Softer Than Stone

Hard edges, sharper instincts-that’s me. A panther shifter, a chef who built Kurranba with my own hands. It’s not just a restaurant-it’s my sanctuary, a tribute to the elders who shaped me. I don’t have time for distractions. Especially not Agent Chris Flint, a lion shifter with golden eyes and an infuriating way of slipping past my defences.He’s here on SICB business, chasing a criminal who’s been using my space for dirty deals. I should’ve sent him packing. Instead, I let him stay-and now I’m caught in the crossfire.The enemy’s claws are in deep, and the only ally I have is the lion I swore to keep at arm’s length. Chris is relentless, protective, impossible to ignore. He’s breaking down walls I thought were impenetrable.As the stakes rise, survival isn’t guaranteed. But working side by side with Chris, I feel something shifting. For the first time in years, I want more than duty and legacy.I want him.