Chapter 8
EIGHT
KORRAN
The council chamber’s oppressive atmosphere pressed against Korran like a physical weight, the familiar scents of polished wood and cold stone doing nothing to calm the restless energy coiling through his massive frame.
He sat at the head of the ancient oak table, his broad shoulders rigid beneath his formal jacket, while Malvek’s voice droned on with the relentless persistence of winter wind against stone.
“The king’s deterioration has accelerated noticeably over the past month,” Malvek stated, his steel-grey eyes fixed on Korran with predatory intensity. “Which makes the question of succession—and your mating—more pressing than ever.”
Korran’s jaw tightened. His bear stirred restlessly, sensing the political trap being laid with surgical precision. “I’ve already made my position clear, Malvek. My focus remains on the investigation that could save my father’s life, not on personal arrangements.”
“Personal arrangements?” Malvek’s tone carried a dangerous edge, though his expression remained perfectly controlled. “Prince Korran, securing the royal line is hardly a personal matter. It’s a duty to the Northern Dominion.”
The words hit their intended mark. Korran’s fingers curled against the table’s surface, his knuckles whitening as he fought the urge to let his claws extend.
Every instinct told him to end this conversation, to protect what was his—but Tess wasn’t his, couldn’t be his, and that truth burned through his chest like acid.
“Seraya and the council have been patient,” Malvek continued, his voice carrying the weight of implied threat. “But patience has limits, especially when the future of our territory hangs in the balance.”
Seraya.
The name should have stirred something in him—respect, attraction, even basic political interest. Instead, all he could think about was rose water and rain, green eyes that challenged him without fear, and the way Tess had looked in that crimson gown.
The memory hit him like a freight train: silk clinging to curves that made his mouth go dry, her dark hair spilling over bare shoulders, and the heat in her gaze when their eyes met. His bear roared with violent approval.
Mine. Claim her. Mark her. Make her understand.
“And surely, this human scientist doesn’t need to waste her time here with a full investigation,” Malvek’s voice cut through his dangerous thoughts like a blade. “We already know that Varix’s treatments are the only thing keeping the king stable.”
Something in Malvek’s tone made Korran’s predatory instincts sharpen. The older man’s words were carefully neutral, but there was an undercurrent of... what? Satisfaction? Anticipation?
“Dr. Holt is thorough,” Korran said carefully, his deep voice carrying an edge that made several council members straighten. “She won’t draw conclusions without proper investigation.”
“Very well.” Malvek’s smile was thin as winter ice. “Though I imagine working with our methods and trying to understand shifter biology must be... challenging for someone from Earth. Perhaps she would benefit from closer supervision from Varix?”
“Actually,” Korran heard himself say, “I’ve been considering taking a more direct role in the investigation.”
The silence that followed was sharp enough to cut. Every council member’s attention focused on him with laser intensity, but it was Malvek’s reaction that mattered. The older man’s eyes narrowed.
“More direct how?”
Korran leaned back in his chair, projecting the kind of casual dominance that had been bred into his bones. “I have extensive knowledge of shifter biology and our medical facilities. Dr. Holt could benefit from having someone of my particular expertise and authority working alongside her.”
“And who would handle your current responsibilities?” Malvek’s tone remained perfectly controlled, but Korran caught the flash of calculation behind his eyes.
“Orric is more than capable of managing day-to-day operations for two weeks.” The answer came easily, too easily. “He’s served as my father’s second-in-command for years.”
Malvek steepled his fingers, the gesture deceptively thoughtful. “I suppose that would expedite the process. The sooner Dr. Holt confirms that the mate bond theory is correct, the sooner we can focus on... other matters.”
The way he said ‘other matters’ made Korran’s skin crawl. There was something underneath Malvek’s words, a certainty that felt wrong. How could he be so sure that Tess would confirm their existing theory?
“Then it’s settled,” Korran said, straightening in his chair. “I’ll begin working directly with Dr. Holt tomorrow.”
“Excellent.” Malvek’s smile was sharp as a blade. “I look forward to hearing about any... developments in the investigation.”
The meeting dissolved into mundane territory discussions, but Korran barely heard the words.
His mind was already racing ahead, to working alongside Tess in the lab, to being close enough to breathe in her intoxicating scent and watch the way her brilliant mind attacked problems. His bear practically purred with satisfaction.
Finally. Closer to our mate.
Korran tried to argue with himself. No. She’s human. She’s dangerous. She’s everything we can’t have.
But even as the thoughts formed, he knew they were lies. Tess was his fated mate—the recognition had been instant and absolute. The question wasn’t whether she belonged to him, but whether he was strong enough to resist claiming what was his.
As the council meeting finally ended, Korran strode from the chamber with purposeful strides, his destination already clear in his mind. To the lab. To Tess. To two weeks of working beside the woman who made his blood sing and his bear demand was theirs.
Twenty minutes after leaving the council chamber, Korran pushed through the doors of the laboratory with controlled urgency.
The familiar scents of antiseptic and ozone filled his nostrils, but underneath it all, threading through the sterile air like a siren’s call, was that intoxicating combination of rose and rain that belonged to only one woman.
His mate.
His bear responded with a possessive rumble that vibrated through his chest. Every instinct screamed at him to find her, to get close enough to breathe in her scent and feel the electric current that sparked between them whenever they touched.
The rational part of his mind tried to argue that this was purely professional.
He was here to assist with the investigation, nothing more.
But when his dark eyes found Tess across the expansive laboratory, seated beside Kael at her designated workstation, rational thought evaporated like morning mist.
She was leaning toward the younger shifter, her long brown hair falling in a curtain as she studied something on the datapad between them.
