He tossed the spent syringe on the floor. "So what do I do? Just think wolf."
"Just think wolf," Connor scoffed.
I figured he offered the advice because he didn't think the serum was going to work, so where was the harm in cooperating now? Besides, we were about to be rescued.
Mason tore off his shirt. He was reaching for his shoes when he suddenly released a high-pitched scream, doubled over, and dropped to the floor. "God, it hurts'"
"Did Devlin forget to mention that when he told you about us?" Connor asked. "The first shift for a male is excruciating. Let me out of here and I'll help you through it."
Mason rolled over and pushed himself to all fours. He glared at Connor. "I don't need your help."
Part of me felt sorry for him.
"You don't know what you're unleashing," Connor told him, and I felt the tension radiating from him.
And then Mason did start to shift, but nothing about it was beautiful. Everything about him began to get distorted and furry. He wasn't turning into a wolf, he was remaining a man—one with odd-looking limbs, facial features, and fur.
Ethan and Tyler raced for the door.
Dr. Keane cursed as he opened his bag and pulled out another syringe. "I'm going to put you under."
"No'" Mason yelled, but it was more growl than human voice. There was a wildness in his eyes, but it wasn't that of a true wolf.
I frantically searched around for a weapon, for something to free Connor. I spotted the remote to the door on the floor. I'd been so absorbed watching Mason that I hadn't even realized he'd dropped it. I snatched it up and pointed it toward the cage door. Before it was completely open, Connor had shifted and was coming out, snarling at Mason. But Mason was no threat to him. He couldn't control his grotesque limbs.
I looked at Dr. Keane. "He's not going to survive."
"He'll survive. I'll make sure of it."
I looked at the pitiful, howling thing rolling in agony on the floor.
"You need to get your people out of here." I grabbed Mason's discarded shirt and took the keycard out of the pocket. Then I was running for the door, Connor loping along beside me. I swiped the card through the reader and pushed the door open.
Then Connor and I were racing toward freedom.
It was chaos with people trying to escape and Shifters in wolf form chasing them out. Although it didn't appear that they were intent on harming them. It was more like they were herding them toward the exits. I guessed the guardians had decided on no collateral damage unless necessary.I wasn't surprised. Even in wolf form, they retained their humanity.
I spotted a sign for the lab and veered off down the hallway. Connor stayed with me, and I knew he'd shifted into wolf form to serve as my guardian. He had no weapon other than his powerful bite and his strength, but it would be enough.
The lab was empty except for two monkeys. I wondered where the other animals were that they'd been testing. Had they set them free in the forest? Or had they died?
I released the monkeys from their cages and ushered them into the hallway where their survival instincts took over. I heard glass breaking. When I looked back, Connor was leaping up on tables and knocking off equipment. I returned to help him. If they imploded the building, it would all get crushed anyway, but better to destroy it before anyone decided to take a dangerous souvenir.
When we were finished, we headed back out. Now more wolves than people were scattering through the building. Every now and then a wolf would stop to stare—I knew it was looking at me, wondering why I hadn't shifted.
And the speculations were spreading.
Then I saw a wolf with a familiar brownish red coat stop and look at me with sorrow reflected in its eyes. I ruffled my mom's fur as I raced by.
Eventually Connor directed me—with gentle nudges— outside. I didn't know exactly what the plan was, but I knew he did, that he was communicating with the others. I also knew that he wanted to be in the thick of things, but I was a deterrent. No matter how much I wanted it, I'd never be the best mate for him. I'd always be holding him back.
Once outside, I saw many of the wolves near the trees. They began disappearing in pairs, and when they returned they were in human form and dressed. I looked down at Connor. "I didn't think to bring your clothes."
He licked my hand and sat. I dropped down beside him and wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his fur.
"You both okay?" a deep voice asked.
I looked up at Lucas. Kayla stood beside him. I forced myself to smile. "Yeah. What's the plan?"
"All of the humans are out of the building. A couple of tough-looking dudes put up a fight, but they're the only casualties. The rest seemed happy to just leave. Now we've got guys in there preparing it so we can bring it down."
"The people who left. They might have proof of our existence. They had video of Connor shifting," I told him.
"Yeah, we know. Connor told us, but I think we confiscated all the evidence."
I nodded. "Right. This morning." When he was in wolf form. "I guess he told you…everything."
"He had to. The pack comes first."
I tightened my fingers on Connor's fur. "I know. But even without evidence people are going to talk."
"Sure they will. But no one will believe them."
"I hope you're right."
"If I'm not, we'll deal with it. We've really done all we can for tonight. Connor, I have some extra clothes if you want to shift back," Lucas said.
Connor lay down and put his head in my lap. I ruffled his fur, leaned over, and kissed the bridge of his nose. "I'll be okay."
"I'll stay with her," Kayla said.
He rolled his eyes to look at me.
"Seriously, I'm okay," I said.
He licked my chin and I smiled. "Go shift. I'd rather have a real kiss."
He headed off with Lucas, and Kayla sat beside me. She put her arm around my shoulders. "I'm so sorry. When I heard you weren't a Shifter—my heart just broke for you. You always worked so hard to prepare for it."
I shrugged. "I wanted it so badly, Kayla. I was going to take the serum, but in the end I just couldn't do it."
"Connor said Mason's dead."
"Yeah, he couldn't have survived what he was going through. It was horrible. It's like he was caught within the transformation. Not quite man, not quite beast."