Chapter 4
FOUR
R ehan Kedi stood at his office window, watching dawn paint Manhattan’s skyline in shades of amber that reminded him of his tiger’s eyes. Forty floors below, the city stirred to life, but up here in his pristine sanctuary, nothing moved without his permission.
Every surface gleamed with measured perfection – from the mahogany desk positioned at precisely the right angle to catch the morning light, to the perfectly spaced artwork featuring abstract interpretations of jungle scenes.
Control. Order. Precision. These principles had guided him since taking over as pride leader at twenty-five years of age, the youngest alpha in Kedi history. They’d driven him to transform his family’s company into a biotechnology empire. They’d kept him focused through endless nights of training, board meetings, and pride politics.
Yet now, staring at Dr. Alora Sky’s research for the third time, those principles wavered.
His tablet displayed her latest findings, each page a brilliant fusion of innovative thinking and methodical science. Her understanding of shifter genetics went beyond mere academic knowledge – she saw patterns others missed, made connections that shouldn’t have been possible for a human scientist. Most infuriatingly, she presented it all with an enthusiasm that bordered on chaos.
“Your coffee’s getting cold,” Hunter Carver noted from his sprawled position in one of the leather chairs. His security chief’s casual posture might fool others, but Rehan recognized the predatory readiness in his friend’s relaxed limbs. “Though you haven’t touched it in thirty minutes. Something about Dr. Sky’s research keeping you occupied?”
Rehan’s finger tapped the desk – once, twice – before he caught himself. “Her methodology is... unexpected.”
“Your mother’s quite insistent about this investment,” Hunter said, amusement coloring his tone. “Though I have to admit, Dr. Sky’s approach to the virus is unique. Treating it as a genetic puzzle rather than just a shifter illness...”
“Mother says she shows remarkable insight for a human.” The words came out more clipped than intended, making Hunter roll his eyes – a habit his friend had perfected over their years together. “With the virus spreading through pride communities, we need fresh perspectives.”
“Oh, you’ll get fresh perspective all right.” Hunter’s grin widened as he pulled up a video on his tablet. “Dr. Alora Sky gave a lecture last month. Watch this.”
Rehan’s tiger stirred with interest before he’d even processed why. On screen, a woman with copper-streaked brown hair practically radiated energy, her hands painting pictures in the air as she explained complex genetic theories. Her lab coat – covered in what appeared to be cartoon tigers – swished with each animated movement. The absurdity of her attire clashed with the brilliant science flowing from her lips.
“So when we examine the protein binding sequence,” video-Alora explained, her British accent adding charm to her words, “we see the virus isn’t kitten around – it’s literally playing cat and mouse with the shifter’s DNA.” Her audience laughed, but their notepads never stopped moving. “And that’s the catastrophe we need to prevent. Though I promise not to make any more cat puns during this presentation.” She paused, eyes twinkling. “That’s a whisker I can’t risk.”
Rehan’s jaw clenched. His tiger, traitor that it was, purred at her playfulness. “She’s... unconventional.”
“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.”