Page 31 of Monster

“Perhaps we’re wrong. It’s possible. The body is an amazing machine… and a shifter one, even more miraculous.Maybe there’s a piece of him still in there that can be salvaged and made whole. I just don’t want you betting the farm on it,” Finn said. “Find a way to find peace… he’s not imprisoned anymore.He’s not going to be experimented on anymore.Lore can’t hurt him again.”

Bull nodded, knowing logically they were right.His heart just wouldn’t let him give up hope. He rose from the chair.“I appreciate the head’s up.”

“We haven’t given up,” Killian said. “We’re still working on improving the serum and considering other therapies to help him.This isn’t the end… We just wanted you to keep your expectations reasonable, given the things we’ve seen in his tests.”

Bull nodded.“I’m glad you didn’t sugarcoat it. Truly.”

Finn smiled wryly.

Bull turned as he saw Drake and the other dragon, Jaeger, enter the barn. “Glad you could make it.” He paused, noticing how haggard the dragon looked.“Are you okay?”

“Yesterday was draining… but I’m alright.”The dragon turned to his friend.“I brought back-up.”

Bull nodded and offered a hand to Jaeger.“We haven’t been formally introduced. Bull.”

“Jaeger.That’s some name you have there.”

“I could say the same,” Bull said. “It’s a nickname.”

“Isn’t a baby rhino called a bull?” Jaeger asked.

Bull snorted slightly. “Call me baby and lose some teeth.”

“Point noted,” Jaeger said, smiling. “Who are your friends?”

Bull introduced the dragons to the doctors.

“Nice to meet you all,” Jaeger said. “So are we starting this party or what?”

“Let’s get him as sedated as we can,” Finn said, turning to Killian and the beast.“It’ll be a piece of cake,” he added sarcastically.

* * * *

Hooked on a feeling…

Drake moved closer to the creature… the scent began wrapping itself around him.His nostrils flared—it was stronger today. A growl rose up his chest, a growl he couldn’t hold back.

“You alright?” Jaeger whispered at his side.

Drake jolted a bit.He hadn’t even sensed Jaeger beside him. “Fine,” he mumbled.

He sensed Jaeger staring at him, but ignored it. Instead, he kept hold of the creature’s stare.

Stop calling him that… there’s a man within. A man who needs your help.

Drake had no name to otherwise call him.

“We’re going to lift him—cage and all—into the back of a transport and take him to the new facility. Tranquilizer doesn’t have a strong effect on him.He’ll be a bit woozy, but otherwise, awake. The docs are going to dose him, and keep him dosed, throughout, but it’ll be tricky.The calmer he stays, the safer the docs will be,” Bull said.

“I’ll do my best.” Drake never took his gaze from the creature’s.

“Once we get there, that’s when it could get dangerous,” Bull added. “One cage to the next—we have muscle waiting on the other side, but I really don’t want a fight on our hands.We need to protect him and everyone in the room.”

“Got it,” Jaeger said.

Drake knew there was no way he could insert himself into the creature’s mind. He was too exhausted, and he’d be a sitting duck for any attack.No, his only choice was persuasion.

He began to murmur commands in his mind, willing the beast to follow his lead. The screams quieted some… but didn’t stop.

---