Korran leaned back in his chair, projecting the kind of casual dominance that had been bred into his bones. “I have extensive knowledge of shifter biology and our medical facilities. Dr. Holt could benefit from having someone of my particular expertise and authority working alongside her.”
“And who would handle your current responsibilities?” Malvek’s tone remained perfectly controlled, but Korran caught the flash of calculation behind his eyes.
“Orric is more than capable of managing day-to-day operations for two weeks.” The answer came easily, too easily. “He’s served as my father’s second-in-command for years.”
Malvek steepled his fingers, the gesture deceptively thoughtful. “I suppose that would expedite the process. The sooner Dr. Holt confirms that the mate bond theory is correct, the sooner we can focus on... other matters.”
The way he said ‘other matters’ made Korran’s skin crawl. There was something underneath Malvek’s words, a certainty that felt wrong. How could he be so sure that Tess would confirm their existing theory?
“Then it’s settled,” Korran said, straightening in his chair. “I’ll begin working directly with Dr. Holt tomorrow.”
“Excellent.” Malvek’s smile was sharp as a blade. “I look forward to hearing about any... developments in the investigation.”
The meeting dissolved into mundane territory discussions, but Korran barely heard the words. His mind was already racing ahead, to working alongside Tess in the lab, to being close enough to breathe in her intoxicating scent and watch the way her brilliant mind attacked problems. His bear practically purred with satisfaction.
Finally. Closer to our mate.
Korran tried to argue with himself.No. She’s human. She’s dangerous. She’s everything we can’t have.
But even as the thoughts formed, he knew they were lies. Tess was his fated mate—the recognition had been instant and absolute. The question wasn’t whether she belonged to him, but whether he was strong enough to resist claiming what was his.
As the council meeting finally ended, Korran strode from the chamber with purposeful strides, his destination already clear in his mind. To the lab. To Tess. To two weeks of working beside the woman who made his blood sing and his bear demand was theirs.
Twenty minutes after leaving the council chamber, Korran pushed through the doors of the laboratory with controlled urgency. The familiar scents of antiseptic and ozone filled his nostrils, but underneath it all, threading through the sterile air like a siren’s call, was that intoxicating combination of rose and rain that belonged to only one woman.
His mate.
His bear responded with a possessive rumble that vibrated through his chest. Every instinct screamed at him to find her, to get close enough to breathe in her scent and feel the electric current that sparked between them whenever they touched. The rational part of his mind tried to argue that this was purely professional. He was here to assist with the investigation, nothing more.
But when his dark eyes found Tess across the expansive laboratory, seated beside Kael at her designated workstation, rational thought evaporated like morning mist.
She was leaning toward the younger shifter, her long brown hair falling in a curtain as she studied something on the datapad between them. Kael was pointing to something on the screen, his face animated with the kind of intellectual excitement Korran recognized from his own research days. They looked... comfortable together. Collaborative. Like they belonged in the same space.
His bear snarled.
Mine. Get him away from her. Now.
The possessive fury that crashed through Korran’s system was so intense it took every ounce of his considerable self-control not to stride across the lab and physically insert himself between them. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and he could feel his canines threatening to extend as primal instincts warred with civilized behavior.
Kael was harmless—Korran knew that intellectually. The young scientist was barely twenty-seven, earnest to a fault, and had never shown interest in anything beyond his research. But logic held no sway over the mate bond that was currently flooding his system with territorial aggression.
“Prince Korran.”
Varix’s voice cut through the possessive haze like a blade, and Korran turned to find the head healer approaching with measured steps. The older man’s pale blue eyes were sharp with curiosity, and something else—something that looked almost like calculation.
“Varix.” Korran forced his voice into the neutral tones of royal diplomacy, though his bear continued to rumble.
“What brings you to the laboratory today?” Varix’s tone was carefully respectful, but there was an undercurrent of challenge.“Surely you have more pressing duties than observing our work?”
“Actually, there’s been a development.” Korran straightened to his full, intimidating height, letting his natural dominance fill the space between them. “The council has decided that I’ll be personally assisting Dr. Holt with her investigation to expedite the process.”
Varix’s expression shifted, cycling through surprise, annoyance, and then something that looked suspiciously like satisfaction. “I see. Well, that’s... prudent. Someone does need to provide proper oversight.”
The way he said ‘oversight’ made Korran’s jaw tighten. “Meaning?”
“Dr. Holt is already proving to be quite... demanding.” Varix’s thin smile held no warmth. “Young Kael requested access to sensitive historical data. Information that I deemed inappropriate for an outsider to review.”
“What kind of information?” The question came out sharper than Korran intended, his protective instincts flaring.
