Page 60 of Feral Mates
“It’s okay. Most likely a deer. My mother feeds them.” I’ll be damned if one didn’t appear in the moonlight filtering through the trees. “See. They’re very friendly.”
The deer was absolutely beautiful, her long ears flicking back and forth as she silently stared at us. I’d sensed instinctively she was a doe, perhaps protecting her fawn.
Apollo moved closer until they were standing only a few feet apart and instantly, both species froze. They were studying each other. He crouched down with one hand placed in front of him. As a predator would do just seconds before striking.
“What’s going on?” I asked in a hoarse whisper. “He better not hurt her.”
“Tonight, she is not our food. He’s asking if the woods are safe,” Roman said, chuckling under his breath.
As men, the deer no longer saw them as predators. The entire exchange with no words was fascinating to watch.
Abruptly, the deer jumped backward, disappearing into the trees. Apollo rose to his full height, keeping his gaze locked on the trees for a few seconds before returning. His eyes were glowing, mesmerizing in their amber grandeur.
“There are no human predators close,” he said. “She will keep watch for us.”
“Why would she do that?”
The way Apollo slowly turned his head was almost unnerving. “Because I told her to.”
“Ah, and everyone follows your commands without question.”
“Yes.”
Something dark stirred in my loins. Instead of falling prey to his authority, I ignored him, concentrating on getting inside.
Motion detectors.
The light over the porch clicked on before I’d taken the last step and I cringed a little bit inside. It was one of several security measures my father had installed after purchasing the house a number of years before.
As the bright white light of the LED shimmered across my mother’s prized Italian planters, I took a deep breath, inserting the key into the lock.
The sharp click of the lock as it turned was enough to startle me. I’d unlocked the door of my parents’ house countless times and had never experienced this kind of reaction before.
Maybe because up to this point, I’d never been so terrified of my life being placed on the line. Or on the chopping block.
Logic had always prevailed over fear, even as a child. At first, I’d been the typical kid worrying about monsters under the bed. However, after my father, an analytical man himself, had explained why there were no such things as vampires and werewolves, I’d been satisfied.
Sleeping the nights through like a baby.
Somehow, I doubted I’d ever get a good night’s sleep again.
Not because I’d been made aware all those nightmares I’d had years before were real or that shifters did exist. But because the real monsters were humans meddling where they shouldn’t.
All under the guise of science.
Everything I’d adored about my job and profession, the feeling of being a part of finding new aspects of life and development had been challenged. I tried to remind myself that jumping to conclusions was a terrible idea, but the rational side of my brain continued to pinch me asking what other evidence I needed. I’d seen three wolves turn into men right in front of me.
This place was a safe haven. My father had made certain it would be for himself, my mother, and for me if necessary.
He’d been through enough in his life he deserved peace and protection.
Dad had been certain some criminal he’d arrested and helped send to prison would eventually hunt him down seeking revenge. He’d been thrilled that I’d chosen science over the law, my other career interest a long time ago. But that had also been for a very personal reason that had touched my family deeply.
What would he say now if he learned his daughter’s life might be in jeopardy?
Maybe that was crazy thinking, but the little voice inside my head refused to let go of the idea. Especially since my files had been tampered with. And the way Dr. Blackwell had been watching me. Yes, I’d been working on a few tests that might be considered outside what I’d been asked to do, but I’d believed I was helping forward the project.
Right now, I had no evidence to prove he’d done anything wrong. There was a chance he had no idea the level of breakthrough that had occurred and wasn’t aware Serenity Refuge was testing animals. Without the wolves telling me what they’d been forced to endure, going out on a crazy limb would do no good. I’d be labeled a kook. My only hope was that whatever Carl had given me would provide more details.
