Page 9 of Stripe Theory

“She’s brilliant, and everyone adores her.” Hunter slid a photo across the desk’s polished surface. “And lucky you, boss – she’s gorgeous too.”

The image showed a woman with bright eyes and a mischievous smile that suggested she’d just unraveled one of the universe’s secrets and couldn’t wait to share it. Her heart-shaped face held both intelligence and warmth, and that ridiculous lab coat somehow suited her perfectly. Something stirred in Rehan’s chest – a low rumble of interest from his tiger that he struggled to suppress.

“Her appearance is irrelevant.” The words came out rougher than intended. He forced his eyes away from the photo, only to have them drift back of their own accord. “This is about research, nothing more.”

“Sure, sure.” Hunter’s smirk widened. “Just wait until you meet her. The mighty Rehan Kedi versus the scientist who named her cat Stripes and makes her grad students wear tiger ears during lab meetings. This is going to be entertaining.”

“We’re investing in her research, not her personality,” Rehan maintained, though his gaze lingered on her photo. Something about her smile tugged at him, made his tiger pace restlessly beneath his skin. He straightened a pen that had moved microscopically out of alignment. “The virus spreads. We need her expertise especially with Sierra showing early symptoms.”

The mention of his sister sobered them both. Hunter’s expression darkened as he passed over a medical file, its pristine pages containing devastating news.

Rehan’s fingers tightened on the report, crinkling the paper – a rare loss of control. The virus progressed faster in younger shifters, and Sierra’s symptoms advanced daily. His tiger snarled, protective rage surging through both human and animal sides. The need to protect his pride and family clashed with his instincts to maintain perfect composure.

“Her latest blood work shows accelerated deterioration,” Hunter said quietly. “The separation between her human and tiger forms grows more pronounced. Soon, she might lose the ability to shift entirely.”

A low growl escaped before Rehan could stop it. The sound rippled through his office, making the windows vibrate faintly. Hunter’s eyes widened – Rehan never lost control like this.

“The pride cannot afford failure,” Rehan said, forcing his voice back to its usual calm. “Dr. Sky’s research represents our best chance at understanding this virus. At saving Sierra.”

He glanced at his watch. “It’s time we go meet this enigmatic scientist.”

FIVE

They rode up the university’s research lab elevator in silence. Rehan adjusted his tie with precise movements. The charcoal silk slid smooth against his fingers, another point of controlled perfection in his ordered world.

The elevator doors open to a short hall with a heavy security door blocking their path. Hunter held the security card they were given up to the square device next to the door. When nothing happened, Hunter tapped it against the reader. Again nothing unlocked.

“Damn,” Hunter said, “the stupid thing isn’t working. We’ll have to walk all the way back across campus to get another card.”

Rehan didn’t have nearly enough patience for that. Instead, he yanked on the door with a bit of borrowed strength from his cat, snapping the locking mechanism.

“Oh look,” Rehan said. “It’s open.” Hunter rolled his eyes. Rehan just pushed him forward. “I don’t have time for this. Get going.”

When he stepped past the doors, he waved to the cameras as if nothing had happened to let the security base know it was just him. No need to freak out and call the police.

Walking down the hall, Rehan’s enhanced hearing picked up the faint buzz of music growing louder as they approached the research level. The lab’s security panel scanned their credential, and this time, seemed to work just fine as the door clicked and opened.

Rehan stepped into chaos.

His ordered mind struggled to process the sensory onslaught. Every surface bore some mark of personality: tiger-striped posters declaring “Think Outside the Cage,” colorful sticky notes creating a rainbow of reminders, and equipment labeled with both scientific precision and questionable cat puns. A cat crept from under a desk, regarding him with elegant disdain that rivaled his own.

And in the center of it all, Dr. Alora Sky stood.

His tiger surged forward with such force that Rehan had to grip his control with an iron will.Mine. The possessive intensity of the response shook him. He’d never experienced such an immediate, visceral reaction to anyone.

“You must be Mr. Kedi,” she said, her British accent softening the words. A hint of mischief danced in her eyes. “Watch your step – genius at work tends to spill over.”

“It appears so.” His dry tone couldn’t quite mask his fascination. The photo hadn’t prepared him for her presence, for the way she filled the space with vibrant energy.

He took one perfectly measured step forward and promptly stumbled over a stack of research books. His enhanced reflexes saved him from embarrassment, but not from the spark of amusement in Alora’s eyes.

“Careful,” she said, lips twitching. “Those contain at least three groundbreaking theories and one truly terrible poem about protein synthesis.”

“A poem?” The word escaped before he could stop it.

“Sometimes science needs a creative approach.” She shrugged, the movement drawing his attention to the curve of her shoulder, the graceful line of her neck. “Though in my defense, I wrote it at five AM after a breakthrough. Everything seems more poetic at five AM.”

“I wouldn’t know.” The words came out less stern than intended. Something about her presence made his usual aloofness slip.

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