# Chapter 152

# Chapter 152
Kira's POV

A sharp knock jolted me awake. I blinked groggily as sunlight filtered through the curtains of the guest room. For a moment, I didn't know where I was, my mind still foggy with sleep. Then everything came rushing back—the confrontation with my mother, the kiss with Andy on the balcony, Rocco standing there watching us.

The knocking grew more insistent.

"Coming," I croaked, my voice still thick with sleep.

I stumbled out of bed, grabbing a robe to throw over my pajamas. When I opened the door, Rebecca stood there, her face pale and tense, clutching a tablet to her chest.

"Kira, you need to see this," she said without preamble, handing me the tablet.

The screen displayed a breaking news headline: "Medical Research Facility Attacked, Staff Found Unconscious." I scanned the article quickly, my stomach dropping with each line.

"This happened last night?" I asked, the last traces of sleep evaporating instantly.

Rebecca nodded grimly. "All victims are werewolf researchers. And look at their symptoms—selective memory loss, specifically about their neurological research projects."

"Jesus..." I whispered, my mind racing. "This is Ethan, isn't it? He's testing the memory drug."

"That's what we think. The symptoms match everything we found in Lyra's files." Rebecca's fingers tightened around the tablet's edge. "They're only losing memories related to specific research. It's too precise to be regular trauma."

My heart pounded faster. "How are the victims? Are they conscious?"

"They're awake but disoriented. They remember who they are, where they work, everything except details about one specific research project—the one involving werewolf neural transmitters."

I felt cold dread spreading through me. "We need to get everyone together. Now."

---

Twenty minutes later, I sat at the head of the conference table, freshly showered but still feeling rattled. Rebecca had assembled everyone quickly. Andy arrived first, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze as he took the seat beside me. His presence was reassuring after last night's events.

Vanessa came in next, looking elegant despite the early hour. Her expression remained guarded, our conversation from yesterday still hanging between us.

Rocco was the last to enter, looking like he hadn't slept at all. His hair was disheveled, his eyes bloodshot. He avoided looking directly at me or Andy, taking a seat at the far end of the table.

"Let's get started," I said, pushing aside the awkwardness that filled the room. "Rebecca, show them what we found."

Rebecca connected her tablet to the main display, bringing up the news article and medical reports. "This facility was hit last night. All affected researchers were working on neural transmitter studies specific to werewolf memory formation."

"And we believe this is Ethan's work?" Andy asked, leaning forward.

"We have confirmation," Rebecca replied, switching to security footage. "The surveillance cameras caught this."

The grainy video showed a man in a dark jacket moving through a hallway, his face obscured by a cap. Though his features weren't clear, something about his movements was distinctly familiar.

"Look at how he turns his wrist," Andy pointed out. "That's Ethan's nervous tic. I'd recognize it anywhere."

Jennifer nodded in agreement. "The system analyzed his gait pattern. It's a 95% match to our records."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "He's finally made a mistake. Left himself exposed."

"Now we know his operational area," Rocco spoke for the first time, his voice hoarse. "We can start tracking his movements, narrow down his base of operations."

I nodded, trying to stay focused on the threat rather than the tension in the room. "Andy, what else did your team find?"

Andy pulled up additional files. "All the victims were researching a specific neurotransmitter involved in werewolf memory formation. According to their colleagues, they were making significant breakthroughs."

"There's more," Rebecca added, her expression grave. "We obtained visitor records from the medical center. Ethan visited multiple times in the two days before the attack, using a false identity. He was searching for something specific."

"He's not just testing the drug," I realized, the pieces clicking together. "He's destroying evidence and eliminating anyone who knows about his work."

"This suggests he's preparing for something bigger," Andy said, his analytical mind working through the implications. "This is just the prelude to his main plan."

"But what does this have to do with Kim and Lyra?" Vanessa interrupted, her voice sharp with worry.

Andy looked thoughtful. "Memory drugs, consciousness transfer... these two technologies complement each other. Lyra can transfer consciousness, but the recipient's memories would interfere. Ethan's drug could clear those memories."

The implication hit me like a physical blow. "They're planning mass consciousness transfers. Creating an army of werewolves completely loyal to them."

A heavy silence fell over the room as everyone processed this horrifying possibility.

"We need to track Ethan's movements," Andy said finally, pulling up a city map. "We've marked every location where our surveillance systems have picked up his presence in the last few weeks."

Red dots appeared across the map, concentrating in three main areas. Andy circled them. "Based on these patterns, we've identified three likely operation centers. One is an abandoned pharmaceutical factory."

"I found something critical in the medical center records," Rebecca added. "Ethan specifically searched for information about an experimental compound storage. That compound is currently housed in a warehouse in the eastern district."

"That must be his next target," I said, studying the map. "We need to move quickly."

"I'll mobilize a security team to watch the warehouse," Rocco offered. "We can set up an ambush."

"There's a problem," Andy countered. "If Ethan already has enough of the memory drug, anyone who gets close is at risk."

Rebecca nodded. "We've started researching possible protective measures, but we need time."

"We don't have time," I said, making a decision. "We need to split up. One team monitors the warehouse, another investigates the other locations, and a third works on developing countermeasures."

Andy outlined an initial plan. "I'll lead the team at the warehouse. Jennifer can check out the pharmaceutical factory. Kira can coordinate from here."

"No," I objected immediately. "I'm not sitting this one out. I'll lead the investigation at the research facility."

Vanessa looked alarmed. "That's too dangerous."

"The research facility is the most dangerous location," Rocco said suddenly. "I'll go with Kira."

Andy's head snapped up, his expression hardening. "That's not a good idea. Rocco should lead the warehouse team. They'll need more firepower there."

"I understand Ethan's patterns," Rocco insisted. "And protecting Kira is the priority."

Andy's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure that's just a tactical consideration? Or is there something else?"

I tried to defuse the situation. "We need to focus on the mission, not personal issues."

"This is entirely tactical," Rocco said, meeting Andy's gaze directly. "If you really cared about Kira's safety, you wouldn't object."

Andy stepped between me and Rocco, his voice low but firm. "I don't agree with this arrangement. Kira doesn't need your 'protection.'"

"This isn't a request, Andy," Rocco replied, his tone ice-cold.

Andy turned to me, his eyes searching mine. "Are you really okay with this arrangement? Are you sure it's safe to go with him?"