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"I trust your investigation is progressing well," he said, settling back in his chair. "Have you uncovered any leads?"

Tavian's expression tightened, a reaction so subtle that most people would have missed it entirely. But Raxen had spent twenty years learning to read his uncle's moods, and something about the older man's demeanor felt off.

"That's actually what we came to discuss." Tavian leaned forward slightly. "I don't like the idea of this human woman poking around in pride politics and traditions. It sets a dangerous precedent."

Here we go.

"Amara's investigation is the best option available to us right now," Raxen replied carefully, keeping his tone neutral despite the spike of protective anger that surged through his chest. "Besides, two separate investigations are better than one, and her outsider perspective might reveal patterns we've missed."

"But can we trust her motives?" Sori interjected, her blue eyes reflecting the same skepticism that had colored her behavior during the morning meeting. "She could be here to gain notoriety or gather secrets about our operations to exploit back on Earth. Humans aren't exactly known for their loyalty to causes that don't benefit them directly."

The casual prejudice in her tone made Raxen's hands clench, though he forced his expression to remain impassive. These were his family members, people he'd trusted and worked alongside for years. Their concerns might be misguided, but they weren't necessarily malicious.

And they don't know she's my mate. They're just being protective of Solaryn.

"What would Amara gain from exploiting us?" he asked reasonably, though part of him wanted to defend her honor more forcefully than diplomatic necessity allowed. "She's here to help resolve the crisis and ensure the entire planet doesn't suffer economic collapse. That hardly sounds like a reputation-building or money-grabbing scheme."

"Doesn't it?" Tavian's voice carried a note of paternal concern that made Raxen's teeth clench. "Think about it, nephew. A human mediator arrives at the perfect moment to insert herself into our most sensitive political crisis, gains access to classified information about our trade operations, and positions herself as the solution to problems she couldn't possibly understand. It's remarkably convenient."

The irony wasn't lost on him. His uncle was essentially describing exactly what had happened, just without understanding the true reason behind Amara's arrival. She had been brought here at the perfect moment—not to exploit Solaryn, but to become his mate and help him navigate the most challenging period of his leadership.

"I'm having Jalen escort her and monitor her movements," Raxen said, which was technically true even if it completely misrepresented his motivations. "If she attempts anything suspicious, we'll know immediately."

Tavian didn't look convinced. "Surveillance isn't the same as wisdom, Raxen. Some risks aren't worth taking, regardless of how carefully you monitor them."

"My decision is final." His words came out sharp, carrying enough Alpha authority to make both his visitors stiffen. "Amara will continue her investigation just as you will continue yours. We'll reconvene in a few days to compare findings and determine our next course of action."

And I need you gone before she returns.

The thought pounded through his mind with increasing urgency. Having Tavian and Sori present when Amara arrived would create exactly the kind of scrutiny he couldn't afford. One look at how he reacted to her presence, one glimpse of the protective instincts he couldn’t quite suppress anymore, and his uncle would start asking questions with no safe answers.

Tavian studied him for a moment. "I hope you don't regret this decision, nephew. Trust is a luxury leaders can't always afford."

The older man rose from the sofa, Sori following suit with the kind of synchronized precision that spoke of years working closely together. They moved toward the front door without another word, leaving Raxen alone in his living room with the uncomfortable sensation that he'd just failed some kind of test he hadn't known he was taking.

Something about this feels wrong. Maybe I should have someone follow him.

The idea felt like a betrayal even as it formed in his mind. Tavian had been the first person to comfort him after his father's murder, and had stood beside him through every crisis and challenge of the past twenty years. Questioning his uncle's loyalty now seemed like questioning his own judgment about everything that mattered.

Raxen activated his communicator, and his commander's voice came through clearly.

"Alpha?"

"I need you to arrange discreet surveillance on Tavian," Raxen said without preamble. "Nothing invasive, just monitoring his movements and communications."

"Any particular reason?"

"Call it intuition." Raxen rubbed his temple.

"Understood."

The connection closed, leaving Raxen alone with his growing unease. Through the windows, he could see the first hints of evening creeping across Solaryn's purple grasslands, reminding him that another day was ending without resolution to the crisis threatening his territory.

Many hours later, the evening silence of Raxen's estate felt heavier than usual as he made his way through the dimly lit corridors toward the library. Dinner had been a quiet affair—just him and Vessa picking at perfectly prepared Nova Auroran cuisine while the chair where Amara should have been sitting remained conspicuously vacant.

She needed space. I understand that.

But understanding didn't make the ache in his chest any less sharp. Through their growing mate bond, he could sense her restlessness, her confusion, and a mixture of desire and fear that made his lion pace restlessly.