If he refused, they would certainly persuade him one way or another. “Hope so. He probably wants to get home, wherever that might be.” Maybe Transylvania with Count Dracula.
“He’s not going anywhere.”
“What? Why?”
“He’s an asset to Project Sabertooth.”
“Just like me.” Meaning the poor man would never leave.
“Precisely.” Director Giles used a remote and lowered the gurney to the floor. “Dr. Tomlin said the cranial bleeding has stopped. Once the tranquilizer wears off, he should regain consciousness.”
“Should I come back?”
“You stay here until he wakes up.” He handed her a tablet. “Read up on everything we have on Specimen Zero W. Including all his severe injuries that miraculously healed. When he wakes, keep notes on him.”
The name Specimen Zero meant this creature did not exist elsewhere. Gaby took the tablet. “Here?”
“Yes. I’ll have a cot brought down.”
She’d slept over to tend to an animal in the past, but never a creature from the horror genre. “Wait, you want me to stay here when a werewolf wakes up?”
“You are a wolf charmer, are you not? Besides, the cage was built for a grizzly bear.”
Her ability to charm not just canines but also other animals earned her title as a wolf-segen. Such people with her gift once existed in Europe where they received payment to lure away wolves and other predators from farming communities. Having animals do her bidding was the reason she’d been brought to the facility from the last abusive foster home. After what she had done. Would her charm really work on a bona fide werewolf? According to myths and legends, it should work on any beast. “He is just as big as a bear.”
Giles paced in short spans. “I must find out his true identity, no matter what it takes.”
“You mean shoot him up with truth serum?”
“He might cooperate since we know his secret.” He threw her a sinister smile. “If he doesn’t remember, perhaps you can fill in his memories. You can be a girlfriend or better yet his wife.”
Lie to a possibly dangerous man/wolf? “No way.”
“Why not? You do find him attractive.”
Boy did she ever. Not just his hot over-the-top masculine body. Something about the tormented man appealed to her. Yet, her experience with romantic relationships sucked. She wasn’t a virgin, but the men she’d dated were limited to scientists and animal handlers who worked in the lab. None had panned out. The one man she slept with turned out to be married. The man on the video was out of her league. With his good looks, he was married, taken, or more likely played the field. Although, how would one tell his significant other his propensity to turn into a wolf? Either way. Totally awkward. “That’s beside the point. For one, how can I fake loving him? And two, eventually, he will regain his memory. Imagine how pissed he’ll be then.”
“Good point. However, I’m not opposed to you seducing him.”
Her cheeks burned. “I’m not seducing a wolf or werewolf, period.” Gaby stepped closer to the cage and knelt. “Hey, buddy.”
The wolf whimpered.
Giles frowned. “How is that possible? We gave him enough tranquilizer to sedate a much larger beast. He should sleep for another hour or two.”
She scoffed. “Someone gave him the wrong dose.”
The massive wolf rose to a sitting position and cocked his head. Confused, like a puppy trying to figure out where the ball went. Was it because of his confinement in an unknown place or because he was a wolf? One who still suffered amnesia? He turned his attention to her. Feral amber eyes.
A clear alpha stare. The kind that penetrated one’s soul and demanded submission. Shivers crawled up her spine. No animal had ever challenged her for dominance. He must be more man than wolf. Gaby lowered her gaze.
Director Giles smiled. “Good. Ask him to return to human form.”
“I’ll try.” Her charm compelled an animal to submit to her, or worse, kill for her. Gaby concentrated. Not sure if I can influence a wolf to become a man.
The wolf continued to focus only on her and then collapsed on his side. He groaned and closed his eyes.
“How injured was he?” Gaby asked.