Take the chance

Taking seven quick, deep breaths, you press the button allowing you to reply. “Thanks, Mark. We’ll be down in a bit.”

With that you carefully untangle yourself from Doe and crawl off the bed. She whimpers softly and gives you a look that melts your heart. Seeing her so content and beautiful, you grin to yourself, knowing you made the right choice. You offer your hand to her. She takes it in her paw and slowly rises off the bed. A quick kiss and shower later and the two of you are dressed walk hand in paw to the biolab.

You sit back and watch as impassively as you can as the medical team put the lupine femme into a standard medical gown and take Doe through blood tests, pap smears, bone density scans, DNA scans, eye tests, reflex tests...even samples of her fur are taken for study. You try to ignore Mike’s glances at you since his examinations quickly reveal just how close you and Doe are.

Finally the physical is finished. As Doe is changing her clothes, you pull Mark off to the side, knowing you’re taking a risk by taking him into your confidence. “Mark, I don’t want the rest of the team to know this yet…” You pause as Mark gives you an incredulous look. “Doe is about to go into heat. We need to be ready to go to Phase Two at a moment’s notice should she need a mate to help contain her and meet her needs. If that’s not an option, then we need to find some way to either counteract the effects or keep her humanely pacified until the cycle passes.”

Mark’s evil glances turn to a mix of scientific curiosity and childish excitement. “So that’s why you and her…makes sense. Quite a risk, John, but I can’t say I blame you.” He flashes you a playful smile. “So what do we do?”

“I hate to do this to you guys, but I need the results as soon as possible. Tonight if we can. That way I can overlook it before I talk to the Phase Two teams. And Mark,” you pause again as you look him into the eye. “Please don’t tell anyone about this. They’re already excited about our success and exhausting themselves to do it again. I don’t wanna add any unnecessary stress to any of our teams.”

Mark nods his consent. “I’ll keep it quiet. That way we can bring in only those we need as we need them.”

You place a hand on Mark’s shoulder. “Thanks, Mark.”

Mark nods to you as Doe steps out wearing the t-shirt and boxers the two of you modified earlier for her that day. Doe takes your hand in her paw as the two of you leave the biolab and head for the station’s stores. The moment the pair of you are out of earshot, Doe shudders. “I know this is important to you, but that was very frightening.”

Her words startle you. She has never shown any sign of fear or anxiety before, and you can’t help but feel a bit guilty at not noticing the trepidation she has been working so hard to hide. You squeeze her paw supportively and whisper so only she can hear, “I know, Doe, and I am so sorry you had to go through that. If it weren’t to make sure you were healthy and to help me help you, I would have never allowed it.”

Doe stops and turns so she can look into your eyes. “How would it help me?”

You reach out softly and caress her cheek. “Doe, you know how much I care about you, right?” She nods, her eyes never leaving yours. “Normally I don’t like keeping secrets from those I love, but this once I’m gonna ask you to trust me.”

Doe takes a step towards you, her voice so low you can barely hear her. “You want to become like me. Is that correct?”

You nod, not wanting to lie to her. “Yes, it is.” You lean down, your forehead resting on hers. “I love you, and I don’t want you to be alone. We may be able to make more of you, and we may not. I just want you to be happy and to be with you.”

“I am happy with you, John. You are my alpha, my mate, and my friend. I do not like being the only one of my kind. But you make it livable. You make my life enjoyable. Just…be careful…please.” A small tear slides down her soft, perfect face.

You nod, realizing this is the first time Doe has called you by name since your first meeting. You kiss her nose softly. She wraps you in her arms. The two of you hug, taking strength from each other before meeting Bob and Tony at the station’s stores.