Page 23 of Mated to the Vikings

“You mean they are all alpha males, dominating in every manner.” Samuel’s words on the shuttle filtered into my mind. Every one of their eyes was on me, prickles of heat shifting across my skin as they undressed me with their eyes. Fertility. The word lingered. Dr. Forrester had selected unknown scientists to work with him on the project on Earth. Then they’d… They’d disappeared.

Or been eliminated.

What in the fuck was going on?

“Yes. Certain portions of their DNA were bolstered.”

“Meaning?”

“They were designed with internal needs just like any man or beast, which have brought me additional concerns.”

“Why would you do that? I thought this was simply about making them more rugged for the elements.” I already knew this wasn’t the case.

She ignored my question again, waving her hand as if this was just another day. “That is why your work will be very helpful. We need to understand their level of emotional stability.”

You will be…

Had she issued the words? “Are you worried they’ll rip humans apart, Dr. Marcus?”

She turned her head, staring into my eyes. “Make no mistake, Cassia, once fully transformed, they become brutes with limited intelligence but quite capable of conquering our enemies. Their needs have been heightened to suit the powers that be. Whether you or I approve simply doesn’t matter. I’m doing my job. You are well aware that the government will stop at nothing to get exactly what they want.”

“This isn’t about building infrastructure at all. Is it?” What else was wrong with humans? Were we dead inside, incapable of producing children? I hadn’t seen or heard of any babies born in years, but I’d been sequestered since being a child and after my parents had been killed.

She ignored me again. Fuck her.

I could swear the lot of them were sneering in agreement. My skin crawled as their chests heaved. Fog oozed against the glass forming ringlets. I was mesmerized by their actions, their muscles flexing. They were issuing a collective statement. Fuck…

“And when will they be ready to work?” I managed to ask, uncertain if I’d said anything.

I heard one of them growl.

“Just a few weeks. We are very pleased with their progress even with all the concerns. They are going to be spectacular specimens, exactly as we hoped.”

“Are there more? I know you said many of them died, but I can’t believe this is all the samples you’ve… created.” When she didn’t respond, I pointed to the other chambers. “Rowena, I am trying to work with you and with Kevin on this fabulous project. Are or were there additional samples at some point?”

Rowena sighed. “As I said earlier, two died and… Well, it’s just very sad.”

Two died, at least that she would admit to. Just like two of the scientists, their deaths suspicious in my mind. She was under extreme duress, the perspiration staining her lab jacket.

A slight tapping on the glass drew my attention. The giant alien was smiling. No, he was leering at me, even undressing me with his eyes. I would grill Shane in order to find out what he knew about the aliens living on this planet. My guess was he knew more than anyone realized.

She turned in my direction, walking closer. “You don’t look well, Doctor. I will tell you that I was concerned about some of your levels on the tests, especially since you were attacked. Maybe you should rest.”

“I wasn’t attacked by anyone. What are you talking about?” I rubbed my forehead, the headache more painful than ever.

Another growl came from one of the cages, the sound sliding through every cell and every pore in my body. I noticed the look of terror returning on her face. Even her hands were shaking.

She was petrified of them.

They were definitely more aggressive toward her.

While I was drawn to them, my needs increasing.

“Why are they so angry?” The question was rhetorical. The poor bastards were locked away, unable to interact with anyone with the exception of being tested.

“They have their reasons. We should leave. They are becoming agitated.” Rowena barely whispered the words, already moving around me and heading toward the door. “Please don’t fight this. Please.”

I took three steps then stopped. Every one of the creatures had walked to the glass and within a few seconds, there was a collective howl, the throaty sound resonating in wave after wave, filling the corridor with intense base notes.