Page 43 of Stripe Theory (The Matchmaker’s Book Club #8)

FORTY-TWO

R ehan traced Alora’s collar with deliberate fingers, savoring the quiet moment in his private office before the conference chaos began. Even in her professional attire – a tailored black suit that transformed his vibrant scientist into a proper academic delegate – she radiated the energy that had captivated him from their first meeting.

“Stop fiddling with my collar.” Her eyes sparkled with familiar mischief. “You’re just looking for excuses to touch me.”

“Don’t need excuses anymore.” He pulled her closer, breathing in her scent. “That’s one benefit of being mates.”

Her smile turned sultry. “Prove it.”

The kiss started gentle but quickly deepened, his tiger rumbling approval as she pressed closer. Having her in his arms still amazed him – how perfectly she fit against him, how their hearts beat in sync.

“If you two are done making out,” Maya’s voice crackled through their comms, “we have a conference full of potentially homicidal shifters to deal with.”

Alora broke away laughing, though she stayed within his embrace. “She has a point. We should?—”

“Five more minutes.” He nuzzled her neck, drawing out that soft gasp he loved.

“Down, tiger.” But her fingers slid into his hair, betraying her words. “We have a mission.”

Reality crashed back. Soon she’d walk into a conference center full of threats, and he’d have to let her. His arms tightened instinctively.

Alora caught his face between her hands. “Hey. Trust me like I trust you.”

The simple statement hit him right in the chest. “I trust you. It’s everyone else in that building I don’t trust.”

“Good thing you’ll be there to growl at anyone who looks at me wrong.”

“I do not growl.”

“You literally growled at the barista yesterday.”

“He was staring at you.”

“He was taking my coffee order.”

Hunter’s dry voice cut through their comms. “As fascinating as your mating rituals are, the first delegates have arrived.”

Rehan pressed one last kiss to her temple. “Ready?”

Her brilliant smile lit up his office. “Born ready. Try not to start any diplomatic incidents while I’m being scientific and brilliant.”

“No promises.”

It took fifteen minutes to walk to the conference center a block from their building. The massive convention center buzzed with activity as Rehan moved through the growing crowd. Delegates from shifter communities worldwide filled the space, their conversations creating a symphony of languages and accents. His tiger tracked Alora automatically – currently setting up her presentation with Maya in one of the breakout rooms.

“Security teams are in position,” Hunter reported, appearing silently beside him. “Your parents are coordinating with the Skys near the east entrance.” He paused. “The delegates you’re supposed to be greeting are in the opposite direction from where you’re staring.”

Rehan caught another glimpse of Alora crossing the main hall. Their eyes met briefly, sending electricity through him before she disappeared into the crowd.

“The Australian pride leader is waiting,” Hunter reminded him, not bothering to hide his amusement. “Though I’m sure watching your mate adjust scientific equipment is far more interesting.”

“I can do both.”

“Clearly. That’s why you missed my report about the suspicious maintenance worker Maya spotted.”

That snapped Rehan’s attention back. “What maintenance worker?”

“The one I mentioned while you were studying how Dr. Sky’s suit fits.”

A low growl escaped before Rehan could stop it. “Report.”

“Maya saw him accessing a ventilation panel. Could be nothing...”

“Give me one time when that was true.”

Their conversation halted as dignitaries approached. Rehan moved smoothly into his role as alpha, though his awareness of Alora never wavered.

They passed in a crowded hallway, hands brushing “accidentally.” The brief contact sent sparks up his arm. Focus on the mission, he ordered himself. Not on how perfectly she fits against him. Not on her scent lingering on his clothes...

“Your mate is quite remarkable,” Jewel commented, appearing beside him. “Lumina and I have been comparing notes on her research methodology.”

“Remember when you thought humans couldn’t understand shifter biology?” Lumina Sky’s eyes danced with humor. “Now look at you – planning security strategies with my husband while our children save the world.”

“And moon over each other across conference rooms,” Jewel added. “Rather like we used to do, if I recall correctly.”

Lumina laughed. “Oh lord, the university library incident...”

“Mother.” Rehan tried to sound stern despite his curiosity about that story. “Perhaps we could focus on?—”

His comms crackled. “Boss?” Maya’s voice held an edge of concern. “We’ve got movement near the main ventilation hub. And not the maintenance kind.”

“Location?” He was already moving.

“Sector three,” Hunter reported. “Two maintenance workers accessing the same panel.”

Rehan forced himself to focus. “Track them.”

“Maya’s already on it. She’s quite... efficient.” Something in Hunter’s tone made Rehan smile despite the situation. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one distracted by a brilliant scientist.

The next hour passed in a blur of diplomatic conversations and security updates. Rehan navigated pride politics while maintaining constant awareness of Alora. She and Maya had drawn a steady stream of delegates to their presentation, their cover holding perfectly.

Until it wasn’t.

The first warning came as a prickle along his spine – a familiar presence he didn’t like. His tiger snarled recognition moments before Hunter’s voice came through his earpiece.

“Leeta’s here.”

Rehan’s world narrowed to Alora’s location.

I’m fine, her thoughts reached him. Their ability to communicate silently had strengthened rapidly. Stay focused.

Easier said than done when every instinct screamed to get to her. He forced himself to maintain his position, tracking Leeta’s scent as it moved through the crowd.

A flash of golden hair caught his attention – Leeta, sliding between delegates with practiced ease. Their eyes met across the room. Her smile held nothing but cold amusement.

“She’s heading toward the main ventilation control room,” Hunter reported.

Maya’s voice followed quickly. “Those maintenance workers we’re watching? They’ve been installing something in the air system. Timer components.”

Ice shot through Rehan’s veins. They’d known Leeta planned to release the virus here, but the reality of it...

“Everyone meet in the first-floor control room,” Rehan said, making his way to his mate.