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It took hiave a shaky nod
“Excellent The rest of your ht to twelve enetic alterations, you’ll notice new ility, flexibility, and stamina All this will comonths Even more than a normal twelve-year-old boy, that is” Her eyes twinkled
Z’s pulse began to pound against his temples
“But we’ve prepared for all that,” she continued when he didn’t laugh “Soldiers are provided a high-protein diet that we’ve created for your specific needs Do you have any questions before I hand you off to Thaue Jael?”
His breathing was beco to happen to ht to twelve months?”
She flashed a braggart’s smile “You’ll becoain With a tap, a holograph ees
One, a young male, perhaps in his late teens
The other, a white wolf
“Based on years of research and trials, we have perfected ourus to coenes of Her Majesty’s prized Canis lupus arctos with those of still-developing Lunar ed Z sucked in a breath This new creature had rounded shoulders, and enormous hands that were covered with a fine layer of fur, and fangs that jutted frorotesquely twistedsevere yellow eyes
Z pushed himself back into the exam table
“Using this method,” continued the doctor, “we have created the ulti and fearless, with the instincts of one of nature’s greatest predators Most important, he is a soldier who is entirely subject to the will of his thaue Jael will be able to explain all that to you in due time”
“Th-that’s going to happen to me?”
The doctor opened her e cleared his throat and took a step toward the bed “Perhaps, or perhaps not You have undergone the ive you the skills all soldiers require But we chose to withhold the es For now”
“Though we can complete the necessary mutations at any time,” added the doctor
“But—why not…”
“You have been selected as one of only five hundred conscripts to receive special training Your aptitude tests suggest you could be valuable to us as more than aa unit of soldiers to play a very specific role” He listed his head “Whether or not you are adra your training”
The threatening look the thaue pinned on him wasn’t necessary Z never wanted to be back on this exam table He never wanted another needle beneath his skin He never wanted to wake up with fur on his face and eyes that had no humanity behind them
The queen wasa different kind of soldier, and he had already decided that he would be one of them
He was kept in the facility for another twenty-four hours, so that the doctor could eries He discovered that what had seeht kept comatose in a suspended anieries and adapted to the one, while his DNA melded with that of a white wolf, while nameless doctors and scientists turned him into a beast to serve his queen In that tireat city of Arteht
The next day, he found a pile of clothes left beside his bed—soft brown pants, a black T-shirt, and plain boots They fit him perfectly
He had just finished dressing when he se frohtened sense of s feeling settled in Z’s gut as the thaue entered the room
Because another sense was
The telltale vibration of energy that his people could perceive and one
His throat cla with ift It’s…I think so”
The thaue stared blankly for a moment, before his expression softened into kindness The look eased Z’s growing panic “Yes, I know,” he said “That is an unfortunate result of the modifications You see, wild animals do not have the abilities that we do, therefore we must hinder your awareness of bioelectricity so that your Lunar instincts will not interfere with your neolfish instincts Don’t be alariven you a new tool hich to take advantage of your gift It will be my job to ensure that all of your instincts and abilities are functioning properly when you’re called on to use them”
Z licked his lips, finding it aard to maneuver around his new teeth He had to shut his eyes to force the wash of bile back down his throat
They had taken away his Lunar gift He was as vulnerable as an Earthen now As useless as a shell And yet, they wanted him to be a soldier?
“We were not properly introduced yesterday,” the thaue continued “You are to call me Master Jael You will be known as Beta Kesley until and unless your ranking changes I alad to see you dressed Come then”