DAY 42

B.E.A.R. LABORATORIES

LEVEL 5

Veronica awakes to a large hand gently stroking the contours of her face. Across her brow, over her eyelids, fingertips ghosting over her her pink lips. Her eyes flutter open to be met with deep brown ones.

Theseus stares down at his beautiful mate in his arms. He has waited years--centuries--for her and now he finally has her. He had been watching her sleeping form for a while now. Part of him knew it was less than proper to do so--just as it was less than appropriate to have her sleep in his bed--but he could then neither find the willpower to leave her to her own room last night, nor to tear his eyes away from her goddess-like features now.

He had waited so long to have her with him. It was only fair that he should get to spend as much time with her as he wanted. He looks into her beautiful eyes, nearly losing himself in their green depths. He knew she would be angry at him for letting her fall asleep in his cell again, but he couldn't find it in himself to care. Just like he couldn't find it in himself to care that he was an experiment. As long as she was with him, he would be content.

He knows he is an experiment. He knows they want to do things to him that are less than desirable, they already have in some cases. He spent an entire year being poked and prodded, but it was all worth it. Even now, he is perfectly content staying here, as long as his Vee is with him.

He knows they were quite baffled when they realized he didn't age. You see, a wolf becomes ageless when they meet full maturity. They are immortal, that is, until they meet their mate. When a wolf finally meets their mate, the aging process starts again and they age just like their human counterparts. Theseus witnessed his parents' passing of old age.

He watched as his siblings and friends found their mates, had their children, died... He was the only one left. It was like that for two centuries. All of that pain he endured watching his family slowly withering away, and he should have gone with them. He should have had his mate by his side to age with. He wanted to have pups, grandpups, to have grey hair. He wanted to breath his last along with the rest of his family and friends. But alas, he was left alone. No mate, no children, and an infinite life span.

He was so overcome with the longing for his mate, he lost control. He spent endless amounts of days searching--scouring the land for his mate. His wolf had full control, prohibiting him from turning to his human form. He would cry out in howls every night, aching--longing for his beloved. He thought she was dead, or maybe he wasn't good enough to have a mate.

When the humans found him, he gave up. He was ready for death--anything to escape this hell of a reality. Maybe they will kill him, he thought. Maybe they will end my misery--my suffering.

They didn't, though. A year later and he was still alive, just this time he was human again. It wasn't until that one fateful day--the day that changed everything.

He caught her scent. It was the most amazing thing. He knew what it was the moment he smelled it. Lavender and honey, the sweetest, most desirable scent. He could hardly contain his excitement. He spent hours pacing back and forth, wondering what she would look like, act like, talk like. Everything he wanted--longed for--was just above him.

He no longer had the patience to deal with the humans who kept him captive. He wanted her--needed her, and nothing was going to stop him. Nothing.

Finally, after many days of trying, he escaped his cell. He was worried that she was an experiment like him. He was worried they had hurt her; however, those thoughts quickly left his mind when he saw her.

Her back was to him, her long red hair cascading down her shoulders in perfect waves. She was running away from him, trying to get to the large metal doors that were slowly closing. Fortunately for him, she didn't make it in time before the doors shut completely, causing her to turn towards him.

His breath left his lungs as he took in her beauty. She was the most stunning thing he had ever seen. Jade green eyes stared back at him and he was utterly captivated. He took in her every feature.

Her skin was pale, yet blemish-free. A cute, button nose sat atop plump, kissable lips. He tried not to let his eyes wander, but he couldn't help noticing her womanly figure and mostly uncovered legs. He was not yet used to the latest styles of women's clothing. A light spattering a freckles spread over her nose and across her cheeks, adding to her innocent look. He chuckles, remembering when he realized she was more brave intimidating than innocent and small.

At the time, he couldn't stop himself as he speedily crossed the distance between them. Her eyes widened with fear and it had pained the lycan to know she was afraid of him. He twirled her hair around his finger, relishing at the softness. Their moment was cut short, much to his dismay.

He nearly lost himself once more, that evening, when he thought he had lost her. He thought they had taken her away from him--that he had failed in protecting her--when in reality, he was the one being taken away, not vice versa.

He had begun to crave the days she would visit him, even though he couldn't exactly speak to her. He wanted so badly to talk to her. He wanted to ask her about her life. He wanted to tell her about himself and her family. He wanted to explain to her what she meant to him--how much he loved her--but he couldn't. Some days he was too frustrated with himself to utter even a single word.

He spent so much time in his wolf form he forgot how to speak. He could imagine the words in his head, but he couldn't speak them. So, he just let her talk sometimes. Oh, how he loved her voice. He once thought his mother had the prettiest voice, but how wrong he was. He could listen to her for hours.

Her absences seemed to get longer to him, though he knew it was just his primal need to be with her and protect her. His constant worry over her made him sick, literally.

He knows she doesn't like having to live here in the lab, he doesn't blame her, but the selfish part of him is glad she is at his every beck and call. Look at him now, he gets to hold her in his arms!

Veronica stares up at Theseus with a bored expression on her face. She has been awake for some time now, waiting for him to let go of her. He has just stared into her eyes ever since she opened them. He seems to be thinking intently, but on what, she is not sure.

"Hey, snap out of it! I seriously have to pee," she says, her head flopping back on the pillow. Theseus has her caged in his arms, a leg thrown across her thighs. It's as if he is the child and her the stuffed animal.

