Page 43 of Feral Mates (Ruthless Instinct #1)

A pollo

I couldn’t claim to understand humans, nor did I want to.

In my mind, they were vile, evil creatures capable of doing great harm to both themselves and the animals they shared the planet with. Perhaps they were more advanced in certain aspects from technology to weaponry, but canines not only had power and strength, they were also fiercely loyal.

Unlike humans.

With a few exceptions.

At that moment, the world narrowed around me, the darkness of the forest allowing me to feel as if I’d returned to my pack. The sensation was brief, but powerful. Right now, all I could hear and concentrate on was the sound of her breathing. Rapid. Shallow.

She was terrified, not of the actions about to be taken, but of the ramifications of her decision to end the possibility of creating new life.

Or as she’d mentioned, a man playing God. I barely understood the concept.

While I’d been cursed to live as a hybrid, that didn’t mean I cared to learn more about what humans were capable of, including acts of goodness.

However, I’d meant what I’d said to the beautiful scientist. I would protect her with my life.

We’d ridden with the soldiers back to the facility, parking on the road that led to the refuge. It was the middle of the night. For several miles there’d been few vehicles on the road. Yet even so, Kai and Roman felt the same buzzing vibrations I had.

Danger.

Not right in front of us or even out the truck’s window. It was as if we were catching a glimpse of the future.

As soon as we climbed out, Savannah gave us a look. I didn’t need to read her thoughts to know she was telling us to wait to shift until the other soldiers had headed into the forest.

“I wish you would have remained behind, Savannah. What we’re going to do is very dangerous even if there’s no one at the facility.”

“I’m a part of this, Mark,” she said as defiantly as usual. “I need to see this through. Plus, I want to help release the animals if possible.”

“Understood. Remember. We get in. We get out.”

Sam approached seconds later. He was holding out rifles. “Do any of you want a weapon?”

“Not needed,” Kai said. “And Savannah isn’t getting one.”

“I already have a weapon, which I will use if necessary,” she said. She would soon learn that disobeying us wasn’t a good idea. She pulled out her father’s handgun. Somehow, she’d managed to hide the fact she’d brought it with her.

Yes, another spanking would be necessary.

The soldier laughed. “O-kay. Here are high-powered flashlights. When we’re there, we’ll cut the power.

From what you’ve said, Dr. Morgan, the generator will kick in about five seconds later.

Now, I suspect Thanatos or his service will be advised of the power loss.

We’ll plan on being inside no more than ten minutes.

Anything longer and we risk the police arriving.

I don’t think you want to try and explain what the hell is going on, especially with no easily accessible proof.

I have a team that will swipe what they can from the security system, but it’s a one-shot deal of finding any corroborating evidence. ”

“Whatever you can find,” she told him.

He nodded. “It’s time to get going.”

“One flashlight,” Savannah said, taking it from his hands.

“You’re certain.” I could clearly see him questioning why. From what I could tell, Mark had left out details about our curse.

She laughed. “You’ll need to trust me.”

“We’ll be right there,” I told Sam.

Mark grinned, waiting for the group of soldiers to walk away. “I’ll be eager to see the three of you in action.”

“They are amazing,” our little mate told him.

“Don’t get yourselves killed,” he added. “You might be super wolves, but my guess is you can be killed.”

He backed away, leaving us alone in the darkness.

She remained where she was, staring at the road leading to the refuge. “They need to be freed.”

“That’s not our goal tonight.” Kai kept his voice low.

“They’re suffering. Just like you were.”

“Not tonight,” I told her.

Savannah barely glanced at me. “It’s time. Let’s get this finished.”

We removed our clothes quickly, tossing them into one of the vehicles. As she always did when we shifted, she watched.

Not once had she turned away in fear from seeing the process. Not once had she become disgusted. Our little mate was truly remarkable.

As soon as my wolf emerged and I’d dropped onto all fours, I quickly determined we weren’t alone. There were other animals and inside both locations.

Our mate would need to be watched carefully.

Without being told, she jumped on my back.

It felt so damn natural that I was surprised.

The three of us took off racing through the woods.

While the men were thorough, scanning the woods to ensure none of Thanatos’ soldiers had been stationed outside, we were fast, making it to the facility within a few minutes.

As decided, we headed for the main service door located in the back of the building.

It was also closest to where the laser system was being kept.

