Page 14 of Monster. Me.

Above us, the ventilation system hums quietly. Large ducts and heavy vents are built directly into the walls.

That's probably how they pump all those hormones and pheromones through the place.

Dr. Lee stops at a door marked 26 and unlocks it.

I step inside, with Caspian following right behind us, and immediately feel relieved.

It's not just a room. It's basically an apartment.

You walk into a living area first, then there's a bedroom, a bathroom, and a small kitchenette. Everything is clean, modern, and tastefully furnished, though a little minimalist. There are no actual windows, which makes sense considering we're underground, but large glass panels cover entire sections of the walls. Behind them, someone has installed LED displays that mimic daylight well enough to create the illusion of windows.

"This feels a little claustrophobic," I admit. "Living underground and all. Are we actually allowed to leave the facility?"

"Of course you are!" Caspian answers immediately, sounding almost offended by the suggestion.

"During hours when the inhalant therapy isn't running, people leave all the time. Lots of participants go hiking in the forest or drive into the nearest town, which is about seven miles from here. Rainbow Spring. It's a beautiful little mountain town surrounded by woods. There are shops, restaurants, and pretty much everything you'd expect from a small tourist destination. It's a really adorable place."

I let out a breath of relief.

I'm not the kind of person who can stay trapped in a room twenty-four hours a day. I need space. Fresh air. Somewhere to go when I need to clear my head.

My gaze lands on a comfortable-looking couch in what I'd consider the living room, and another wave of relief washes over me. I put my luggage next to it, claiming it instantly.

At least Rupert and I won't be forced to share a bed from day one.

Right now, the idea of sleeping beside a complete stranger, doesn't exactly thrill me.

Then again, who knows.

Maybe that'll change once I actually meet him.

◆◆◆

By the time Rupert arrives on the third day of my stay at Alpha Activation, I've gotten familiar with the facility, if you can even call it that.

It's mostly endless corridors connecting lounges filled with technical areas, a sauna, a karaoke club, a pool, a gym, a multimedia library, medical rooms where participants undergo examinations, a small convenience store, and all the usual amenities.

I've already checked out the cafeteria too. The food is actually pretty good; I'll give them that, and everything is free. Behind glass displays sit all kinds of prepared meals you can mix and match into a decent lunch or dinner, and there's a snack bar that's open twenty-four hours a day.

During my initial tour with Caspian, some of the other participants came over and introduced themselves. Since everyone's hormone levels are being regulated, the atmosphere stays surprisingly relaxed. No tension, no posturing. Couples sit together, chatting casually about sports, politics, economics, and the latest gossip circulating that day.

Not everyone spends their days wandering around freely. Quite a few participants still work online, so they stay in their rooms, but another group clearly treats this place like a vacation resort, perfectly happy living off the stipend and benefits the facility provides.

Since I haven’t been assigned to anyone yet, I naturally end up sitting alone.

I get the impression that when people see a single alpha, they aren't quite sure what to do with me. As a result, they keep a certain distance, perhaps following some program guidelines or rules.

Nobody invites me to join their table, which honestly suits me just fine. I've always been more of a loner.

After breakfast, I head back to my room. An older alpha nurse, Groban, stops by and activates my room therapy panel, bringing up the schedule for my inhalant sessions. At the same time, a certain excitement is building in my chest because Rupert is arriving today.

By around ten o'clock, I'm almost certain he's already somewhere in the building, probably going through intake procedures with Dr. Lomax. I also met him the day after I arrived. The conversation wasn't especially informative since Dr. Lee had already explained most things, but Lomax went through the facility rules and had me sign a stack of paperwork. He struck me as stiff and unpleasant.

I pull on a pair of tight black jeans and a vivid green top threaded with silver accents. I leave my hair down.

Looking at myself in the mirror is usually one of the few things that doesn't disappoint me. Everyone says I'm a beautiful alpha, but behind my eyes there's never much happiness. Smiling has always felt almost foreign to me, so my face tends to fall into a permanent melancholy. My dad always said it’s because I’m half Russian, but oh well, I mostly disagree.

Today, I make an effort.