Page 42 of Feral Mates (Ruthless Instinct #1)

S avannah

“So you’re telling me that through your discovery of a parallel universe, you were able to discover intelligent lifeforms.” Mark had remained silent as I’d explained the scientific breakthrough and the events occurring over the last few days.

“Well, an entire team made the discovery, but yes. That’s correct.

At first, we weren’t certain if we were simply dealing with energy fields, but finally we detected quantum strands that led us to realize we were dealing with more evolved lifeforms.” I was on my second mug of coffee, now jittery as well.

The wolves had mostly remained silent, but I’d felt their continued outrage.

“I see. And on top of that, in the background Dr. Blackwell and several scientists with top security clearance were using the data collected by other scientists to create new lifeforms never seen before.”

Nodding, I wasn’t certain if he was feeling disbelief.

I would at this point. “Yes. The people in the other departments had no idea how far their testing had gone or what they’d achieved.

There was an issue and several lifeforms managed to escape.

Maybe when they had a problem with closing the portal.

I’m not really certain, but they not only escaped the protected laboratory space they were in, but also the building itself. ”

“That’s when these lifeforms found the wolves.” He shifted his attention to the three men who were trying to seem relaxed but remained completely on edge.

“Yes, but from what Dr. Blackwell told me when he had holding us hostage and forcing us to… Well, keeping us prisoners, I believe Apollo, Kai, and Roman are correct in that they were taken from their habitats and brought to the refuge. They wanted alpha wolves, strong pack leaders for testing purposes. They were allowed to escape the refuge.”

Mark took a deep breath. “I could kill that scientist for what he forced you and your friends to endure.”

“It’s okay. We’re fine,” I said even though I wasn’t certain I believed it.

“Did I hear you correctly that there are already other confirmed shifters that exist?”

Kai growled under his breath. “Yes. From the refuge. All predatory animals. All males.”

Mark huffed. “It sounds like Dr. Blackwell had plans on building an army.”

“That’s exactly what I thought.” Another shiver. Another moment of anger.

Sadly, another tingle of fear.

Mark leaned forward in his seat, his elbows on his thighs and his fingers steepled. “Okay. I think I understand the situation. In order to keep Dr. Blackwell from continuing with his horrific experiments the portal needs to be destroyed.”

“Yes, but there’s another danger. If the portal isn’t destroyed, lifeforms will continue coming into our world and will attach themselves to whatever host they find. Plus, it’s my belief that eventually they’ll be able to develop beings from pictures or even from seeing a movie.”

Now Mark scratched his head. “You’re talking about aliens.”

“Or vampires.” Roman’s voice boomed in the room and for a few seconds, Mark was startled.

“I’m sorry, son, but I’m still struggling with believing you big, strong, healthy-looking men can turn into dangerous wolves at will. Not that I don’t believe Savannah, but you’ve got to admit, a tough thing to swallow.”

Apollo slowly turned his head in my direction. He was seeking my approval.

“Are you sure that’s something you want to see and are ready for?”

“In my days serving my country, as you might imagine, I’ve seen a lot of terrible things. Lions eating soldiers. Starving men resorting to cannibalism. So yeah, I think I can handle just about anything.”

Seconds later, Apollo stood, slowly removing the clothes given to him.

Mark sat back, peering up at him with mild amusement on his face. I understood the story was difficult to believe. Especially for a nonscientist. I was lucky he was so close to my father and knew I had integrity, but how could anyone believe something so crazy without seeing it with their own eyes?

Apollo didn’t make a big deal about shifting. He moved to the center of the room away from the glass table and other furniture before allowing the transformation to take place. I was still in awe. Every. Single. Time.

To me, the process was beautiful and evocative. But I could tell as Mark’s look of amusement drifted to disbelief and then to a flicker of fear why everyone wouldn’t feel the same.

I was an anomaly. Or as my dad used to say, a weirdo.

