Page 27 of Pledge Of A Bobcat

“It’s the mate bond,” he said matter-of-factly. “It heightens the intimacy of it.”

“You say that like you know from past experience.”

“Nope. My bobcat will only choose a mate once. It’s how it works, so I don’t have any past experience with this, I just know what I’ve been told.”

I liked that—that his bobcat could only choose once and that he’d chosen me. There was a strong sense of reassurance in knowing that. Not that I’d needed it, but it was still nice to know.

“So,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “What now?”

“I think we should watch a movie,” I suggested, not ready to let him go yet.

“A movie sounds good.”

I held his gaze, biting my bottom lip, feeling a warmth I hadn’t felt in ages. This felt right—a step toward something new.

I was living again, breathing, and no longer rooted in place.

10

ELLIS

Istood in the kitchen of the cottage, carefully pouring batter onto the hot griddle. The sweet scent of blueberry pancakes filled the air. Serenity stood beside me on a stepstool, her little hands gripping the spatula like flipping pancakes was the most important job in the world.

“More bubbles!” she shouted. “Is that enough?”

“Not yet.” I chuckled.

I’d forgotten how exciting even the smallest things could be to a child, but she was reminding me.

“Now?” she asked half a second later, her eyes zeroed in on the pancakes cooking on the griddle.

“Okay, now turn it,” I said.

She carefully slid the spatula under one of the pancakes and flipped it over. It wasn’t perfect—it landed a bit off-center with one of the edges tucked under a bit—but the way her eyes lit up made it feel like she’d just performed magic.

“I did it!” she exclaimed. “Did you see me?”

“I sure did. That’s the best flip I’ve seen all morning,” I said, returning her smile.

“Thanks,” Serenity said, a sense of pride in her tone. “Here. Your turn.” She held the spatula out to me.

My bobcat purred as I took it from her, perfectly content to be right here, in this kitchen, with her, making pancakes together this morning. I hadn’t gone back to my place last night, but Rachel had made it clear she didn’t want Serenity waking up to find me in bed with her. I understood.

So, I slept on the couch.

While it wasn’t where I wanted to be, it was still under the same roof as her, and for now, that was enough for my bobcat and me.

As I flipped the other pancake, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned, and there was Rachel, leaning against the doorway. She looked like she’d just woken up. Her hair was tousled, but she was smiling.

The woman was beautiful. Even first thing in the morning without a stitch of makeup and wearing flannel pajama pants with an oversized sweatshirt.

“Morning.” I grinned. “We’re making blueberry pancakes.”

Her smile widened as she moved closer. “I see that.”

“Watch me!” Serenity insisted, holding out her hand for the spatula again. I passed it over and she quickly flipped a pancake that didn’t need flipping yet, but I didn’t say anything. “See?”

“She’s a pro,” I said, which earned a grin and a nod from Serenity as though I’d never said anything truer.

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