Page 53 of Their Marked Mate

“Before we agree to anything, I have a few questions of my own,” Gabriel insisted despite his mate’s silent warning.

“What would you like to know?”

“I know you work for the government, but who is funding your program?” Gabriel began. “Interplanetary travel is expensive. So are medical devices.”

“The Rydarian Project is being funded by a corporate collective. There are eleven members of the collective and all of them are involved in the rehabilitation of lawbreakers.” After a thoughtful pause, Natalie asked Gabriel, “Why is this such a struggle for you? I need to gather information. You have a need I can fulfill. Why shouldn’t we help each other? Is it so hard to believe that I am proposing a basic barter? No hidden agendas or nefarious intentions. You let me study your developing culture and I’ll provide you with potential mates.”

“She’s really good at this, isn’t she?” Fallon sounded surprised.

Avery glanced at her and smiled. “Natalie is naturally likeable, but she’s also a skilled negotiator with years of experience.”

“The last time we took a corporation at their word, we were taken captive for seven years,” the redhead reminded.

“Seven years?” Natalie gasped. “I had no idea you guys were up there that long. No wonder you’re suspicious. I would be too. I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

Gabriel watched her closely, but his expression gave nothing away. “You’re offering nineteen females and the sort of medical supplies you just gave the cats. And all it will cost us is information? No testing or tissue samples?”

“I’m not a doctor,” Natalie stressed with an engaging smile. “My interest is purely observational. I need to make sure the proposed facilities will work before the investors spend obscene amounts of money to build them. It’s as simple as that.”

Fallon chuckled. “Shit. I’m ready to volunteer all over again. That woman is dangerously compelling.”

“My brother already gave his approval,” Gabriel said a few moments later, “so we would like to accept your proposal and begin a cooperative relationship.”

“Go, Natalie!” Avery said excitedly.

“The medical kit will be waiting when you return to your village.” She held out her hand with a blinding smile. “Two down. One to go.”

“Yeah, but it’s the hardest one of all,” Fallon pointed out. She pushed back from the table so she could cross her legs.

Avery deactivated the datasheet and pivoted to face her new friend. “I’m not sure I agree. The wolves want females more than anyone. They are clearly willing to kill for their potential mates.”

Fallon studied her, a wry smile curving her lips. “That turns you on, doesn’t it? I thought I was the only sucker for a bad boy on this ship.”

Avery was saved from replying by Natalie’s return. She walked into the dining room and smiled broadly. “Were you watching? I just landed the birds.”

“Two down. One to go,” Fallon echoed.

Natalie’s eyes narrowed and her smile faded. “Who gave you permission to come up here?” She glanced at Avery. “Did you?”

“No one gave me permission,” Fallon stressed. “I’ve just had it with the other volunteers. Most of them are so annoying. I feel sorry for the males.”

“Go back to the hold and don’t let me catch you up here again.” There was no real conviction behind Natalie’s order, and all three women knew it.

“Whatever.” Fallon flipped her long, dark hair and left.

Avery chuckled helplessly, enjoying the volunteer’s antics.

“You encourage her,” Natalie said as she sat down at the table.

“Maybe a little.” Avery fought back a smile then blurted, “I want to go with you when you meet with the wolves. Watching via the spybots is great, but I want to visit the actual planet and meet a few of the hybrids face to face.”

Natalie shook her head, clearly hating the idea. “It’s not safe.”

“Your security team is fully capable of protecting both of us,” Avery insisted. “I’m not coming all this way to watch the negotiations remotely. I could have done that from Earth.”

A long, tense pause followed, but apparently Natalie couldn’t think of a valid reason to refuse. She heaved a heavy sigh and said, “Fine. If you want to practice your powers of persuasion, this situation is ideal. But you need to be extremely careful. There are very good reasons that everyone mistrusts the wolves. They’re easy on the eyes, but they are also dangerous.”

CHAPTER 8