Page 44 of Feral Mates
Two had been burned.
Carl pushed me back as another crowd pushed forward, one huge man barreling into Carl and knocking him down while the momentum of the others drove into me. I was shoved forward by the crowd.
“Carl! Carl!” I yelled his name, struggling to free myself from the entanglement.
“Just go,” he called in return.
There was little I could do. I held my bag close to my chest as I fled. Once outside, I turned toward the door, intending on waiting.
Another quick popping sound was followed by shrill screams. Several security guards appeared, all directing people away from the building.
“Miss, you need to leave. Now,” one of them said.
“I have a friend inside.”
“And hopefully your friend will be able to get away.”
Sirens sounded in the distance and I could see smoke billowing from the roof, embers showering down in the darkness. Hours had passed. I wasn’t even certain what time it was.
I backed away, terrified for Carl, but something kept nagging my mind.
What if the explosion had also been done purposefully?
It was crazy to think that way. Why would anyone, especially Dr. Blackwell, sabotage his own project?
For one reason. Whatever he’d been doing had nothing to do with the plan intended by the grant. Maybe the oversight committee had been breathing down his neck and he’d set another plan in motion.
Then again, maybe my theory was based more on thriller books than reality.
Whatever the case, I had evidence that I’d need to sort through to determine if I was right and what the hell was going on.
Another gut reaction was that I needed to get to somewhere safe. And I needed to warn the wolves.
My wolves.
The thought stayed with me as I rushed toward my car, taking another back to glance at the building. One side was in flames.
Fire engines roared into the parking lot. There were vehicles everywhere, employees trying desperately to flee the scene. I continued to clutch the bag, more terrified than I’d been in years.
Just before I climbed inside, a series of tickling sensations pricked every nerve ending.
A sudden vacuum enveloped my system, all sound fading into the distance. I turned slowly toward the woods behind the parking lot.
Three pairs of eyes were watching me.
Apollo. Kai. Roman.
My protectors.
They appeared larger than before, the amber eyes glowing under the stream of moonlight. I held my breath as Kai lifted his head, sniffing the air before letting out a soft, yet distinct rumbling growl.
They’d detected danger.
Apollo took a step forward, swiveling his massive head from one side to the other. He was the most aggressive, his anger close to spiraling out of control. He bared his canines, long and sharp, yet I felt no fear. He was laying claim.
No one was allowed to touch me.
Neither man nor beast.
