Tempestuous Miracles by Anya Byrne Page B

he had stated. "My mate's pack has encountered similar substances before, although on that occasion, the drug was heat-inducing, not a suppressor. We believe that the scientists who created these substances mean to use Bearer instincts to manipulate us. It is sickening."
    What Julian did not say was that testing on Mirian's genetic material and the suppressors he'd used had confirmed Mirian's worst fears. The medicine had indeed changed him, leaving effects that could no longer be removed. But the Miracle Labs scientists had not realized something very important. They could not force a Bearer to imprint on a random individual if the Bearer in question already had a bond that surpassed that.
    The end result of the experiment was Mirian's slight psychic link to Frey. Sometimes, when he allowed himself to see the matter with any degree of amusement, he admitted that it was in fact a miracle. All things considered, he could have ended up in far worse circumstances.
    He didn't want to think about the most terrible part of it, the consequences that no one could change or avoid. He would never forget that fateful conversation he'd overheard—it had hurt him more than the following car accident—but neither could he let the betrayal rule his life.
    Mirian set the newspaper aside and let his mind slide over the part of his consciousness that naturally reached out to Frey. They still hadn't mated—Frey was adamant that they needed to wait at least until Mirian recovered completely, both physically and emotionally—but even so, every day that passed made Mirian feel even more connected to Frey.
    It was just as well, because today, his mate had gone to meet with his family. They had agreed that it would be better if Mirian stayed home, but Mirian still missed his werewolf.
    Fortunately, Julian was, as always, there, providing him with both a goal and a distraction. No sooner had Mirian finished the article than Julian entered the kitchen, already engrossed in studying something on his tablet.
    It was a familiar sight—Julian was nothing if not a workaholic, but his Bearer instincts and the pregnancy made him hungry at all hours of the day. It cheered Mirian up considerably. "Hello, Julian. Can I help you with something?"
    Julian looked up at him and shot him a wide smile. "Oh, I didn't know you were here. Actually, yes. Are you doing something next Saturday? I spoke to Ariel and she's thinking of setting the opening of the new shelter for then."
    "That was fast, but then, I'm not surprised. Of course I'd love to be there."
    Ariel was the only one who had not known about the suppressors, and the deal Mirian's father had made with the proverbial devil. She'd felt hurt and betrayed as well, but she'd immediately channeled that anger into the countless projects Julian had going. Her motherly nature made her ideal for being in charge of the Bearer shelters.
    In an unexpected twist, the woman who'd been driving the car that had hit Mirian had also become involved in the project. Her name was Helena and she had been so moved by Frey's visible grief at Mirian's injury that she had refused any sort of compensation for the damages to her car, even if the police had cleared her of any responsibility in the incident. Her interest in Mirian's well-being had led her to learn about the project for Bearer shelters. Now, she was perhaps the only non-Bearer pure-blood Mirian could call a friend.
    Meanwhile, Julian was busying himself with rummaging through the fridge. "I don't know if I'll be able to be there," he said as he retrieved some sandwich fixings. "The full moon is coming up again, and Roman might be too restless."
    "That's understandable," Mirian answered. "Your pregnancy is..."
    He trailed off when a strange sensation rushed over him. Suddenly, he felt lightheaded and dizzy. The gleam of Julian's blond hair turned almost blinding, the balance of colors dancing, twisting into a nauseating kaleidoscope. It was a good thing that he'd been