Kael was pointing to something on the screen, his face animated with the kind of intellectual excitement Korran recognized from his own research days.
They looked... comfortable together. Collaborative. Like they belonged in the same space.
His bear snarled.
Mine. Get him away from her. Now.
The possessive fury that crashed through Korran’s system was so intense it took every ounce of his considerable self-control not to stride across the lab and physically insert himself between them.
His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and he could feel his canines threatening to extend as primal instincts warred with civilized behavior.
Kael was harmless—Korran knew that intellectually. The young scientist was barely twenty-seven, earnest to a fault, and had never shown interest in anything beyond his research. But logic held no sway over the mate bond that was currently flooding his system with territorial aggression.
“Prince Korran.”
Varix’s voice cut through the possessive haze like a blade, and Korran turned to find the head healer approaching with measured steps. The older man’s pale blue eyes were sharp with curiosity, and something else—something that looked almost like calculation.
“Varix.” Korran forced his voice into the neutral tones of royal diplomacy, though his bear continued to rumble.
“What brings you to the laboratory today?” Varix’s tone was carefully respectful, but there was an undercurrent of challenge. “Surely you have more pressing duties than observing our work?”
“Actually, there’s been a development.” Korran straightened to his full, intimidating height, letting his natural dominance fill the space between them. “The council has decided that I’ll be personally assisting Dr. Holt with her investigation to expedite the process.”
Varix’s expression shifted, cycling through surprise, annoyance, and then something that looked suspiciously like satisfaction. “I see. Well, that’s... prudent. Someone does need to provide proper oversight.”
The way he said ‘oversight’ made Korran’s jaw tighten. “Meaning?”
“Dr. Holt is already proving to be quite... demanding.” Varix’s thin smile held no warmth. “Young Kael requested access to sensitive historical data. Information that I deemed inappropriate for an outsider to review.”
“What kind of information?” The question came out sharper than Korran intended, his protective instincts flaring.
“Detailed treatment protocols, genetic markers, family medical histories.” Varix waved a dismissive hand. “The kind of sensitive material that requires proper clearance and understanding of our methods. I’m sure you understand the need for... discretion.”
Korran’s bear pressed closer to the surface, sensing deception in the older man’s carefully neutral tone. Something about Varix’s explanation felt wrong, incomplete.
Why would he withhold medical data from someone specifically brought in to solve the king’s illness?
“We’ll discuss this later,” Korran said, his voice carrying the kind of authority that ended conversations. “I need to speak with Dr. Holt now.”
Varix inclined his head with practiced deference. “Of course, Your Highness.”
Korran strode across the laboratory with predatory grace, his massive frame cutting through the space with controlled power. As he approached Tess’s workstation, he caught fragments of her conversation with Kael—something about inconsistent data patterns and missing timeline information.
When Tess looked up and saw him approaching, surprise flickered across her expressive green eyes. “I thought you had duties today. Didn’t you say I wouldn’t see you?”
“There was a new development at the council meeting.” He stopped beside her chair, close enough that her intoxicating scent wrapped around him like a physical caress. “I’m now going to be personally assisting you with your investigation.”
Tess’s eyes narrowed, and he could practically see her brilliant mind working through the implications. “Kael is already assisting me, and we’re already formulating our new game plan since Varix is gatekeeping information.”
The irritation in her voice was unmistakable, and Korran found himself caught between admiration for her directness and frustration at her resistance to his authority. She wasn’t going to make this easy—but then again, nothing about Tess Holt was easy.
“Well, the council expects me to assist you now and provide oversight,” he said, letting his natural dominance color his tone. “Kael can certainly help as needed, but I’m the one who will be working directly with you.”
“Oversight?” The word came out like she’d tasted something bitter. “I don’t need oversight. I need access and cooperation.”
Kael shifted uncomfortably in his chair, clearly sensing the tension crackling between them. “Perhaps I should—“
“You should stay focused on your work,” Korran said without taking his eyes off Tess. “Dr. Holt and I need to discuss strategy.”
Tess looked like she wanted to argue further, her green eyes flashing with a fire that made his blood sing. But after a moment, she seemed to realize that fighting the council’s decision would be futile.
“Fine,” she said, her tone crisp with professional resignation. “We could probably use your expertise and authority to get some access and answers anyway.”
“Good. Then it’s settled.” The satisfaction in his voice was probably too obvious, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.
Tess turned back to her notes, clearly dismissing him, but Korran wasn’t ready to let her retreat into her work. An idea formed—dangerous, reckless, but irresistible.
“Why don’t we wrap up here for the day?” The suggestion came out more commanding than he’d intended. “You can come to dinner with me, and you can catch me up on your game plan.”
Tess glanced at Kael, her expression softening. “Do you want to come to dinner too?”
“No.” The word came out harder than necessary, and Korran shot Kael a look that clearly communicated the younger shifter’s role in this particular scenario. “Kael should stay here and get everything prepared for tomorrow. You and I need to discuss this privately.”
Kael, to his credit, caught the message immediately. “Right. Yes, I’ll stay here and get things situated for tomorrow.”
Tess looked annoyed at being managed, but she stood and gathered her coat, notebook, and datapad with brisk efficiency. “Fine. Lead the way.”
As Korran guided her toward the exit, he knew he was walking into dangerous territory.
Spending an evening alone with his fated mate was exactly the kind of temptation he should be avoiding.
But as her scent filled his senses and his bear growled with satisfaction at having her close, he found he couldn’t summon the willpower to care about the consequences.
He was either about to make the biggest mistake of his life or finally stop fighting what was inevitable.