Page 85 of Feral Mates
He took a step away, using the same remote to turn on the surrounding lights. I knew at that moment why my skin had been crawling. There were others in the room. They’d been watching the entire time.
Waiting and eager to help the madman.
With blank faces, they were all dressed in white lab coats.
There were also the same men in uniforms filling space in the room. All watching. All studying and prepared to keep us from escaping.
Another shudder.
Another realization.
This truly was a nightmare.
Suddenly his nickname suited him. The man was no longer the guardian of life as he’d touted himself to be in the early days ofhis career, but a manipulator of the very life force and essence shared by every living being.
“Now, Dr. Morgan, I’m going to enjoy the next round of tests with phase two.” As soon as he pressed a button, I heard noise, as if a metal shield was being lifted from somewhere in the room. At the same time, one of the other scientists moved closer, shifting the gurney around to face the direction of the noise.
Apollo, Kai, and Roman were in an oversized glass cage that had been built in the center of the room. I could see cameras in every corner and several of the soldiers were actively parading around the perimeter, acting like vultures. They had automatic rifles in their hands, their expression of anticipation hopeful that they’d be able to return to acting like bullies.
There were huge rivets of steel attached to the floor with massive chains attached. Thick metal cuffs surrounded their necks, ankles, and wrists. They stood in the center, snarling and snapping their heads in the direction of the soldiers.
They were no longer in their wolf form. They were human.
Even more muscular than I remembered.
And they were very, very angry.
The moment they realized they could see me, all three tensed. Thanatos chuckled.
“They are none too happy with me.”
“What is this?” My voice rattled as I slowly began to succumb to both fear and the full understanding that the man I thought I’d respected was nothing but a monster.
I tried to lift my arm, longing to be able to touch them. Not only could I see pain in their eyes, I could feel it, my skin vibrating from the anguish.
“This is what you wanted. Isn’t it? New lifeforms in all their glory. All because of your work, Dr. Morgan. You should be very proud of what you’ve accomplished.” When he laughed, my blood turned to ice.
Then it curdled. I’d helped create this. There was no denying the truth.
Thanatos walked closer to the glass, standing with his arms behind his back, his hands clasped. Even from where he was standing, I had a full view of the men, the wolves I’d not only helped to create, but had also come to adore.
Kai turned his head, snarling.
“They are magnificent specimens. Don’t you think, Doctor?”
I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t swallow.
“It will be extremely enjoyable to spend time testing them.” He inched even closer to the glass.
The wolves reacted instantly, the low thrumming growls permeating the glass. They were dangerous and threatening even in their human form. Enough that two of the soldiers guarding them took a step back.
Apollo uttered a sharp, keening growl and the length of chain he was on allowed him to rush the glass, bashing against the surface. The moment he did, he was given a massive electric shock. His entire body spasmed, his jaw clenched to the point I could tell how much pain he was in.
Two other soldiers bounded backward, immediately raising their weapons.
“For the love of God, stop being afraid of them,” Thanatos hissed. “They can’t break the glass. Not with the drugs they are on and while humans.”
They’d been given something to keep them in human form. My God, the man was a sick fuck.