He blinks a few times, breaking out of his reverie. He takes in her stern expression and his head automatically lowers as he knows he is about to be scolded. He isn't bothered by this though. He likes that she is stern and can discipline accordingly. It will make her a good mother someday, if she so chooses to be one.

"What did I say about making me fall asleep in here, hmm?" Theseus whines and buries his face in her neck, her scent putting his senses into overdrive. "You do that thing with the purring and petting my hair and it puts me straight to sleep..." she mumbles, pressing a hand to her forehead. She blinks one eye open and narrows her eyes at him.

Theseus becomes hyper-aware that his current look is one that is less than attractive. His hair is knotted and unruly, his beard an unkempt mess, and he refuses to wear a shirt. He never cared before about what he looked like, but now he wants to look his best for his little mate. He wants to be the most handsome man she has ever seen. The possesive part of him wants himself to be the only male she deems attractive, for she belongs to him. He shakes his head at his subconscious. She is her own person, and he doubts she would react well to being deemed a possession.

"Listen, I will forgive you if you let me up. I think that's fair," she says. Theseus reluctantly let's her go and watches as she lifts her arms up and stretches, her shirt rising and exposing the creamy flesh of her stomach as she does so. Theseus turns his gaze away, his body reacting to the sight in ways it shouldn't. His wolf side wants to claim what is his.

Veronica, unaware of Theseus' internal struggle, exits the cell and pads down the hallway towards the elevator. She goes to her mini apartment and starts her morning routine, pondering the previous night.

She isn't sure what caused her to fall asleep so suddenly. Ever since she started working with Theseus, her sleep cycles have been terrible at best. Her nights were usually spent tossing and turning until 2:00 AM and then waking up at 6:30 AM. She had just passed it off as being stressed. Last night, however, was the best sleep she had ever had. His gentle cooing lulled her into the deepest sleep, and she was wrapped in a cocoon of warmth the entire night. The only time she can ever remember having a better night's sleep was when she spent the night with Theseus over a week ago. Maybe she needs someone to sleep with her? That's probably it, she thinks to herself. I'm probably just lonely.

She dresses in a pair of stylish jeans and a professional-looking blouse. She adds a small amount of make-up and pulls her hair back into a tight bun. Veronica looks into the small mirror above the vanity and smiles at her appearance. She isn't quite sure why she wants to look nice, but some part of her feels like she needs to make a good impression on someone.

Veronica exits the elevator back on Level 5, two plates of food in hand. She nods to the guards posted along the hallways as she goes, none of them returning her gestures. She continues until she rounds the corner, nearly bumping into Dr. Vanderwall.

"Good morning doc--"

"What the hell was that?" He nearly shouts at her. Veronica steps back in shock at his tone.

"I'm sorry, I don't know wh--"

"You know very well what I am talking about, Ms. Odair," he says, taking a menacing step towards her. Veronica's hands start to shake as she struggles to remain stoic. "Bringing a cell phone to him? He is an experiment, not your best friend who lives across the street! He isn't even human!"

Veronica grinds her teeth together in both anger and fear. "Dr. Vanderwall, I was just trying to make him feel more comfortable. You are keeping him in a cell for goodness sakes! He deserves this."

"Yes, a cell! He is an animal--a beast! He doesn't deserve anything. We are doing him a favour by even giving him a bed," he says, his nose curling in disgust. The doctor's eyes hold a menacing look as he looms over the shaking scientist.

Veronica clenches her jaw and tries her best to rid her face of any emotion. "He is a human being! He is just as much human as you or me. Him being a lycanthrope makes him better than us--stronger than us. That's why you hate him, isn't it. He is more powerful than you and you're afraid. You are afraid to be less than him." She steps closer to the livid doctor, trying her best to be intimidating, regardless of her shorter stature. "It throws you off to not be in control."

Dr. Vanderwall straightens, feigning indifference. "You know not of which you speak. Either way, exposing him to the outside world and sleeping with the Project will not be tolerated. Your job was to calm him, not have sexual relations with it," he sneers before brushing past her and making his way to the elevators, leaving an embarrassed and appalled Veronica in his wake.

Theseus paces back and forth in his cell, furious about what he overheard. His shoulders are hunched and low growls slip past his lips. He fights down the urge to rip Dr. Vanderwall to shreds. How dare he accuse her of such atrocious behavior!

He stops his pacing as the door opens. The smell of Veronica's fear instantly filling his nostrils, making Theseus growl. She barely has a chance to set down the food before she is engulfed in his embrace. He folds her into him, still not being able to stop the low growls and rumbles emitting from his chest.

"You okay? Did something happen?" Her angelic voice asks. Her arms wrap around him and he snuggles his nose into her neck, her touch calming him.

"Sorry," he says, struggling to convey any more.

"For what, Theseus? You didn't do anything wrong."

"For not pro-protect," he mumbles into her hair. She squeals in surprise as he lifts her into his arms, carrying her to his bed. He sits, settling her on his lap. Theseus knows what Dr. Vanderwall said, tha she would get in trouble for being too affectionate, but he couldn't stop himself as he rubbed soothing circles on her back.

"There was nothing to protect me from. I just got dressed and brought you food," Veronica chuckles, unaware that he heard her conversation with Dr. Vanderwall.

Veronica sighs. He doesn't belong here. He deserves so much better. He is human, and he will be treated as such. Of that, she will be sure.

Little did she know, the lycan before her was thinking the exact same.