Page 60 of Panther's Magpie
“You should be looking for me, not lusting after him.”
It’s true. I should be looking for her, but I also need to take care of myself. Don’t I?
Before I can say anything, Panther lifts me into his arms.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s a rough trail back to my place. Don’t worry. I won’t drop you.”
I snuggle into his neck, giving up on protesting. I’m not meant to be a solitary person. I can’t stand being alone. Even though I know it’s wrong, I will accept this comfort.
I need him.
PANTHER
Hearing Maggie’s frantic tone when she called had my heart racing a mile a minute. I have never thrown on a pair of sweats so fast. Even running through the woods, stepping on all kinds of sticks and rocks, didn’t faze me. All I knew was I needed to get to her.
Now having her in my arms, I know I made the right decision.
She tried to argue at first, but I could see it in her eyes. She didn’t want to be alone. It doesn’t help that I didn’t want to leave her alone.
I’m quite attached to my little magpie. I don’t know when it happened, but I don’t want her to leave me.
She said in her nightmare, Aspen wanted her to go. I wanted to tell her that wasn’t Aspen’s choice. That if she wanted to stay, there would always be a place for her here.
It’s too soon for all of that, though. We can’t start something while in the midst of a disaster. Everyone’s emotions are high. I know mine are real, but the ones I see shining in her eyes for me could be a product of the situation.
I don’t want to risk that.
Still, having her in my arms feels good. It feels right.
Cloak always said that when you find your soulmate, you will know. Her soul would sing to mine like the wind does.
He was right. She feels like lying next to my favorite lake on a sunny day. Bright and warm. Safe and cozy. Loved.
She makes me feel loved.
I have never truly felt it in my life.
When my house comes into view, Maggie’s breath catches.
“This is where you live?” she asks.
“Yep. My home. You can come here whenever you want,” I tell her.
I mean it too. The house is never locked. It doesn’t need to be when it’s in the barriers of the compound. With my trust in her growing, I don’t even mind if she wanders without an escort.
Home.
I want her to think of this place like a home.
Walking inside, I set her down before shutting the door.
“I’ll take you up to my room so you can sleep,” I tell her.
She only nods.
I grab her hand and show her to my room. It’s nothing to write home about. A large room with a king-sized bed and a dresser to the side. It’s not decorated much. I haven’t had much I wanted to remember.
