Page 51 of The Purrfect Rival (Enchanted Falls #1)

FIFTY-ONE

S unlight filtered through the single window of her apartment, painting warm golden streaks across the worn wooden floor. Kalyna suddenly blinked awake, her body heavy with lingering exhaustion from yesterday’s events. Her muscles ached pleasantly, reminding her of activities far more enjoyable than magical battles.

The quiet space smelled of cedar, spice, and distinctive herbs Elder Willow had prescribed for magical recovery. But one scent overpowered the rest—Rust’s unique aroma permeated the space even in his sleep. His arm draped possessively across her waist, radiating that distinctive lion heat that made her want to burrow deeper against him.

When she shifted to face him, his arm tightened instinctively around her. His eyes remained closed, but a low rumble vibrated through his chest.

“My territory now,” he murmured, voice husky with sleep.

The casual claim sent a thrill racing through Kalyna’s fox spirit. She couldn’t prevent the slight dilation of her pupils or the quickening of her pulse. Not an ally, not a friend, not even simply a lover—a mate.

“Bold lion,” she whispered, leaning forward to nip playfully at his jaw—the traditional fox greeting between bonded pairs.

His responding purr deepened as his golden-brown eyes finally opened, focusing on her with predatory intensity. The corner of his mouth quirked upward as his fingertips traced the mark he’d left at the junction of her neck and shoulder. The faint imprint of teeth—not hard enough to break skin but definitely firm enough to leave a visible claim—tingled under his touch, a reminder of last night’s passion.

“Sleep well?” he asked, voice rough with lingering sleep.

“Better than I have in decades.” She stretched against him, relishing the slide of skin against skin. “Though I’m not sure ‘sleep’ was the primary activity.”

His eyes darkened at her teasing, hand sliding down to her hip with possessive intent. “Are you complaining, fox?”

“Observing, lion.” She pressed a quick kiss to his lips before reluctantly sliding from his embrace. “And as much as I’d love to continue our... observations, we have a council alliance meeting in an hour.”

The flash of disappointment in his eyes mirrored her own. Responsibility before pleasure—a lesson both fox and lion clans drilled into their young. Still, she caught him watching as she gathered fresh clothes, his gaze tracking her movements with unmistakable appreciation.

“Careful,” she warned, humor dancing in her eyes. “Keep looking at me like that and we’ll never make it to the meeting.”

“Would that be so terrible?” His voice dropped to that rumbling tone that made her fox practically purr. “The town has survived without us for centuries. It could manage one more day.”

“Don’t tempt me.” She tossed his shirt at him, laughing when he caught it without looking. “The faster we deal with clan politics, the sooner we can return to more... pressing matters.”

His answering smile promised exactly that.