by Sarah Noffke
One-Twenty-Six Press.
Better Off Dead
Sarah Noffke
Copyright © 2019 by Sarah Noffke
All rights reserved
Copyeditor: Christine LePorte
Cover Design: Andrei Bat
All rights reserved. This was self-published by Sarah Noffke under One-Twenty-Six Press. No parts of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. If you are seeking permission send inquiry at http: www.sarahnoffke.com
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:
Praise for Previous Works:
“There are so many layers, so many twists and turns, betrayals and reveals. Loves and losses. And they are orchestrated beautifully, coming when you least expected and yet in just the right place. Leaving you a little breathless and a lot anxious. There were quite a few moments throughout where I found myself thinking that was not what I was expecting at all. And loving that.”
-Mike, Amazon
“The writing in this story was some of the best I've read in a long time because the story was so well-crafted, all the little pieces fitting together perfectly.”
-The Tale Temptress
“There are no words. Like literally. NO WORDS.
This book killed me and then revived me and then killed me some more. But in the end I was born anew, better.”
-Catalina, Goodreads
“Love this series! Perfect ending to an incredible series! The author has done this series right.”
-Kelly at Nerd Girl
“What has really made these books stand out is how much emotion they evoke from me as a reader, and I love how it comes from a combination of both characters and plot together. Everything is so intricately woven that I have to commend Sarah Noffke on her skills as a writer.”
-Anna at Enchanted by YA
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.
Table of Contents
Reading Guide
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Better Off Dead
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Reading Guide
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Reading Guide
Sarah crafted the Dream Traveler universe and has 5 series that take place there. Characters from different series bounce between the books. The reading guide below offers a suggested order for consumption to decrease spoilers and stay on the timeline. The last three series listed can be read in any order.
For more information please visit Sarah’s website at www.sarahnoffke.com or email her at [email protected]
Join the mailing list here for freebies, updates and more! http://www.sarahnoffke.com/connect/
A Dream Traveler Series: The Lucidites Series
Awoken, #1:
Stunned, #2
Revived, #3
A Dream Travelers Series: The Reverians
Defects, #1:
Rebels, #2
Warriors, #3
A Dream Traveler Series: Ren
Ren: The Man Behind the Monster, #1:
Ren: God’s Little Monster, #2
Ren: The Monster Inside the Monster, #3
Ren: The Monster’s Adventure, #3.5
Ren: The Monster’s Death, #4
A Dream Traveler Series: Genetically Altered
Made to Kill, #1
Better off Dead, #2
Hungry for Blood, #3
Born Bad, #4
A Dream Travelers Series: Vagabond Circus
Suspended, #1:
Paralyzed, #2
Released, #3
Soul Stone Mage Series: An Urban Fantasy Witch Adventure
House of Enchanted, #1:
Dark Forest, #2
Mountain of Truth, #3
Land of Terran, #4
New Egypt, #5
Lancothy, #6
Virgo, #7
Ghost Squadron Series: A Military Space Opera Adventure
Formation, #1
Exploration, #2
Evolution, #3
Degeneration, #4
Impersonation, #5
Recollection, #6
Preservation, #7
Precious Galaxy Series: Fantasy Space Opera
Corruption, #1
Investigation, #2
Determination, #3
Obliteration, #4
Unstoppable Liv Beaufont Series: Urban Fantasy
The Rebellious Sister, #1
The Uncooperative Warrior, #2
The Defiant Magician, #3
The Triumphant Daughter, #4
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Better Off Dead
Genetically Altered, Book Two
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 hi
s 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 the 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 difficul
t 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.