Page 73 of Wedding the Werepanther

As the sun drops and Alarria’s moonless sky darkens to purple, the yawning kits refuse to go to sleep, even though they can’t keep their eyes open. Finally, their parents come and pluck them up by the back of the neck to carry them into the den, Wisp calling out one last, “You promised we can come visit.”

“You can. You will.” I’ve already talked to Moonlight and the kits’ parents. My mother will bring them to my wedding ceremony this weekend. It might not be real, but it can still be a party and an excellent excuse to show the little ones the benefits of learning to shift.

More of the pack passes, each brushing against me and murmuring a good night, my cousin Mist saying an especially fond goodbye as she butts me with her head.

“You’ll come this weekend?” I ask.

“I will.” She grins. “Can’t have you being the only Earth expert, now can I?”

Moonlight pads over and bumps her head against my thigh. “Will you stay, my son? Will you spend the night and join the full harmonizing once again?”

A part of me aches to say yes, missing the way the combined purrs of my pack echo through the den, resounding off the walls until there’s nothing else in the world but connection and love. It’s even better than the harmonizing they gifted me with as a greeting.

My gaze turns to Kayla, who sits bathed by the glow of the fire, her purple hair highlighted with gold by the dancing flames. I have nothing that would make a soft enough bed for my witchy beauty, and I refuse to let her be uncomfortable.

“Ah, I see.” Moonlight’s eyes glitter at me with amusement. “You’re still playing the courtship game?”

There’s no point in denying it. My mother is far too canny. I grin. “I am, and I mean to win.”

“So the old tales are true: the cat sith can find mates among the other fae and humans. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised you would be the first. You’ve always been the most adventurous among us.”

“I think you mean the biggest tangle in your fur.” I smirk, hoping to make her laugh. It’s a heavy burden to carry the wellbeing of the entire pack on her shoulders. My mother bears it well, yet it’s still a burden.

She chuffs in amusement. “That too.”

“About the old tales,” I say. “Have you remembered anything more about the rituals used when we marry someone who’s not cat sith?”

“I have not.” She grins at me. “Most of our stories focus on the chase and knotting.”

“Even if the other person wasn’t cat sith?”

“Even then.” She gives a regal nod.

The words conjure a picture of chasing Kayla through the forest, running her to the ground, taking and claiming her. My erection stirs.

“Go.” Moonlight gives another chuffing laugh. “Be with your witch. I will see you in a few days.”

“Thank you, Alpha.” I give her a courtly bow such as you’d see in the fine palaces of the shadow fae, making her laugh again. Then I throw my arms around her, breathing in her familiar scent, and whisper, “Thank you, Mother.”

“I love you, my son.” Her purr rumbles through me. “Now go and ensure you win her heart.”

Stalking over to the fire, I scoop Kayla into my arms. “Let’s go home.” I step onto the shadow roads.

After only a few strides, she cries, “Wait! Is there somewhere we can go and be alone?”

“Here, in Alarria?”

She nibbles her lower lip and nods.

I slow to a walk and extend my senses, warping our path until it matches my new destination. We step out into a wide clearing, half moss-covered ground, half pond. A waterfall splashes into the far end, the humidity adding a pleasant coolness to the summer night air. Pixies dot the area like blue fireflies, darting out of the trees to play in the falling water until they light its entire length.

“Oh, that’s so pretty,” Kayla says, awe softening her tone.

“I hoped you’d like it.”

“I’m totally going to put it in a game.”

I set her on her feet, trying to remember if there’s anything else close by that might inspire her.