Page 34 of Feral Mates (Ruthless Instinct #1)

“I’m glad to hear that. Your cooperation will make what we’re about to do together that much easier on everyone.

If you’re serious, then convey with your mind for them to stop.

I need to see how powerful your connection is.

Oh, and don’t try and do anything behind my back, Dr. Morgan.

As men they are strong. As wolves they are still dangerous to me.

That is why they were given an injection.

They are unable to shift. Besides, I need them in human form.

” Thanatos turned toward me, his dark eyebrows raised.

He allowed me to catch another glimpse of his fangs. The bastard was trying to scare me.

Unfortunately, it was working. I had no idea how in the world we would get out of this mess. We were prisoners, being treated like lab rats. Did any of the other scientists know what he had planned? If so, they were complicit. As if it mattered right now.

All four of us were his prisoners. There was no telling if there were others.

Taking a deep breath, I did what I could to harness the rage, closing my eyes and picturing a tether of communication directly to my mates.

Mates.

Did Thanatos know they considered me their mate? Just stop. Don’t do anything. You need your strength. Just wait.

A deep set of vibrations coursed through me, an electric hum that had nothing to do with the electric field surrounding them. They’d heard me. My instinct never lied.

I opened my eyes, turning my head so I could see the other contained area where the lifeforms had been. Seeing nothing at all brought an intense ache.

When had everything gone so wrong?

“Good girl, Dr. Morgan. I’m very pleased with the results of the first test. How very exciting for both of us. The possibilities are endless. The future will be spectacular.”

“Fuck you.”

The flash of anger was quick, but he almost reacted violently, baring his teeth. I could also see a hint of inner conflict. Maybe there was a little of the once caring man I’d met all those years ago.

“I think you should be more respectful of what I’m allowing you to be a part of.

” He stomped toward me, his features morphing, sharpening.

Even his eyes held a different shape. He took his time, rolling his fingers along the inside of one leg, constantly checking to see the reactions of the three wolves.

I willed them to let it alone, but nothing would keep them from trying to get to me.

The chains rattling, they slammed their bodies against the glass again, the force significant. The entire frame shuddered.

Every soldier was chomping at the bit to pull the trigger.

“Up the amps. They need to understand that their bad behavior is not acceptable,” Thanatos shouted. One of the scientists moved to a console, glancing nervously at him with his hand poised. “Do it or you’ll be in that cage.”

The scientist did his bidding, flicking a switch just as my wolves attacked the glass once again.

As the arc of current hit their bodies, a bluish light infiltrated the contained space.

Their howls were horrible, and from somewhere else in the building came a symphony of sharp, cut to the bone sounds. Howls that sent an entirely different wave of electricity into the room.

There were other beasts being kept in the building. Being experimented on.

And they were just as pissed.

“Stop it. You fucking bastard. I will kill you if you don’t.”

My statement brought a wave of amusement, but he waved off the scientist, who flicked off the machine.

“Such adoration for the wolves in such a short period of time. That’s what I was hoping for. The moment I saw the four of you together, I knew everything had changed.” He stroked my other leg, daring the wolves to attempt to get to me again.

I could feel their exhaustion, the anguish that continued to ripple through every muscle and tendon. If it continued, they wouldn’t survive.

Thankfully, my wolves were too injured to try again.

Thanatos curled his fingers, obviously disappointed.

“It’s time, Savannah. Your destiny awaits you.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m aware you are considered mates, but I need to see that in action and just how far they will go to claim and protect you.” He rubbed his jaw. “First, an examination. I’m eager to ascertain whether you are fertile as I believe you are. I can smell it on you.”

“This is crazy. You’re not a vampire, Dr. Blackwell. You’re a highly respected scientist. Please just stop before it’s too late. You can’t do this to anyone else.”

“I can do anything I want.”

“How many others are there?”

“Enough. And they’re not just wolves, Savannah. Now, you’re going to be a good girl and follow through with your promise. If you do not, your wolves will suffer.” He moved toward the glass, pointing toward one of the scientists. “Allow the beasts to hear me.”

“Yes, sir.”

He returned to the glass, glancing from one to the other. “Hear me, wolves. You will remain calm. If you act out, your mate will be punished. Do you understand what I’m saying to you? Or are you too primitive to grasp what I’m saying?”

