Chapter 6 #3
Luna picked up the outfit and carried it into the bedroom.
She’d gotten over her need for modesty, but if they watched her dress, it would ruin the big reveal.
The purpose of the undergarments was obvious, but the design was unusual.
The panties had a sliding fastener on one side rather than an elastic waistband.
The breast support garment was similar to a sports bra, but it was fitted with darts and tailoring rather than stretchy material.
She was relatively sure the garments hadn’t come from Earth.
They were beautifully made, yet seemed old-fashioned.
The skirt fit perfectly and the blouse made her feel special for the first time in months. She’d been rotating through a few outfits ever since coming to Rydaria. It was wonderful to have something new.
She smoothed down her hair and shook out the skirt then walked back into the living room.
“Wow,” Nate muttered, gaze filled with warm approval.
“You look lovely,” Alex said.
“I know you traded with someone in Shadow City, but where did they get something this beautiful?” She spun around and the skirt rippled outward, accenting the colorful border design.
“We’re not sure why Shadow City was abandoned, but it happened suddenly,” Nate told her. “There are countless shops and homes in the complex filled with usable merchandise.”
“If any of the village leaders had bothered to explore Shadow City, they wouldn’t have left it for Soko and his exotics,” Alex added.
“I’ve heard the name Soko before, but I know little about the exotics,” Luna admitted.
“They like it that way.” Alex motioned toward the table, so Luna sat down.
Alex joined them and the males uncovered the serving dishes.
The meat was clearly joselle, a common waterfowl that Luna had eaten numerous times before.
The preparation, however, was unusual. David had stuffed the bird with some sort of dressing and finished the dish with a colorful glaze.
Alex sliced thick pieces off the bird as Nate passed around the side dishes.
“Are we celebrating something special?” Luna asked as they began to eat.
“Our prowess in bed hasn’t been enough to sway you,” Alex told her with a good-natured grin. “We thought David’s culinary skill might convince you to accept our claim.”
She took a bite and closed her eyes as she savored the complex flavor. “The joselle is excellent, but it’s making me want to bond with David, not you two.”
Nate laughed, but Alex was not amused. He stared at her silently, his gaze boring into hers.
They ate for a few moments in silence, then Nate asked, “Were you able to determine what caused the mutated cells?”
“It’s an educated guess, but I made a small adjustment that should prevent it from happening again.” She took a sip of wine before broaching the topic she’d been dreading ever since she left the lab. “Is there anyone in the lupine village with medical training?”
Alex paused with his next bite halfway to his mouth. “Why?”
“I’m relatively sure that the cells were not a serious complication, but I’ll feel much better about progressing if a doctor or nurse verified my conclusions. I’m a geneticist. I really shouldn’t be attempting this on my own.”
The males exchanged looks, but said nothing out loud. Luna had no doubt they were debating the issue telepathically.
When the tense silence lengthened, she said, “The easy answer is to let me contact Heather.”
“The birds have joined forces with the cats,” Alex said firmly. “I have someone else in mind.”
“Who?” Even though Heather was mated, Luna had been relatively sure that she would not reveal the fact that Luna was making changes to the formula. Anyone else would likely expose her deception.
“One of Soko’s advisors is a doctor,” Alex told her. “It will cost us more females, but it’s probably wise to involve them more directly at this point anyway.”
Luna fought back her panic. She’d asked for this, and more important, it was something she needed.
It was irresponsible and unethical to risk the safety of the volunteers.
Babcock had focused on progress at the expense of the ‘test subjects.’ Luna was determined to follow a different path.
She’d just hoped to be further along before Alex discovered what she was trying to do.
“If Soko’s advisor is willing, I welcome the help. ”
“Good,” Alex said as he started to eat again. “I’ll speak with Soko in the morning.”
The rest of the meal was quick and pleasant. They shared a little bit of village gossip and Nate described Shadow City in more detail. Few of the women even knew there was such a place and Luna was fascinated by the mysterious fourth village.
They finished the meal and were sipping wine when Alex returned to the original topic. “It has been three weeks, Luna. According to my own rules, I must allow other alphas to approach you at the end of one month.”
“It’s a silly rule,” she objected. “You’re village alpha. Change it.”
