Page 90 of Monster. Me.

"But it was the case with betas too. They never entered a full heat and still got pregnant."

Slowly, almost predatorily, he tilts his head.

"Well, they were entering a so-called hidden heat. But here, it does not happen. So… I do have equipment now that would allow me to observe what happens in an alpha’s body while you have sex with them… and to see it directly, in action."

I freeze and immediately become alert.

I glance toward the unknown alpha sitting by the wall. He watches me in complete silence. He looks about twenty-one, slim, with short brown hair and a youthful face.

I don’t recognize him from the program, even though I know everyone from watching them through the cafeteria window. This is someone new.

Doctor Lomax follows my gaze.

"Yes, you’re looking in the right direction. This is the alpha who agreed to participate in such an experiment. But he’s not the only one. Two others are waiting in line. We want to see how it all unfolds in real time, and it may shed light on the mystery of the process… because we urgently need a breakthrough."

I swallow.

"Am I supposed to have sex with him now?" The words barely come out.

Dr. Lomax raises an eyebrow.

"I assume that is how you activate your partners’ fertility, so yes. Would that be a problem? From what I know, in the previous program you did it with nine betas, so I’m sure you can manage."

I stare at him for a while blankly.

There was no problem then because I didn’t have anyone I loved.

I suddenly become aware of that thought in my own head.

Loved?

I’ve fallen in love with Marlow…

Oh, fuck.

And that changes a lot for me.

"Yes, there is a problem," I force out, feeling my jaw tighten.

"And what problem would that be?" Dr. Lomax grits out, "I assume you understand that refusal means immediate removal from the program and exactly… zero dollars in your account. And that’s not all," he adds in a strange, vindictive tone. "As you remember from your court agreement, your ten-year sentence was reduced to participation in this program only, but if you withdraw, you will end up behind bars again."

I close my eyes. I feel a wave of stress.

"You can’t do this, Doctor Lomax. That would be cruel."

"I can do whatever I want because I run this program. And right now we are not moving forward. If I don’t get concrete results, the board will fire me. So you could say we’re in the same boat. I took a huge risk by taking over this program, and I will not lose this position or my standing with the board over my effectiveness." His voice cuts like an electric whip.

I feel a faint but painful vibration through my entire body, nerves, tension, and pure panic…

The unknown alpha looks at me with an unreadable expression, while mine is probably the embodiment of desperation and despair.

"So what will it be, Mr. Drax? Either you show us your secret, or you go back to prison."

MARLOW

I wait in the parking lot, but fifteen minutes have already passed, and Fenn Drax still doesn’t show up. I feel uneasy. We were supposed to go to the trail leading to the hot springs near Rainbow Springs, but it looks like the plans have changed.

I stand there for another half hour, because who knows, maybe someone pulled him aside for a conversation or a procedure. After a while, though, I realize we won't be opening champagne beneath the rainbow waterfalls today.