Cassidy rubbed her neck for the thousandth time as she eyed the microscope skeptically. Could this really be it? Had she solved it at last?

She sighed once, steeled up her resolve and reached for her syringe.

She eyed the tired, feeble little mouse with pity.

" Sorry little buddy but I need your help."

She injected the unsuspecting rodent with her serum and watched in awe as the little mouse grew bulkier. The bad ass python in the glass case was singing a different tune five minutes later as Supermouse broke his neck.

Cassidy was grinning like a lion when she called her sponsor.

"Sir, it's ready. "

She didn't get another word in as the Colonel asked her question after question.

" Sir, Supermouse killed the python..."

" I'm on my way."

Cassidy was on cloud nine when she got to her apartment. Her mother sat in her usual spot, in her wheelchair looking out the window .

" I did it mom! "

Her mom continued to stare outside and stare through the window.

" I will make you better, mom."

The next few days flew by as Colonel Ferguson brought his human test subjects and although every time Cassidy saw them her heart filled with dread, she closed her heart and told herself it was for the greater good. She had just shook off one such feeling when a blast of white hot lust lashed her, making her gasp.

" What the..."

She stumbled, her back hitting the wall as tried in vain to calm her racing heart. She felt like an invisible chain was leading down corridor after corridor in search of...something or someone.

No Unauthorized Personnel

The large red sign brought her up short. This was her show but she hadn't been down this corridor before. She swiped her key card, shocked when it buzzed green and allowed her access. The sensation was back now and stronger than ever. Whatever was calling her was down here.

Cassidy crept stealthily into the room and stifled a gasp. A lion was caged next to a pacing tiger who was beside a wolf that ...feigned sleep. She watched as it raised its head, sniffed and then went berserk.

" Shit! Call the Colonel, tell him Tristan's gone feral again, we need to put him down!"

Tristan? Why were they naming the animals? Something didn't feel right. She was about to leave when the wolf looked at her once before closing his eyes. White hot pain slammed into her head as pictures forced their way inside her head. As carefully as she could, Cassidy half walked, half stumbled her way to her office.

They wouldn't stop, she saw everything, knew everything. The colonel was using her serum and the side effect was that he was creating shifters, most of whom couldn't change back to human form. Cassidy was chilled, cold sweat washed her sad face in rivulets. What the hell was she going to do? What was her connection to the wolf, who she now felt sure had sent her these images? Who was Tristan?

The answer came with less force, as it curled itself around her conscious mind.

MATE....

What did that even mean? Mate? Whose mate, she asked internally, clearly not expecting an answer.

MINE!!!!

Cassidy clutched her head as blood trickled from her nose. She couldn't believe this was happening to her. Couldn't believe Colonel Ferguson had bastardized her research to service his own agenda. She was beyond pissed off right now. Then there was the sexy marine turned wolf in her head. Cassidy sighed, her life had descended into the realms of the Twilight Zone.

She heard him chuckle in her head and found her first smile. Ok, she thought, telepathy works both ways so I should be able to talk to him too. She closed her office door and closed the blinds and sat resolutely behind her desk.

Hello, can you hear me?

Tristan snapped at his jailer, once his friend now forever his enemy. He was snarling like the beast that created until he felt her whisper inside his head.

Hello, can you hear me?

He was instantly aroused, the wolf and the man both desiring to be with their mate. Her name was Cassidy and she was a scientist, the scientist who had developed a serum that could stop the track of a terminal disease in a matter of days, at least that had been the goal before Pierce Ferguson got wind of it. He calmed down and closed his eyes, the guards sighing in relief, thinking he was asleep.

Yes, I can hear you, he answered.

Cassidy wanted to dance an Irish jig. She'd done it! She calmed herself once more, concentrating on the voice in her head.

How are you able to do this? Why are you down there? What happened to you?

The wolf chuckled as she asked question after question.

It's our psychic connection, we are linked because the Lycan blood in the serum made me an Alpha and you are my mate. As for why I'm down here, Colonel Ferguson turned my friend into a tiger and he can't shift back like so many others. I was trying to find some evidence so I could expose him but the very friend I was trying to save ratted me out when Ferguson fixed him. They captured me and the rest is history...

Cassidy chuckled slightly, she still couldn't believe that bastard was using her research this way.

What's your name? I'm Cassidy, Dr Cassidy Martin and um what do you mean I'm your mate?

Tristan chuckled again, trying to picture her face. He knew she was beautiful he just did but even if she wasn't, she was his mate and Lycans it seemed mated for life. He had so much to learn about this new gift or curse, he hadn't decided which it was yet.

Lieutenant Tristan Storm Doc and I'm lycan now and Lycans mate for life with a woman thank God who their soul connects with after they meet, it seems. I'm not sure how it works but I can connect with any wolf they make, they dont know that though. I..I can also shift back I was about to escape that day then I sensed you...

Cassidy sighed unbelievably accepting his words. Her fingers flew over the keyboard of her computer as she sought to improve her knowledge of Lycans. Tristan she thought dazedly, Tristan Storm. Even his name was sexy, she thought, clapping a hand over her head ,hoping he didn't hear that just now.

Um, Tristan, can you hear all my thoughts or just the ones I send you?

Tristan grinned, both wolf and man amused, wondering what naughty thoughts the Doc was having. Were they about him? He just knew they were.

Only the ones you send me, Doc, what's wrong trying to picture me naked?

Cassidy felt her face heat and sighed. She didn't want to look Tristan up using her computer because suddenly she couldn't trust anyone. She sighed again, wondering what she was going to do. One thing for certain, she had to release Tristan and the others down in Corridor 20.