Page 66 of Frost and Felines

"Speaking of perfect," Sheriff Blackmane approached with his artist wife Tabitha. "That new east wing addition is impressive, Kieran. You've outdone yourself."

"I just provided the vision," Kieran said, squeezing Mallory closer. "My brilliant wife designed every inch of it."

"And modest as ever," Mallory retorted, but leaned into him, savoring the heat of his body against hers.

She gazed around the lobby filled with supernatural guests from across Saltwater Grove and the world – Archer and Daphne chatting with Logan and Serena near the fireplace, a group of merfolk admiring the water feature she had designed last spring, and a family of fox shifters checking in at the desk.

Two years ago, she had believed herself cursed to eternal isolation. Now her life overflowed with love, laughter, and connection. The storm that had raged inside her for so long had finally found its peace.

Ethan cooed and reached up to touch her cheek, a tiny spark of lightning dancing between his fingers.

"Someone's getting hungry," Kieran murmured, his lips brushing her ear. "Let me take him while you finish up here."

"Are you sure? The Moonlight Suite still needs?—"

"I've got it covered. You've been on your feet all morning." He carefully extracted Ethan from the carrier, settling the baby against his broad chest with practiced ease. "Come find us when you're done here."

A few hours later, Mallory was back at the front desk updating the reservation ledger when the scent hit her—earthen spices and starlit mist swirling through the air before its source even entered the lobby. She glanced up to see Nina breezing through the front entrance of The Hearthstone, her constellation-speckled apron twinkling under the ambientlighting. The powerful witch balanced two floating cups that trailed spirals of steam while her hands remained free to wave at several guests.

"Someone looks like she could use a pick-me-up," Nina called, directing one of the cups to hover just above the front desk.

Mallory reached for the cup gratefully, inhaling the rich aroma of her favorite Storm Chaser Brew—a concoction Nina had perfected just for her that smelled like thunderclouds and tasted like liquid courage.

"You're an actual lifesaver," Mallory sighed as the first sip warmed her from the inside out, tiny sparks of energy dancing through her fingertips. "How'd you know?"

Nina's laugh lines deepened. "The weather forecast called for clear skies, yet there's been a tiny rain cloud hovering exclusively over The Hearthstone for the past hour."

Mallory glanced out the window and noticed the miniature cloud that had indeed formed outside. She hadn't even realized her exhaustion had manifested through her magic.

"Busy day?" Nina asked, perching on the edge of the desk.

"We are booked solid through the weekend with The Autumn Enchantment Fair in town." Mallory took another long sip. "Amazing how 'isolated storm witch' wasn't exactly preparation for 'hospitality co-owner.'"

Nina's dark eyes sparkled with something that looked suspiciously like maternal pride. "Yet here you are, running this place like you were born for it."

"Here I am," Mallory agreed, her gaze drifting to where Kieran was helping a family of rabbit shifters with Ethan nestled snugly against his chest. Her heart swelled at the sight of her husband's powerful frame so gentle with their son. "Sometimes I still can't believe it."

"You're happy." It wasn't a question.

Mallory touched the tiny cloud ring on her right index finger—Kieran's wedding gift to her. "Happier than I ever thought possible." The little rain cloud outside had transformed into a perfect, sunny day. "Two years ago, I was convinced I was destined to be alone forever. Now I can't imagine life without all of this—without them."

"Some storms are worth weathering," Nina said, her fingers sparking with purple energy as she gestured toward Kieran and Ethan. "You found your shelter."

"And an entire community that doesn't run when the forecast gets a bit rough." The lump in Mallory's throat surprised her. "Thank you for being a part of that. For believing I could have this."

Nina squeezed her hand. "You always deserved this, dear. You just needed to believe it too."

Later that evening, Mallory sank into the plush sofa, watching as Kieran juggled their son—quite literally—into the air. Ethan's delighted giggles filled their private suite, his tiny hands sending small puffs of cloud dancing through the air with each laugh. The soft evening light filtered through the curtains, casting silver shadows across their cozy living space.

"If he starts a rainstorm inside again, you're cleaning it up and calming him down all by yourself this time," Mallory warned, though she couldn't keep the smile from her voice. The memory of last week's indoor shower—when Ethan had gotten overexcited during bathtime—was still fresh. Books had needed drying, cushions airing out, and Kieran had spent an hour blow-drying every surface while she'd worked to soothe their little storm-maker.

Kieran caught Ethan against his broad chest, his auburn hair falling across his forehead as he gave her that intense gaze that never failed to make her breath catch. "I handle all the indoor precipitation in this family," he declared, the absolute certaintyin his voice making it sound like a royal decree. "Don't I, little man?"

Ethan responded by patting his father's face and producing a tiny lightning bolt that crackled harmlessly between his fingers.

"Takes after his mother," Kieran said proudly, crossing the room to settle beside her, their son nestled between them.

Mallory traced a finger down Ethan's chubby cheek. "Poor child. Cursed with my weather and your stubbornness."

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