by Sarah Noffke
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Summary: When one man can’t reconcile with the wolf inside of him, he knows all he can do is run. Take the wolf with him and run away from those he doesn’t want to hurt. But will that be his greatest mistake?
Published in the United States by One-Twenty-Six Press
ASIN: B0716C4K5K
For Anne L.
Thank you for making the books better,
keeping my British vernacular on point,
and being a great friend.
You’re the bee’s knees.
LONE WOLF
Prologue
They say when one has sunk to their lowest, there’s nowhere to go but up. Those stupid adages were wrong and always made Connor angry. Lately everything made him angry. One can always sink deeper, and he’d proven that. And the eventual rise after sinking low was false. Connor didn’t think that even though he was lying on the bathroom floor of a dirty hotel room, he was destined to rise up from this low situation. No, he could plummet further. With a mechanical force he leaned his head to the side and eyed the drug responsible for his current high. He never thought he’d graduate to anything harder than cocaine, but he also never thought he’d become a murderous monster. One more dose of the drug sitting a few inches from his head, and things would end. He’d take the final plunge. Leave this world and all his demons behind.
Connor’s eyes fell shut. He’d only left the Lucidite Institute a day ago, but he’d already managed to steal the money to fund his drug debauchery and secure a nasty hotel room in East Los Angeles. The speed he inherited from the wolf inside of him made picking pockets on busy trains too easy. When Connor got off the submarine at the docks, he had only one mission: to ruin himself.
Zephyr was strong. He could control the wolf inside of him. However, Connor wasn’t the same caliber of man. He’d told himself when he’d been locked in the cell at Olento Research, with little hope of being rescued, that if he did survive he’d come to peace with the wolf who was now a part of him. But attacking Adelaide made that idea what it was: a farce. Connor couldn’t control the wild side of him. The drugs sitting on the tile floor next to him proved that. Before Olento Research made him into a Dream Traveler and a werewolf, he’d already been a monster. Now he was just more of one.
Connor’s hand shook as he reached for the drug. The one that used to scare him. The one they say is the hardest to recover from. That was fine. He wasn’t planning on recovering. Whereas some choose to pull themselves up, make themselves better, Connor had chosen doom. He embraced this fate and hopefully soon the suffering would be over.
Chapter One
“Samples were taken from forty-six wolves, which belonged to four different packs. The intent was to determine the strongest genes across the samples for conversion utilization.”
- Olento Research, Canis Lupus Project File
With his back straight and feet shoulder-width apart, Mika Lenna nocked an arrow onto the string of the bow. He raised the weapon he’d been practicing with since he was four years old, aiming it at the target some ninety meters away.
“Why does your report for Project Teleportaatio say you’ve halted testing on the subjects?” he said to the man standing a few feet away.
Drake also stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, but he didn’t hold a bow. His hands were clasped behind his back and his shoulders drooped from the weight of his large midsection. The older man, Mika’s top research scientist, was still wearing his lab coat, although he should be off work now after putting in a seventeen-hour day. “Because,” he said, clearing his throat, “it’s a waste to keep testing the teleportation protocol on lemurs.”
“Then find a new type of subject,” Mika said, relaxing his fingers before releasing the arrow. It flew through the air, a blur of blue and green from the fletching at its end, before knocking hard into the bull’s eye of the target.
“It’s a waste to test the protocol on any subject,” Drake said, his voice tired and his German accent thick. “The project was initiated prematurely and we don’t know enough about the neural framework that makes teleportation successful.”
Mika ground his teeth together before pulling another arrow from the satchel. Why did the brightest minds also have to belong to the most insufferable people? he thought. He couldn’t stand Drake, but he needed his expertise on too many projects to replace him. “Your insinuation that I launched this project without sufficient research is a bold move and one I’d suggest you take back before you’re swelling with regret,” Mika said, resting the arrow in place in the bow.
