Page 35 of Savage Mates (Ruthless Instinct #2)

Lauren

Dusk had fallen, crawling in through the foggy window in the medical facility. The entire compound was just as eerie as I’d remembered.

The two scientists had been concerned about my absence, cagey as fuck, but they’d mostly left me alone. I’d tried to remain calm and act normal when my skin had continued to crawl.

All I could think about were the lions.

My lions.

Including my mates.

Still incredulous.

Still in awe.

And the tingling hadn’t stopped even for a few seconds. That meant they were close, keeping an eye on me when they should be worried about the pride.

Zeus had been right about the typhoon. Although several of the meteorologists disagreed on the storm’s path and whether the outlying islands would take a direct hit, they were certain at minimum Tortola Island would receive a glancing blow. Being at sea level, any effects could spell devastation.

I remained in the medical facility, awaiting the test results. While both Dr. Abbott and Dr. Douglas had kept their distance, I could sense they were keeping a close eye on our activity. I’d hidden the weapon and would use it if necessary.

I’d been forced to share with the two scientists that I’d gotten samples, which had prompted questions. I’d done my best to act like what I’d gone through had been harrowing, but that the reward was worth it. They were quite eager to see the results.

“Where is the room where the crate was put?” I whispered to Peter since he was standing very close to me, adding cells to another Petri dish for another test. The program on my laptop was already analyzing various samples.

He didn’t look away, just continued with what he was doing. “There’s a hallway on the other side of the building. It leads to a single room. There’s a metal door. Through there. It’s near the power station, which is on the other side of the wall.”

“How in God’s name did you find that out without them knowing?”

“We had to sleep last night. I had a penlight and did a little snooping. The scientists were acting weird all day. Plus, we were terribly worried about you.” Peter shook his head.

I bet the scientists were acting weird.

Wiping sweat from my brow, I quickly glanced at the door. “Did you check the door?”

“Locked. But the heat radiating through was incredible.”

Sighing, I was trying to piece together everything I’d read and absorbed from the discoveries on the project I’d done years before. If they’d brought a portal unit, even a small one, the power needed could potentially destroy a grid.

I’d need to get inside that room. That would happen in the middle of the night.

What I’d found interesting was that other than hearing about my explanation regarding what happened and not seeing Rory again, they hadn’t bothered asking any other questions. It was suspicious as fuck.

After four cups of terrible coffee, I’d even managed to act excited about my findings.

With Peter’s help, I was all ready to provide false readings.

It would take a bit of a slight of hand, but between Carrie, Peter, and me, we’d get the job done.

Boom.

The loud sound jerked my attention away from the Petri dishes. “What the hell was that?”

A gunshot. What the hell?

There was some commotion, the co-pilot blocking my full view, but I could see enough to know the other soldier had returned to camp.

And he wasn’t alone.

Whatever he’d brought with him he was dragging behind.

Horror razed my mind, my entire body shaking. “Stay right here, Peter. Do not allow anyone near the equipment. The results should be in any time.”

“You got it, boss.”

I rolled my eyes, thanking God I’d had the forethought of bringing the two of them with me. Yes, their safety remained a burden, but I needed the support. And the clandestine help.

I rushed outside and the horror only deepened.

Kyle was dragging a half-conscious lion behind him in a net. Not a makeshift one, but one he’d obviously brought with him. The fucking bastard.

A female. While she was slightly larger, from where I stood, I couldn’t tell if her body was deformed. How he’d managed to drag her any distance was beyond me. The fact he was poking her with a stick every time she lashed out with her bloodied paw didn’t just outrage me; I had murder on my mind.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I rushed toward him, pushing him hard without thinking.

The lioness roared, her pain evident from the glassiness of her eyes.

“Whoa, Dr. Radcliff. This is a wild animal. She needs to be controlled.” The way he looked at me kept me on edge. As if I also needed to be controlled.

“You fucking shot off a gun. Don’t you know there are people here, animals everywhere?” I could sense his agitation growing. Too fucking bad.

He grinned, but his eyes were hazed over by pure evil. “A warning shot and nothing more.”

