Page 39 of Stripe for the Picking
"We've got this," Rylan said with confidence. His hand brushed her arm, sending heat shooting through her nervous system. "Just so you know, today I'll be hooked up with an additional comm strapped to my chest. If I need to shift into my tiger form during the course, you'll still be able to communicate with me."
His majestic tiger. I would love to see that again.
"I can't talk in tiger form, but I'll understand every word you say," he continued, his blue eyes darkening with intensity. "And our mate bond will give us an extra advantage—we'll be able to sense each other's emotions."
"Now that you mention it, I have been able to sense your emotions more these past two days," she admitted, heat flushing her cheeks as memories of their passionate encounters flooded her mind.
"I know you have," he said, his voice dropping to that alpha tone that made her body respond with embarrassing intensity. "And I can feel everything you're feeling right now."
"I'd give you a kiss for good luck, but we can't show that we're mates publicly yet," she said, frustration and desire warring in her chest.
"That's okay. I can feel your affection through our bond." His smile was pure predatory satisfaction. "Save that public kiss for after we win."
Rylan headed toward the arena entrance, every movement radiating the lethal grace of an apex predator preparing for battle. Wren situated herself at her command station, her nimble fingers flexing across the controls that had become as familiar as breathing these past three days.
Time to show them what a human and her tiger mate can truly accomplish together.
From her elevated position at her command station, Wren's gaze swept across the activated arena below, her pulse quickening at the sight before her. The terrain stretched like a miniature world of controlled chaos—jagged metallic spires jutted from crystalline platforms that shifted and rotated with mechanical precision, while simulated hazards flickered with holographic menace across the complex landscape. Swirling energy barriers created maze-like pathways that seemed to change configuration every few seconds.
This is way more intense than anything we practiced.
The arena's complexity should have terrified her, but instead, electric anticipation buzzed through her like pure adrenaline. Her fingers hovered over the controls, muscle memory from their training sessions taking over as she mentally mapped potential routes and threat points.
Let them underestimate the human from Earth.
Her eyes found Rylan in the warm-up area, his powerful frame moving through combat sequences with deadly grace. Every controlled movement highlighted the predatory strength that made her body respond with desire, even now when she needed to focus.
"Comms check," his deep voice crackled through her earpiece, bringing her back to reality.
"Loud and clear, Commander," she replied, her voice steady despite the way her heart hammered in her chest. "How's the arena looking from down there?"
"Like a death trap designed by someone with a seriously twisted imagination." His eyes found hers across the distance, and even from way up on this high platform, she could see his dazzling smile. "Good thing I have the smartest partner in the universe watching my back."
Warmth flooded her chest at his unwavering confidence.He believes in me completely. No hesitation and no doubt.
Her gaze drifted back toward the observation deck where Council members clustered in their formal robes, their expressions ranging from curious to skeptical as they studied the competitors below. But it was Arvox's piercing stare that made her skin crawl.
That manipulative snake wants Rylan to fail and is probably planning how to sabotage him during the Trials.The thought sparked protective fury that surprised her with its intensity.
Nobody threatens my mate.
The Council leader, a distinguished tiger shifter with silver-streaked hair, finally strode to the center of the arena with ceremonial gravity. His voice boomed through the arena's speakers as he began the opening ceremony.
"Welcome to the annual Protocol Trials, where Nova Aurora's finest leaders prove their worth through courage, strategy, and teamwork." The formal words echoed off the glass walls. "Today we have thirteen competitors representing different cities and sectors across our planet."
As he introduced each competitor—commanders, generals, and royalty with impressive credentials—Wren's competitive spirit flared.
They all look formidable, but none of them have what we have.
"The Protocol Trials consist of three rounds," the Council leader continued, his authoritative tone carrying across the hushed arena. "Competitors earn points for various objectives, with the highest points awarded for completion time and civilian rescues. Remember—in leadership, every second counts, and every life matters."
Rylan's intense gaze found hers again, and she gave him an enthusiastic thumbs up, her confidence radiating through their mate bond like shared electricity.
Then, the ceremonial bell rang with resonant clarity, and chaos erupted as the thirteen competitors surged into motion.
"Talk to me, beautiful," Rylan's voice commanded through the comms as he sprinted toward the first checkpoint. "What am I dealing with?"
Wren's fingers danced across her controls, her genius-level mind processing multiple data streams simultaneously. "Rotating barrier at two o'clock, but there's a gap forming ineight seconds. Energy pulse incoming from your left—dodge right, now!"