Apollo chuckled and moved as close to the glass as the chains would allow while keeping airspace to prevent electrocution. “We understand clearly, Thanatos, but you shouldn’t underestimate primitive wolves. They will surprise you every time.”

“I doubt that. Just keep in mind what I’ve said to you. Keep the line active. I want them to be able to hear everything that happens. Don’t worry. You’ll get your chance with her in a little while.”

His laugh was even more chilling than before.

“I’ll be fine,” I yelled out.

Roman walked toward the other glass, his chest heaving. I didn’t need our close connection to know exactly what they were thinking.

They would rip the son of a bitch apart.

Thanatos turned abruptly, taking long strides toward one of the scientists. “Prepare her. I need the examination done quickly. And do not fall for anything. She is not one of us. Yet.”

Not one of them.

I would never be one of them.

“Also, Corporal Martin, tighten the chains. Their leashes are too long,” he commanded the same asshole who’d injected me at my father’s house. “I certainly don’t want them to hurt themselves. Only I can do that.”

I watched in horror as the man who’d injected me and had led the attack moved toward the console. The grin on his face was disgusting. His fingers flew on a keyboard and within seconds, the chains began to retract.

The wolves fought being dragged backward, their muscles straining as the pulley snapped their feet off the concrete floor.

Apollo growled, his face beet red as he ripped at the chains.

So did the others.

It was no use.

They had less than two feet of maneuverability, still fighting to free themselves just as I’d done.

With another sharp glare, Thanatos left the room, laughing as he walked away. I turned my attention to my wolves, struggling so hard not to cry. I had to be strong not only for myself, but for them as well. Several of the scientists left the room, leaving only two.

“The six of you can leave. Time for a break. The show is set to begin in an hour,” Corporal Martin directed the other soldiers.

“Jenson. Marks. You remain here. Two should be enough to hold the fucking beasts.” Before he walked out the door, he turned toward me, lifting his head. Then he glanced at my wolves.

The look on his face was terrifying.

They had no intentions of allowing any of us to leave the facility alive.

As the two men doctors approached, I struggled with my emotions. I couldn’t stand the thought of allowing Apollo, Kai, or Roman to be hurt because of me. They were on edge, watching me intently. I could swear their beasts were just below the surface.

If only they could break free, then they could get out of here.

When we did, how could we destroy the facility? We’d need to burn it to the ground.

“I’m Dr. Young. I’m going to be handling your examination.”

He had a friendly smile, the look in his eyes as if feeling sorry for me.

“You don’t need to do this. He’s a madman. You know that.”

“Dr. Blackwell is actually quite brilliant. I assure you that his breakthroughs will change the face of how we’re thinking about physics.”

“That’s bullshit. He’s just trying to play God.”

“Come now, you’re a scientist. Let’s get this over with.” He unlocked the shackles around my ankles, immediately pulling up stirrups. When he patted them, his smile widened. Who the hell did he think he was?

The growls from the cage were horrific yet strangely comforting. The bastard Thanatos was just trying to humiliate me, using the examination as a way of keeping me from acting out.

Fuck him.

I wasn’t going to break. Not for him. Not for anyone.

Even though it felt like my dignity was in question, I slapped my feet into the stirrups, wincing only when my ankles were strapped once again.

“Go ahead, Dr. Young. You can’t humiliate me.

Just a reminder that you’re required to uphold certain laws.

What is happening here is atrocious and you fucking know it. ”

“Your opinion, Dr. Morgan. As I said, what Dr. Blackwell is doing will bring scientific breakthroughs to this world.”

The man had been brainwashed, likely occurring while working so close to Thanatos. I closed my eyes as the other doctor brought a tray.

“Just relax. This won’t hurt a bit.”

Within seconds, a speculum was slipped inside. I held my breath, turning my head so I could see my mates.

The roar they emitted was silent, but I could feel the vibrations all the way to my toes. There was no sense of honor in this place, not like I’d believed. There was only the lust for power by controlling a number of yet to be defined species.

They had no understanding of the power of the wolves and other predatory beasts.

But they would soon learn.

In the most definable way possible.

Their deaths.