Page 107 of Wedding the Werepanther

Joy fills my heart at the thought, but I also want to ensure she’s all right. “What about you? Would you be okay having new people here regularly? What about your social anxiety?”

“We could figure out a schedule that gives us plenty of alone time between visits, and maybe only have two new adults each time?”

“Whatever you want,” I say. “This needs to work for you, too.”

“I think it’ll be good for me. I can use it as cognitive behavioral therapy. And you’ll be here to support me.”

“I’ll support you, too!” Dewdrop headbutts her upper arm.

“That will be wonderful.” She twists to press a kiss to his forehead. “Thank you, sweetie.”

Kayla looks at me again. “And they could also tell me stories of Faerie. It’s a win-win all around.” She pauses. “So that’s my idea.”

“You don’t know how happy this makes me, my witchy beauty.” My happiness crests, and I crush her to me. “I’ve been trying to think of a way to help my people, and this is perfect.” I kiss her, pouring all my love into the kiss.

She looks a little dazed when we pull apart, and I smirk. Then she gives her head a quick shake and glances at the magical parchment. “What do you think, Victoria? Happy to have more visitors?”

“Yes!”A feeling of excitement fills the room.“It’s been way too long since I last had regular guests.”

“Will the werekittens come, too?” Dewdrop hops over and looks up at me with large, beseeching eyes, clearly having learned a few things from the kits. “They could live here always!”

“They can live here some of the time.” I laugh and rub the dragonet’s head. “They still have plenty of cat sith skills to learn in Faerie.”

“I can’t wait!” He leaps into the air and flies toward the living room.

Kayla looks at me. “Do you think Moonlight will agree?”

“Of course she will. It’s a wonderful idea.” It’s exactly what my pack needs. Panthers have their pride and an instinctive need to never show weakness. Victoria will provide a safe place to learn how to live in their fae forms without other fae seeing any mishaps. My people will finally be able to resume their position as a vital part of Faerie.

I kiss her hand. “Thank you again for thinking of this. It really means a lot to me.”

“I know your family is important to you, and I thought this would help.”

“They’re going to be your family in two weeks.”

“Two weeks.” She puffs out a breath, blowing a lock of hair out of her face.

“Let me handle it.” I squeeze her fingers and grin. “I’ve gotten rather good at weddings.”

She has one last cookie, and I crunch my way through several more of the cheese puffs. When she’s done, I lick the orange powder from my fingers, enjoying the way her eyes follow the motion.

“Food isn’t the only thing new and fascinating about being a man,” I say, my tone seductive. “Do you know what else is?”

Kayla bites her lip and shakes her head.

“Skin.” I glide my hand up her forearm, enjoying the way my touch makes her shiver. I drop my voice to a low purr, each word said with languid precision. “Skin is so very, very sensitive.”

My witchy beauty’s lips curl in a small smile, and she strokes my thigh. Magic pulses from her fingers, and a quiver runs through my jeans. The button pops open, the zipper sliding down by itself.

When I stand, the denim writhes around me, inching its way down, down, down, until I lift each foot to allow the jeans to wiggle free. They head off in the same direction the dress shirt took earlier.

I smirk at my mate, lifting an eyebrow.

“As you said, the shirt must be lonely.” She grins, the expression a playful echo of mine. “Looks like you’re naked again.”

She slips from her stool and races for the hall, knowing exactly what running from me will do.

Raw primal instinct flares in my chest. I roar and chase after her, loving her delighted squeak of surprise when she glances back to find me behind her on the stairs.