A flat chuckle, absent of any joy, popped out of Drake’s mouth. “Coming to terms with the mistakes we make in the past is the best way to improve. And I’m only—”
Mika spun around, aiming the loaded bow straight at Drake’s chest, abruptly ending the scientist’s words.
“Do you take me as a man who makes empty threats?” Mika said, his eyes narrowed on the man before him, his hands steady.
Drake coughed as he backed up, waving his arms in front of him. “No-no-no, sir,” he said in a rush. “I know you will fulfill your promise and I apologize profusely. I’m sorry if it came across that I’m blaming your decision making for Project Teleportaatio not being successful. It is I who have been short-sighted and lacked the information to make adequate progress.”
It was the first time Mika had heard that fear in Drake’s voice. Usually the old German sneered at him or used a condescending tone, but he guessed that this behavior would stop now. Mika pivoted in a swift, deliberate movement using his super speed and released the arrow. Again it stuck straight into the target, where an assistant at the end of the indoor archery range fetched it before hurrying back away to safety.
“What is it that you’re lacking to make Project Teleportaatio a success?” Mika said, handing the bow off to another employee who stood a few paces away.
“I’m not even quite certain. However, I do have an instinct on this and it tells me who would know the proper method for teleporting,” Drake said.
Mika turned back to face the scientist. “Let me guess. The Lucidites?”
Drake released a fake smile. “You’re so very right, sir,” he said, his voice slightly shaking probably due to the rapid release of adrenaline, which was a result of nearly being murdered by his boss.
“But we can’t infiltrate the Lucidite Institute, remember? That was your assessment,” Mika said, wiping his palms on a handkerchief.
“No, we can’t. Entry is through the submarine and it’s heavily guarded. However, that wouldn’t pose such an obstacle to someone who is invisible,” Drake said.
Mika popped his chin up, the new idea making his eyes go wide. “Kris. You think that Kris can infiltrate the Institute?”
“I do. She is your best thief and what we need is to steal information, although I’m not quite certain where to look. She might have to hang out there for a while and study the place,” Drake said.
“If Kris can get into the Institute while invisible then why didn’t you propose this before so that we could recover the three werewolves being housed there?” Mika said.
“Because the thought only recently occurred to me when I met dead ends with Project Teleportaatio,” Drake said. “However, I think that Kris would be ineffective at helping us to recover the werewolves. She’s not strong enough to capture them. And her brother, Morgan, is still recovering so he wouldn’t be of much help either. I don’t think that creating trouble for the Lucidites on their turf is advisable. However, spying on them could provide a plethora of information for our research.” Drake took a deep breath when finished with his speech.
Mika stroked the black goatee that he kept evenly trimmed. “I agree that the twins, even with their invisibility, are insufficient to catch th
e werewolves. That’s why I have a new project for you.”
Drake blew out another breath, his hand absentmindedly finding his forehead. By the look in his tired eyes, he wasn’t delighted to be assigned another project. The older man looked like he needed sleep or soon he’d pass out from exhaustion. “Can we discuss it tomorrow, sir?”
“No, I’m free now,” Mika said, standing squarely in front of Drake. “I want you to heighten the power of the werewolf component for Project Canis Lupus. The next subject we test this on, I want them to be stronger, faster, and larger than those in the last batch.”
“Do you mean you want a stronger mutation so the subject transforms all over?” Drake said, scratching his head of wiry white hair.
“Yes, not just the face, arms, and hands. I want this subject to burst out of his clothes, like the lore dictates. I want to create something that’s nightmarish,” Mika said.
“I can probably do this, but it will be suicide for the subject. I don’t think they’d survive very long, which is why we were conservative with the men who are currently werewolves. Dramatic changes increase heart speed and blood pressure,” Drake said.
“That’s fine. I also want you to implement a tracking method in the subject’s DNA. Something that increases the wolf’s natural ability to track down members of its species,” Mika said.
