6. Izei
SIX
IZEI
Dawn had filtered through the tall windows of Izei's study hours ago, but sleep had remained as elusive as his mate's trust. The mate bond pulsed beneath his skin like a second heartbeat, carrying whispers of Freesia's emotions that made concentration nearly impossible.
Worry. Fear. Determination. And now, suddenly, an eager excitement that had his panther pacing restlessly.
The distance between them—even within his own estate—felt unbearable.
Izei forced himself to focus on the tactical maps spread across his mahogany desk, where Reth had meticulously marked potential safehouses across Southeast Asia.
His Beta sat in the leather chair opposite him, nursing his third cup of coffee while reviewing intelligence reports with the same methodical precision he brought to every operation.
"The northern region is completely compromised," Reth said. "Whatever happened to the Waverly pride that night three months ago, someone made sure there were no safe havens left near the Waverly territory."
Izei nodded absently, his attention fractured between the conversation and the mate bond's insistent tugging. Through the growing bond, he could sense Freesia moving around upstairs—restless energy that matched his own need to be near her.
The study door opened without a knock, and his sister Kenia swept in with the easy confidence of someone who'd never needed permission to enter her brother's space.
She wore a flowing emerald dress that complemented her warm tanned skin, her long black hair was braided loosely over one shoulder, and she carried the kind of bright energy that always made rooms feel more welcoming.
"Good morning, gentlemen." She settled gracefully into the chair beside Reth's, her dark eyes immediately cataloging the tension radiating from Izei. "Izei, you look terrible."
"Thank you for that astute observation," Izei replied dryly, though he couldn't quite suppress the smile that tugged at his lips. Kenia had always possessed an uncanny ability to see through his carefully maintained composure.
"I'm assuming our new guests are the reason you've been so uptight?" She raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting to something more serious. "Reth filled me in on the basics. Queen Freesia Waverly and her jaguar protector need sanctuary while you investigate who destroyed her pride."
"That's the simplified version," Reth said, exchanging a meaningful glance with Izei. "There are... additional complications."
Kenia's gaze sharpened with interest. "What kind of complications?"
Before Izei could deflect the question, footsteps echoed in the hallway outside the study.
His panther immediately surged forward, recognizing the familiar cadence of Freesia's movement even through the thick walls.
The mate bond flared with sudden intensity, and he had to grip the edge of his desk to resist the overwhelming urge to rush toward her.
"The kind that changes everything," Izei said quietly, just as Luka and Freesia appeared in the doorway.
Izei rose from his chair, his body moving without conscious thought as Freesia stepped into his study.
She'd left her hair down today—thick, dark waves framing her face and falling past her shoulders—and even in her practical cargo pants and fitted black shirt, she was breathtaking.
The small satchel containing the Compact rested against her hip, a silent reminder of the responsibility she carried.
Her orchid and rain scent filled the space, overlaying the familiar leather and wood smell of his study with something infinitely more compelling. His panther rumbled with satisfaction at having their mate so close, while simultaneously protesting the careful distance she maintained.
"Freesia, Luka," Izei said, his voice roughened. "I'd like you to meet my sister, Kenia."
Kenia rose with liquid grace, her expression warming as she took in their guests. "It's wonderful to finally meet you both. I've heard so much about your situation, and I want you to know that you're completely welcome here for as long as you need."
"Thank you," Freesia replied, her polite smile making his panther purr with approval. "We appreciate your pride's hospitality more than you know."
But Izei noticed the way her gaze kept drifting back to him, and the subtle tension in her shoulders that suggested she was fighting the same magnetic pull he felt. The mate bond pulsed between them, stronger now than it had been last night, demanding acknowledgment.
Luka stepped forward with an easy smile that immediately put Kenia at ease. "Freesia's being modest. We've been living in abandoned safehouses and eating field rations for three months. This place feels like paradise."
"Well, I'm happy to hear you're settling in nicely," Kenia said, her attention shifting to Luka with obvious interest. "I was planning to take you both into town today—get you properly outfitted with clothes and supplies, maybe show you around our territory so you can start feeling at home."
