Chapter 16

SIXTEEN

L ucas just happened to be passing the research wing (for the third time) when Emma’s scent hit him - jasmine and electricity and the distinctive aroma of her fourth coffee of the morning. She really needed to sleep more, but apparently genetic breakthroughs waited for no one, not even exhausted scientists.

“The transformation stability rates are incredible.” Her voice carried from the break room, full of that infectious enthusiasm that made his beast want to purr. “Look at how the energy signatures interface with the base genetic code! Bernard - I mean, the genetic sequencer - picked up completely new resonance patterns when I adjusted the crystal...”

“Dr. Greene,” he said, leaning against the doorframe and fighting a smile. “Taking a break from revolutionizing shifter genetics and naming lab equipment?”

She spun, nearly dropping both her tablet and coffee. Her lab coat swirled around her legs, the crystal at her throat pulsing in time with her startled heartbeat. Her hair was escaping its messy bun, probably from running her hands through it while solving impossible genetic puzzles.

She was magnificent.

“Lucas! I was just explaining to Elder Conley about the morning’s breakthrough. Did you know shifter DNA exhibits unique molecular dance patterns during transformation? Well, not actually dancing, though the visual image on Bernard’s display does look somewhat rhythmic, which made me wonder about frequency harmonics in relation to mate-bond energy signatures and... oh!”

She gestured enthusiastically, actually dropping her coffee this time. Lucas caught it before it could spill, his reflexes bringing him directly into her personal space. Her scent hit him full force - coffee and brilliance and an undertone of attraction that made his beast growl possessively.

“Careful, Dr. Greene.” He handed her the cup, letting his fingers brush hers deliberately. “We wouldn’t want to damage your research.”

Her pulse jumped. He could smell how her scent shifted, adding that intoxicating note of arousal that tested his control.

“Right. Yes. Research. Very important research that definitely requires all my attention and not your...” She waved vaguely at him, then blushed. “Which is totally distracting me...”

He stepped closer, enjoying how her breath caught.

“Which is completely unfair because I’m trying to maintain professional objectivity here and you’re all...” She gestured at him again. “Alpha-y. With the fangs and the growling and the way your energy makes my readings spike in fascinating ways.”

Elder Conley coughed discreetly from the corner. “I’ll just... review these findings in my office. Away from all the... energy signatures.”

Lucas barely noticed him leave. Because Emma was looking up at him with that perfect blend of scientific curiosity and want that drove him crazy.

“Alpha-y?” he repeated softly, backing her against the break room counter.

“You know what I mean.” She straightened her lab coat primly, though her scent betrayed her. “Your shifter presence. Your alpha energy. The way you affect local temperature variations when you?—”

“When I what?” His hands settled on her hips, drawing her closer.

“When you look at me like that,” she admitted. “Like you’re considering either kissing me senseless or participating in some very interesting genetic experiments?—”

He cut her off with a kiss that held nothing back, letting her feel exactly what she did to him, how perfectly they fit together. His beast roared satisfaction when she melted against him, her hands sliding into his hair.

The kiss deepened, turning hungry. He could taste the coffee on her tongue, feel how her energy reached for his instinctively. When she nipped experimentally at his lower lip, his growl shook the break room.

“Fascinating,” she breathed against his mouth, “how your scent makes my crystal glow. Or how Bernard’s readings spike whenever you’re near...”

His beast surged forward at her words, sending possessive satisfaction rolling through him. Of course, his mate had already started piecing it together. Had probably been collecting data points since their first meeting.

“Tell me, Dr. Greene,” he growled softly, keeping her pinned against the counter. “What other observations have you been making about these... mate-response patterns?”

Her heart rate jumped deliciously. He leaned closer, letting his fangs graze her ear. “Perhaps we need more accurate measurements.”

“Oh god,” she breathed. “That’s not fair. I’m trying to maintain objectivity and you’re doing that thing with your voice that makes my crystal practically strobe and—” She froze. “Wait.”

Memories from times with Grandma Mags flashed in her brain. The times when the elder blathered on about humans who could turn into animals and strange goings-on. At the time, Emma had thought it was dementia-related hallucinations. But now she knew it wasn’t.

And the time when Grandma gifted her the crystal necklace during a rare lucid moment— “Always keep this with you when you work,” she’d said. “You never know when you might find an interesting use for it.”

“Oh my god,” Emma whispered. “She knew. But how?”

“Who knew what?” Lucas asked.

“My grandmother somehow knew about shifters and she totally knew this could happen.”

Lucas couldn’t help laughing at her outraged expression. “Of course, your grandmother had some suspicions about genetic compatibility.”

“Why do think that?” she asked.

“Um…” His joyful expression quickly turned worried.

Her brow went up. “What are you saying?”

“You don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?”

“Emma, the pride hired your grandmother to work here a long time ago.”

Her jaw dropped. “What?” She couldn’t believe it. Why hadn’t Grandma Mags told her that? Actually, why would she tell Emma? It was so long ago and Emma had been young.

“Hold on,” she said, “All this is her doing. She practically engineered this! The crystal, the job offer, the extremely specific focus of my research...” Emma’s eyes narrowed. “No wonder she insisted I study genetic biology. She wasn’t just preparing me for the job, she was preparing me for...” Her scientific brain visibly caught up with her mouth.

“For?” he prompted, enjoying her blush.

“For potentially encountering certain shifter-related situations that might require specialized knowledge about transformation genetics and mate-bond theory and... and you’re smirking at me.”

“I’m appreciating how adorable you are when you try to science your way through emotional revelations.”

“I am not—” She stopped, scowling. “Okay, fine.”

This time she deliberately pressed closer, running her hands up his chest. His growl rattled the coffee cups.

“That,” she said triumphantly. “That exact frequency of growl?—”

He cut her off with another kiss, pouring all his amused affection into it.

When he pulled back, her eyes were slightly unfocused. “That’s... that’s very distracting to my scientific process.”

It took everything in him to pull away and let her get back to what she loved the most. “Time to go,” he growled reluctantly. “Before you accidentally discover any more pride secrets through pure scientific enthusiasm.”

“Too late!” She was already typing notes on her tablet. “I have at least three new theories about mate bond genetics that need testing. We should probably start with close proximity experiments to establish baseline readings and...”

Lucas smiled, showing fang. “Whatever you say, Dr. Greene. I’m happy to assist with any... hands-on research you require.”

Her answering blush was delightful. So was her scent of mingled arousal and scientific curiosity.

His mate. His completely perfect mate.

Even if she had named the genetic sequencer Bernard.