All four of us turn to face whoever it is that has entered the room.
"Well, this is a pleasant welcoming; two of a kind," the werewolf states.
"Austin. When did you get back?" Alpha Nate says to the mystery guy.
"I just got back and thought I'd pay you a visit. But imagine my surprise when I smelled not one but two vampires," he says as he winks at me, "well, are you going to introduce us or not, brother?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvVTnIwZ3K
The Alpha sighs, "Close the door. What I'm about to tell you is need to know information."
Austin complies and smiles at us, "well?"
"Austin, I'd like you to meet Riley and Lucas. Riley, Lucas, this is my brother and Beta of the pack, Austin," Alpha Nate pauses and looks from me to his brother, "Austin, Riley is my mate."
"Looks like I got back at just the right time," he smirks.
"Don't even think of trying anything funny, Austin," Alpha Nate says, "I'm warning you."
"Chill, broski," Austin says in defense, "Now that I know she's your girl, I won't try anything."
"That hasn't stopped you before," Roddrick mumbles.
"Oh, come on, man. I apologized for that," Austin pleads, "it was a simple misunderstanding. And besides, this is different. She's his mate. I wouldn't dare come between mates."
"Enough," Alpha Nate grinds out, "there's a reason they're here and it's not just because Riley is my mate." He continues to explain everything that has happened since I first stumbled onto their land. Austin listens intently and throughout it all his expression hardens with every detail that Alpha Nate tells him. Once the Alpha is caught up to where we are now, Austin turns to me, "how are you feeling now?" he asks affectionately.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVph9ZzZZrl
"Austin," Alpha Nate says his name as a warning.
"Oh fuck off, Nathan," Austin says defensively, "I'm worried about her. She hasn't had time to process anything that has happened to her. You and I both know the psychological damage torture has on a supernatural." This has peaked my interests but I know now is not the right time to bring it up so I save my questions for another day.
Austin turns to face me again, "any side effects of the black stuff? How have you been feeling? Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?"
I stay quiet with my head down. I don't want to tell them about my lack of vampire instincts. I'm scared it will make me a target once it gets out and I really don't want to be tortured again.
"What do you mean?" Lucas asks before I could muster up the courage to speak.
At this question Austin rubs the back of his neck, "while I was at a neighboring pack something similar happened. I can't explain it fully but it's the reason I came here immediately. These experiments are far beyond what you initially thought."
He looks at me before he continues, "they're not only experimenting on vampires anymore. All supernaturals seem to be fair game to them."
"Explain," Alpha Nate commands.
"Well, when I was there, I stumbled upon this male werewolf. He was badly injured so I took him back to the pack house thinking he was part of the pack. Spoiler, he wasn't," Austin clears his throat before he continues, "turns out, this guy, Vaughn, was actually a vampire who was captured by The Truth and turned into a werewolf."
"And they just let him escape?" Lucas questions.
"I don't think he escaped. I think they let him go because he was a failed experiment."
"Why would they let him go and not kill him?" Roddrick asks.
"That's the thing, when we found Vaughn, he was weak. But he was strong enough to relay a message to us before he died."
"What was the message?" it was my turn to ask a question.
"No one is safe. Look what we can do," Austin's voice breaks at the end.
"This is really bad," Lucas says to no one in particular.
"No shit, Sherlock," Austin says sarcastically.
"And you're telling me The Ancients are okay with this?" I start to panic. That could have been me. I could be dead right now.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MQKIae4cL
"Sweetheart, The Ancients don't care. They may be immortal but they sure like to have others do the dirty work for them," Austin states, "it's all about power and bureaucracy for them. Once they've made a decision they stick to it. It doesn't matter if others die in the process. They're old-fashioned like that."
"And how exactly would you know all this stuff?" Lucas asks curiously.
"I - ah," Austin looks at Alpha Nate for help.
"We know someone there," Alpha Nate continues for a tongue-tied Austin.
"And who exactly do you know that would be so ready to give you this sort of information?" I narrow my eyes at the Alpha.
"It's none of your concern," he responds.
In that moment, I yawn. I've been trying to keep it in for a while now but my body has finally decided that enough is enough. I'm still recovering but this is more important than getting some rest. I look down at my watch to see that it's 5am. I'm feeling weak and ready to pass out at any moment.
"We'll continue this once you're rested," Alpha Nate says, concerned for my health. It's sweet that he cares but I need to push that feeling to the back of my mind because I don't have time for it.
Alpha Nate stands up and walks around his desk to help me to my feet. He gently holds me against his side, making sure all my weight falls onto him for support.
"Before you go," Austin says, "any side effects at all, Luna?"
I nod my head before responding, "yes. My basic vampire instincts are basically at a zero right now." I look to the floor to avoid the prying eyes.
Alpha Nate gently places his hand below my chin and brings my head up so that I'm looking only into his eyes. He studies me for a moment. He doesn't say anything but it seems like he's looking for something in my tired eyes.
I continue even through my exhaustion but I'm barely able to stay awake so I try my best to say as much as I can before I black out, "I - I couldn't feel Lacy and Kaden's presence near me when they captured me. I'm having trouble keeping my gleam up. I- I'm too scared to know what else is wrong with me. But after Madalyn removed that stuff from me, I haven't been feeling the same. I feel weak all the time."
And with that my legs give in and I black out.
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