"Back up. How are you his mate?"
Riley's hand drifted unconsciously to her left hip, where the half-mark still burned beneath her clothes like a brand. The sensation was constant now—not painful, but impossible toignore, a reminder of how thoroughly her life had been altered by Adrian's accidental claiming.
"He told me I'm his fated mate. And I know that sounds crazy, but I feel it in my bones," she explained, the words feeling strange on her tongue. "And he accidentally half-marked me with his mate mark during sex. Now I can feel his emotions through this partial bond between us, and it's intense, Lila. Like nothing I've ever experienced."
Another pause, shorter this time, before Lila's laughter bubbled through the phone—not mocking, but the kind of incredulous amusement reserved for situations so outrageous they transcended normal reaction.
"I cannot wrap my mind around this," Lila said softly. "It sounds completely insane and yet somehow something you would fall into. Winding up with a strong tiger shifter and becoming his mate might just be the love story you've been secretly holding out for. Maybe that's why things with Trent didn't work out—you were meant for something bigger."
The observation hit Riley with unexpected force. Her relationship with Trent had always felt like settling, like trying to force herself into a mold that didn't quite fit. With Adrian, everything felt inevitable and right, even when it terrified her.
"Maybe," she admitted. "But right now, I really need to stay here and help him train for this kickboxing competition he entered to prove he's a worthy Alpha. He's only the acting Alpha right now, and I agreed to train him for $50,000. But I'm competing in it myself this weekend."
"Of course you are," Lila said with fond exasperation. "Leave it to you to fall for a guy who needs professional fighting instruction from his badass mate."
"Can you cover the gym for the next few days?" Riley asked, hope and guilt warring in her chest. "I know it's a lot to ask, but I need time to navigate this situation."
"Already on it," Lila replied without hesitation, the loyalty in her voice making Riley's throat tighten with emotion. "I'll handle the classes and keep everything running. But you better keep me updated on every detail of this Alpha tiger romance, because I'm living vicariously through your supernatural love life now."
Footsteps echoed from the dining room, and Riley turned to see Adrian emerging into the hallway, his presence filling the space with that commanding energy she was learning to crave. His blue eyes found hers immediately, concern and protectiveness radiating through their bond with such intensity it nearly stole her breath.
"I have to go," Riley said quickly into the phone, her pulse accelerating as Adrian approached. "I'll call you later."
She ended the call, her finger hovering over the screen as she met Adrian's searching gaze.
"Everything okay?" His voice carried that low, authoritative tone that seemed to resonate in her bones.
"Yeah, it was just Lila worried about me," Riley said, tucking her phone into her pocket. "She was wondering why I wasn't at the gym this morning for my intermediate class. But she agreed to run everything for the next week."
Adrian's eyebrows lifted slightly, surprise flickering across his features before curiosity and confusion flooded through their connection.
"You're letting someone else run your gym?" The question came out more incredulous than he probably intended, and Riley could feel his genuine bewilderment through the bond.
"I trust Lila completely," Riley said, crossing her arms but keeping her tone light. "Besides, I need time to focus on the kickboxing competition."
Adrian stepped closer, his intoxicating scent wrapping around her. His eyes held that golden flicker that appeared when his tiger stirred beneath the surface.
"I can feel through the bond that you also want to stay close to me."
Heat flooded Riley's cheeks at being so thoroughly read, but she couldn't deny the truth. "Yes. I want to explore whatever is happening between us, and since we still don't know who sent that rogue tiger after me, staying close to you still makes sense."
Something shifted in Adrian's expression, the protective Alpha emerging as his jaw tightened with determination. "I need to call the Council leader about what happened last night. I'd like you to join me in my office for the conversation. I don't want to keep you from the pride politics that clearly affect you."
Riley nodded, following him through the estate's grand hallways toward what she assumed was his office. The walls were lined with oil paintings of stern-faced men who shared Adrian's commanding presence and piercing eyes.
Adrian's office reflected the same power as the rest of the estate—rich mahogany furniture, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and windows that overlooked the vast estate grounds. He settled behind his desk and gestured for Riley to take the chair across from him while picking up his phone and putting it on speaker.
"Council Leader Morris," Adrian said when the call connected, his voice shifting into the formal tone of political necessity. "I need to report some significant developments."
Riley leaned back in her chair, fascination and apprehension warring in her chest as she listened to Adrian explain the events of the previous night with clinical precision. He detailed finding his fated mate, the accidental half-marking during their intimate encounter, and the rogue tiger attack that had forced him to bring Riley to the estate for protection.
"That's never happened before," came the gravelly voice through the speaker, papers rustling in the background. "A half-marking... I'll have to make a ruling on what that means politically speaking for your Alpha title."
Silence stretched across the line while Riley's heart hammered. The weight of ancient laws and supernatural politics pressed down on her shoulders, reminding her how far she'd fallen down this rabbit hole in less than twenty-four hours.
"Ah," the Council leader said finally, his tone brightening with discovery. "There is a clause that states in the event of any marking, formal challenges to an Alpha's leadership are no longer possible. The bond, even partial, is considered divine sanction."
Riley felt Adrian's relief flood through their connection like warm honey.