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Against his better judgment, he found himself nodding. “I’ll be your escort. That is, if you can agree to spend at least four hours in the mornings at my lab.”
Her affirmative reply, edged with amusement, made him duck his head so she wouldn’t see his smile turn into a grin.
Interesting. Something about this princess intrigued him, something beyond the fact that she was an anomaly. Being around her made his wolf restless and made him … what? Curious to know more? Of course. That was why he’d come here, after all.
Yet, in his analytical way, he knew it was more. He liked that she could keep him off balance, something few had ever been able to do despite his recent loss of sight.
Oddly enough, for reasons he’d yet to fathom, the princess was dangerous to his equilibrium. He’d have to try to keep his mouth shut and work as fast as he could. Because of what she was, who she was, he couldn’t risk offending her too badly. The quicker he could conduct his experiments and analyze the data, the better.
The reason why she wanted him to act as his escort escaped him. But he’d do it, if doing so meant she’d consent to spend more time in his research lab. But even there, he had to be careful. Too much time alone with her and he just might pop off and say the wrong thing. Or worse, grab her and plant a hard kiss on that smart-ass mouth of hers.
Shocked at the thought, he shook his head at his own foolishness. That wouldn’t be good on so many levels it boggled his mind.
Still, something about her …
“Penny for them?” the princess asked, startling him out of his thoughts.
While he searched his brain for something safe to say, his wolf half began to stir, inexplicably restless.
“Dr. Streib?” Her voice again, slicing through his thoughts. “Are you all right?”
“Call me Braden.” His response was automatic as he prepared to lie. “I’m just mentally reviewing some of the tests I need to run on you in the morning.”
“I see. Have you finished with your fish?”
It dawned on him that one of the serving staff stood at his elbow, ready to remove his plate. “Yes,” he answered. “It was very good.”
Immediately, someone whisked his plate away.
“I’m particularly looking forward to today’s dessert,” King Leo pronounced.
“Dessert?” Startled, Braden rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m stuffed. I couldn’t possibly eat another—”
A light touch on his hand shocked him into silence.
“It’s his favorite.” The soft warning in Princess Alisa’s voice made his wolf even more restless. “You can at least have a taste, can’t you?”
His mouth had gone dry, so he nodded, hoping he successfully masked his expression. Unfortunately, as though sensing weakness, his internal wolf chose that moment to go on the offensive, fighting to be allowed to surface, to break free.
Damn. Braden did a quick mental calculation. How long had it been exactly since he’d last changed?
After a quick internal struggle, he wrestled his beast back under control, all the while keeping his head down so the Teslinko royal family wouldn’t know.
He usually was more careful. Changing often enough to keep his wolf satisfied. This level of discord had never happened to him before. His wolf felt nearly out of control. Why this furious need? Why now? Was it them? Or her? He suspected the latter, though it made no sense. Why would being around this woman affect his beast in such a visceral and urgent way?
As scientist, he desperately deduced that one reason had to be simply because being blind, he experienced everything more sharply in his lupine form. He didn’t miss his vision nearly as much as he did while human. With wolves, scent was the dominant sense. Scent told him almost everything, as much as vision did for humans.
And Princess Alisa smelled perfect. Feminine and flowers and vanilla, all in one.
Hellhounds, this wasn’t good. Counting back, he tried to calculate how long it had been since he’d changed. Ruefully, he acknowledged that too much time had passed. He’d been so occupied with his research and securing the permission of King Leo and Queen Ionna, and then traveling here and getting settled in, that he’d managed to completely ignore his own needs. His own wolf’s needs.
He needed to change. As soon as humanly possible. Perhaps, since he wasn’t going to work with the princess today, this afternoon would be a good time to find a secluded, wooded place to shape-shift and let his caged wolf run free.
Even thinking about this brought his wolf back, roaring to life. The beast inside him rushed the invisible barrier, testing the mental bounds Braden had imposed.
Finishing the fight, he raised his head, suddenly aware of the yawning silence. No doubt they were all staring at him, wondering if he’d completely lost his mind.