Why? Because I’d been the kid who’d wanted to learn where everything came from and how. I’d peppered my parents with questions until they’d wanted to lock me in a closet. Now I was benefitting from the dedication.

Or was I just fooling myself?

When Apollo was finished, he cocked his head and dragged his long tongue from one side of his jowl to the other while issuing a slight, yet deep growl.

I couldn’t tell by Mark’s expression if he was terrified or amazed. Maybe a little of both.

What I knew was that I was holding my breath. What I didn’t expect, and I don’t think my wolves did either, was when Mark rose to a standing position. And very slowly moved closer.

“May I?” Mark was asking Apollo if he could touch him.

When Apollo nodded, a light went on in Mark’s eyes.

“He can understand what I’m saying.”

“Yes. That part I haven’t figured out except that it has to do with the lifeforms.” Another moment to breathe a sigh of relief.

Mark took his time as if trying not to startle Apollo, stroking the area between his ears. “Utterly amazing. He’s much larger than a traditional wolf. Weighs more.”

“Yes. We’re all larger specimens,” Kai told him. “But we already were as the alpha wolves.”

“Yet, after the first time shifting, it seemed we increased in weight and in height,” Roman added. “We have all the attributes and strengths of both wolves and humans. And they appear to be expanding every day.”

Mark curled his fingers, giving Apollo a nod like one of respect and acceptance before heading to a bar he had set up in the corner of the room. “I might need that whiskey after all.”

“Do you have a way of helping us destroy the lab?” I hated asking the question. It felt as if I was betraying everything I knew and had worked so hard to achieve, but it was necessary. Not doing so would alter the course of the future and the world.

He poured his drink before saying anything.

Apollo shifted back to human form, which caught Mark’s eye. Poor Mark almost overfilled his glass.

“Jesus. I’m getting too old for this kind of shit,” he grumbled.

Another wave of tension filled the room. I could feel Kai’s eyes boring into me. When I looked over, I could feel his frustration.

Mark finally leaned against the bar, crossing his legs. “What you’re asking me to do breaks every rule that I was taught as a Marine and as you might imagine, several laws I agreed to uphold at the CIA.”

“I know, but honestly, there’s no other choice if?—”

He threw up his hand to stop me from talking. “Hold on now, Miss Impatient. From what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen, I agree with you that the portal needs to be destroyed and if possible, Dr. Blackwell needs to be arrested.”

“I don’t know if what he’s done will be considered against the law.” I was being honest.

“Including him kidnapping and attacking you?”

“My guess is the camera footage will be destroyed or taken to a safe place if it hasn’t been already. He’s carefully covered his tracks.” Apollo’s words of wisdom brought head nods from all of us.

“You give in too easily, son.” Mark pulled the glass to his lips. “There are always methods of obtaining information even if it’s seemingly destroyed.”

“So you have explosives?” I asked naively.

He laughed. “Savannah. Stick to being the best scientist you can be. It’s going to take a lot more than explosives. But I think I can handle it. However, the four of you are going to need to trust me and do what I say. Can you do that?”

While he was asking all four of us the question, he just happened to be looking at me as if he knew my reputation of being a bad girl. “Yes, we can. Can’t we, wolf men?”

Apollo shook his head while Kai growled as an answer for all three.

“Good. I’ll get started gathering together what I need,” Mark said before powering back his drink.

While I sat quietly, wondering if any of us would survive whatever plan he had in mind.

There were eleven additional men inside Mark’s house, all soldiers who’d served with my father. All returning to take various jobs in security and law enforcement, even one turned computer mogul with experience in hacking.

I was shocked that after the initial tension had worn off, all three wolves were now actively taking part in the planning operation.

Somehow, one of them had gotten ahold of a set of plans for the lab facility, including schematics of various pieces of operational equipment.

They were spread out on both the kitchen and dining room tables, discussions being held about where to enter the building undercover, where the damage had been centralized, and how best to shut down the security systems.

