Just her scent. She’s human. My bear can detect the difference.
But even as rational thought provided explanations, something deeper responded to that fragrance with recognition so primal it made his hands shake. His bear roared with satisfaction, as if a piece of a long-unsolved puzzle had finally clicked into place.
No. Absolutely not.
Before paranoia could fully take root, knuckles rapped against the office door with practiced efficiency. Gabrielle’s voice followed, calm and professional as always.
“Your Highness, your guests have arrived.”
Korran straightened, rolling his shoulders back into the commanding posture that had become second nature. Whatever chaos his beast was experiencing, he would handle this meeting with the dignity befitting his position. He opened his mouth to grant entry, but the door burst open before he could speak.
Gerri Wilder swept into the room like a force of nature wearing designer red. Her petite frame seemed to expand to fill the space, confidence radiating from her snow-white bob to her clicking boots. She moved through his office as if she owned not just the estate but the entire mountain range surrounding it.
“Well, hello there!” Her voice carried the warmth of summer sunshine and the authority of someone accustomed to bending the universe to her will. “So lovely to finally meet the hybrid prince who’s been so considerate of his parents, taking such good care of the territory during this unfortunate time.”
Korran stepped forward, extending his hand with the automatic courtesy of years of diplomatic training. Her grip was surprisingly strong for someone barely reaching his chest.
“It’s an honor to finally meet the legendary Gerri Wilder.” He kept his tone carefully neutral, professional. “I’ve heard many stories about your... successful matches. Your track record is quite impressive.” He paused. “But surely you’re not here for matchmaking this time.”
Something sparkled in her eyes—gold flecks that seemed to dance with secrets he wasn’t privy to. The expression was deeply unsettling, like she could see straight through his careful composure to the chaos brewing underneath.
Before he could analyze her reaction further, movement in the doorway drew his attention like a magnet finding true north.
The woman who entered made Korran almost forget how breathing worked.
Beautiful was too simple a word for what she was. Self-assured in a way that spoke of intelligence earned through struggle, she carried herself with the precise economy of someone who’d learned to trust only her own capabilities. Her long brown hair caught the office’s warm light, and those sharp green eyes swept the room with analytical precision that made his scientist’s heart skip. But it was her curves—perfectlyproportioned beneath practical clothing—that caused his bear to surge forward with possessive hunger.
That rose and rain scent flooded the office completely now, wrapping around him like invisible chains.
Professional. Keep it professional.
He forced himself to move forward with measured steps, extending his hand. “Welcome to Northern Dominion. I’m Prince Korran Deyvar.”
The human scientist stepped closer, her hand extended. “I’m Dr. Tess Holt. Your home and territory are breathtaking.”
Their hands were almost touching now for what should have been a simple business introduction. But the moment their skin made contact, the world tilted off its axis.
The mate bond slammed into him like lightning striking iron. Electricity coursed through his nervous system, setting every nerve ending ablaze with recognition and need. His bear pressed so close to the surface that he could feel his canine teeth lengthening, could sense the beast’s desperate desire to pull her closer, to mark her astheirsbefore another male could even look at her.
No. This cannot be happening.
But her pupils dilated in perfect mirror to his own, her sharp intake of breath confirming she felt the same impossible connection. His hand tightened around hers involuntarily.
My fated mate.
The truth crashed through his carefully constructed worldview like a wrecking ball through glass. She was here. The human scientist meant to save his father. His mother had said Gerri couldn’t possibly find his fated mate and a healer in the same woman unless she could work miracles.
Apparently, miracles were Gerri’s specialty.
But as the initial shock faded, rational thought returned with vengeance. His fated mate was human—just like his mother.Just like the woman whose mate bond had allegedly been slowly killing his father for the past decade. The clan’s whispers, the council’s concerns, Malvek’s warnings about the dangers of human-shifter pairings—it all came flooding back with the force of an avalanche.
This is exactly what destroyed Father. I cannot—will not—repeat his mistake.
His bear snarled in protest, but Korran’s will had been forged in years of duty and sacrifice. He jerked his hand back as if she’d burned him, the loss of contact leaving him bereft despite his rational mind’s relief.
“I—“ His voice came out rough, thick with emotions he couldn’t afford to acknowledge. “I just remembered my mother wanted to be present for introductions.” The lie tasted bitter on his tongue, but it was the only escape route he could see in that moment. “I need to find her. I’ll... I’ll be right back.”
He could feel Gerri’s knowing gaze boring into his back and could sense Tess’s confusion and hurt radiating like heat from a forge. But if he stayed in that room one moment longer, his bear would take control. He would lift her into his arms, would take her to his private chambers, would claim her and mark her, damn the consequences and the territory’s stability.
