Page 51 of Quick on the Claw

“Humor me,” Zak replied, his voice soft with concern and love.

Tiffany was settled in bed when a knock at the door heralded Gerri’s arrival. The matchmaker bustled in, her silver hair bouncing with each step.

“Well, well,” Gerri said, her blue eyes twinkling. “When I suggested an adventure on Nova Aurora, I didn’t quite mean ‘fight off alien panthers planning to overthrow a kingdom and get knocked up by an alien king’, but I suppose you’ve always been an overachiever, Tiffany.”

Tiffany burst out laughing, wincing slightly as her newly healed ribs protested. “What can I say? Go big or go home, right?”

Before long, Sia and Draven arrived, followed closely by Queen Astra. The room filled with concerned voices and gentle hugs.

“Don’t you ever scare me like that again,” Sia scolded, her eyes suspiciously wet. “I’m too young to go gray worrying about you.”

Tiffany squeezed her cousin’s hand. “Actually, I have some news that might make you worry even more.”

All eyes turned to her expectantly. Tiffany took a deep breath, her free hand finding Zak’s. “We’re going to have a baby.”

The room erupted in joyous exclamations. Sia immediately launched into what Tiffany could only describe as “auntie mode.”

“Oh my god, I’m going to be an aunt! We need to start planning the nursery right away. Do you think the baby will shift into a panther while little? That would be soooo cute!”

Astra’s eyes shimmered with tears of joy. “A grandchild,” she whispered, embracing both Tiffany and Zak. “What a blessing.”

As the excitement swirled around her, Tiffany leaned back into Zak’s strong embrace. Despite the challenges they’d faced and the uncertainties that lay ahead, she felt an overwhelming sense of peace and belonging.

This was her family now - a wonderfully weird mix of humans, alien shifters, and soon, a child that would bridge both worlds.

TWENTY-FOUR

Tiffany stood before the ornate mirror, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nerves. The golden dress she wore shimmered in the soft light, its intricate patterns reminiscent of the lush Nova Auroran forests. She smoothed her hands over the fabric, still marveling at how perfectly it fit her curves.

A soft purr drew her attention. Nyx padded into the room, his emerald eyes fixed on Tiffany with an almost reverent gaze.

“Hey, there, big guy,” Tiffany said softly, kneeling to scratch behind Nyx’s ears. The panther leaned into her touch, rumbling contentedly.

“You know,” she continued, “I never thought I’d be thanking a panther on my wedding day, but here we are.” She chuckled softly. “Thank you, Nyx. For protecting me, for being there when I needed you most.”

Nyx blinked up at her, his intelligent eyes seeming to understand every word. Tiffany’s hand drifted to her stomach where the tiniest bump was just beginning to show.

“And I have one more favor to ask,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “Will you watch over this little one too? I have a feeling they’re going to need all the protection they can get, being half-human, half-panther shifter and all.”

Nyx pressed his head against her hand, a gesture that felt like a solemn vow. Tiffany smiled, wiping away a stray tear.

A soft knock at the door interrupted the moment. “It’s time,” Sia’s voice called out.

Tiffany took a deep breath, giving Nyx one final pat before rising to her feet. “Okay,” she called back, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. “I’m ready.”

The grand hall of the palace was transformed into a breathtaking wonderland. Flowers from both Earth and Nova Aurora intertwined in elaborate arrangements, their perfume filling the air. Tiffany’s breath caught as she took in the sea of familiar and not-so-familiar faces, friends and family.

King Alyx and Queen Bella sat in the front row, their daughter Avery bouncing excitedly in her seat. The young girl’s eyes lit up as she spotted Tiffany, waving enthusiastically.

And then, there he was. Zak stood at the end of the aisle, resplendent in his royal attire. But it was the look in his golden eyes that took Tiffany’s breath away - a mix of awe, adoration, and unshakeable love.

As Tiffany reached him, taking his outstretched hand, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. It was just the two of them, standing on the precipice of their new life together.

When it came time for the vows, Tiffany’s hands trembled slightly as she unfolded her paper. She looked up at Zak, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“Zakhar,” she began, her voice clear and strong despite her nerves. “When I first came to Nova Aurora, I thought I was just looking for an adventure. What I found was so much more. I found a home. I found a purpose. And most importantly, I found you.”

She paused, taking a shaky breath. “I’ve never been good at opening up, at letting people in. My whole life, I kept everyone at arm’s length, afraid of getting hurt. But you... you changed everything. You showed me what real love looks like. You’ve stood by me, protected me, and believed in me even when I didn’t believe in my own emotions”

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