"Well... as much as I like wearing your shirt," she gave him a small smile, "it doesn't cover all that much. And since I don't have any underwear..."
"Underwear?"
"Small coverings worn under outer coverings. They make it so if this pulls up," she indicated the bottom of the cover, "no one sees anything they shouldn't."
"I see."
"Do your females wear coverings this short?" she asked.
"No, they typically reach the floor. What do you normally wear?"
"Pants mostly, like what you wear." She gestured to his.
"Your females like to wear pants?"
"I guess most do. It depends on what they are doing; where they are going. I normally only wear a dress on special occasions."
"I see."
"What's wrong, Nikhil."
"I... when I spoke to Luol about waking you, I also talked to him about your lack of coverings."
"You did? Why?"
"Luol's Ashe resides on Crurn and in four days our resupply ship will arrive from there. He is going to have her select proper coverings for you and have them sent along with it."
"I... you did this for me?" she asked, and felt her eyes start to fill.
"I wanted you to have something more, something better, than just my storm shirt," he admitted.
"I... thank you, Nikhil."
"They will be dresses, Mackenzie. Long dresses."
"That's okay," she reassured him.
"But..."
"Nikhil, I'm not on Earth anymore, and while I admit I am more comfortable in pants, I can adjust."
"I will arrange it so that there are pants included for you on the next supply ship. My vow. That way you will have a choice."
"Thank you." Reaching over, she put a hand on his leg.
"I want to give you everything you desire, Mackenzie. So you never regret having me as your True Mate."
"Nikhil." She set her food packet aside then rose to her knees, so she was eye to eye with him. "Don't you know all I desire is you? You don't have to give me things for that to happen, and I could never regret having you as my True Mate."
"You say that now..."
"I will always say it, Nikhil. I may be new to your world, to your universe, but I know I'm getting the best it has to offer."
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Nikhil wasn't happy as he led his Mackenzie into the area housing the survivors. A gray cape, that he had altered with his blade so it fit her better, was wrapped around her. He had wanted her to remain in his quarters while he attended to his duties, but she insisted on being brought here. She wanted to check on her friends and answer any more questions they might have. He knew he was being irrational, but the thought of her being around so many other males without him there raised every protective instinct inside him.
It didn't matter to him that she had already spent a great deal of time alone with these males. It didn't matter to him that none of them were her True Mate and that he was. They had failed to protect her from the Zaludians, and that was something he would never forget or forgive.
"I will be fine, Nikhil," she said, turning to face him as she sensed his growing tension.
"They allowed you to be harmed once, Mackenzie," he said through gritted teeth, his glowing green eyes hard and piercing as they traveled over the males standing behind her.
"That wasn't their fault, Nikhil. There was nothing they could have done."
"They could have fought for you," he growled.
Knowing there was no way she would ever change her mate's mind on this, she changed the subject. "Will I see you for midday meal?"
"I will be here," Nikhil promised.
Putting a hand behind her head, he tipped her face up to his and captured her lips for a deep, hard kiss that left no doubt in the minds of the males in the room that she was his female. Giving the males behind them one last look, he spun on his heel and forced himself to leave her.
"Onp," he growled, looking at the warrior standing by the door who was in charge of the survivors.
"With my life, Squad Leader," he vowed then watched Nikhil leave after giving his True Mate one last long look.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Mac turned and immediately felt the weight of her friends' eyes on her, especially Craig who was glaring at her.
"What the hell is going on with you?!!" he demanded angrily in English, grabbing her arm. "Have they brainwashed you?"
While Mac knew only their group understood Craig's words, she realized the others in the room understood the tone behind them especially the Kaliszians by the sound of them drawing their swords.
"It's fine," she said in Kaliszian, looking over her shoulder to see she was right and ordered, "Sheath your swords."