“I can’t.” He paused, waiting until she looked at him to add, “With so few females, we must find potential mates as quickly as possible.”
Luna tensed. By Rydarian standards, Alex and Nate had been incredibly patient with her, but she still resented the pressure. It was this sort of situation that fueled her determination to shift control to the females.
“Do you still have concerns about Nate and me?” Alex asked, his features locked in an expressionless mask.
“Any human female will have concerns after only three weeks,” she stressed. “One month is not enough time to make a permanent decision.”
“Let us form a transfer link,” Nate said, his tone quiet yet intense. “Deception is impossible with telepathic exchanges. You would see us exactly as we are.”
Luna licked her lips and averted her gaze.
“Your anxiety just shot through the roof,” Alex grumbled. “Why does the idea upset you?”
“I know numerous women who allowed a transfer link before accepting the claim of the males who were courting her. Each time the link convinced her that the males were her true mates.”
Alex and Nate exchanged confused expressions. “Why is that a problem?”
“It’s statistically improbable. If deception is impossible, why hasn’t a transfer link ever shown the female that the males are total dirtbags?”
“The transfer link is part of mating fever,” Nate explained. “All the affected individuals were genetically compatible.”
“That just means that they are capable of creating offspring, not that they will live happily ever after,” Luna argued.
“Are you sure about that?” Nate challenged with a sexy smile. “Bonding fever is metaphysical. It can’t be quantified.”
“You like facts and statistics.” Alex pushed his plate aside and rested his forearms on the table. “Let’s analyze the situation from a scientific perspective. You have been on Rydaria for almost six months now, correct?”
Luna nodded.
“You spent time in all three above ground villages and interacted with a variety of males in each. Is that also correct?”
She sighed, easily anticipating where this was headed. “Yes.”
“Were you attracted to anyone else?” Alex persisted.
“You and Nate are the only ones that I’ve felt a connection with,” she admitted. “But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to dedicate the rest of my life to you.”
“We’re not asking you to accept our claim,” Alex reminded. “We’re asking you to allow us to link our minds so you can resolve some of your misgivings.”
Luna squirmed, looking at each of the males then away. “It’s really hard to believe the link doesn’t brainwash the female,” she insisted. “Why are all of these males so damn perfect?”
“They aren’t perfect,” Nate stressed. “They’re just perfect for the female.”
She dragged her gaze back to Nate and searched his expression. “Give me your word that you won’t manipulate my emotions.”
“I swear, but it’s not necessary.” He reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “The link cannot be manipulated. Each emotion, each thought is simply exchanged. They cannot be changed in any way.”
“Then I’ll allow it.” A shiver dropped down her spine as she heard her own words.
This had been the last stop before bonding for each of her friends.
Now Luna could see the destination looming.
As her mind struggled with the concept, she remembered other things her friends had stressed.
There were no secrets between mates. They shared emotions and thoughts, memories and even physical sensations.
Secrets. The word echoed through Luna’s mind like a warning bell.
She had a very damning secret that she was not ready to share.
“Will this allow you to read my mind or just sense my emotions?”
Another concerned look passed between the males, then Alex insisted, “It’s a preview, a taste. Emotions pass back and forth spontaneously, but thoughts must be pushed across the link.”
She could work with that. “All right. Sorry about all the questions. I’m just intimidated by all this psychic stuff.”
“That’s understandable.” Nate stood and moved to stand beside her. “The link can be painful if you resist, so it’s best if you’re good and distracted.” He pulled her to her feet and led her toward the bedroom.
Luna went willingly, but tension gathered in her belly.
This would be exciting, even romantic if it weren’t for the secret she was determined to hide.
It was inevitable that they learn about the changes she’d made to the formula, but timing was everything.
If at least one female had been successfully transformed and more were on the way, one annoying detail wouldn’t matter.
At least, that was the defense she had been rehearsing since she decided to change the formula.
Nate took her face between his warm palms and kissed her deeply as they stood beside the bed.
Alex moved in close behind her and ran his hands up and down her arms. “There is no reason to fear this, Luna. In fact, the opposite is true. This will give you complete confidence in the things we say to you.”