Maybe I'm overreading this.
The man was intense, certainly. Perhaps this was simply how he interacted with everyone—professional distance maintained through sheer force of will. But something deeper whispered that wasn't true. The way his jaw had tightened when their hands touched, the brief flash of hunger in those predatory blue eyes before he'd shuttered his expression—that wasn't standard military protocol.
That was desire, raw and barely leashed.
He wants to pull me into his arms.
The thought sent heat rushing to her core, and Jade forced herself to focus intentionally on the bustling command center around them. She was here to work, to train, to prove herself capable in a world built for predators. Romance hadn't been part of the plan, and she couldn't afford to let attraction compromise her professionalism.
He's your boss. Temporary or not, there's a hierarchy here.
Raikar stopped at a workstation where twin sisters sat reviewing reports, their heads bent together in quiet discussion. Both possessed the same athletic build and warm tan skin, though subtle differences marked their personalities before they even spoke. One carried herself with aggressive energy, her dark hair pulled into a high ponytail that emphasized sharp cheekbones. The other seemed calmer, more observant, her softer hair framing thoughtful green eyes.
"Talia, Brenn," Raikar's voice carried absolute authority as he interrupted their work. "This is Jade Moreno."
Both women looked up, and Jade immediately cataloged their reactions. The calmer sister—Brenn, based on Raikar's introductions—offered a genuine smile that reached her eyes. But Talia's expression remained carefully neutral, her green gaze assessing Jade with the sharp focus of a predator evaluating potential prey.
"Oh, you're the one Gerri told us about," Brenn said, rising from her chair with fluid grace. "The martial arts instructor from Earth."
"That would be me." Jade kept her voice steady, though she couldn't miss the way Talia's lips pressed into a thin line. Skepticism radiated from the other woman like heat from a forge, and Jade recognized the challenge immediately.
She thinks I don't belong here.
The reaction didn't surprise her. She'd faced similar doubt throughout her military service and competitive career—the assumption that someone her size couldn't match the strength of larger opponents. But doubt had always motivated her to work harder, to prove herself through action rather than words.
Talia would warm up to her eventually. Jade just needed to demonstrate that she could adapt to this shifter world, that human didn't automatically mean weak.
"As you know, Jade will be staying at your home," Raikar continued, his tone brooking no argument. "You'll also be handling her training for now. I'll assist when my schedule allows."
Jade caught the slight tension in his shoulders. He was avoiding training her personally, though she couldn't determine why. Did he doubt her abilities? Or was there another reason he wanted distance between them?
Maybe he feels it too.
"I'm excited to work with you," the calmer sister said, genuine warmth in her voice. "It'll be interesting to learn some human fighting techniques."
Talia's expression remained skeptical. "We understand the objective, sir. We'll see that she gets settled and started with training this afternoon."
The grudging agreement carried undertones of resignation, as if Talia had been assigned an unpleasant duty rather than offered an opportunity. Jade bit back the urge to point out that she hadn't asked for special treatment—she was here to earn her place, not have it handed to her.
"Very well." Raikar turned to hand Jade her duffel bag, and their fingers brushed again as she accepted it.
The contact sent electricity shooting up her arm, and she saw his pupils dilate before he stepped back with almost violent haste. Then he was walking away, his stride just slightly too fast to be casual, as if he needed physical space before his restraint shattered completely.
Jade watched him disappear around a corner, her skin still humming from their brief contact. Whatever was happening between them, it was affecting him as much as it affected her.
"Take Jade to our place and get her situated," Talia told her sister, her tone crisp with authority. "Meet me back here in two hours for her first training session."
Brenn nodded, though annoyance flickered across her features at her sister's rigid behavior. "Of course." She turned to Jade with an apologetic smile. "Ready to see where you'll be staying?"
"Lead the way."
As they headed toward the command center's exit, Jade couldn't resist one last glance over her shoulder. Raikar had completely disappeared deeper into the facility, but the sensation of his touch lingered like a brand against her skin.
Two hours until training.
She had that long to get her head on straight and remember why she was here. Professional development, not personal entanglement. No matter how much her body disagreed with that assessment.
The humid jungle air struck Jade like a physical force the moment they stepped outside the command center. The moisture clung to her skin with an almost possessive quality, wrapping around her like hands that refused to let go. She drew a deep breath, tasting the rich earthiness of decomposing leaves and flowering vines that created an intoxicating perfume unlike anything she'd experienced on Earth. The twin suns blazed overhead, casting everything in an otherworldly light that made the purple foliage shimmer like jewels.
