Page 105 of Hungry As Her Python

“Damn straight. Let’s go home,” she whispered in my ear, voice low and warm enough to melt steel.

My Python went wild, hissing in my head like I’d just poured gasoline on him.

Home. Ours.

“You sure?” I murmured, because as much as I wanted to sprint out of here like a caveman, I needed her to say it.

“I’m sure, Big Guy,” she said, those gorgeous eyes locking on mine. “I want you to take me home and make me yours.”

Every instinct in me roared its approval.

The air between us snapped with magic and Shifter heat.

“I can do that. I love you, mate,” I hissed, letting the word mate curl around us like a vow.

Before she could say another word, I bent, scooped her up, and hoisted her over my shoulder in a perfect fireman carry. She squealed—a sound halfway between shock and delight—her laughter vibrating down my spine like music.

“Bella!”

“You’re gonna miss the cake!” Evie and Donny called after us, their voices muffled under the roar of applause and whistles from the crowd.

I didn’t even slow down.

“No she won’t,” I called back over my shoulder. “Petyr, bring us a slice later, okay? Much later.”

“For my Witchy, anything,” the Domovyk replied, grinning like he’d just won a bet.

The night air was thick with summer—sweet fried dough from the festival still lingering, the hum of the rides spinning in the distance, the faint electric buzz of the wards around Main Street.

Bella’s hand curled into the back of my shirt, her other arm tightening around my waist.

I could feel the heat of her magic pulsing in little bursts against my back, answering the steady thrum of my own Shifter energy.

Life in Castor’s Corner was never gonna be dull. I knew that for a fact. But right now? I didn’t give a damn about magical trouble, mystery menaces, or tomorrow’s chaos.

Tonight, she was going to be mine in every way the Fates had intended.

And nothing—not cats or fires or Domovyks, hell, not even the Goddess herself—was going to interrupt us.

“What’s going on inside that head of yours?” she asked once I carried her over the threshold and made my way upstairs, placing her down gently on the bed.

“Just thinking how happy I am that you’re finally mine, sweet Witch.”

“Yeah? Show me.”

Goddess, I loved it when she was demanding.

“I can do that,” I hissed, and raised an eyebrow as she magicked away our clothes.

“You better, Big Guy. I’m counting on it.”

Epilogue 3-Bella

A Few Weeks Later

Summer was finally giving way to fall, and I was elbows deep in flour, sugar, and unapologetic joy.

The air in my bakery was thick with cinnamon and nutmeg, the kind of scents that wrapped around you like a cozy blanket and whispered, Yes, you should absolutely have another one.