Page 25 of Stripe Theory

As the group moved toward the door, Sierra appeared for final good-byes. His sister’s quick hug of Alora spoke volumes about shifter acceptance—physical contact wasn’t casual among their kind, especially with humans.

“Don’t let my brother’s brooding discourage you,” Sierra whispered, clearly forgetting about enhanced hearing. “He’s always grumpiest when fighting the obvious.”

Rehan’s warning growl only made both women laugh. The sound of their shared amusement struck something deep in his chest—family and future tangling together in ways he wasn’t ready to examine.

The night air cooled them as they stepped outside. Maya moved ahead with Hunter, their heads bent together in suspicious collaboration, leaving Rehan and Alora in a bubble of privacy.

“Thank you,” she said again, turning to face him. Moonlight caught the gold flecks in her eyes, and his tiger paced restlessly, urging him to close the distance between them. “For everything.”

The simple sincerity of her words threatened his control more than any flirtation could have. Because that was Alora—genuine to her core, whether discussing science or facing down disapproving shifters or thanking him while looking far too beautiful in the moonlight.

He needed to step back. To maintain professional distance. To remember all the reasons this couldn’t happen.

Instead, he found himself saying, “I’ll see you tomorrow in the lab.”

Her brilliant smile made his heart stutter. “Bright and early. I have new ideas about the protein synthesis that I can’t wait to test.”

“No explosions,” he managed, though his tiger rather enjoyed her creative chaos.

“No promises.” She winked—actually winked at him—before joining Maya at the waiting car.

NINETEEN

Rehan stayed rooted in place until the car disappeared from view, his enhanced senses tracking her heartbeat until it faded into the city’s rhythm. Only then did he allow his rigid posture to slip, running a hand over his face as if he could wipe away the intensity of his reaction to her.

Hunter materialized beside him, because of course, his friend wouldn’t let him brood in peace. “Well, that went better than expected.”

“If by ‘better’ you mean you and Maya orchestrating every moment.” Rehan’s growl held no real heat. His tiger was too content from the evening’s proximity to Alora.

“Someone had to do something. You two are painful to watch.” Hunter leaned against a marble pillar. “Though I notice you’re not actually denying anything anymore.”

The observation hit too close to home. Rehan turned to head inside, but his mother stood in the doorway, her expression knowing.

“She’s different,” Jewel said quietly. “Not what I expected.”

“She’s human.” The words lacked conviction even to his own ears.

“She’s brilliant.” His mother’s tone held a hint of amusement. “And she handles your moods better than most shifters.”

“I don’t have moods.”

Both Jewel and Hunter snorted at that, the synchronized sound making Rehan’s tiger bristle.

“Son.” His father’s voice drew their attention. Franklin stood in his study doorway, backlit by warm lamplight. “Her research is promising. Her methods are... unconventional. But perhaps that’s what we need.”

Coming from Franklin Kedi, this was practically a ringing endorsement. Rehan inclined his head, not trusting himself to speak.

“Also,” Franklin added with uncharacteristic hesitation, “your tiger’s reaction to her is... noteworthy.”

Rehan stiffened. Of course, his father had noticed. The entire pride probably had, given how his control slipped whenever she was near.

“It’s not—” he started, but Sierra cut him off, appearing as if summoned by the conversation.

“If you say ‘it’s not what you think,’ I’m going to hit you,” his sister threatened. “Even through this virus fog, I can sense how your tiger responds to her. Stop fighting it.”

“You’re all reading too much into this,” Rehan insisted, though his tiger growled at the denial.

“Really?” Hunter’s eyebrows rose. “So you didn’t almost shift when my wine ‘accidentally’ splashed near her dress?”

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