Page 33 of Bite the Power
Without waiting for a response, Kaidan strode toward the chamber doors, his boots echoing off the stone floor. He paused at the threshold, not bothering to turn around as he delivered his final words.
"Clan members really need to change their prejudices and accept others who are different. It will help us evolve as a community."
The heavy doors slammed shut behind him with a resounding crash that echoed through the corridor like a gunshot.
As Kaidan left the council building and stalked through his territory toward his palace, his bear finally began to settle. Every step brought him closer to Tessa, and the mate bond that had been stretched taut with anxiety during the meeting slowly eased.
The last few hours without her presence had been absolute torture.
Once he finally arrived back at his palace and stood outside Tessa's guest suite, he knocked once on her door before pushing it open, his enhanced senses immediately detecting her floral scent mixed with the faint smell of charred paper. The sight that greeted him made his bear surge with both pride and fury.
Tessa sat cross-legged on the plush sofa, wearing form-fitting black leggings that showcased her curves and a soft cashmere sweater that made his fingers itch to touch—and the woman beneath it. Her dark waves cascaded over one shoulder as she leaned over the coffee table covered with documents, some pristine white, others blackened around the edges.
Eli and Elora flanked her, equally absorbed in the scattered papers that looked like they'd survived a war zone.
"What exactly have you three been doing while I was dealing with stubborn council members?" Kaidan's voice carried an edge of possessive concern as he moved deeper into the room.
Tessa looked up, her green eyes bright with determination despite the frustration he could sense through their mate bond. "Your sister retrieved my field gear backpack from the researchstation this morning. The one I stuffed Eli's files into before you rescued me from the fire."
Kaidan's jaw clenched as the implications hit him. "So you stayed in that burning building to save research?"
"Not just research." Tessa's chin lifted defiantly, that stubborn streak he was growing to adore on full display. "Proof that Magnus has been systematically sabotaging Eli's work for the past five years. Subtle at first—equipment malfunctions, false weather data, supplies going missing. But it's all documented here."
Eli pushed his wire-rimmed glasses up his nose, his usually scattered demeanor replaced by grim focus. "She's right, Kaidan. I thought I was going crazy or just incompetent, but when Tessa cross-referenced everything chronologically, the pattern is undeniable."
"Unfortunately, we only have partial evidence." Tessa gestured at the charred documents with obvious frustration. "A lot of the critical files were destroyed. We can prove sabotage occurred, but pointing directly at Magnus..." She shrugged helplessly.
Kaidan's bear roared with dual emotions—immense pride that his brilliant mate had risked her life to protect evidence that would vindicate Eli and primal rage that she'd nearly died for her courage. The thought of losing her made his vision blur red again.
"Tessa, you could've died for this," he reminded her again.
"But I didn't." Tessa met his gaze steadily. "And now we have something to work with."
Elora cleared her throat. "Brother, I think what Tessa needs is access to palace archives, weather station records, anything that might fill in the gaps in what survived the fire. Plus, the history with Magnus and our family, and what his motives might be."
"Consider it done." Kaidan didn't hesitate. "You'll have full access to everything. Weather data, territorial records, communication logs—whatever you need to build an airtight case against that bastard."
"Language, Your Majesty," Eli said with unexpected humor, earning a surprised laugh from Tessa that made Kaidan's chest warm.
"Trust me, Dr. Varkov, that's the cleaned-up version of what I'm thinking about Magnus right now."
Tessa's stomach chose that moment to growl audibly, and Kaidan felt the hunger pangs through their bond. His protective instincts kicked into overdrive.
"Lunch first," he declared, already moving toward the door. "You can't solve this mystery if you're running on fumes."
The palace dining room's vaulted ceilings and crystal chandeliers created an atmosphere of understated elegance, but Kaidan only had eyes for Tessa as he guided her to the chair beside his at the head of the long mahogany table. Bjorn was already seated, his eyes watchful as he took in the obvious intimacy between his king and the human scientist.
Kaidan didn't bother hiding his possessive gestures as the staff served roasted Arctic char with winter vegetables. He filled Tessa's water glass before his own, ensured she had the best portions, and found excuses to brush his fingers against hers when passing dishes. Each touch sent electricity through their mate bond, and from the way Tessa's breath caught, she felt it too.
The palace staff's disapproving glances didn't escape his notice, nor did Bjorn's raised eyebrow when Kaidan leaned closer to Tessa than strictly necessary to reach for the salt.
Let them whisper. Soon enough, they'd all know she was his fated mate and future queen, and they'd damn well learn to respect her.
"So, Eli," Elora said, spearing a piece of fish with her fork, "how long have you been documenting this sabotage?"
"Five years, give or take." Eli's expression grew thoughtful. "At first, I chalked it up to harsh conditions and my own inexperience with Arctic research. But when the same problems kept recurring in patterns that defied statistical probability..."
"You started keeping better records," Tessa finished, genuine admiration in her voice. "Smart thinking."