“Dr. Streib?” Queen Ionna asked gently. “Are you all right? You haven’t even touched your dessert.”
Forcing a shaky smile, he turned in the direction of her voice. “Yes, I am. My apologies. I was thinking of all that must be done. I am very eager to begin.”
On his other side, Princess Alisa made an odd noise in the back of her throat. “Try your cake,” she said, her tone perfectly level. “You do not wish to disrespect the king, now, do you?”
Put that way, what could he do? Fumbling for his fork, he finally located it and managed to scoop up some of the king’s favorite dessert. Not sure what to expect, he was surprised to find it melted on his tongue. In addition to chocolate, he tasted peanut butter and a hint of something else. Cinnamon. And a lot of sugar. A whole lot of sugar. So much that he felt vaguely queasy.
“Excellent,” he lied, taking a second bite and manfully choking it down.
“I told you.” King Leo sounded pleased. “There is a reason this is my number one sweet.”
Nodding, Braden continued to eat, shoveling the cake into his mouth as quickly as he could while still having some sort of table manners.
“Take it easy, dear,” Queen Ionna admonished. “You’ll choke if you continue to eat so fast.”
Polishing off what felt like the last bite, he swallowed, before taking a large gulp of his now lukewarm coffee. “Very good. I’m sorry if I seem to be rushing, but I have much to do to get ready to begin testing the princess tomorrow. If you’ll—”
“Our daughter is eager to begin as well,” King Leo interrupted before Braden could get out the words excuse me. “Isn’t that right, Alisa?”
“Of course,” she said, sounding about as sincere as he felt when forcing down the sickeningly sweet cake. “Where is your laboratory? I will meet you there in the morning.”
Braden took his time answering, figuring King Leo would interrupt and tell her the rest of it. Not only had the royal family allowed him the rare privilege of analyzing their youngest daughter, but they had set up a fully functional laboratory down the hall from his bedroom. This was on the same floor as hers, though in a completely different wing.
But neither the king nor the queen spoke. Apparently, they were leaving it to him to relay the news.
“Well?” she repeated, her rich voice curious and mildly exasperated, all at once. Once again, just the sound of her had the same effect on him, like a jolt of raw energy sending his wolf into a frenzy.
Again, damn it. Gritting his teeth, he battled back his other half. This had not happened since he’d been a teenager, full of raging hormones. It took him a moment to get his beast under control, luckily. Though this time, he lost more ground more quickly. If the beast kept fighting him, he’d have to do something quickly or there’d be a major embarrassing incident. He could only imagine that it’d be in extremely poor form to shape-shift in the palace while lunching with Pack royalty.
He had to get a grip on this thing, whatever it was. Taking a deep breath, he wondered how much longer he’d have to wait to manage to politely excuse himself.
“Your laboratory, Dr. Streib?” Princess Alisa repeated, speaking slowly as though she now thought him a simpleton. “I asked you where I might find it.”
Lifting his chin, Braden explained the situation in a few short sentences. “My understanding is that I am actually working on the same floor where you also reside.”
“At the opposite end,” King Leo put in. “This is a very large palace, Dr. Streib. Your living quarters and your laboratory are in the west wing. Princess Alisa occupies most of the east.”
Thankfully, the princess didn’t comment. Braden wasn’t sure he could take another assault of her voice on his wolf self. Now if he could just get out of there until he got his beast under control.
“I’m glad we got that settled,” King Leo said, amusement warring with preoccupation in his voice. “We have also provided you with an assistant, Dr. Streib. Katya will be there to help you first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you,” Braden said, pleasantly surprised.
“You are most welcome.” The king heaved a satisfied sigh. “Now, if you two will excuse us, the queen and I will leave you to finish your discussion. Come, my dear.”
Braden pushed to his feet as well, standing politely as the King and Queen of Teslinko exited the room. When he finally took his seat again, he sensed the princess studying him. He wanted nothing more than to bolt, but knew he had to do something to satisfy his wolf.
