Chapter 3
“Where are we going?” It isn’t a therapy day. Or an operation day.
I’m never allowed to leave my room unless it’s one of those.
Mornings are always for blood letting. Fucking vampires.
Hudson’s footsteps are stiff, and I can hear the subtle grinding of his jaw with every step.
Reluctance.
Interesting.
“Why are we going to the containment rooms?” I’ve only been on this end of the building once.
When there was a brutal attack by one of the captive beasts against an intern, and they needed an infusion from me right away.
I’ll never forget watching their torn body mend before my eyes after I was hooked up.
It’s awe inspiring, this power, when I can see it first hand.
But that was years ago.
Having this ability has lost its luster. There’s days I wish I didn’t have it.
“I’m not supposed to tell you,” Hudson grunts.
From the pinch in his eyes, I can tell this is painful.
His grip settles on my elbow and he tugs me closer as we draw near the heavy steel doors. “I won’t let you get hurt.” His words are so low I can barely make them out.
And I have excellent hearing.
That makes me stare hard at him as he waves his badge over the scanner, then lowers his eye to the retina camera.
What the hell is going on?
As the heavy partition withdraws, the vacant room seems to be built around a single piece of furniture.
A large metal table, with thick leather cuffs at each corner.
“No. Please, no.” Digging in my heels, I refuse to go any further.
It’s too much like that time.
When the monster made me his.
Memories of agony and my own screams writhe within me, fogging out the world as it exists.
“Don’t make me.” It comes out as a sob as I try to run.
Hudson’s strong hands tighten around my arm. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to do this either.” Sweat dimples his forehead.
But my heart is pounding so hard I can barely hear his apology.
“Jen,” a loud voice cuts over a speaker. “If you don’t struggle, you won’t be injured.”
“What the hell, Hudson?” My nails dig into shoulder to claw my way up his body.
Pressing my lips against his ear, I drop my volume as low as his was. “Tell me.”
He lifts me easily, a mountain compared to me.
Yet, he hesitates to wrestle my closer. “They caught a half-breed to fuck you.” His breath is hot against my neck, then he lays me on the cold table.
A bolt of panic flies through me. “Can’t it be you?” I know he won’t rip me apart.
Whatever creature they’ve captured very well could.
Hudson squints as his jaw clenches. “I wish it was.”
“Remove your clothing before you’re restrained.” The mechanical sound echoes through the steel and glass enclosure.
Sick bastards are probably going to watch.
How many of those old cockroaches are going to beat their wrinkly meat while I get shredded?
I’ve seen the wolves in their frenzies first hand.
They ripped women in half in their fervor.
Goosebumps erupt as my flesh is exposed.
I know I can’t escape. Not from here. This place is designed to hold in a beast ten times my size, with claws, teeth, and the strength of a horse.
I’m all of five foot nothing. A buck ten after a big meal.
Hudson wouldn’t even feel it if I stomped on his instep or tried to punch him.
It’s useless to think I have a chance against one of the creatures.
Terror is an emotion I haven’t had for a while.
Then I hear the walls shake from a deep, guttural roar from somewhere in the next room, and the raw fear immobilizes me more than any cuff.
Hudson snugs the last strap in place and takes a long look at me.
Naked. Shivering. Spread-eagled to the world.
Petrified.
A small slide opens near one of the large windows, and the butt end of one of the heavy cattle prods is held through for Hudson to take.
Doubt that would stop one of the hulking giants.
When he moves to the far corner, any hope of him helping me fades.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I don’t watch when the grinding screech signals the far bay opening.
I feel the vibration of a lumbering step before the fetid stench of wet fur and the metallic tinge of blood hurtles over me.
There’s something else. It’s different, but there’s the tiniest hint of him.
My monster.
It can’t be.
But it’s close enough that my body reacts.
I want him.
Twisting my hips, the need makes me drip onto the cold steel as a flush of heat overtakes me.
Fluttering my eyes open, I see the massive beast, perched on his hind legs with his low-set ears nearly touching the ceiling.
Long teeth bared in his broad muzzle.
Where my creature was covered in black fur, this one is a gray-brown.
More like a wolf.
But the irises are a brilliant blue as he lowers his shaggy head close to me, his cold nose brushing my skin in a long inhale.
“Do it,” I beg him in a rapid exhale. The faster he does, the sooner I can leave.
Yet the yearning is more carnal. There’s an itch I’ve carried deep within me since I killed Alexander.
No one has filled me like he did.
One massive clawed hand lands next to my waist and the beast’s lengthy pink tongue lolls between his canines.
With another long sniff, that hot wet mouth laps between my thighs, sending a shiver through me. An arc of desire radiates through my limbs.
I don’t want this, but my own flesh betrays me.