“Yes, it would have been good to put a GPS chip into the first batch of werewolves,” Drake said, and then his eyes widened with silent alarm. “Which was my oversight and I apologize.” It must have been difficult for the old German to behave, but Mika was teaching him and soon he wouldn’t have to give him looks of disapproval every time he mouthed off.
“So you’ve given up on finding your Canis Lupus protégées and are going bigger, are you?” Drake said, combing his knobby fingers through his tangled beard.
Mika’s eyes flew upward as he marched away. “Alexander,” he said, calling him by the name he knew he hated, his first one, his God-given one. “I’ve never given up. Not once.” Then Mika turned at the exit to the archery range and faced Drake from several feet away. “I just know why Zephyr has found two of my werewolves and I have failed. It’s because it takes a wolf to find another one.”
Chapter Two
“The first wolf attack was reported in Fairbanks, Alaska. Thirteen wolves were found dead in an open field with their blood withdrawn.”
- Lucidite Institute, Werewolf Project File
“So what’s the goal here?” Kaleb said, watching the silver ballpoint pen as Adelaide had ordered.
“I’m trying to make you pass out,” she said, spinning the pen over her thumb and catching it in her fingers. It was a gesture her father had taught her. A seemingly simple movement, but employing the right focus, it could cause hypnosis. However, Adelaide didn’t know how to practice her mind control using this method. She had only been successful when pairing it with words, not movements.
“Oh, is that all?” Kaleb said with an undeterred laugh. He’d merely been at the Institute for a couple of days, but already his easy attitude and casual nature made him seem like a Lucidite.
“Would you shut your bloody mouth and concentrate?” Adelaide said, knowing that was actually not how this attempt at hypnosis should work. Ren’s book of secrets said that a successful hypnotic gesture should catch the attention of a distracted person and hold it. This was only Adelaide’s first attempt, though, and she’d work on perfecting it later.
“So what happens after I pass out? You write on my face and take pictures?” Kaleb said, not having heeded Adelaide’s request to be quiet.
“Actually, before you pass out, you’ll be subject to any of my requests. With a simple demand I can make you do a whole list of horrid things. I’ll also have access to your memories, thoughts, and pretty much whatever other rubbish resides in your tiny brain,” she said, spinning the pen around and around, knowing the more fluid the motion, the more compelling it was to the observer.
“Are all British people as insulting as you?” Kaleb said, blinking his eyes from the act of watching the pen.
“No, I take insults to an exemplary level. But British people aren’t as fake as Americans,” she said, hearing the interruption at her back. Someone had just entered the strategic department conference space. Two somebodies, by the sound of their footsteps.
Adelaide turned to find her two least favorite people. “Oh good, the meatheads are here,” she said as Zephyr and Rox entered the space.
“I don’t think you mean that. You’re not actually happy to see us,” Rox said, walking into the room like a trucker, wearing her cowboy boots and a short jean skirt.
“The façade is broken,” Adelaide said, scooping up her book and standing. She turned to Kaleb. “We’ll try practicing this again later.”
“Practicing what?” Rox said, hitching up her hip and placing her hand on it.
“Stomaching you,” Adelaide said and then paused. The look on Zephyr’s face said something. It said there was something wrong. “What is it, Zeppy? What’s wrong? Did you lose your bone?”
Zephyr shook his head. “It’s Connor,” he said, gnawing on the inside of his cheek, worry covering his features.
“Did he kill himself?” Adelaide said, her voice hopeful. “One less werewolf would make my job easier. Actually, why don’t you all just off yourself and make this place more peaceful without the threat of your mutation.”
“Hey, Little Red,” Kaleb said with a laugh, “you’re so good with solutions. That’s why you’re a secret agent, huh?”
“Shut up, Runt, and eat some arsenic,” Adelaide said, turning her attention back to Zephyr. “Actually, Alpha, you can’t off yourself until you’ve found the other werewolves, but quickly after that I think you should.”