He had no choice but to enlist her help. He needed to change badly and he had no idea where to go.
The servers offered more coffee. They both accepted, waiting while the beverage was poured.
She sighed. “You are different than I would have expected.”
If she wanted to make polite small talk, he thought he could manage, as long as he kept a death grip on his wolf. “How so?”
“Well,” she mused, “despite your generally ruffled and disheveled appearance, you are actually a very attractive man.”
Heat suffused him, which both infuriated and intrigued him. “Though a bit backhanded, I’ll accept the compliment.”
She laughed, a low and musical sound that sent a heated shiver through him. He felt his grip on his wolf slipping and frowned, concentrating on regaining control. “Now it’s your turn,” she said, a smile making her voice light.
“My turn?”
“To compliment me.”
Was she flirting with him? He could think of no reason why someone like her would do so other than to mock him. But why? They were alone. Did she mock him for her own amusement? Considering he knew absolutely nothing about her personally, such a thing was entirely possible.
Taking a deep breath, he considered his options. Even when he’d been able to see, flirting had not been his strong suit. Fleeing would not only be cowardly, but slow and ungainly since he was unfamiliar with the path he’d need to take. In reality, he knew he could withstand much from her, considering how badly he needed her for his research.
Rapidly searching for a vapid, non-offensive bit of frippery, he settled on the first thing that came to mind. “You have a sensuous voice and a beautiful laugh.”
The instant the words left his mouth, he knew he’d made a huge mistake. Too personal and too true. Not at all the purpose of light, playful flirtation. He should know this—intellectually, he did. But because he sucked at flirting, abhorred it in fact, he’d given her truth when she wanted falsehood.
As if she knew this—of course she did—she inhaled sharply. Any moment now, he suspected she’d let fly with a bit of scathing commentary, merely to point out what kind of social pariah he was. And if she did, he knew he wouldn’t be able to rein himself in. He’d respond in kind. While he wasn’t good at flirting, he was excellent with cutting retorts.
Which would only make things worse between them. He needed to get along with her if he wanted her cooperation for his experiments.
His tenuous grip on his wolf slipped. Out of his depth, he took the only option that made sense. Leaving before he either said something truly awful or worse, before his wolf broke free and he shape-shifted right there in the dining room of the royal palace.
Pushing to his feet, he murmured a quick excuse and headed out. She made no move to help him, despite the fact that he’d forgotten his cane.
Halfway in his struggle toward the door, he turned in her general direction. “Please come see me in the morning in my laboratory. I’m eager to begin my work.”
Without waiting for her to answer, he left the room, cursing his social ineptitude and cursing the fact that he hadn’t managed to ask her to assist him in finding a place to change.
Once again, it appeared he was on his own. He and his wolf, both blind, sharing the same, desperate need.
Chapter 3
Strange man. Watching as he struggled to get to his feet and leave as quickly as he could with his head up and his dignity intact, Alisa wondered why the doctor had so much difficulty engaging in what she considered normal small talk between a man and a woman.
He’d been affronted and offended, acting as if she’d insulted him when in fact she’d meant no harm. Honestly, she didn’t know any other way to converse with a man who wasn’t either family or in her employ. Truth be told, she’d always hated it. Growing up watching her older sisters, Alisa had known she wasn’t beautiful or sensual or even very interesting. Still, she’d known what had been expected of her and so she behaved accordingly. Young or old, married or single, they flirted and she flirted back. It meant absolutely nothing. It was all a game and everyone did it.
Everyone, that is, except Dr. Braden Streib.
When he almost walked into the doorframe instead of through the door, she rose from her seat to go to him and offer her assistance, but he corrected himself at the last moment. Which was good, because she knew he probably wouldn’t welcome her help in any way.
Strike the probably. He would not want her assistance at anything other than his research tests.
Noted. Not only was he arrogant, but stubborn and rude to boot. One of those intellectual types who looked down on people who weren’t.