There was no doubt they knew what they were doing.

In addition, they’d brought bags of weapons with them. Just seeing the number of guns and explosives had kept me on edge, my pulse at an all-time high.

However, I’d reminded myself more than once I’d asked for help and this was the best kind to receive.

Even if I was now terrified.

“There’s a portion of the facility not listed on the plans,” Kai told them. “Right there. That’s listed as a small maintenance closet, but it’s larger.”

I glanced over his shoulder and nodded. “That’s where the laser system is housed. There are two other boosters that fueled the main testing modules, including the one in the lab where I worked.”

“So all three need to be taken out,” Mark said as he lifted his head.

“One is already down thanks to Thanatos’ temper tantrum. But if the main system is destroyed, the other can’t work.”

“Thanatos?” Mark snarked.

“Because he’s a vampire.” I stated the words without thinking. It took a few seconds, but the others laughed.

One Marine snorted. “Saw that dude on television. He does look like a vampire.”

“Okay. Then our main concentration is to destroy the main laser system in this room,” Sam, one of the other men said.

Nodding, I chewed on my lower lip as I thought about the facility. “We need to make certain there are no animals on the property.”

The former Marines glanced between themselves. They’d been told as much as they needed to know.

“Where would these animals be kept?” Jake asked.

I glanced down at the plans again. “Fourth floor, but since I’ve been only up there once since being employed, I can only guess they’re being kept in the laboratory on the backside of the building.

I don’t know how many are still there since several managed to escape.

” I pointed to the location, realizing I was shaking all over again. Perhaps from adrenaline.

Perhaps from fear.

“And people?” Jake pressed. “You mentioned there were guards. I assume the facility is still closed because of the fire.”

“There shouldn’t be any employees except maybe the security guards that have always worked there,” I told him. “However, I suspect there will be some additional soldiers guarding the property since we escaped. Dr. Blackwell will suspect we’d return.”

I was fearful once we were close and if Thanatos was inside the building, he’d be able to read the minds of the wolves when we were close. Perhaps even mine.

“We took care of many of the soldiers before we escaped,” Apollo answered as calmly as I’d seen him.

A few men lifted their eyebrows. “Well, good for you. How many do you think are left?” Sam was clearly impressed.

“Six, maybe seven,” Roman piped in.

Mark glanced away briefly. “Then we need to use the cover of darkness and the element of surprise. The objective is to get in and out. Once the explosives are in position, and whatever animals remain are released, we’ll detonate once we’ve cleared the building.”

“How powerful are these bombs?” Roman asked.

“Very. It will level at least half the building. If done correctly, the cause will be listed as a tragic surge in power causing a short in the system.” Mark eyed me the entire time the plan was being laid out, judging my reaction.

I had none.

“Let’s go over the details once again,” another one of the men said, but my heavy thoughts were already drowning out his voice.

Mark took my arm gently, pulling me aside. “Are you sure about this?”

“I’m sure.”

“Okay. I can tell how upset you are, but just so you know, I’m very proud of you for standing up to what you believe in. So is your father. I may not fully understand everything that’s happening, but I do believe you. For what it’s worth, I believe you’re right.”

“Thank you.”

“Just out of curiosity, why do you really call Dr. Blackwell Thanatos?”

I looked him directly in the eyes, able to smirk. “Because he is. A bloodthirsty vampire.”

Mark sucked in his breath, tilting his head. “Then I hope he gets caught in the crossfire. I’ve seen enough bloodthirsty vampires to last me for the rest of my life.”

He walked away, half laughing although I had a feeling that he was being serious.

I questioned myself once again and felt my wolves watching me protectively.

As they had been doing since the night in the forest.

As they would do as long as I was alive.

And as for what was about to happen?

As long as the animals were allowed freedom, then I’d come to terms with destroying the project. It was for the betterment of mankind. And of the lifeforms being manipulated. Their world would be protected.

So would ours.

Yet God help the monsters that had been created.