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ALEENA

Aleena could scarcely believe the turn her life had taken. Here she was, sitting in the back of the hovercoach with her new husband on their way to a restaurant and she had done nothing to earn it! In fact, she had done things that other men would certainly disavow or beat their wives for. Instead, Bear had decided to take her out for a treat! And he had promised never to beat her.

Could such a man really exist? Aleena looked up at him uncertainly. She was leaning against his side because, when they had gotten into the back of the hovercoach, he had pulled her close to him. She was snuggled up against his big, muscular body and it all felt perfectly natural even though she’d never seen him before the Joining ceremony. He just felt right to her somehow and the warm, spicy scent he seemed to carry with him made her feel even more attracted to the big Kindred.

Bear saw her looking at him and flashed her a smile, which lightened up his brooding features. Aleena wondered if she could really trust his kindness—she certainly wanted to, but a husband who never hit or hurt and wasn’t even angry when she burned up an expensive dinner seemed almost too good to be true.

Sure enough, as she watched him, Bear’s eyes flickered over her face and then lower…and he frowned.

“Hey,” he remarked. “What’s that you’re wearing?”

“Oh, um…” Aleena looked down at her much-mended skirt and sleeves and her cheap breast net. She was instantly ashamed of the tarnished, rusty metal and the way the links were so large her nipples could be clearly seen through the netting.

“I didn’t notice before, but why are you wearing something that shows your…uh…everything?” he asked, frowning.

“I’m very sorry, my Lord Husband,” Aleena said humbly. “Unfortunately, these are the best clothes I own. I apologize that I was not able to afford a new outfit to wear.”

His frown deepened.

“Look, baby—I don’t like taking you out in public looking like that! I don’t want other men to be able to see my wife’s breasts!”

Aleena felt her heart drop down to her shoes. She wanted to cover her breasts, but she was afraid that might anger him more.

“Forgive me,” she whispered. “I understand if you would rather return to the house. I can make you something else for dinner there—I promise I won’t burn it this time!”

“No, I don’t mean I want to go back,” he growled. “I’m really hungry and I’m sure you are too, baby. But before we go anywhere, we need to take you shopping.”

“Shopping?” Aleena asked.

“Yes, shopping. For something that will cover you. Where do you buy these, uh, breast covers?” he asked, motioning to her chest again.

“Oh—women’s apparel can be purchased in the garment district,” Aleena told him. “Which is also close to the place where many restaurants are.”

She knew this because her stepmother and half-sister were always going on shopping trips and then out to lunch. They talked about it whenever she saw them and Aleena had always wished she and her mother could do such things together. But there was no money for such frivolous trips—no money for anything at all.

But now Bear was saying he would take her shopping and out to eat—it seemed too good to be true!

“All right,” he rumbled. Then he raised his voice and addressed the self-driving hovercoach. “Coach—take us to the garment district.”

“Understood,” the hovercoach replied in a robotic voice and the vehicle abruptly turned and headed in a new direction.

Aleena couldn’t believe it—for the first time in years, since before her father had disavowed her mother—she was actually going shopping for new clothes instead of getting her clothing from secondhand shops.

Once again, she couldn’t help thinking that it was all too good to be true!