“Look familiar, don’t they.”
Sloane’s heart was ready to beat out of him. He shook his head and took a step back. Dex’s canine teeth were elongated, and they were the exact length as Sloane’s when he was going feral.
“It’s happening.”
The room stilled. Shultzon stared at Dex as if he were the Second Coming.
“Let me go!” Dex growled, his murderous gaze on Shultzon.
“Absolutely magnificent. I never thought I’d live long enough to actually see it.”
“See what?” Sloane asked. He put his hand to the back of Dex’s neck, unable to help soothing him despite Dex’s hissing and furious cries for his release. He’d never seen Dex like this. As if he weren’t himself.
Shultzon addressed Sloane but kept his gaze on Dex. “You marked him.”
“That’s none of your goddamn business,” Sloane spat.
Shultzon smiled at Dex. “Oh, Dexter. Look at you. The very first of your kind. You boys have made history.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Sloane growled.
“Congratulations, Sloane. Your boyfriend is the very first. A truly magnificent specimen.”
Sloane approached the table as Sparks marched up to it, slamming her hands on the surface. Shultzon barely blinked.
“You have five seconds to explain what in the hell you’re talking about.”
“The anomalies I mentioned. Those present in a select number of First Gens, such as Sloane. His name was at the top of the list, if you’ll recall. He’s one of a select few whose DNA possesses a mutation strong enough to alter that of a Human, providing the Human is equipped to handle the change. Sadly, not all are, leading to a slow, painful death.”
“How is that possible?”
“Through the mating bond. First Gens with this rare DNA infect their mates through their claws.”
It was like a punch to Sloane’s gut. “Infect?”
Shultzon turned his attention to Sloane. “Well, yes. When you pierced Dex’s flesh with your claws, you infected him with your mutation. Any Therian traits he exhibits will be akin to your classification.”
Therian traits? “What does that mean? What’s going to happen to him?” Sloane demanded.
Shultzon shrugged. “I don’t know. He could shift, he could become something in-between the two, or he could die. It all depends on how well Dex’s body responds to your mutation. One thing is certain. He will die.” Shultzon looked down at Dex. “Don’t let him swallow his tongue.”
Sloane spun toward Dex, yelling at the operatives to do something when Dex’s eyes rolled into the back of his head and he started having another seizure. Sparks yelled orders, and her operatives dispersed. Some secured the area while others carried Dex out. Sloane hurried after them when Shultzon called out to him.
“Sloane, they know now. They’ll send someone to kill you both. Someone whose desire for your mate can easily be turned into deadly jealousy. Protect Dex with your life.”
There was so much Sloane wanted to know, but he had bigger worries right now. He ran after the operatives as they rushed Dex down the hall and through a set of white double doors. They laid him on a hospital bed, and Sloane paced the room, his hands in his hair as they strapped Dex down onto the bed.
“Oh God, please.” Sloane waited for them to finish before he ran over, feeling absolutely helpless. Operatives rushed in and out, along with doctors and medical equipment. Dex thrashed violently against the bed, and a medical operative pressed a button to raise the bed so Dex was reclined rather than lying down. This was the worst one, and Sloane had tears in his eyes from watching Dex’s back arch, his body lifting off the bed. His skin was crimson, his muscles straining, and sweat beaded his brow. He screamed, as if he were being torn apart from the inside out. They strapped Dex’s head down and did everything they could so he wouldn’t hurt himself. No one knew what was happening.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m here.” Sloane put his hand to Dex’s brow, doing his best to comfort. “It’ll be okay.”
They hooked Dex up to a heart monitor and several other pieces of equipment that began monitoring Dex’s vitals. His heart rate was through the roof, his pulse swiftly climbing. They checked his pupils, making note of how they were dilated when one operative stiffened.
“What is it?” Sloane asked, taking a look at Dex’s eyes.
A ring of glowing amber was spreading from Dex’s pupils, leaving the outside of his eyes pale blue and the inside amber. How was that possible? Dex screamed again, his fangs elongating and claws piercing his fingers.
“Shit.” Sloane looked up at the doctor. “Is he… is he going to shift?”