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"More powerful than mine?" I ask, injecting just the right amount of jealousy into my voice.

Hammond glances at me. "Are you worried about competition, Blackthorn?"

"I'm curious about your scientific assessment."

"Well, it's hard to say without testing. That's why we need multiple samples." He turns back to watch as Onyx grows more alert, pulling against his restraints with increasing strength. "His raw power is impressive, but your hybrid genetics offer unique advantages. Half-shifter, half-human is the perfect bridge between worlds."

In the holding room, Leo and Onyx exchange looks.

"They seem to be coordinating," I note.

"Impossible. Those restraints are military grade, designed specifically for enhanced subjects." Hammond dismisses my concern with a wave. "They're not going anywhere."

"If you say so." I check my watch. "How much longer before Dahlia wakes up?"

"Are you impatient to start breeding?" Hammond smirks. "The drug should wear off within the hour or two. The heat symptoms will be intense by then."

I move back to Dahlia's window, pressing my palm against the glass. "And you're sure she won't be harmed in the process?"

"We need her healthy to bear children," Hammond says, as if that answers my question. "She'll be uncomfortable, certainly. The synthetic heat can be overwhelming for first-timers. But it won't kill her."

"How considerate of you."

"I'm a very practical man, Evan. Not a monster." Hammond joins me at the window. "She's beautiful, isn't she? Even unconscious, she radiates fertility. Can you smell her yet?"

I can. Dahlia's scent has begun to change, and it's growing sweeter and more potent by the minute.

"Yes," I admit.

"Good. That means the process is working." Hammond checks a monitor displaying Dahlia's vitals. "Her heart rate is increasing. Body temperature is rising. We have classic pre-heat symptoms."

"What about pain management?" I ask, noticing the furrow between Dahlia's brows, even unconscious. "She looks uncomfortable."

"Pain is part of the process… Besides, too many drugs might interfere with conception."

A commotion from the other room draws our attention. Leo is thrashing violently in his chair, the metal creaking under the strain.

"He's going to hurt himself," I observe.

"Let him try," Hammond says, sounding unconcerned. "Those restraints are reinforced steel. Even a bear shifter can't break them."

As if to prove him wrong, one of Leo's restraints gives an ominous groan.

"You might want to reconsider that assessment," I say.

Hammond frowns, moving closer to the observation window. "Impossible."

In the holding room, Onyx has stopped struggling. Instead, he sits perfectly still and closes his eyes.

"What is he doing?" Hammond asks.

"Shifters can sometimes access enhanced strength by focusing their energy."

"Fascinating." Hammond sounds genuinely intrigued. "I'll have to document this for the research files."

"You do that." I glance at Dahlia again. Her fingers have started to twitch. She's waking up.

"Ah, perfect timing." Hammond notices, too. "She'll be fully conscious soon, and the heat will take hold. We should prepare for the mating process."