Izei watched his sister's reaction to the exiled jaguar with growing concern. Kenia had always been drawn to strays and lost causes, but the way her eyes lingered on Luka's face suggested something more personal than her usual compassionate nature.
One more complication I don't need right now.
"That's very thoughtful," Freesia said, though her tone suggested she had other plans. "But I was hoping to accompany Izei and Reth today."
Every protective instinct Izei possessed roared in protest. "Absolutely not. It's not safe."
Freesia's blue eyes darkened with determination. "I'm going with you."
"No." The word came out sharp, his Alpha authority bleeding through despite his efforts to remain diplomatic. "My job is to protect you, not drag you into potentially dangerous situations."
"Your job," Freesia said, her voice deadly quiet, "is to help me protect the Waverly Compact and find out who's after me. I know how to protect myself, and I'm not going to sit here playing dress-up while you handle everything."
The challenge in her tone made his panther pace with frustrated desire. She was magnificent when she stood her ground—every inch the royal she'd been born to be—but that only made his need to shield her from harm more intense.
Reth cleared his throat diplomatically. "Perhaps we could discuss—"
"I'm going with you," Freesia repeated, her gaze never leaving Izei's face. "And that's final."
Izei felt the mate bond pulse with her fierce determination.
She wasn't asking for permission. She was informing him of her decision.
The rational part of his mind recognized the strategic value of having the Keeper of the Waverly Compact present when they located Aldric.
But the protective part of his nature wanted to lock her in the safest room of his estate and post guards at the entrance.
The mate bond, however, whispered something else entirely.
She's not fragile. She's a survivor. Trust her.
"Fine," Izei said finally, the word tasting like defeat. "You can come. But Luka stays here with Kenia."
Luka's eyebrows rose with obvious amusement. "I don't have a problem with that arrangement."
Kenia smiled brightly. "Wonderful. I promise to take excellent care of him while you're gone."
The way she said it made Izei's protective instincts shift targets, but before he could address that particular concern, Freesia's expression softened with something that looked almost like approval.
"Thank you," she said simply.
The gratitude in her voice made his chest tight. "Just... stay close to me."
Kenia moved toward the door with Luka at her side. "We'll leave you three to plan your mission. Luka and I have shopping to do."
As they disappeared into the hallway, Izei caught the sound of his sister's laughter mixing with Luka's deeper chuckle, and he made a mental note to have a conversation with Kenia about the wisdom of getting involved with exiled jaguars.
But right now, he had to focus on the woman standing across from him, whose presence made every rational thought feel secondary to the overwhelming need to touch her.
"We should call Gerri," Reth said diplomatically, clearly sensing the tension crackling between his Alpha and their beautiful, stubborn guest. "Get Aldric's location and plan our approach."
Izei nodded. "Right. Let's focus on the mission."
Izei pulled out his phone, the device's encrypted interface reflecting years of intelligence work across its black surface. He scrolled through his contacts until he found Gerri's number, then pressed dial while moving to stand near the tall windows overlooking his estate's grounds.
The phone rang twice before Gerri's cheerful voice filled the study. "Well, hello there, dear. I was wondering when you'd call."
"Gerri." Izei's tone carried professional courtesy. "We need Aldric's location."
"Straight to business, I see." Her laugh held notes of satisfaction. "I do appreciate a man who doesn't waste time with small talk. Aldric is staying at a cottage about an hour south of your estate—very remote. I'll text you the coordinates."
Izei watched Freesia from the corner of his eye as she moved closer to hear the conversation, her posture tense with anticipation.
"How is our lovely Queen settling in?" Gerri's voice took on a knowing quality that made Izei's panther stir with unease.
"She's safe here," he replied carefully.
"Oh, I'm sure she is. And how are you two getting along? Working together well?"
Izei felt heat rise along his neck. Somehow, Gerri always managed to ask questions that felt like she already knew the answers. "We've established a professional working relationship."
"Professional," Gerri repeated, her tone dripping with amusement. "Well, that's certainly one way to describe it. I'm so pleased to hear you're helping her find her scattered pride members. That's exactly what she needs right now—someone willing to help her rebuild what she's lost."