Kael’s youthful face brightened with determination. “The king deserves the truth. Whatever that might be.”
A strange electricity hummed between her and Korran as they stood beside his massive SUV, that inexplicable connection she’d been trying to ignore pulsing stronger in the moonlit darkness. She was about to respond to Kael when a low, menacing growl echoed across the parking lot.
Three massive shapes emerged from the shadows—bears, their dark fur bristling with aggressive intent and their eyes gleaming with predatory focus. Tess’s scientific mind cataloged their size and movements even as terror flooded her system. These weren’t random wildlife. They moved with purpose, coordination, and intelligence.
They’re shifters. And they’re hunting us.
“Tess, get behind me. Now.” Korran’s voice carried absolute authority, his massive frame already positioning itself between her and the approaching threat.
The lead bear charged without warning, its powerful muscles propelling it across the parking lot with terrifying speed. Tess’s rational mind screamed that no human could survive an encounter with even one of these creatures, let alone three. And the SUV offered no sanctuary—she’d be trapped inside while they tore through metal and glass.
Pure instinct took over. She spun toward the tree line bordering the building, her legs pumping as adrenaline flooded her system. Behind her, she heard the distinctive sounds of shifting—bones cracking, muscle expanding, clothing tearing as Korran abandoned his human form.
He’s protecting me. Fighting these bears to keep me safe.
A second set of transformation sounds told her Kael was joining the battle. Her lungs burned as she reached the nearest tree—a purple-barked giant with low-hanging branches. She pressed herself against its rough trunk, her heart hammering so hard she thought it might burst.
When she dared to peer around the tree’s protective bulk, the sight stole what little breath she had left. Korran in bear form was magnificent and terrifying—easily twice the size of their attackers, his dark fur rippling over muscles built for dominance. He moved with lethal grace, his massive paws striking with bone-crushing force.
God, he’s incredible.
The thought hit her with unexpected intensity. Watching him defend her awakened something primal and possessive in her chest, a fierce pride that had nothing to do with gratitude and everything to do with... recognition? Connection? Whatever this strange bond between them actually was, seeing him risk himself for her safety made it pulse with renewed strength.
Kael’s smaller bear form darted around the edges of the conflict, his agility compensating for his lack of size as he harried the third attacker. But Korran commanded the battlefield, his superior strength and alpha presence turning what should have been overwhelming odds into a manageable fight.
Why are they attacking?The question burned through her terror.Because I’m human? Because they saw me with Korran at the restaurant? Because someone doesn’t want me investigating the king’s illness?
The battle was brutal but brief. Korran’s powerful jaws clamped around one attacker’s throat while his massive paws sent another sprawling across the icy pavement. The third bear, already bloodied from Kael’s harassment, took one look at Korran’s dominance display and bolted into the darkness, its companions limping after it in retreat.
Silence descended over the parking lot, broken only by heavy breathing and the soft sounds of shifting as both defenders returned to human form. Tess remained frozen against the tree, her legs suddenly too weak to support her weight.
This place is dangerous. More dangerous than I realized.
The thought crashed over her like ice water. Queen Lysia had survived decades here, had thrived despite the obvious prejudice and hostility. But Tess wasn’t royalty, wasn’t protected by status or political necessity. She was an outsider, a human poking into secrets that someone clearly wanted to remain hidden.
“Tess?” Korran’s deep voice carried across the lot, rough with concern and barely leashed aggression. “Are you hurt?”
She forced her legs to move, stumbling toward where he stood pulling on his tattered clothes. Even in the moonlight, she could see the protective fury still burning in his dark eyes, and the way his frame remained coiled for action.
“I’m okay,” she managed, though her voice shook more than she’d like. “Just rattled.”
Kael appeared beside them, his youthful face grim as he surveyed the scattered blood on the pavement. “That wasn’t random. Someone sent them.”
“Agreed.” Korran’s jaw tightened. “Thank you for the backup, Kael. I won’t forget it.”
Tess reached into her coat pocket with trembling fingers, relief flooding through her when she felt the intact vials.
“We meet first thing tomorrow to test these,” she said, pulling the vials out just enough to confirm their safety before tucking them away again.
Kael nodded, his expression troubled. “Be careful getting back to the estate. If they tried once...”
“They won’t get another chance,” Korran growled, his protective instincts clearly still running high.
As Kael walked away, Korran guided Tess toward his SUV with one large hand at the small of her back. The contact sent warmth racing through her nervous system, that strange humming connection between them pulsing with shared adrenaline and relief.
The drive back to the estate passed in charged silence while Tess tried to process what had just happened. That odd sensation she’d been experiencing since last night—the ability to sense Korran’s emotions—felt stronger now, fed by shared danger and his fierce protectiveness.
I can actually feel his worry. His need to keep me safe.
