Page 32 of Stripe Theory

He pulled out his phone and glanced at the flashing headliners. “It appears other research facilities are under attack. Anyone studying human-shifter genetics is being targeted.”

His tiger rumbled in defiance. His mate had already crossed those boundaries, bringing out strengths neither of them knew they possessed.

“They’re afraid of us,” Alora said. “Not just my research—us.”

“Good.” He gave up fighting the urge to pull her closer. “They should be.”

Maya’s phone chimed with another security alert. “Whatever’s coming, it’s not just about genetics anymore. It’s about evolution itself.”

TWENTY-FIVE

Rehan met Alora’s determined gaze. His tiger had chosen well—she wasn’t just brilliant and fearless, she was revolutionary. Together, they would reshape what everyone thought possible.

Let Genesis Corp come. Let the council object. His tiger had found its mate in this extraordinary human woman, and nothing would tear them apart.

“Research facility in Boston, breached,” Maya said. “They disabled security, corrupted data, destroyed samples. Targeting shifter genetics research specifically. But the London facility was different. They took their whole database on interspecies medical trials.”

Rehan’s claws extended slightly, scoring tiny marks in his tablet. The pattern was clear—Genesis Corp systematically erasing evidence that shifters and humans could be compatible. His tiger snarled at the threat to their relationship, still new and fragile.

“They’re getting bolder,” Maya added. “Check your emails. Leeta’s calling an emergency council session. Says she has ‘concerns about unauthorized genetic experimentation.’“

“Convenient timing.” Alora didn’t look up from her microscope, but her tone dripped sarcasm.

“I’m not going,” Rehan said. “It could be a way to get you alone and vulnerable. If it’s real, my parents will let me know what was discussed.”

“Think she coordinated all this just to make a dramatic presentation?” Maya asked.

“You don’t know Leeta.” Rehan’s expression darkened. “She’d burn down half the city if it made for a better power play.”

Rehan watched Alora work. His enhanced senses caught every micro-expression—the slight furrow between her brows as she concentrated, the way she nibbled her lower lip when processing data. His tiger purred at their mate’s genius.

The time that ticked by could’ve been hours or minutes. Time wasn’t relevant when his mate was in her zone. She was powerful, mesmerizing and--

“Got it!” She straightened suddenly, eyes bright with discovery. “The virus mutations, the timing of the attacks—they’re not just trying to stop the research. They’re collecting data on how different shifter bloodlines react to human DNA.”

She pulled up a complex genetic diagram. Even Rehan’s extensive biology knowledge struggled to follow her rapid explanation.

“See these markers? They indicate adaptation potential. I didn’t believe Leeta before but Genesis Corp isn’t fighting evolution—they’re trying to control it. Figure out which bloodlines might be compatible with humans and eliminate them before?—”

The lab entrance creaked open and Hunter poked his head through just enough to be seen. “Rehan, your father’s waiting in your office.” His expression was grim. “And he’s not alone.”

Damn, what did the man want now? To argue further about him spending too much time with a human. She was his mate.His cat turned its nose up and walked around in his head. No changing their minds.

Rehan’s enhanced hearing caught fragments of heated discussion before he even reached his office door. Franklin Kedi’s deep growl mixed with another familiar voice—his mother, Jewel.

“—cannot ignore tradition—” his father was saying.

“Cannot ignore evolution either,” his mother cut in. “Or have you forgotten how your own parents objected to my ‘common’ bloodline?”

Rehan squared his shoulders and entered. Both parents turned, their argument cutting off mid-sentence.

“The council members are demanding explanations.” Franklin didn’t waste time on greetings. “Leeta told them you shifted to protect a human. And now Councilman Barlow wants to know what we plan to do about this human’s knowledge of us.”

“Thathumanis my mate.”

The words hung in the air. His mother’s sharp intake of breath competed with his father’s warning growl.

“You can’t be certain—” Franklin started.

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