Page 46 of Stripe Theory

“Because it terrified me.” The admission came easier than expected. “The mighty Rehan Kedi, brought to his knees by a human scientist who makes tiger puns and turns party decorations into chemical weapons.”

Her laugh held a hint of tears. “To be fair, they were very effective weapons.”

“They were.” He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “You are extraordinary, Alora Sky. And I’ve been fighting this because I thought I had to – to protect the pride, to maintain control. But watching you with my family today...”

“Your mom’s amazing,” she interjected. “Did you know she’s been documenting shifter healing techniques for decades? The applications for modern medicine are incredible.”

He smiled, something in his chest expanding with warmth. “See? That. The way you light up about science. How you see possibilities where others see barriers. You make me want to be more than just the controlled leader everyone expects.”

“Hey.” She tugged him closer. “You’ve always been more than that. I’ve seen how you are with Sierra, with your pride. You care so deeply about everyone around you.”

“You see me,” he murmured. “Both sides of me. And instead of running from the tiger, you made it a pillow.”

“Well, someone had to liven up your boring corporate life.”

The security feed flickered again, drawing their attention back to the screens. But this time felt different – a subtle wrongness that set Rehan’s instincts on edge.

“They’re here,” Hunter’s voice came through the comm. “Signal trace is active.”

Alora straightened, game face on. “Time to spring our trap?”

“Time to spring our trap,” Rehan agreed.

She started to rise, but he caught her hand. “Alora?”

“Hmm?”

“When this is over... we should talk about mate bonds.”

Her vivid smile lit up the room. “Only if you promise to let me run some experiments. For science, of course.”

“Of course.” He pressed a kiss to her temple, breathing in her scent. “Now, let’s go catch ourselves a traitor.”

As they moved into position, Rehan felt more centered than he had in weeks. His tiger paced with anticipation, but not restlessness. Whatever came next, they would face it together – the CEO and the scientist, the tiger and his mate.

And heaven help anyone who tried to stand in their way.

THIRTY-SEVEN

The secure server room hummed with electronic life, screens casting a blue glow across gathered faces. Maya sat at the main terminal, her fingers gliding over keys while Hunter loomed protectively behind her chair.

“They’re taking the bait,” Maya announced, eyes fixed on scrolling data. “Accessing the modified treatment protocols... downloading Sierra’s false lab results...”

Rehan felt Alora vibrate with contained energy beside him. Her brilliant mind had crafted this trap, using the virus’s own patterns against their enemies. His tiger preened at their mate’s cleverness.

“Got you,” Maya muttered. “They’re trying to route through our backup servers, but...” She grinned triumphantly. “Trace program locked. Location confirmed.”

The building schematic lit up, a red dot pulsing on the fifteenth floor. In the private executive offices.

“That’s impossible.” Hunter straightened. “Those offices are biometrically sealed. Only council members...”

“Pull up the access logs,” Rehan ordered, though he already knew what they’d find.

Councilman Barlow’s ID signature filled the screen. The same council member who’d questioned Alora’s involvement from the start.

“He’s moving.” Hunter indicated the security feed. “Heading for the emergency stairs.”

Rehan’s tiger surged forward, claws itching for release. “Lock down the building.”

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