Page 59 of Their Shared Mate
“This has to work,” Claire murmured, shifting her weight from foot to foot. “If the improvement isn’t permanent, I have no idea how to pivot.”
“It will work,” Jason insisted. “Have faith.”
She still had to remind herself to breathe until the doctor crossed the room and offered his prognosis. “I ran a full battery of tests to make sure my findings were accurate.”
There was no excitement in his voice, no hope much less joy. “It didn’t work?” Claire concluded with a sigh.
The doctor’s lips parted in a blinding smile. “The treatment worked incredibly well. The patient’s symptoms are in completeremission and there are no longer any variants reflected in his genetic scans.”
Claire stared back at him in stunned silence for a moment, then let out a happy cry. Jason was grinning from ear to ear, but he knew better than to touch another hybrid’s female.
“We have room for twelve,” the doctor explained. “I’ll keep each group for three days after their treatment and then move on to a new group of patients.”
Claire nodded, thrilled with the outcome of the project. It had been a very long time since she’d been proud of her accomplishments. The environment at Nuevo Biotech had been so secretive, the projects so segmented that she’d never been sure if she accomplished anything at all. It felt wonderful to know she was helping people, rather than being part of something that made her feel regret and shame.
Victor stepped into the clinic a few minutes later. He looked around curiously until his gaze landed on Claire. He approached, a faint smile bowing his lips. “Would you mind if I steal her for the rest of the afternoon?” Victor asked Jason. “We’ve arranged a small surprise.”
“Of course not,” Jason enthused. “Our treatment seems to be a success, and it wouldn’t have been possible without your lovely mate. She’s earned some leisure time.”
“This project is and has always been a team effort,” Claire insisted.
“There is no need to be so modest,” Jason told her. “Without your breakthrough, none of this would be possible.”
Accepting the praise with a happy smile, Claire followed Victor from the clinic.
“Congratulations,” Victor said as they walked along the main pathway. “I know how hard you’ve worked on this project and I’m not at all surprised by your success.”
“Thank you. I’m encouraged by the report, but I’m still concerned that there could be complications. Manipulating genetics is always risky. That’s why it’s outlawed on Earth.”
“If and when complications arise, my brilliant mate will find the solutions.”
Victor leaned down and gave her a tender kiss and Claire focused on the positive. “So, what’s the surprise?”
He chuckled, but shot her a secretive look. “It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if I told you.”
It had been years since she’d felt this buoyant. She’d found her mates and was ready to build a future together with them. She’d also found a role in life that made her feel accepted and necessary. The research team was wonderful, and she couldn’t wait to begin on a new challenge.
They reached their cabin and Victor opened the front door. Rich, aromatic currents wrapped around Claire and a helpless groan escaped her throat. “Raphael is cooking again.”
Victor laughed. “How’d ya guess?”
Raphael was peering into the oven as they entered, but he closed the door and faced them with a smile. “That has at least an hour to go. How was work? Wasn’t the first full assessment of your treatment today?”
“It was, and the patient is in complete remission. All tests indicate that the treatment is effective.”
“You’ve found a cure for Oratov Syndrome?” Raphael sounded hopeful yet hesitant.
“Jason’s research team found a cure for Oratov Syndrome. I’m simply one member of the team.”
Both males laughed and Raphael pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. “Modesty becomes you, but we both know how amazing you are.” He kissed her again and then released her into Victor’s embrace. After Victor kissed her, Raphael said, “In the spirit of celebration, let’s give Claire her surprise.”
“I thought dinner was the surprise,” she objected.
“Dinner is just dinner.” Raphael waved away the conclusion. “This was much harder to accomplish.”
Desire curled through her and she sucked in a shuddering breath. “Does my surprise involve undressing?”
Raphael shook his head. “We won’t undress until after we eat.”
