Page 2 of Between Imminent Fates

Frowning in confusion, Jax refocused on the man ahead of them. Tall, at over six feet, his well-honed physique suggested martial arts more than hours in the gym. Black hair, so dark it looked inky, was casually tossed back from his cruel blue eyes. He held an intimidating aura, a toxic sort of energy that chilled Jax to the bone. It scrubbed abrasively at his skin, and he had the sudden urge to fist his hands and prepare to defend himself. Every instinct he possessed screamed in warning.

“Orlov, meet Captains Hunter and Sobell,” came the introduction. “Men, this is Rayn Orlov. He’s responsible for the wolves in this facility.”

“Pleasure, Captains.”

Foregoing the military salute given he had no idea of Rayn’s rank, Jax took the other man’s hand in greeting. As soon as he touched his skin, Jax bristled.

Though he couldn’t describe it, something malevolent seemed to be seeping through his mind, pilfering through his secrets, and commandeering every intention he’d ever had.

While his gut clenched, Jax finished the curt shake and retreated to an ease position, internally shivering at the sensation of somethingothercrawling through his brain. The other Captain appeared unaffected. Jax put it down to the unpleasant opinion he had formed about this Orlov based on his shocking behavior towards animals. Rayn and Barlowe began discussing plans for release, and though neither of them explained it to him, Jax understood the concept.

They would be releasing the wolves on U.S. soil.

Perhaps some malicious force had made base within their borders, Jax reasoned, or a terrorist organization had spread without public knowledge. As they continued to speak, it became clear that the target wasn’t a foreign threat, nor a domestic one.

The intended target was civilians. Ones that’d angered the wrong people, but civilians, nonetheless. A mixture of disbelief and horror made him fixate on their continuing conversation, and every word embittered him further.

At some point, it must’ve shown on his face. Rayn’s undivided attention seared into him in the next moment. Jax easily held the punishing glare, a challenge building beneath his skin.

“Something to say,Captain?” The way the last word was emphasized showcased just how little Rayn thought of him. “By all means, spit it out.”

Barlowe gave him a warning look.

“Nothing, sir.”

One inky black eyebrow rose in disbelief. “Nothing? Then why does it feel as though you’ve already cast your dice here? Have you already made up your mind?”

“Sir, my mind is wherever my commander wishes it to be.”

“Good.” The eerie note in Rayn’s voice had Jax frowning. “If I find you’ve crossed lines, Captain, I’ll take you out of the equation.”

And then, deep in the recesses of Jax’s mind, he heard it.

Don’t make me kill you.

No one had spoken out loud, and Rayn was already speaking with Barlowe again. Bewildered, Jax discreetly glanced about the room, attempting to discover where the voice had come from. Sobell showed no signs of hearing the same and proceeded to follow the pair without comment.

Shrugging off the odd sensation, Jax kept up, making mental notes of everything they discussed. When Barlowe opened the door to a classroom, they followed him in. The air wasn’t nearly as rancid here, and he was grateful for it.

Sobell took the seat beside him. Though he didn’t show it, Jax was eager to understand the reason for the kennels—and why the project involved a release on U.S. soil.

Rayn’s attention settled on him. Noticing the intensity of his stare, Jax straightened in his seat. He wouldn’t be made to cower, especially not after coming this far. He was up to the challenge of whatever this briefing would entail.

As Barlowe stood before them, Jax dragged his attention away from the other man and refocused on his commanding officer.

“Today, you join the ranks of the few who know about an escalating war thus far fought in the shadows. As part of this confidential unit, what I say within these walls is top secret and disclosing it will earn you a court martial and dishonorable discharge.”

“If not worse,” came Rayn’s snide comment.

Barlowe didn’t look like he disagreed. “Several years ago, we became aware of a class of creatures that have preyed on humans, using their abilities to steal, coerce, punish, and kill the innocent. This facility is one step toward eradicating their despicable kind.”

“What do you mean by ‘creatures?’” Sobell asked.

Barlowe replied simply, “Inhuman ones. Immortals.”

Inhuman. The very word clashed violently with Jax’s perception of reality. His center of balance seemed to tip as he gripped the edges of the desk, trying to connect what he knew with what he’d been told. Inhuman could mean any number of things, but before his imagination carried him away, Rayn stepped in.

“The wolves you see here aren’t animals,” Rayn began. “They’re werewolves, infected with a type of rabies unique to their kind. They are our weapons against a threat you couldn’t even begin to fathom.”

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