Zayn's POV
The sterile hospital air clung to my skin like a second layer as I stared at Elijah's motionless form. The rhythmic beeping of monitors filled the space between us, a cruel reminder that while his heart still beat, the vibrant Beta I knew was gone. The medical report in my hands might as well have been written in blood - our own creation had turned against us.
"Mr. King, we've run every test possible," the doctor continued, his voice carefully neutral. "The wolfsbane in his system matches the molecular structure of our modified batch EX-47 precisely. There's no mistaking it."
I barely registered his words. My focus remained fixed on Elijah's sunken cheeks, the way his collarbones protruded sharply against the thin hospital gown. Just last week, this same man had stood before me with that characteristic confident grin, volunteering for the mission without hesitation.
"You can rely on me, Alpha."
