For just a moment, sitting beside this complicated prince while snow began to fall outside their windows, Tess allowed herself to imagine what it might be like to be here for pleasure instead of business. To be the kind of woman who could enjoy a romantic dinner with an impossibly attractive man without calculating the professional risks.
But that wasn’t who she was. She was Dr. Tess Holt, biomedical researcher from Earth, and she had a shifter king to save. Even if the shifter king’s son was making her forget every rule she’d ever made about mixing business with anything resembling pleasure.
When Korran finally opened her door, the warmth radiating from his body created a stark contrast to the winter chill outside, and she found herself momentarily frozen.
“Steady,” he murmured, his deep voice sending an unwelcome shiver through her.
She accepted his offered hand, trying to ignore the electric jolt that shot up her arm when their skin connected. The grief from their conversation about her mother still sat heavy in her chest, threatening to crack the careful walls she’d built around that particular wound. But Korran’s solid presence beside her, the way he positioned himself to block the wind, made her feel unexpectedly protected.
Focus on the investigation,she reminded herself firmly as they reached the restaurant’s entrance.Not on how his hand feels like it belongs against your back.
The heavy wooden door opened at Korran’s touch, releasing a wave of golden warmth and the rich scents of roasted meat and exotic spices. Tess stepped inside, immediately struck by the rustic elegance that seemed to define everything on this beautiful planet. Exposed timber beams stretched across vaulted ceilings, and a massive stone fireplace dominated one wall, its flames casting dancing shadows across walls lined with intricate carvings that depicted bears in various poses of strength and majesty.
“Your Highness,” the host greeted Korran with a respectful bow. “Your usual table?”
“Please.”
As they followed the host deeper into the restaurant, Tess became acutely aware of the curious stares tracking their movement. Conversations quieted, and she caught the subtle shift in the atmosphere—the way shoulders tensed and eyes narrowed when they landed on her human form walking beside their prince.
The skepticism was palpable, mixed with something that felt distinctly like disapproval. She lifted her chin, refusing to becowed by their judgment. She’d faced worse than suspicious looks.
Korran’s shoulders had gone rigid beside her, and when she glanced up at him, she noticed the dangerous set to his jaw. He acknowledged the other diners with curt nods, but there was an unmistakable warning in his posture—a silent command for privacy that made even the boldest gazes drop away.
Their table sat in an alcove near the back, separated from the main dining area by carved wooden screens that created an intimate pocket of space. When Korran pulled out her chair, his fingers brushed against her shoulders as she settled into the seat, and the simple contact sent heat spiraling through her despite her best efforts to remain unaffected.
“Thank you,” she managed, proud that her voice came out steady.
He moved around to the opposite chair with fluid efficiency, but she caught the way his eyes lingered on her face, the way his gaze seemed to catalog every detail as if he were memorizing her features. The intensity of his attention made her skin flush warm, and she had to resist the urge to fidget under his scrutiny.
When he settled into his chair, Tess found herself staring at the way his broad shoulders filled out his shirt as he removed his jacket, then at the way his hands rested on the table with casual confidence. The air between them suddenly felt charged with electricity.
A waiter appeared at their table with practiced efficiency, breaking the moment. “The usual for you, Your Highness?”
“Yes, and bring a bottle of the Sidaii wine,” Korran replied without taking his eyes off Tess.
When they were alone again, he leaned back in his chair, and the movement somehow made him seem more commanding. “Tell me how you want to conduct this investigation.”
Tess latched onto the safe topic, grateful for something to focus on besides the way his voice seemed to rumble through her chest. “Well, since Varix is gatekeeping information and provided incomplete notes, I’ve decided to start from scratch. It’s not ideal with the two-week timeline, but it’s the only way to get real answers without wasting time trying to piece together deliberately fragmented data.”
“That makes sense.” Korran’s nod was thoughtful, and she caught a glimpse of the analytical mind beneath the alpha exterior. “I can assist with whatever you need.” His expression brightened slightly. “Actually, I may still have some of my old notes.”
Tess’s eyes lit up with genuine excitement. “That would be incredible if you still have anything to compare against. Anything that could help establish a baseline.”
“I’ll see what I can dig up.”
The waiter returned with their food and wine, setting down plates of what looked like perfectly prepared meat alongside roasted vegetables she didn’t recognize but that smelled heavenly. The wine bottle was elegant, its deep red contents glowing like liquid rubies in the firelight.
“The wine is quite strong for humans,” Korran warned as the waiter poured generous glasses for both of them. “Don’t drink too much.”
“Thanks for the heads up.” Tess lifted her glass and took a careful sip, immediately tasting the fruity complexity. The alcohol hit with surprising warmth, stronger than anything she was used to, but deliciously smooth.
As they ate, the chemistry that had been simmering between them since she’d arrived on Nova Aurora seemed to intensify. Every time Korran’s gaze locked onto hers, every casual gesture he made, sent heat pooling low in her belly. She found herselfdrinking more wine than she probably should to distract herself from the heat in his gaze.
“Can I ask you something that’s been on my mind?” Tess finally said after minutes of tense silence.
“Of course,” Korran replied, leaning forward slightly.
“Why is there such bias against humans here? Especially since you have a human queen—wouldn’t the clan be more accepting by now?”
