It was strange, I thought to myself as I thought about the glimpses of the news I had seen while being a waitress and serving customers. It was so common to be that if there were an alpha serial killer who was stalking other lower species he would be sentenced to the guillotine. Public executions were common like this such that everyone would be reminded of their place in this world.
But.
There was an exception. One that had escaped my mind up until now because I could not relate. It was only in the most heinous of cases that if there was a mate involved, the criminal was granted this. It was thought of as too arcane to punish an innocent with her or his spouse. It was always in conjunction either both died or none died. It was just how nature intended. A mate is exposed to their husband's desires and these deaths are always associated with despicable things. And, people had spoken about it as one of these cases had ended with the mate being confined to a sanitorium after her mate was killed off.
I had always thought it was something so far away that it would never affect me.
"No need to fear. I can smell it. He does not, like all the others." Dr Dawson seemed to take my unease with light amusement dancing around the shape of his harsh mouth. "Well, at least for now. You never know when these beasts will take an interest in anything. But, I have a hypothesis, I am sure you would be interested in hearing. I theorize that if we can induce a mating while they are like this, then . . . and only then will I be able to do with what I want them, or if I decide to let the government in on my prize, then of course. Of course, I will have the perfect soldier. The woman of course would be under our guardianship. No harm will come of her as long as the alpha obeys orders and takes discipline without fighting back. It's a dear little ambition of mine, but as with all science, there is risk."
"Death is not a risk, sir." I could think of so many responses that would get me fired or worse. If anyone knew about this, it would be extremely bad for all of the people involved. I could feel the questions bubbling to my lips, however, I bit my tongue. I could not do anything right now. This position was precarious as it was. I had no connections at the moment that I could leverage to get out of here unless I got deeper into this. Dr. Dawson was my only way into this field of research so exposure was going to be something I couldn't risk. I knew my university had the Hippocratic Oath as a part of clinician training and I couldn't imagine as much of an alpha Dr. Dawson was, that he would do something of such disgust to his colleagues. That was before he had showed me this . . .
"Well, mortality aside, is there a plan?"
He tsked softly with his mouth. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, these men are in cages isolated. So how will women be introduced to them if they are not being socialized?" I couldn't think of any other way to word it. "I mean they can't exactly go barhopping chained up like that."
"Oh, that's no worry at all. There are takers." Dr. Dawson used two pointer fingers to make a gesture towards a curve in the wall where the glass was frothy so it wasn't see-through like the glass we were standing in front of. "Not every woman is a god-fearing, alpha-submitting pious follower. Some choose to take life the hard way. We have access to male criminals so it is simple to ask the government to have the naughty women too. These are female criminals who have arrived as our specimens. They got to not be killed by being offered here as lambs for the slaughter, though I must say, the pickings are slim when it comes to those who are good specimens. They are all given a free bill of health before coming here such that they don't infect our male specimens with their previous intimate inclinations. A lot of the women have venereal diseases from previous sex work so I can't say I can clear a lot of them to even get into this facility. There was an overwhelming amount of applications from inmates who wanted to get out of prison. But, not to be anxious, Ms. Spitz. This is all by protocol and there are medical boards that have to review my applications and procedures. It is a tiresome process, but you have to understand the legalities of using government funds and property. I cannot say that I would want mine or others' academic careers stained by the pursuit of knowledge."
"Please sir, I didn't mean that you were doing anything--"
His sudden movement to be over my shoulder, made me shiver. "Of course, my beta. I understand you completely. You are so easy to know as you submit to your alphas. I know you have been jostled so far, but you are no specimen of mine. I want you to remember that there is a great difference between who is in front of the glass and who it is that we are studying behind the glass. You are safe here in this lab and I want you to feel comfortable in asking this alpha to stand up for you as you are my assistant and therefore an extension of myself during your employment here. I care a lot about my assistants. So your well-being is of utmost importance to me as well as my samples that I hold very dear. I am being completely honest with you now, dear."
There were so many things I wanted to say, but I just tried to reassure him with a smile. As he seemed satisfied with that, he gave me a pat on the back which was a little rougher than he had intended. He then turned his back on the subject alpha who was up on his haunches in the cell looking at us.
I exchanged glances with the subject.