Page 6 of The Purrfect Rival (Enchanted Falls #1)
SIX
R ust glared, but couldn’t deny the truth. Throughout the council meeting, his attention had repeatedly gravitated to Kalyna. The graceful sweep of her hands as she explained renovation diagrams. The passionate intensity in her voice when describing the library’s importance to the community. The way a strand of copper-red hair had escaped her elegant twist, brushing against her neck in a way that made him want to reach across the chamber and tuck it back into place.
And that moment—that electric, world-shifting moment when their fingers had touched, and magic had sparked between them...
“She responded to you too,” Hezron pointed out, correctly reading Rust’s thoughts. “Her eyes turned red. Fox-shifters don’t do that for just anyone.”
The memory sent another surge of heat through Rust’s body. Her fox magic had reached for his lion energy, not with fear or defensiveness, but with recognition. A counterpoint harmonizing with his own power.
“It doesn’t matter,” Rust insisted, more to himself than Hezron. “I have responsibilities. So does she.”
“Because responsibilities trump mate-bonds?” Hezron snorted. “Two centuries old and still this stubborn. Look, the council already put you in charge of the library project. You’re going to be working with her regardless. Why fight the inevitable?”
Before Rust could answer, the landline phone on his desk rang with a subdued chime. The caller ID displayed “Aurelia Leonid.”
“Speaking of responsibilities,” Rust muttered. “My mother.”
Hezron stood, heading for the door. “I’ll leave you to it. But think about what I said. Some forces can’t be denied—not even by the mighty Rust Leonid.”
Alone again, Rust stared at the ringing phone. Duty called, as always. With a sigh, he reached for the receiver.
“Hello, Mother.”
“Darling!” Aurelia’s voice flowed like honey, warm and sweet with hidden purpose. “I’ve been hearing the most fascinating things about today’s council meeting.”
Rust sank into his chair. “News travels fast.”
“In a town of supernatural beings with enhanced senses? Always.” She chuckled softly. “Jinli called me personally. Said my son made quite an impression on Lysander’s grandniece. The librarian, isn’t she?”
His mother had always been skilled at fishing for information while appearing merely curious. “Kalyna Foxworthy. The council appointed me to oversee the library repairs.”
“How wonderful! Your father always believed in building bridges between prides and skulks.”
Augustus Leonid had believed no such thing. He’d been rigidly traditional, maintaining firm boundaries between the lion pride and other shifter groups, especially fox skulks. But Aurelia often reimagined the past to suit her present goals.
“The library needs significant funding,” Rust redirected. “I’m considering a charity gala at the estate.”
“Brilliant idea!” Enthusiasm brightened her voice. “We could invite all the prominent families—and naturally, the Foxworthys must attend. Did you know they’ve been in Enchanted Falls nearly as long as we have? Their illusion magic is quite remarkable.”
Rust’s gaze traveled to the portraits of his father and grandfather in their ceremonial lion attire, eyes stern and watchful. Both had married lionesses from respected families, continuing the pure bloodline.
“The Foxworthys hold significant influence in town affairs,” he acknowledged neutrally.
“Indeed. You know, fox traits complement lion traits nicely in partnerships.” Aurelia’s voice turned thoughtful. “Their cleverness balances our strength, their adaptability our steadfastness.”
Rust’s brow furrowed. His mother had spent decades subtly pushing him toward suitable lioness matches. This new direction surprised him.
“Since when do you advocate for inter-clan relations?”
“Since watching my only son spend two centuries alone.” Her voice softened. “I’ve outlived your father by nearly sixty years, Rust. It changes one’s perspective. I want you happy more than I want you traditional.”
The unexpected candor left him momentarily speechless.
“Besides,” she continued briskly, “your reaction to the Foxworthy girl suggests your lion has already decided regardless of what the rest of us think. When can I expect you for dinner? Sunday? Bring the renovation plans—I’d like to see what’s captured your interest so thoroughly.”
After promising to visit soon, Rust set down the receiver and exhaled heavily. His mother’s sudden open-mindedness toward foxes seemed too convenient, too strategic. Yet her insight about his lion’s decision struck uncomfortably close to the truth.
From the moment he’d locked eyes with Kalyna across the council chamber, something fundamental had shifted inside him. The lion spirit that shared his soul had surged forward with possessive recognition. Mine , it had declared with absolute certainty. Mine to protect. Mine to claim.
And when their fingers had touched—that electric, magical connection that had visible sparks dancing between them—the claiming impulse had grown almost overwhelming. Only centuries of iron self-control had prevented him from vaulting over the council table and gathering her into his arms.
He’d seen the surprise in her eyes, watched the crimson flare of her fox magic responding to his golden lion energy. She’d felt it too—that instant, instinctive recognition that transcended shifter boundaries and rational thought.
Mate-bonds were rare enough among shifters of the same species. Cross-species bonds happened perhaps once a century, if that. The elders spoke of such pairings in hushed tones—some with reverence for their magical potential, others with wariness about disrupting traditional bloodlines.