someone tampered with it."

His tiger surged forward, a growl rumbling in his chest. "Like the 'accidental' power surge that fried our reservation system last week? Or the delivery truck that mysteriously got our holiday supply order mixed up?"

"Chase is already working on it. He says he can have it fixed within the hour."

"Gregory is definitely behind this." The words came out as a snarl. "That pretentious chaos witch thinks he can mess with my inn?"

"We don't have proof-"

"Don't need it." Kieran's fingers flexed, his claws threatening to emerge. "First he tries to poach my staff with ridiculous salary offers, then starts spreading rumors about bed bugs, and now this?"

"Keep your voice down," Charlotte warned. "We have guests."

"You're right." He forced his tiger back, though anger still simmered beneath the surface. "But I'm done playing nice. If he wants to fight dirty-"

"No retribution." Charlotte's stern look reminded him why he'd hired her. "We handle this professionally. Besides, the holiday season is our busiest time. We focus on our guests, not petty rivalries."

"There's nothing petty about sabotage." But he knew she was right. He exhaled slowly. "Fine. But I'm installing security cameras."

"Already called the security company." Charlotte's tablet chimed. "Chase says he found traces of chaos magic around the heating system."

"Of course he did." Kieran's jaw clenched. "That smug-"

The words died in his throat as a familiar scent hit his nose - expensive cologne mixed with the distinct tang of chaos magic. His claws itched beneath his skin as he watched Gregory and Vivian sweep into the lobby like they owned the place, their designer winter wear a stark contrast to the inn's rustic charm. Kieran's jaw tightened as Gregory's gaze landed on him.

"Kieran, my dear fellow." Gregory's voice carried across the lobby, drawing attention. "I couldn't help but overhear around town about your heating troubles. Such a shame, especially during the holiday season."

His tiger wanted to leap across the room and wipe that smirk off Gregory's face. Instead, Kieran matched the fake smile with one of his own. "Nothing we can't handle. Just a minor hiccup."

"Of course, of course." Gregory's hand rested on Vivian's lower back. "But please, if there's anything we can do to help..."

"That's so generous of you." Charlotte's voice dripped with sweetness that didn't reach her eyes.

Vivian's perfectly manicured hand pressed against her chest. "It must be so difficult, running this place all by yourself." Her gaze swept over him, lingering. "If only you had a partner to help shoulder the burden. But then again, settling down was never your strong suit, was it?"

His tiger growled internally. The scent of her rune magic - sharp and metallic - mixed with Gregory's chaos magic, making his noise itch.

"Gregory and I make such a wonderful team at the Lux Grove." Vivian's voice floated across the lobby. "Our guests always comment on how having a stable, committed couple running things creates such a trustworthy, family-friendly atmosphere." She beamed at her husband. "Isn't that right, darling?"

Gregory's arm slid around her waist. "Indeed. Nothing says reliability quite like a proper family establishment."

Kieran's muscles twitched as he walked over to the front desk. The jabs about his personal life and his inn snapped something inside of him. His tiger roared, demanding action, and before he could stop himself, the words tumbled out.

"Bold of you to assume you know anything about my marriage status, Vivian."

The silence that followed was delicious. Gregory's perfect smile faltered, and Vivian's perfectly sculpted eyebrows shot up toward her hairline. The scent of their confusion mixed with the pine and cinnamon in the air.

"Marriage status?" Gregory recovered first, though his voice held an edge of disbelief. "Are you suggesting-"

"I'm not suggesting anything." Kieran leaned against the front desk, projecting casual confidence while his mind screamed at him to shut up. "I'm just saying assumptions can be dangerous things."

Vivian's eyes narrowed, her magic crackling in the air. "How interesting. We'd love to meet this... wife of yours sometime."

"Yes," Gregory's smile turned predatory. "Do bring her to our New Year's gala. We'd be delighted to get to know her."

The couple swept out of the lobby, leaving behind the lingering scent of their magic and suspicion. Kieran waited until the door closed behind them before dropping his head into his hands.

"That went well," Charlotte said dryly.

"Don't start."

"Oh, I'm starting." She crossed her arms. "Where exactly do you plan on getting this wife of yours? The Build-A-Bride Workshop?"

Kieran lifted his head, flashing her a desperate grin. "How do you feel about playing pretend?"

"I'm more likely to pass as your grandmother than your wife, and you know it." But her expression softened. "Though having a wife - even a fake one - wouldn't be the worst idea."

"What?"

"Think about it." Charlotte gestured around the inn's cozy interior. "We're trying to attract families and create a wholesome atmosphere. Your reputation as the town's most eligible bachelor-"

"Former eligible bachelor."

"Still follows you. A wife would show stability and maturity. The kind of thing investors love to see."

Kieran's tiger paced anxiously under his skin. The logic made sense, but the implementation? "So, I just need to find someone willing to fake being married to me, fool Gregory and Vivian - two powerful witches, by the way - and convince the entire town I've secretly tied the knot. Simple."

"Well, when you put it that way..." Charlotte patted his arm. "At least you have four weeks until the gala to figure it out."

"Thanks for the reminder." He pushed away from the desk. "I need a drink."

Kieran poured a generous splash of whiskey into his hot apple cider, the spicy-sweet aroma mixing with the kitchen's perpetual scent of baked goods and herbs. His tiger prowled restlessly, still agitated from the confrontation with Gregory and Vivian. The afternoon sun streamed through the kitchen windows, catching dust motes in its golden rays as he leaned against the granite counter.

Chase's boots announced his arrival before he appeared in the doorway, wiping grease from his hands with a red shop rag. "Heat's back up and running. Found traces of chaos magic wrapped around the main valve - clever bastard tried to make it look like natural wear and tear."

"Gregory's getting bolder." Kieran took a long drink, savoring the burn. "Want one?"

"Nah, but I wouldn't say no to coffee." Chase helped himself to the fresh pot. "Charlotte mentioned something about you acquiring a wife?"

Kieran's groan echoed off the copper pots hanging overhead. "I may have implied I was married to get under Gregory and Vivian's skin."

"May have implied?" Chase's eyebrows shot up as he doctored his coffee with cream. "How do you 'may have' imply marriage?"

"They were taking shots at my reputation, suggesting the inn needed a 'stable couple' to run it properly." His tiger hissed at the memory. "So I might have hinted that my marriage status wasn't what they thought."

"Smooth." Chase's grin widened. "Real smooth. And now?"

"And now they've invited my non-existent wife to their New Year's gala." The whiskey wasn't helping as much as he'd hoped. "I don't suppose you know any women willing to fake being married to the town's former playboy?"

"Your exes might be up for it."

"Right, because nothing says 'I'm a changed man' like asking one of the women I used to sleep with to pretend to be my wife."

"Could ask one of the staff-"

"Absolutely not." Kieran's tiger bristled at the thought. "I'm trying to be more professional, remember? Dating employees is off the table, fake or otherwise."

"Then I guess you're screwed." Chase's amusement filled the kitchen. "Should've kept your mouth shut."

"Thanks for that brilliant insight." Kieran dumped the rest of his drink in the sink.