Page 19 of Magic on the Prowl

Warmth spread through his chest, a sense of belonging he’d never experienced. He glanced down at Daisy, her eyes bright with joy, and felt a surge of affection for the woman who had brought him into this circle of love and friendship. She caught his gaze, her smile softening as she leaned into his side, her head resting on his shoulder.

“Okay, okay, next question,” Reed called out, his voice cutting through the laughter. “Which couple has the most unlikely shared hobby?”

Sera’s hand rose, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips. “That would be Lark and me. Would you believe we’re both secret knitting enthusiasts?”

Lark nodded, his chest puffing up with pride. “It’s true. Sera’s been teaching me, and I’ve gotten pretty good at making scarves. In fact...” He reached behind the sofa, pulling out a lumpy, misshapen mass of yarn. “I made this for your future little one.” He beamed at Celeste, holding up the creation.

Celeste’s eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle a giggle. “Oh, Lark, it’s... it’s lovely. Is that a dragon or a deformed rabbit?”

Lark’s brow drew in, his head tilting to the side as he examined his handiwork. “It’s supposed to be a unicorn, but I can see where you’re coming from.”

Sera patted his knee, her expression a mix of amusement and adoration. “It’s perfect, honey. I’m sure our little niece or nephew will cherish it forever.”

Kade leaned in, squinting at the knobby scarf. “I don’t know, Sera. It might scare the poor kid. Maybe we should use it as a Halloween decoration instead.”

The room once again filled with laughter, the couples taking turns examining Lark’s creation and offering playful suggestions for its use. Roarke chuckled along with the others, a sense of ease and contentment settling over him. He marveled at the way these people, so different in their abilities and backgrounds, had come together to form such a tight-knit, loving community.

As the trivia night wore on, the questions grew more personal, each couple sharing stories and anecdotes that showcased their love and devotion. Reed cleared his throat, a sly grin spreading across his face as he read the next question.

“All right, lovebirds, here’s a juicy one: Which couple has the most embarrassing public display of affection story?”

Ellie’s hand shot up, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and glee. “Oh, that’s totally us. Remember the time we got caught making out in the library, Reed?”

Reed’s cheeks turned a deep shade of red, his eyes widening as he shook his head frantically. “Ellie, my love, I don’t think they need to hear about that?—”

But it was too late. Ellie launched into the story, her words tumbling out in an excited rush. “So, there we were, in the back corner of the library, surrounded by all these dusty old books. Then Jasper, the librarian ghost, popped up right next to us and let out this horrible, bloodcurdling scream?—”

“—and we nearly jumped out of our skins.” Reed finished, burying his face in his hands. “I swear, I’ve never run so fast in my life. We were halfway down the street before we realized our clothes were all askew and we had lipstick smeared all over our faces.”

“Jasper said if we did that again he’d ban us from the library. He said if newlyweds couldn’t keep their hands to themselves in the library they couldn’t come back until they could. He seemed really put off by the whole thing. Like we were the ones who scared the life out of him.”

The couples roared with laughter, tears streaming down their faces as they pictured the mortified couple fleeing the library. Roarke glanced at Daisy, his heart swelling with affection as he watched her throw her head back, her laughter ringing out like a bell.

“Last question,” Reed announced. “Which couple here has the most sickeningly sweet pet names for each other?”

Tabitha and Bram exchanged a look, their faces splitting into matching grins. “That’s us, hands down,” Bram declared, pressing a kiss to Tabitha’s temple. “Isn’t that right, my little Tabby Cat?”

Tabitha giggled, her nose crinkling adorably. “Absolutely, my big, strong honey bear.”

Groans and good-natured eye rolls filled the room, the other couples playfully mocking the nauseatingly sweet display. Celeste pretended to gag while Kade made exaggerated kissing noises.

Roarke felt Daisy’s hand slip into his, her fingers intertwining with his own. She leaned in close, her breath warm against his ear. “What do you think, my handsome panther? Should we give them a run for their money?”

Roarke’s heart skipped a beat, a flush creeping up his neck. He turned to face her, his eyes locking onto her sparkling gaze. “I don’t know, my enchanting witch. I think we might have them beat in the ‘most unlikely couple’ category.”

Daisy’s laughter rang out, clear and joyful. She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, her lips lingering against his skin. “Unlikely, but perfect.”

As the trivia night drew to a close, the couples lingered, basking in the warmth and love that filled the room. Ellie and Reed passed around plates of gooey chocolate brownies and steaming mugs of hot cocoa, the sweet aroma mingling with the sound of contented sighs and happy chatter.

Roarke sat back, his arm draped around Daisy’s shoulders, marveling at the way she fit so perfectly against his side. He watched as Celeste and Kade whispered sweet nothings to each other, their hands resting on Celeste’s growing belly. Tabitha and Bram were engaged in a playful thumb war, their laughter echoing through the room. Sera and Lark were lost in their own little world, their foreheads pressed together as they shared a tender moment.

And in the midst of it all, Ellie and Reed looked on, their faces glowing with the love and contentment that came from being surrounded by family and friends. Roarke realized, with a sudden clarity, that this was what he had been searching for all his life—a sense of belonging, of being part of something greater than himself.

THIRTEEN

Daisy stretched languidly as the morning sun peeked through her lace curtains, casting a warm glow throughout her cozy bedroom. A contented smile played on her lips as memories of her past few nights with Roarke flitted through her mind - the tender conversations, the gentle caresses, the sense of profound connection. Her heart swelled with newfound affection for the enigmatic panther shifter who had unexpectedly captured her heart.

Pulling on a floral robe, Daisy padded to the kitchen to brew a pot of her special lavender tea. As the water boiled, she couldn’t help but daydream about what the future might hold with Roarke by her side. His steadfast presence brought a sense of security and excitement she hadn’t felt in ages.

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