“Connor has gone missing,” Zephyr said, his face now impassive, no amusement present.
“We’ve searched the entire Institute and the head of transport said he left on the submarine yesterday,” Rox said, smacking her gum. It was astonishing to Adelaide that she could appear so much like a prostitute and an FBI agent at the same time. That took skill.
Adelaide pressed both her index fingers into the bridge of her nose, taking a deep inhale. “That little piece of shit,” she said under her breath.
“I’d counseled him after the attack on you, and Connor was obviously still dealing with guilt,” Zephyr said, his voice automatically going into “captain” mode. “He admitted that he couldn’t control the wolf, even when not changed.”
“Wait, the wolf has effects on you when you’re not changed?” Adelaide said, taking a seat back at the conference table, next to Kaleb. Zephyr remained standing, but Rox took this as an opportunity to hoist herself up and sit perched on the surface of the table, legs crossed and cowboy boot bouncing.
“We hear the wolf in our head, its desires, its instincts. These things are always present, about like the speed, agility, and heightened senses it gives us,” Zephyr said.
“That’s bizarre. I thought the desire for meat was only present when you all were changed,” Rox said. “But that does explain so much.” Her eyes turned mischievous as she stared off, a delighted smile on her face.
Ignoring the obvious attempt at flirting which was going to get Rox killed and Adelaide in loads of trouble, the redhead said to Zephyr, “Are you sure this is accurate for all the werewolves? Maybe it’s just you.”
“Silver Streak is right,” Kaleb said. “Usually I just ignore the wolf in my head, but I always hear him. And it has impulses, ones that are hard to control.”
“Hey, Name-Caller, do you want to elaborate on these impulses?” Adelaide said, suddenly tensing. Maybe these guys weren’t safe even when not changed. Maybe they were putting the Institute in more danger than she realized.
Kaleb shrugged. “That’s my thing. I like to make up names for people. You’ll get used to it and find it endearing.”
“I doubt that,” Adelaide said, waving him forward. “Impulses. Elabo
rate.”
Now Kaleb didn’t look as confident. He bowed his head, shame writing itself on his face. “It’s nothing. Just heightened emotions, about like the senses.”
“Since the crappy American education system obviously failed you, I’m going to define exactly what elaborate means. I need you to be extremely specific about these impulses,” Adelaide said, and her own confidence surprised her. It had grown so much since the case started. And now she almost felt in charge.
“He means primal urges. Sex, violence, hunger,” Zephyr said, causing Kaleb to look up with wide eyes. “All of those urges are stronger for us now. They are controllable, but it’s about like we’re teenage boys again.”
“But in the body of a man,” Rox said, clicking her tongue three times with a satisfied expression.
“And you can control it,” Adelaide said, as a statement to Zephyr. Then she turned to Kaleb. “Can you?”
“Yes. I mean mostly. I mean, sometimes I can’t,” Kaleb said.
“The guy at the convenience store. The one you threw across the place. Was that a result of this impulse?” Rox said.
“Yeah, I didn’t want to hurt him. I felt awful afterwards, but something just came over me,” Kaleb said.
The group of four grew silent for a moment, Adelaide’s eyes scanning the surface of the table in front of her. “Okay,” she finally said, drawing out the word. “I think we’re all right for now. I want you both having regular psychiatric evaluation. I’m guessing unless you’re provoked then these impulses won’t be triggered. You freaked at the store because you were in trouble. Inside the Institute the Lucidites are too nice for you all to go off on them.”
“I think that’s a fair assessment,” Zephyr said, nodding his head in approval.
“Now as for Connor…” Adelaide said, her voice trailing off as her fists clenched in her lap. She couldn’t believe he’d been so stupid. How could he have run off after they had just rescued him? He was a huge threat out in society and he was likely to get picked up by Olento Research. She knew he’d do something rebellious and get himself caught. Her notes from his file told her as much.
