Page 55 of Feral Mates
I was on edge, trying to keep from allowing fear to overwhelm me, but it was becoming more difficult. If Kai was correct and the assailant had been sent to test the wolves’ abilities, it could also mean that I’d been selected as a test case and that the wolves had been allowed to escape the refuge. Another far-fetched idea, but one that seemed plausible.
It also allowed me to realize just how much danger we were in. As with all test subjects, only limited freedom was allowed before controlling the outside elements.
Since the incident with the unknown man, tension remained in the car. My passengers were even more on edge than I was. I didn’t need to be connected to them in some ethereal way to know they were filled with uncertainty and rage.
The entire vehicle was almost exploding with a heavy dose of testosterone.
“Carl. Where are you?” I whispered. This time, his phone rang several times, more than usual. I was about to hang up when the ringing stopped as if his voice recording would start.
But it didn’t.
Instead, there was dead silence.
I took a chance, one I hoped I wouldn’t regret. “Carl, when you get a chance, just give me a call. I need to know you’re alright and managed to get out safely. Please.” I certainly wasn’t about to mention where I was headed.
“Who did you just call?” Roman asked. Hearing his deep, commanding voice, I felt another twinge in my stomach. My reactions to them were becoming unnerving.
“A friend. A fellow scientist. Don’t worry, I can trust him.” But could I? I was already beginning to question everything and everyone around me.
“Be very careful, little mate,” Kai said and with a quick turn of my head, I noticed his intense scowl. “There are many things you do not know.”
“Which is why you need to tell me everything you remember about being in the refuge and what happened when you realized you were no longer just a wolf.” I was more exasperated than before.
The low growl from Apollo indicated another moment of displeasure. At this point, catering to their mood swings wasn’t something I was interested in or that would do us any good.
“I’m going to turn on the radio and see if I can figure out what’s going on.” I did so before any of the three had a chance to respond. I switched to the local stations instead of satellite. There were still a dozen stations broadcasting from the area. While some strictly reported on sports, I knew of several who ran news twenty-four/seven.
“We need to get off this road,” Roman stated as if he knew for a fact we were still being hunted.
Which I’d begun to suspect we were. Was Dr. Blackwell really behind this or someone else he’d trusted? Was that the reason for the oversight committee’s sudden appearance?
I’d felt the same sense of being watching even before the man had jumped me at the ATM. In fact, I hadn’t told them what he’d said to me.
“There’s no sense in running. You won’t be able to hide.”
Then all hell had broken loose.
Thank God Kai hadn’t killed the man. Even if Dr. Blackwell or someone else on his staff had hired the would-be criminal, his death and images from the bank’s security camera would mean we’d be on every wanted poster. If something fishy was going on, I could only imagine how the news would spin the story.
A tiny shiver drifted down my spine, but I refused to acknowledge it. Right now wasn’t the time to fall apart.
“A few more miles and I can get off the interstate.” My answer was succinct and true, although I’d taken the road I’d punched into my GPS only once. I hadn’t needed to take the scenic route before.
Another cop car flew by. Thankfully, they were still going in the opposite direction. The news droned on about weather and a statement the president had made, but I wasn’t listening.
A hum remained in my ears based on the high anxiety all of us were feeling. I felt as if I was flying by the seat of my pants and in truth, I hated being this way. Everything I’d taught myself as a woman and as a scientist had been tossed out the window.
At this point, it seemed like it was us against the world.
Thankfully, the warriors I had with me were strong and powerful, determined to protect me. There was something else I’d felt in my bones.
They were prepared to die to keep me safe. Whether man or beast, they would walk through fire. That should give me a level of comfort, maybe even enough to accept what they continued to tell me about being their mate, but I wasn’t willing to believe it quite yet.
Even if everything I’d learned and studied had been called into question. At least I had the two flash drives and notes. I’d also yet to grill the three wolves on what they’d learned from their host. A laugh bubbled to the surface. Hosts. I was reminded of theAlienmovie that I’d watched and loved all those years ago.
Ridiculous?
Evidently not.
