Page 10 of Bite the Power
Kaidan climbed back onto his snowmobile, his jaw set with grim determination. He needed a strategy that would keep Tessa safe without revealing the true nature of his personal interest. The engine roared to life, and he headed toward the palace, his mind already working through options.
Fifteen minutes later, he strode through the corridors of his home, the weight of command settling back onto his shoulders like familiar armor. The palace had been carved from ice and stone centuries ago, its halls echoing with the footsteps of generations of polar bear kings.
He found Elora in the training gym, working through combat forms with lethal grace. Her pale blonde hair was pulled back in a practical braid and sweat gleamed on her forehead. When she spotted him, she executed a final spinning kick before straightening.
"That was quick," she observed, wiping her face with a towel. "I thought you'd spend more time evaluating the new scientist."
Kaidan's expression remained carefully neutral. "I need you to take on a new assignment."
"Another patrol route?" Elora's blue eyes—so similar to his own—studied his face with the perception that came from years of sisterly observation.
"Field guide duty. Dr. Monroe will need an escort for her research expeditions."
Elora's eyebrows rose. "Since when do we provide personal guides for humans? Eli's been managing fine on his own for five years."
"The environmental situation has become more unstable," Kaidan replied, his tone brooking no argument. "And Magnus has been increasing his surveillance of the station. I won't have a guest in our territory harmed due to inadequate security."
"Interesting." Elora's voice carried a note of amusement that made Kaidan's jaw tighten. "You've never shown this level of concern for Eli's safety."
"Eli has more experience with Arctic conditions and shifter politics. Dr. Monroe is new to both."
"Mm-hmm." Elora folded her arms across her chest, her smile growing more knowing by the second. "And this has absolutely nothing to do with personal interest?"
The accuracy of her observation hit him like a punch to the gut, but Kaidan's expression didn't change. He fixed his sister with a look that had silenced seasoned warriors, his eyes promising consequences if she pressed further.
Elora held his gaze for a long moment, then shrugged with deliberate casualness. "Fine. I'll babysit your precious human female scientist."
"You'll protect a valued guest of our territory," Kaidan corrected sharply.
"Of course, Your Majesty." But her knowing smile lingered as she gathered her training gear.
Kaidan left the gym and soon found Bjorn in his quarters, hunched over tactical maps spread across a weathered oak table.His Beta's brown eyes were focused with an intensity that made him invaluable as a strategist.
"Working hard?" Kaidan stepped into the room, noting the familiar scent of leather and steel that always clung to his second-in-command.
Bjorn glanced up, and immediately his expression shifted to one of knowing amusement. "You look like someone who just took a surprise punch."
"I need to discuss patrol adjustments around the research station."
"Ah." Bjorn crossed his arms over his muscular chest. "And this sudden concern has nothing to do with the human scientist who arrived today?"
Kaidan's jaw tightened. The last thing he needed was another person questioning his motives. "My concern is for the security of our territory."
"Right." Bjorn's tone carried the weight of decades of friendship. "Because you've never shown this level of protective instinct for Eli's welfare."
"The situation has changed." Kaidan moved to the window, his hands clasped behind his back as he stared out at the distant glow of the research station. Even from here, his bear stirred incessantly, every instinct demanding he return to where his mate was. "As you know, Magnus has increased his surveillance of that particular area."
"Magnus has been circling that station like a vulture for five years." Bjorn rose from his chair, joining Kaidan at the window. "What's different now?"
Everything.But Kaidan couldn't voice that truth without revealing the mate bond that threatened to consume his rational thinking. "Dr. Monroe lacks Eli's experience with shifter politics. She's more vulnerable."
"And I heard you've appointed Elora as her personal guide now."
"Field security isn't enough. I want additional patrols—rotating shifts, overlapping coverage zones." Kaidan's voice carried the unmistakable edge of command. "Magnus's men have been testing us. I won't have them targeting the station anymore."
Bjorn studied his king's profile, noting the tension in Kaidan's shoulders and the way his hands had clenched into fists. "You know, some of our own clan members have been muttering about your... interest in the human presence here."
The words hit Kaidan like ice water. He turned to face his Beta, his eyes flashing with barely contained frustration. "What kind of muttering?"
