Page 37 of Their Shared Mate
“Funny you should ask. Victor and I knew you would need new challenges, but we weren’t sure what you’d enjoy. I’m hoping you’ll be excited by what I’m about to show you.” He motioned toward a row of buildings on his left. The structures were larger than the cabins, but not nearly as big as the bunkhouse.
“What’s in there?”
His only response was a knowing smile. He escorted her to the first building and opened the door. “After you.”
She lowered her hood as she stepped inside, and her jaw just about hit her chest. A fully equipped laboratory was concealed inside the rustic building. Cabinets with wide counters lined three of the four walls and a freestanding island was situated down the center of the room. The island could be accessed from either side, creating twenty-four workstations. Only sixteen were currently occupied and all the scientists were staring at her. Their interest had not yet turned licentious, but Claire tensed all the same.
“As you were,” Raphael growled out and everyone turned back toward their work.
“Where did you get the scanners and microscopes?” Claire asked once her shock receded enough to allow her to speak. “This is unbelievable.”
“All of the equipment came off the transport ships.” He guided her farther into the room, but not between the rows of workers. The scientists were stealing glances at her. Raphael glared at each male in turn rather than reprimanding the entire group. “The cats and wolves had no use for any of it, so we stripped away every wire, every component and packed it up here.”
“Earth’s leaders left all this scientific equipment functional? I didn’t realize they’d been so generous.”
He scoffed, shoving his hands into the pockets of his synth-leather jacket. “They weren’t generous at all. Nothing we scavenged was operational. It took over a year of crawling around in the underbelly of those ships and another two before we’d restored everything.”
“Well, I’m incredibly impressed.” She took a step closer to the nearest scientist. “What are they working on?”
He was relatively sure he knew which project she’d choose, but he wanted to present all the options. “There are several projects. Group A is looking for ways to bolster our immune system. B is focused on Oratov Syndrome.”
Claire dragged her gaze away from the workstations and looked at him. “What’s Oratov Syndrome?”
“It’s a neurodegenerative disease caused by the repeat expansion of genes found on… I’ve forgotten which chromosome.” Raphael made a helpless gesture. “I’m sure the specifics would mean more to you than they do to me. Genetics is not my field of expertise.”
“What are the specific genes affected and were they involved in your transformation?”
“Jason can answer your questions,” Raphael told her. “He’s the team lead.”
“How many people have been diagnosed?”
As he hoped, she was already interested in the project. Not only would this give her something meaningful to do, her knowledge of genetics could also prove beneficial to Jason and his team. “The mutation has been identified in forty-two, but about half are still asymptomatic. We’d like to keep it that way. Jason believes the mutation can be edited out rather than simply treating the symptoms. Gabriel wants both paths explored simultaneously.”
“A treatment would give those suffering with the syndrome a better quality of life while the cure is being found,” Claire pointed out.
Raphael chuckled as his gaze moved over her face. “I’ll let Gabriel know that you agree with him.”
Claire motioned toward the researchers. “Is there a Group C?”
Raphael nodded. “They’re developing high-yield crops that flourish at this elevation. It’s not as interesting as the other two projects, but it’s even more important.”
“I would love to participate in Group B,” she told him. “My medical training is minimal, but I know a lot about genetics.”
Pleased that he’d guessed correctly, he smiled and called out, “Jason, come here for a minute.”
A tall, rail-thin male slipped off his stool and walked over to where Raphael and Claire were standing. “What can I do for you, boss?”
“This is Claire, my potential mate. She’s a genetic researcher and would like to join your team.”
With barely a glance at Claire, Jason told Raphael, “I welcome all the help I can get, and I’ll make sure everyone treats her with the utmost respect.”
“I know you will.” Raphael raised his voice so everyone in the room could hear him. “Anyone that upsets my mate for any reason will answer to me.”
“Understood, sir.” Jason’s immediate response was echoed around the room. Then he finally looked at Claire and smiled. “Welcome to the team.”
Claire stared at the magnified image before her, but her thoughts were far away. The past week swirled by in a blur of activity and passion. She spent her days in the lab with Jason and his team trying to unravel the mysteries surrounding Oratov Syndrome.
Her nights were spent in the arms of her mates, and Claire couldn’t believe how quickly her feelings for Raphael and Victor were deepening. Each time they had sex, their emotions poured into her mind, reassuring her that the attraction was more than just physical. They desired her happiness, wanted her to feel at home in their world. Claire wasn’t there yet, but she could easily picture the sort of future they described.