While Kai, Roman, and I were able to gather the scent of several animals being kept in cages, I was unable to detect the stench of any humans.

I doubted they’d be able to hide their odor from us. But we’d still need to remain cautious.

Only minutes later, the soldiers approached.

“What the fuck?” Jake hissed when he noticed there were three wolves standing where three humans should be.

“I’ll explain it later, buddy,” Mark told him. “Just know they’re with us.”

“Damn, man. I thought all those rumors I heard were just bullshit. When this is finished, I need to hear the full story over drinks. Lots of drinks.”

Sam had a radio of some kind in his hand. “What about the power, Walter?”

We all got the answer when the exterior lights went off. After five seconds, the dim emergency lights kicked in.

“Danny, Kyle, and I are headed for the security system,” Walter added.

“Good. Alright,” Sam said quietly as he took out his flashlight. “Ten minutes.”

The other soldiers did as well.

He authorized one of the men to use a small explosive and within seconds we were inside. Instantly, Savannah tensed, her anxiety where it had been when we’d escaped before.

As a wolf, I wanted to rip the men apart who’d been responsible for creating such mental anguish.

But as a man, I longed to wrap my arms around her.

After I fucked her. Claimed her.

Bred her.

As soon as the door was opened, she finally turned on her flashlight. I could hear her thudding heart and when she purred a tiny whimper, Kai growled.

“Relax,” I told him. “This must be done.”

“I hope the fucking scientist is here.”

“I doubt he is.”

The soldiers moved quickly with Savannah following closely behind. The room housing the laser system was also tightly secured. The same soldier who’d blown open the door took out another set of explosives to use on this one.

She placed her hand on his arm. “Be very careful. There’s far too much power surrounding the laser system. If it sparks, we won’t be able to get out of the building.”

Jake exhaled. “She’s right.”

“I got this, Sarge,” the soldier said in response.

He was careful, the blowback minimum.

There was no hesitation. She moved inside quickly and I could instantly sense her sorrow.

She moved closer to the massive system, which was on an entirely different power grid.

Off to the side, there was a reflective cube much like the cage we’d been placed in.

Smaller, it appeared to house the same lighted energy forms we’d seen in the other laboratory.

She stood staring at the glass. As soon as she’d walked in, the light seemed to form into shapes, the one blue light now dancing in various other shades. They pulsed as if alive and she remained mesmerized.

But her sorrow was increasing.

“This is amazing. They’re alive?” Mark asked.

“Yes,” she whispered. “They can hear us even if they can’t see us. They’re responding to our presence.”

“They’re responding to you, little mate,” I told her.

She turned toward me, nodding. “Yes, they are.”

The other men were confused, uncertain what they were seeing.

After thirty seconds, Sam approached. “Doctor. We’re running out of time.”

“Just give me a minute. Just one.” She moved closer to the glass, placing her hand on the surface. Almost instantly, Kai, Roman, and I felt a blast of electricity, current racing through our bodies.

For maybe two seconds, I was allowed to sense the collective thoughts of the lifeforms. There were at least a dozen of them. Some angry. Some afraid. Some sad.

And every lifeform wanted to live.

“I’m sorry,” she told them. “I wish there could be another way, but we’re not ready for you. And you don’t want to be here.” When she took a step away, the lifeforms moved against the glass. The glass cage rattled.

“What in the fuck is that shit?” Jake snarled.

“Life. And we’re killing it.” She turned away from them, tears in her eyes. “Do it.”

She ran her fingers down my back and took long strides out the door. “We free the animals. I won’t leave here until we do.”

Everywhere in the building there were flashing lights. Suddenly, I sensed a presence.

“We soon won’t be alone. We need to go,” I told her.

“No. I’m not leaving here without freeing them. This is partially my fault.” She refused to listen. Damn it.

Within seconds, she’d bolted up the stairs toward the fourth floor with the three of us following.

Before we went through the upper door, I could smell the beasts and they knew they were coming.

Several howls and snarls echoed in the silence. I could only imagine what the humans were thinking right about now.

“They’re here. I feel them.” She rushed into the laboratory, shining the light back and forth along the outer wall.

There were several metal cages, all filled with animals. I threw my head back and howled from rage. She rushed forward as a tiger bolted at the door, driving her back.

“Thanatos’ men are closing in,” Roman snarled.