Page 14 of Pawsitive Data

Like she was his mate. Like she was perfect. Like she was everything his panther had been waiting for.

“Your eyes are doing the gold thing again,” she whispered, reaching up to touch his face.

The elevator doors opened to reveal Malcolm, his cold smile a sharp contrast to Emma’s warm curiosity.

“Nephew,” Malcolm said smoothly. “I see you’re getting... acquainted with our new researcher that the council has yet to discuss.”

Lucas barely contained his territorial growl as Emma’s scent mixed with Malcolm’s presence. His uncle’s timing was never coincidental.

“Dr. Greene was just demonstrating her exceptional observational skills,” Lucas managed, guiding Emma out of theelevator with a hand at the small of her back. His fingers splayed possessively against her silk blouse before he could stop himself.

“Indeed.” Malcolm’s gaze lingered too long on Emma. “The council is waiting to discuss her... unique position here.”

Emma straightened beside Lucas, her brilliant mind visibly making connections. “Council?”

Lucas interrupted. “Perhaps we should discuss the security incident first.”

“Oh! Right. The intruder with the enhanced muscle density but slightly different. Is he from a different family line? The variations in his movement patterns suggested a distinct but related species subset...”

Malcolm’s eyes narrowed. “She’s rather observant for a human.”

“She’s rather observant for anyone,” Lucas corrected, not bothering to hide his pride. Or the warning growl when Malcolm stepped closer to Emma.

Emma’s eyes darted between them, that beautiful mind cataloging every detail.

“So,” Emma said casually, “panther shifters, right? The patterns suggest apex predator traits, probably Panthera pardus. Your scent-marking behavior alone indicates?—”

NINE

Lucas’s control nearly shattered. His mate – because there was no denying that’s what she was, not when every molecule of his being burned to claim her – had just calmly identified his species while smelling like jasmine, lightning, and arousal.

“Scent marking?” he managed, voice rough with the effort of not shifting right there.

“Mm-hmm.” Her eyes sparkled with that deadly combination of scientific interest and attraction that made his beast purr. “And your pupils dilate vertically when you’re... interested.” She blushed but held his gaze. “Like they are now.”

Malcolm’s sharp inhale broke the moment. “Dr. Greene, I’m not sure you understand the delicacy of?—”

“Oh, the secrecy makes perfect sense,” Emma interrupted, turning to face Malcolm but unconsciously leaning back against Lucas’s chest. The trust in that simple movement made his claws emerge. “A population of shapeshifters would need significant protection from discovery. Though your corporate structure is brilliant – hiding enhanced abilities behind business success. Perfect cover.”

She smelled like pure excitement now, mixed with something softer when Lucas’s hands settled on her waist. “The fertility crisis makes more sense too. Your DNA is too stable, too resistant to the natural variation needed for reproduction. But I think I can help with that, if you’ll let me study the genetic patterns in your shifted form. The transformation process alone must be incredible at the molecular level...”

Lucas couldn’t help it. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply. She shivered but didn’t pull away, her pulse jumping in a way that had nothing to do with fear and everything to do with how his hands tightened on her hips.

“Wow,” she breathed. “Your body temperature increases with proximity to potential mates. Is that an autonomic response or?—”

“Mates?” Malcolm’s cold voice cut in.

“Well, yes. The way he’s been scent marking me since yesterday suggests mate recognition. Unless I’m misinterpreting the behavioral patterns.”

When Malcolm stepped closer, Lucas growled, actually growled. Emma’s scent spiked with attraction at the sound.

“You’re not misinterpreting anything,” Lucas rumbled against her neck, giving up any pretense of professional distance. His mate was fearless and currently explaining shifter biology, all while smelling like she wanted to climb him like a tree.

“Good.” She turned in his arms, completely ignoring Malcolm’s presence. “Because I have about a thousand questions about your genetic structure, and some of them might require hands-on research...”

The purr that rumbled from his chest was completely involuntary. Emma’s answering smile was pure wicked intelligence.

“Also, your uncle’s about to have an aneurysm,” she whispered, though her hands had settled on his chest in a way that made his beast want to roar in triumph. “And I think we’re scandalizing your security team.”

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