Page 40 of Their Marked Mate

“Bring her with you tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll have a plan by then and we’ll get her started as well.”

Shannon left a few minutes later, so Luna shut everything down for the night. Keeping track of time wasn’t really a thing on Rydaria. They worked when it was light and rested while the sun was down. She generally left the lab around sundown, but it was already fully dark. Paco, one of her guards, chatted away as he escorted her home. Luna was too distracted by her impending conversation with Alex to do more than nod and smile. She needed access to a medical professional and Heather seemed to be the only possibility. If Luna hadn’t changed Babcock’s formula, she would have years of data on which to base her decisions. As it was, Shannon would be the first female to transform, and the possible complications were endless.

“Are you all right, miss?” Paco asked. “You’re unusually quiet tonight.”

“It’s been a long day, and I’ve got a lot on my mind. Sorry if I’m ignoring you.”

“No problem,” he assured her. “We’ve all had days like that.”

They reached her cabin a few minutes later and Luna thanked Paco for the escort. She slipped inside and let out a sigh. Her potential mates had yet to arrive. Apparently, their days were even busier than hers had been.

She was in the process of taking off her coat when someone unlocked the front door. She smiled, thinking Alex and Nate had returned, but a male she didn’t know pushed open the door. His eyes widened and he hesitated in the doorway.

“Can I help you?” she asked sharply. Why did this stranger have the code to the front door?

“Oh, damn,” the stranger said. “We were supposed to have this set up before you arrived.”

He seemed harmless enough, so she simply asked, “Have what set up?”

“Your mates wanted to surprise you,” he explained. “My name is David. I run the communal kitchen. May we come in?”

“Yes, of course.” She motioned him inside, feeling bad about her surliness. Alex and Nate arranged a surprise? She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had done something like that for her. “I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

David waved away her concern as he moved farther into the cabin. “Your reaction was understandable. I barged in on you.” David had two helpers with him. They carried large trays stacked high with serving dishes, while David carried a crate filled with supplies. With focused efficiency, they covered the table with a cloth then arranged the dishes to accommodate a party of three. There was even a simple centerpiece with a fragrant candle. David lit the candle, smiled brightly, and then motioned for his helpers to leave. Lastly, he pulled a string-wrapped parcel out of the crate and handed it to Luna. “This is from your mates. Open it immediately and enjoy your evening,” he said then followed the others from the cabin.

A rush of emotion paralyzed Luna for a moment. They had been courting her for weeks now, but this was the first time the attempt had been so… well, romantic. They were attentive, passionate, and determined. She just hadn’t expected something so traditional from her savage mates.

She set the package down on the kitchen counter and untied the string. Coarse fabric, like burlap, had been wrapped around whatever was inside. She unfolded the burlap and revealed a stack of clothes. The first garment was a long, full skirt. The fabric was solid black, but an intricate geometric pattern had been embroidered around the hem in vivid shades of red and gold. The second garment was a blouse, also in black. The black lace bodice was lined, but the sleeves were sheer. There were even undergarments, but where had Nate gotten the clothing? The matter generators only had patterns for military uniforms.

She was still staring at the clothes in stunned silence when the males walked through the door.

“Sorry we’re late,” Nate greeted. “It has been one hell of a day.” He noticed that the gift was still folded up on the counter. “Don’t you like the dress?”

“I love it,” she assured him. “But where did you get it?”

“We bartered for it in Shadow City,” Alex explained. “I provided some basic supplies, and Nate did the actual haggling. Go put it on. We’re dying to see you in it.”

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.