Finding Course

12

Zane.

I never felt so helpless in my life. It was sickening. Being some creepy scientist's test subject was near unbearable. It went against all my Alpha instincts. The drugs they gave were insane. I focused on control, it's what grounded me. But the drugs took all my control away from me. The truth enhancement was painful to resist, and all my intentions to withhold information went right out the window when the sparks ignited in my veins.

The only silver lining was they seemed to be more interested in me than Katherine. It was the only comfort. Alpha genes and physiology were new to them. They left us to our room, Katherine sleeping on the bed while I sat on the couch. Despite being exhausted, I had a hard time sleeping. My wolf didn't trust the vulnerability of sleeping in such a place. I got a few minutes here and there, but not much.

We were given a change of clothes, plain gray t-shirts and athletic shorts. We felt like lab rats, waiting for the next time the door would open. Not drugged up, it would be easy for me to snap their necks in seconds. But, they were smarter than that. There was a small opening in one wall that was just large enough to stick your arm through. I already knew what it was for. Control.

Abe's voice over the intercom caught our attention. "Good morning. We've got a busy schedule today so let's get moving. Zane, place your arm in the tray please," he instructed and I saw an arm rest slide through the opening.

"Fuck you," I spat.

"Zane. Let's not start off on a bad foot here. If you fail to cooperate we will have to take other measures."

"Go ahead. I'm not taking those drugs, and Katherine sure as hell isn't taking them either."

"Fine. We'll just pair her with another shifter for today's testing." Oh Christ. That just about sets me over the edge. I can't tell if he's bluffing or not, my only thing to judge being the speaker in the ceiling. I'm silent. I can hear her pulse quicken from fear, and I look over at her.

'Zane, no. They can't...don't listen to him.' Her voice is anxious in my head. But I know. I know what they're after now. At least, I'm pretty sure I do. There's only so many ways their testing can go if they are wanting information about mate bonds.

I move to the opening in the wall and place my arm on the arm rest. Glaring through the mirror that is one sided just like the white room, I know he can see me. Someone can see me. A needle pierces my skin and I feel a drug taking effect immediately. My muscles relax, reflexes slowed, and senses are dulled. "Don't worry, it's short acting. Just enough to get you both transferred to the other room. A slight paralytic effect for good measure, but enough to keep you going."

"What is wrong with you?" I hear Katherine yell. She's upset, and for good reason. The door opens and they pull me from the room before she races over. The hallway is spinning and I'm dizzy as they shuffle me forward.

"Katherine, your turn. Come now dear, we are on a schedule. Failure to cooperate will result in consequences for your Alpha." I hear her huff in the background as I'm pushed forward.

A few moments later we are both back in the white room. Our wrists and ankles are secured in the metal cuffs built into the leather chairs. The transfer drug was wearing off and my reflexes and senses snapped back into place. Scrub guy stood in the corner of the room. "Zane, Katherine, today is a special day," Abe said. Scrub guy moved closer to us with his syringe tray. Today he had just one. There was a single vial with red liquid.

"Today's enhancement will really get us kicked off on our research. Big things today. Big things. Paul?" Okay, so Scrub Guy had a name. He drew up the entire vial of red liquid into the syringe. Piercing the skin of my neck, he injected it. Immediately, my veins were on fire. I could feel my eyes flash red and my mind started racing. Looking at Katherine across from me my wolf was barely contained inside. What the hell did they just give me?