17

ISBERLT.

"So I heard you came up top for your department, Isberlt. That's a very nice performance there considering how complicated our world can be. "

Doctor Zion says as he leads me through the long, white-painted corridor lined with metal on all surfaces, and I can't help the excitement that bubbles through me as I nod my head, a feeling of satisfaction coursing through me at the accomplishment, and his acknowledge to my intelligence.

For years, I've studied biological researches, and Doctor Zion has been my role model all through the years.

Doctor Zion is the first biological researcher to come up with how our DNAs can be changed through a process known as CRISPR. Short for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat.

The research earned him a name, and it's said that the government had approached him to join their researching agencies— all of which he declined to create a world of his own, along with his co-researchers, and new potential recruits.

He's been the face of the research world, and a god for graduates like me.

Trust me when I say Doctor Zion is the man every society needs, and I can't be any more glad at this opportunity to be one of his assistants.

I still have no idea what exactly I will be working on, except the fact that it's research that's supported by the government, and run by private cooperation.

I haven't been able to stop making up scenarios in my head through here, and the way my heels makes echoing sounds against the metal floor with the scent of disinfectants so high in the air doesn't do much to slow down my racing heart.

Doctor Zion finally halt in his steps; leading me through a small staff room, and gesturing for me to walk myself in.

Taking a deep breath, I give him a small smile as I walk through the door— the scent of an old room greeting me.

"I'm highly sorry for the mess. As we haven't been able to encounter a recruit that matches our expectations— this room has been vacant for months, but I promise you it'll be as fresh as new with minimum work. "

I stare back at the small room with equipment sprawled all across before gazing back at doctor Zion with a smile. I sincerely do not mind having to work in a room full of spiders, and annoying little creatures— being in his team is enough to get me through anything. Exaggerated, but quite true.

"You don't have to worry about that, doctor Zion. And the room looks just fine. I'm sure a little push here, and there will give me the office I think you have in your imaginations for me. "

I tell him, and he laughs with a shake of his head before walking in, while I follow his lead behind.

"Good to know you are quite the humble lady, Miss Isberlt Queen. You are to have a lab mate— a senior bioanalyst but he's on vacation till tomorrow so feel free at the office, and prepare to meet your rival. "

He jokes, surprising me— because I thought he would be one of those men clad in a big lab coat, and a scowl etched to their face. But I guess that's why he's my role model after all. He's everything you need a man to be.

Running from his tousled jet black hair to his gorgeous face that's complimented by hazel eyes, and a sharp jawline, down to his broad shoulders, and broad chest with muscles peeking through the right t-shirt he has underneath his big coat. — leaving imaginations to run wide of what might be beneath that shirt.

Oh, I do not want to imagine that.

"Miss Isberlt, " Doctor Zion calls, bringing me out of my sexualised thoughts, and I meet his gaze with heated cheeks from my non-professional thoughts about him.

"Is everything alright? I think you're burning up. "

He notes, and I'm quick to shake my head; rearing my palm against my cheeks.

Fuck. Talk about second-hand embarrassment.

"Must be my skin reacting to the weather. I'm alright, doctor Zion; what were you saying?"

I'm quick to change the subject, and he either notes that or just pretends not to note my silly gesture as he gives me one of those gorgeous smiles again, stuffing his hands in his pant pockets.

"I said that would be all, Miss Isberlt. Enjoy the rest of your day. "

I nod to his words, but realising that's rude of me— I speak up. "Of course doctor Zion, thank you. "

He gives me a nod before turning in his stand, making his way towards the door, and my gaze falls to his ass. Such a perfect round ass. What's not perfect about this man?

Hell! What the hell is wrong with me?

"Welcome to the team, Isberlt. "

He whispers as he finally makes his way out of my office, but I catch the words with a smile gracing my lips.

Welcome to the team.

I made it. Mother.

***

"Are you okay?"

Rio pulls me back, his palms against my cheeks, and his thumb gracing against the dampened skin— wiping away the almost dried tears.

"You shouldn't tear yourself up for it. You had no idea, and to be honest— I suggested that at first too. Then I thought you just didn't want to admit it. I'm so sorry I brought it up. "

He pulls me back against his chest, one hand holding me there, while the other rest against my hair— stroking it.

So many thoughts run through my mind at the new realisation of everything that's happened.

That weird part of the company I found. And the weird noises that came from the door. The way Corey reacted when I told him about it.

Picking the pieces together— there's no doubt that it was that place. That is where they were keeping the wolves, but what I do not understand is why I didn't know. Just how? Even being so close to that door; I didn't pick their scents. How? Why? Though Raelyn has left me long ago, and I don't have the strength that I used to before. I still very much have my senses so it doesn't add up that I couldn't pick their scents, or even hear their howls.

Unless... They did something to that too.

"Were they able to rescue them?"

I ask him as I move away from his embrace, and he sighs before nodding slowly.

"All of them?" I question as he meets my gaze again, and no words need to be said. His silence says it all.

No. Not all of them.

"It was too late for them. They were chained, and unconscious, coupled with the fact that there was no time. They would have been caught, and that would be the end of it all. They brought the ones in the cells, along with a few others that haven't been experimented on. "

I nod, clutching tight onto my dress.

"Where are they? The ones they brought?"

"Isberlt," He calls softly, and I know that tone. He doesn't want me to know, because he doesn't want me to feel guilty, but what difference will it make?

"Tell me, Rio, " I whisper, eyes meeting his. "Please. "

He stares down at the bed before grabbing hold of my hands, "They are fine. They are being treated, and the Alpha's are digging for a way to bring them back to their normal selves. The Sera still runs in their blood; strong, and effective so there isn't much we can do. There's barely anything we can do, other than hope its effectiveness wears out soon. "

It won't. The Sera won't wear off; at least not now. The Sera was created to have a lasting effect for years, so there's no way it would wear off.

They will forever be trapped that way, and that thought only makes me grow angrier.

"I want to see them," I tell Rio who watches with me widened eyes.

"What the hell are you saying? Do you want to see them? Why?" He questions with lifted brows, and I shake my head, grabbing a fistful of my dress, "I need to see them. I need to see what we have done. What they have done." I take a deep breath before saying, "I need to completely analyze the situation. "

"But before that," He says, gaining my attention. "You will have to see the Alpha King."