“Jesus Christ. You fucking dragged that poor creature here. How dare you. She’s injured.” I pushed my way around him to get to her. Of course he was right on my tail and in my face.

“She tried to attack me,” Kyle sneered and I reared back, ready to throw his ass to the ground.

“If you ever try anything like that again, you will be off this project and this island.”

“Thankfully, you’re not in charge.” He made the statement as if he knew that for certain.

I didn’t have a chance to argue with him, Dr. Douglas jogging toward us. “What’s happening? Kyle, what is this?” Even though he acted shocked, I had the distinct feeling Kyle had been instructed to hunt down the lioness.

“This piece of shit hurt this animal. We need to get her some medical attention.” Nothing would allow me to control my emotions at this point.

I was certain the doctor was going to argue until I witnessed the gleam in his eyes. I’ll be goddamned. A single physical tic and I knew for sure my concerns were justified.

“She’s right, Kyle. We need to get the animal inside. We must help her.”

Such practiced words.

Calm down. Play the game.

The attempts of my inner voice to remind me to continue acting weren’t doing much good. I took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds to calm my rage.

“I’ll prepare a light sedative so we can control her more easily.

Touch her and I’ll break your hand.” Yes, I was pushing it.

As I stormed back to the laboratory, I could swear I felt my lions.

They’d sensed my fury. I wondered if the lioness was one of the beasts I’d heard the night before.

That made sense. As injured as she appeared to be, she couldn’t have gone far.

Besides, the lions would have ripped him apart.

“What is going on?” Carrie asked, her expression registering anxiety.

“A wounded lion. Prepare the examination room. Peter, you’re going to be assigned to the test results.

Carrie and I will handle the injured lion.

” I grabbed one of my bags, pulling out a syringe and a mild sedative.

I’d come prepared, but not for this. “I need a gurney, Carrie. Can you handle that?”

“Yes, of course.”

When I was ready, I headed outside, carefully approaching her and ignoring the bastard glaring at me. “It’s okay, baby. Everything is going to be alright.” She snarled and threw her paw out until I crouched down.

Just like I’d seen my mother do several times, I hummed and crawled a little bit closer, allowing her to see my eyes.

Within seconds, she was calmer, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t attack.

She had every right to distrust humans. Although, in looking at her injuries, I could tell they were consistent with an animal attack.

Oddly enough, the claw marks appeared to be healing at a much faster rate than they should be given the volume of blood caked on her fur.

My thoughts drifted once again to what Blackwell and his team had been able to accomplish. She wasn’t mutated like the other rogue lions I’d seen. Perhaps she’d been one of Blackwell’s test subjects.

“Rest easy. I’ll take care of you.” As soon as I pushed the needle into her forepaw, I noticed her swollen belly. Fuck. She was pregnant. With what the lions had told me, I was concerned about the condition of her cub.

And the fact the bastards would be salivating over her.

With Dr. Douglas’ help, we managed to get her onto the gurney. He trailed behind us while Kyle walked off in a huff.

Once we were at the door of the medical facility, I allowed Carrie to push the gurney inside and turned toward the doctor.

I needed to be extra cautious with my words.

“We may not be able to provide enough medical attention in this facility. What’s the status on the plane?

Is it operational?” I certainly wasn’t being overly dramatic about the lioness’ condition.

She’d been in a horrific fight, her injuries indicating possible internal injuries.

That’s not anything I would be able to handle without proper equipment.

“The communications system has been repaired, but they are having trouble with avionics and navigation. We certainly don’t want the pilots to fly into the ocean.” He was being cagey with me.

“No, of course not.”

“What’s wrong, Dr. Radcliff? You seem pensive.”

Pensive, my ass. “Why are you and Dr. Abbott really here? Why did you agree to this project?”

“What do you mean, Lauren? We’re here to support you in your endeavor to find cures for diseases, an admirable cause and one we wholeheartedly believe in. So does Dr. Zimmerman.”

There were so many accusations I wanted to make, but now wasn’t the time. That didn’t mean I couldn’t throw a few crumbs on the ground and see what he did with them. I’d need to push their hand to discover what they were up to.