Chapter 29

TWENTY-NINE

T he morning sun streaming through the safe house’s windows found Emma already surrounded by equipment, her crystal blazing with scientific excitement as she reviewed combat footage from the night before.

The house’s living room had been temporarily converted into a mini lab, much to Lucas’s amusement. He couldn’t help but admire her dedication, even if it meant they were sometimes the oddest pair in the room.

“Dr. Greene.” Victor’s voice through her burner phone speaker made her jump. “I just sent you another set of records from the archives of the medical facility.”

Her fingers flew to her tablet, pulling up genetic sequences.

“Yes, I see. Thanks, Victor,” she muttered, already absorbed in the new data. She mumbled to herself about possible connections between ancient shifter genetics and current modifications. The information was like a puzzle, and she loved nothing more than putting the pieces together.

“Your scientist has no concept of lying low, does she?” Zayne’s amused voice carried through Lucas’s phone as Emma adjusted another sensor array in the safe house living room. “She’s already turned it into a makeshift lab.”

“I’m not sure ‘lying low’ was ever part of Emma’s vocabulary,” Lucas said with a chuckle. “But I’ll let you know if she turns the kitchen into a chemistry set.”

A knock came from the front door, but Emma didn’t budge, her focus still entirely on the data in front of her.

“Don’t worry,” Lucas said, his voice soft with amusement. “I’ll get it.”

She barely glanced up, lost in thought. With Lucas beside her, nothing could touch her. He’d proven that over and over.

A familiar squeal wafted through the room. Her head popped up at the sound.

“Janie?”

Her best friend burst through the door carrying what appeared to be half a department store. When Lucas had asked for Janie’s phone number, Emma had no idea he’d actually call her.

Janie dropped a wardrobe bag on the sofa. “If you’re going on a proper date on pride territory tonight, you are not wearing lab gear. Even if it is ‘optimal for documenting supernatural blah blah blah.’“

Emma raised a brow, looking at Lucas and his sheepish expression.

“Oh yeah,” Lucas said, looking like the cat who had caught the canary. “There’s an official event tonight on pride land that I thought we could attend together. So I asked your friend Janie to help me pry you from your equipment.”

Emma put down her tablet, eyes narrowing. “Why would I need Janie?”

“Because,” Janie explained, holding up an array of dresses with a smirk, “your incredibly attractive alpha mate is taking you on a romantic tour of his ancestral lands, and you’d wear a lab coat and goggles.”

Emma gasped. “Are those designer heels? I’m not wearing?—”

“Trust me,” Janie smirked, holding up a midnight blue dress that made Emma’s crystal pulse with anticipation. “You’ll want to document Lucas’s physiological responses to this outfit.”

Two hours and multiple fashion crises later, Emma had to admit her friend might have a point. Lucas’s eyes had gone pure predator gold when she emerged from the safe house bedroom, her hair styled perfectly, the dress hugging her curves just right. His power wrapped around her like a physical caress, making her crystal glow with a familiar heat.

“Emma.” His voice was rough with barely contained feline satisfaction as he drew her closer. His gaze swept over her, appreciation and something darker flickering in his eyes.

His kiss held heat and promise that made her crystal sing. “You look beautiful,” he murmured against her lips. “Though I might be slightly biased by how your excitement about supernatural biology keeps making my panther purr.”

Emma’s breath caught, and she almost forgot about the entire night for a moment as their bond pulsed between them, creating a sensation that was almost physical.