Wayward Son (The Wayward Trilogy Book 1)
Page 14
The blob disappeared, face appearing forlorn, if that was possible. Shrugging it off, Alexei made his way upstairs, a bit more cautiously than before. He hadn't heard movement up there, but if the resident spook had decided to make an appearance, obviously it wasn't as quiet as it seemed.
Stepping into the main lab, Alexei squared his shoulders. It was three rooms, separated by glass windows and low walls. He could see into them all from where he was standing, thankfully. The place was empty. Each room seemed designed as a different station. The one he was standing in held incubators, testing machinery he couldn't name, vials, and assorted science equipment.
Next to it was the lab rat room. Cages lined the wall, rats running from end to end, squeaking incessantly. Some held rabbits, ferrets, and other types of rodents. On the other end, there was a larger cage. It was currently empty, but Alexei didn't want to speculate on what it was supposed to hold.
Furthest away was the room he needed. Laptops were spread across utilitarian metal desks. Plastic binders lay open, papers spilling out of them all over the surfaces. Bookshelves filled with medical journals and encyclopedias lined the north wall. A sad, neglected coffee pot perched on a rickety table in the corner, looking like it'd never been cleaned and was on its last legs. Judging from the clutter and mess, they spent most of their time in that room.
Heading that way, Alexei had barely gripped the door handle when alarms rang out. Cursing under his breath, he yanked it open anyway. He could take a lot of damage, more than people assumed. His lanky frame was deceiving... he was stronger, faster, and better equipped for survival than most expected. Ripping one of the laptops out of the outlet it was plugged into, he grabbed that and the binder next to it, stuffing paperwork into it. Hopefully whatever hadn't already been transcribed to the computer was in the binder.
Hearing shouting from outside, he ignored it, pausing to grab any samples from the other rooms that looked important. Shoving them all in the canvas bag he'd brought specifically for that purpose, he made his way to the stairs, only to find the door he'd entered was now closed, apparently automatically locking once the alarm had been triggered.
“Shit!”
Whirling around, he slung the bag over his shoulder, eyeing his options. He was fairly certain the other doors had auto-locks as well, if the basement did. That left the windows. They were small, as most laboratory windows were, but so was he. It'd be a squeeze, but he could fit.
Using one of the metal lab chairs, he slammed it against the glass. It took multiple tries, but eventually it splintered, allowing him to push the broken pieces out the rest of the way. Lifting himself up onto the table in front of it, he scrambled through, dragging the bag behind him. Dropping to the ground, he stood up into pandemonium.
The security detail must have been in the separate building off to the side, only alerted to his presence once the alarm went off. They'd swarmed the building, hitting CHYMERA's forces as they laid in wait for Alexei to emerge. Funnily enough, CHYMERA were there to take down Alexei if he went rogue, they weren't really prepared to take on another security team. Their weapons were for him. He had a moment's thought to dropping the research and running, but Agent Kline was at his side like a fucking beacon, yanking at his arm and pulling him away from the fray.
Snarling, Alexei turned on him, standing down only once he realized it was his handler who'd grabbed him. The sound of shouting and gunfire rang out around them as they attempted to circle the worst of it, making a perimeter. When it came down to it, Alexei was the test subject. He was worth more than a few human lives from security. Shitty, but true.
When a situation went south, his extraction came first. The research needed him. Other soldiers could be replaced. At least, that was the prevailing thought. He knew damn well they had other shifters locked up. He could smell them. Hear them. The barracks were far from empty. Perhaps he was simply the only shifter of his kind. Shrugging it off, he followed Kline, cursing as the idiot ran them right into another line of fighting.
“Fucking moron. If you'd asked, I could have told you we were heading right goddamn for them.”
Grabbing one of the humans who came too close, Alexei growled, checking that it wasn't one of theirs before he swiftly snapped the fucker's neck, tossing him aside. He didn't miss the way the handler's face paled. Good. Let them fear him. Moving forward, he began pulling the rest of their asses out of the line of fire, saving whoever he could. He might be in this against his will, but he'd be the one punished for lives lost.
As he'd gone to reach for one of the assholes foolishly spraying bullets everywhere, he felt searing pain in his thigh. Bellowing out a growl, he lunged forward, teeth bared as he tore into the male. Blood coated his throat, his behavior feral, even in human form. The pain clouded his senses, dulled the effect of the electricity on his system. For the first time in a long time, he saw orange and black shimmer across his hands as claws ripped shreds in his prey.
Alexei felt more powerful than he had since he'd been captured and he felt vindicated. This human had dared to hurt him... a prince. He wouldn't get the chance to do so again.
He vaguely heard the shouts surrounding him, the remaining bursts of gunfire, but none of it mattered.
Vengeance was his. He'd won. A sharp pinprick caught his attention at his side, but it was quick, fleeting. Within moments, the world around him began to get fuzzy, his growl of protest low before the sight of fresh blood began to fade from his vision.
About The Author
Mandi resides in Ohio, where she shares her workspace with an ornery bassle pup. She's an avid reader and blogger, who adores music. Whenever there is a concert in town, you can bet she's taking the night off and cheering on her favorite bands. She can easily be bribed with peanut butter M&Ms, gemstones, hot lead singers, and gargoyles. :)
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Other Releases
Risque Romance Vol 1
Risque Romance Vol 2
Risque Romance Vol 3
Ashes of Eden
The Kira Malone Chronicles Vol 1
Colter's Cove
Wayward Son
The Writer's 5 Year Planner
NovelCraft
Mandi's Metaphysical Gemstones
Mandi's Herbal Handbook
Mandi's Muses
Beauty From Ashes
Dark Leopards MC
Half Past Dread
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments are so dang hard. You always worry that you've forgotten someone... and I always forget people. So I'm doing this a little differently.
To my family- Thank you for being the biggest cheerleaders and fans that I have. For believing in me when I didn't believe in myself, and for being my first readers, my steadfast PA's, and everything in between.
To my friends- I am blessed for having you. You guys are my balance, my stability. When I'm stuck, I can count on you. When I'm in full manic mode, you help bring me down to earth. You're always there with an ear and a shoulder, no questions asked. It's appreciated more than you'll ever know.
To my team- My work couldn't exist without you. Thank you for making my words as beautiful as they can be!
To my readers- You are more amazing than you know. I continue writing because I know you guys are there, waiting on the next book. You are the inspiration that gives me wings. You bring my words to life. I couldn't do this without you.