Which stung, because he apparently hadn’t bothered to learn anything about her other than her ability to go a long time without shifting. She wasn’t the stereotypical fairy tale type of princess, spending her days shopping and partying. Instead, she’d taken stock of her assets and realized early on that her intelligence would get her much farther than her looks. So she’d gone to university, earning both her bachelor’s and her master’s in short time. She was currently on track to work on her doctorate.
Few people knew that about her as it was something she took care to keep hidden from the world. The last thing she wanted was paparazzi following her around campus with cameras. She enjoyed blending in, loving a place where she wasn’t judged in the shadows of her two sisters’ amazing looks.
Once again, someone wanted to put her in the spotlight and highlight her differences.
Dr. Streib claimed to have researched her. Evidently, he’d only checked into her medical history, which seemed oddly shortsighted. For all he knew, her mental ability could have something to do with the way she needed to change less often than others. If anything, she would have expected a researcher of his caliber to be more thorough.
So he thought her a dim-witted party girl. Fine. Lots of people—those that didn’t really know her—did. One more shouldn’t have bothered her, but it did, oddly enough.
She’d long ago stopped wishing she was prettier. With a blind man, looks wouldn’t matter. If he’d been different, more approachable, they could have conversed in a purely intellectual manner. She would have enjoyed that.
Obviously, that wasn’t meant to be.
She’d have to figure out another way to deal with him. Too bad. This had been the first time in a long time that she’d actually been more than mildly interested in a man.
As for his research, she knew beyond a doubt that her blood, body or cells didn’t contain some magical, mystical difference that would give him the secret to her ability to remain human for long periods of time. It was just who she was, a little bit of extra she’d gotten since she’d clearly been passed over in the beauty department.
With a small shrug, she rose and smoothed down her dress. They’d have to figure out a way to get along. After all, they’d be spending a lot of time together in his laboratory—more than she’d intended or imagined, if he had his way. Of course, she didn’t plan on working with him for six hours a day, every single day. She had her volunteer work and her education, as well as her horses and her painting.
Out in the hallway, she took a leisurely stroll to the staircase, wincing as she imagined him trying to navigate the labyrinth that was the palace. She should have helped him, regardless of his antagonism, as she would have assisted any guest. In the future, she resolved that she would. No matter what he said, she wouldn’t let him get to her.
She would help him do his experiments and tests and hopefully, when he found nothing, he’d accept that with good grace and go back to America where he belonged.
There. Problem solved. She’d do her duty, her father would be happy, and Dr. Streib would go away knowing he’d tried. Now she could relax and try to go about completing her duties for the afternoon.
Though she bustled around the palace on various errands, Dr. Streib was conspicuously absent the rest of the day. He didn’t attend the evening meal and when she inquired, she learned he’d chosen to eat alone in his room.
Since her parents were entertaining friends with an elaborate formal dinner and her brother had gone out on one of his numerous dates, Alisa also ate alone. This happened more frequently than not, as she preferred quiet evenings at home with a good book to going out on the town partying with a group of people she had to pretend were her friends.
As usual, that night she took her meal in a small table in the kitchen. The ginger chicken with black beans was tasty and she ate slowly while she read.
Oddly enough, though normally she relished the peace and quiet, this night she found she would have welcomed company. Not just any company, but Dr. Streib’s. For some unfathomable reason, she realized she found their verbal sparring invigorating.
After she’d finished her meal, she grabbed a pot of fresh tea and headed up to her room to read. Aware she had to be at the laboratory early, she got ready for bed, crawling beneath the covers right as her clock chimed midnight. She had a touch of a headache, though she felt too tired to get back out of her bed and search for a pain reliever.
If she had any dreams, she didn’t remember them.
The next morning she woke to bright sunshine and birdsong. Testing her head, she found the headache had retreated. Good. Stretching, she tried to decide what she’d do that afternoon. Normally on a day like this, she’d go for a horseback ride or a long walk with her dogs. Since she knew she’d be confined to the house helping Dr. Streib with his pointless research in the morning, maybe she’d do some of her favorite activities that afternoon.
