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But it was her photograph that stopped his world entirely.

Long dark brown hair framed a face that belonged in ancient sculptures celebrating feminine beauty. Green eyes held intelligence that seemed to leap from the holographic display, studying him with the same intensity he was studying her. Fair skin looked impossibly soft, and something in her expression suggested both vulnerability and strength coupled with curiosity and caution.

His tiger went absolutely still, every instinct suddenly focused with laser precision. The beast recognized something his rational mind couldn't yet name, some primal connection that transcended logic and reason. Heat spread through his chest,unfamiliar and unsettling, as if his body was waking up from a deep sleep he hadn't realized he'd been trapped in.

Dangerous.The word whispered through his thoughts like a prayer. This woman represented everything he'd spent fifteen years avoiding—emotional entanglement, divided loyalties, and the weakness that came with caring about someone more than duty.

"She's exactly what you need for the cyber threats," Gerri continued on, her voice carrying smug satisfaction. "Her approach to problem-solving is unconventional but brilliant. She thinks several moves ahead, adapts faster than most people breathe, and has never met a system she couldn't crack."

Rylan forced himself to focus on the technical specifications, analyzing her methods and success rates with the same detachment he applied to military strategy. Her precision matched his own, but her adaptability exceeded anything in his experience. She approached problems from angles that would never occur to him, finding solutions in chaos where he sought order in structure.

"The Protocol Trials are next week," Gerri added with deceptive casualness. "Leadership, strategy, and synergy with a partner who can anticipate threats and complement your strengths. She could tip the scales in your favor."

The observation hit like lightning striking twice in the same spot. The annual Protocol Trials represented his best chance at the promotion he'd coveted for years, the opportunity to prove his leadership capabilities beyond question. Past attempts had fallen short because he'd insisted on operating alone or with unqualified partners.

But if this woman possessed the skills her file suggested, if she could truly complement his tactical approach while covering his blind spots...

His tiger paced with growing agitation, torn between attraction and territorial instincts. The beast wanted to claim what felt like theirs while simultaneously protecting their established dominance from outside interference.

"Fine," he said finally, his voice carrying grudging acceptance. "I'll accept her help. But I'm not making any agreements about mates, even if she happens to be my fated match."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, darling." Gerri's teasing laughter filled his workspace again. "Just take it as it comes. Don't rule out possibilities that might surprise even you if you take a chance on fate."

"I'm not promising or guaranteeing anything," Rylan replied with characteristic bluntness, his alpha nature demanding control over the situation. "This is purely professional necessity."

The connection ended with Gerri's satisfied chuckle echoing in the sudden silence. Rylan stared at Wren's image, his mind already calculating risk versus reward while his tiger continued its restless prowling.

Proceed carefully.The strategy formed with military precision.Maintain control. Use her skills. Win the Trials. Save Nova Aurora.

Simple objectives with potentially complex consequences.

THREE

WREN

The green sundress had seemed like the perfect choice when Wren pulled it from her closet at dawn. Now, standing outside the coffee shop with her heart hammering against her ribs, she wondered if she'd unconsciously chosen it to match her eyes—or if some deeper instinct had guided her selection for this life-altering morning.

Sleep had proved elusive last night. Every time she'd closed her eyes, visions of alien worlds and tiger shifters had danced behind her lids, sending pulses of excitement through her body that made rest impossible. She'd spent hours pacing her apartment, alternating between packing and unpacking her suitcase, second-guessing every decision while simultaneously feeling more alive than she had in years.

This is insane,she thought, adjusting the strap of her backpack.Normal people don't just abandon their lives to follow mysterious women to alien planets.

But then again, she'd never been particularly normal.

The familiar aroma of roasted coffee beans drifted from the shop's open door, carrying hints of caramel and vanilla that usually brought comfort. Today, the scent felt like a farewell kissfrom her old life—predictable, safe, and suddenly suffocating in its routine familiarity.

Her business would survive a few weeks without her. Hell, she was overdue for a vacation anyway, and most of her clients preferred email communication over face-to-face meetings. This morning before she'd left her apartment, she'd set up an 'out-of-office' alert and framed her absence as an extended vacation. Wren assumed most of her clients would understand, and they would probably even be pleased that she was finally taking some time for herself.

Rationalize all you want,her inner voice whispered with amusement.You know this is about something bigger than vacation time.

The click of designer heels on concrete announced Gerri's arrival before Wren saw her. The older woman appeared around the corner like a vision in red, her sleeveless dress hugging her petite frame with enviable sophistication. Red heels added inches to her height while somehow making her movements appear effortless, as if she'd been born wearing stilettos.

"Did you pack light, darling?" Gerri's mischievous grin sparkled with secrets. "You'll need your wits more than your luggage."

Wren hefted her suitcase experimentally. "Define light. I may have overpacked on the tech gear side, but I figured alien planets might have different charging standards."

"Smart girl." Gerri's approval warmed something deep in Wren's chest. "Though I suspect you'll find Nova Aurora more accommodating than you expect."

Without further explanation, Gerri spun on her heel and began walking toward a building behind the coffee shop. The structure looked completely ordinary—gray brick and unremarkable windows, the kind of place people walked past without a second glance.