Fur, Cloak and Dagger (Team Greywolf Series Book 4)

by Eva Gordon

  Becker nodded. “We are working on determining how this retrovirus switches the shifter gene.”

  Rylee turned to Dr. Becker. “So only those wolves have the possibility of being manipulated by some scientist to create a chimera?”

  “Earlier this year, Lev brought back blood samples from some of the Siberian packs.”

  “What did you find?” asked Emma.

  Becker said, “The same retrovirus found in an isolated Eastern Siberian pack, but only a few of the alphas carry it. This human endogenous retrovirus allows the Stallo gene to initiate the change. It may be easier to manipulate it to go from man to wolf. If the pictures give any indication, this process is pure failure when going from human to wolf.”

  Rylee turned to Duko. “Is it possible some of the men actually survived the change and were not amongst the dead?”

  Duko nodded. “I believe so, madam. I noted an odd residual scent, human and wolf, but not like us.”

  Nik furrowed his brow. “Dr. Becker, do you think all the alphas carry the retrovirus?”

  “Unlikely. We found this retrovirus to be rare. Finding it in the suspect packs will be like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

  Emma asked, “Is the Verhoyansk pack missing?”

  “Only one way to find out,” said Nik.

  Emma turned to him. “As in going to Verhoyansk?”

  “Yes. Better that I go alone.”

  Dr. Becker turned to Rylee, “Is Gaby available?”

  Rylee shook her head. “Our wolf charmer and Steele are on a mission in India.”

  “I’ll go,” said Emma.

  “You will freeze your ass,” said Nik.

  “I’ve been stationed in Antarctica,” said Emma.

  “Why? Studying penguins?” Nik scoffed.

  “Catching a Russian mole,” she said in Russian.

  “You speak Russian?”

  “I speak five languages.”

  Rylee smiled. “It helps that Emma has a photographic memory and a wolfish ear for accents.”

  Emma blushed. “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “And I thought you were the girl next door.” Nik shook his head. “Still too dangerous.”

  “I’m not the girl next door.”

  “I can join the pack they are looking for, but I won’t be able to protect you.”

  Emma smirked. “I don’t need your protection. Trust me. I’ve been in tighter situations. Besides, whoever is behind this might have hired Project Sabertooth to kill my father and me.”

  Rylee nodded. “Precisely.”

  Nik turned to Rylee. “You can’t mean to send our new Ms. H. on such a risky mission?”

  “Why not? Her father went on a suicide mission shortly after he took over.”

  Nik looked at Emma. “You have no children. Who will take over if something happens to you?”

  “Not my problem,” said Emma.

  “We have two humans from the UK division being trained as a second to their current Mr. H.”

  Emma scowled at Nik. “I’m dispensable so you have nothing to worry about.”

  Nik wanted to put her over his knees. Such a pretty woman willing to die for what? Something the team could handle without human interference.

  “Wrong, you are not dispensable,” said Rylee, her expression unreadable. “You both take the greatest care.” She narrowed her eyes at Nik. “Since Emma is valuable to our kind, you will protect her above all else.”

  “No problem.” Nik muttered, “If she knows how to listen.”

  “Not my first or last assignment,” snapped Emma.

  Rylee stood. “You will locate and hide the wolf pack. Nothing more. This will be more like a camping trip rather than an espionage mission. Understood?”

  Nik and Emma nodded.

  “Jesper, create identities for Emma and Nik. They leave in two days.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Emma, Cricket will show you to your new quarters. In the meantime, notify the CIA, you are following a lead to your father’s death. If someone in the CIA is involved in chimera experiments then he or she might make their move.”

  Dr. Becker spoke. “I suspect the mastermind behind this is getting help from a rogue werewolf.”

  Duko shook his head. “None of my charges were involved.”

  “Regardless, Dominic will interview them.” The infamous enforcer would find out if anyone had helped the bad guys.

  Duko winced. “Trust me. Even I, a beta, smelled the truth.”

  Rylee said, “They should be at Dominic’s by now. He’ll let me know.”

  “What about me?” asked Duko.

  “Join your charges at Dominic’s compound.”

  “When do I return to Croatia?”

  “Give us a month. All the lone wolves throughout the world have been ordered to join a local pack until it’s safe. At least, they are attempting the genetic manipulation with real wolves and not us. For now,” said Rylee. “You are all excused.” She turned to Emma. “Cricket will meet you here in five minutes to take you to your home.”

  Nik turned to Emma. “See you soon, partner,” he drawled with his best Texan accent.

  Chapter Four

  Emma followed Cricket to her apartment or what the lycans called den. Fortunately, her quarters were upstairs in the ranch house. Being human, it worked out better. Less pack rules. Best of all, far away from Nik. He was old-fashioned about the idea of putting a woman in peril. Lycans had no qualms about sending females into danger. On top of his annoying protectiveness, his good looks were too damn distracting. Cricket unlocked the door and entered. The tastefully furnished suite had Western themed décor throughout. There were even fresh flowers in a vase on top of pinewood dining table. “I could get used to this.”

  “Rylee designed every room.”

  “Really?” She couldn’t imagine the top alpha working on something so domestic.

  “Believe it or not, Rylee could start an interior decorating business. She renovated our quarters below.”

  Emma had been downstairs to the lycan lairs, but she’d had no idea who designed the interiors.

  “Let me give you the grand tour of the den then we can make coffee.”

  “Sounds good.” Not only did she have a huge bedroom, palatial bathroom and a large kitchen fitted for a cooking gourmet, she also had a personal office equipped with a computer, printer and filing cabinets.

  “The entire den is a smart home.” They returned to the kitchen and Cricket spoke, “Prepare French roast coffee for two.”

  The coffee started brewing. Emma grabbed two mugs from the cabinet. “Would you like cream and sugar?”

  “Yep.”

  Emma nodded. She prepared the mugs then handed one to Cricket. “Let’s sit.”

  “By the fireplace,” said Cricket.

  They sat on the sofa facing the fireplace. Emma sipped. “Good coffee.”

  “Rylee only orders the best.”

  “Must be nice to be the alpha of alphas.”

  Cricket shrugged. “Personally, having that much control would be a burden.”

  “So true.” Emma tilted her head to the side. “How long have you known Nik?”

  “Not too long, about six months. Slade and I invite him to hang with us for dinner or to watch a game whenever he’s in town.” She laughed. “You need to get used to his obsession with old American movies. Especially, his choice of cheesy spy and western movies.”

  “Interesting.” She checked her fingernails as if looking for a chipped nail.

  Cricket smirked. “You have the hots for him.”

  Emma frowned. “No. I’m just vetting my partner.” I prefer working alone.

  Cricket whispered, “I scented his attraction to you.”

  Typical alpha male. “I’ll admit, he’s handsome, but honestly, are you sure he is trustworthy?”

  Cricket scowled as if Emma insulted her best friend. “Very. Nik helped us escape Nazi werewolves so I give him an A for loyalty.” A slow
smile appeared on her lips. “Got to admit, he’s a hottie. Lucky for him, I have a mate or I’d be all over him.”

  Emma lowered her gaze. “I shouldn’t think of other men.” Specifically, lycan men.

  Cricket’s brows drew together. She draped an arm over Emma’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to joke so soon after Danny’s death.”

  Only a few team members, including Cricket, knew about her fiancé’s death. He and the two other field agents had been murdered. “That’s okay. He’s gone and I can’t bring him back.” Although, I’ll have my day of revenge.

  Cricket patted her shoulder. “Your heart is broken and I wasn’t thinking.”

  “About Nik Sokolov.”

  “Yes.”

  “He seems more human than werewolf.”

  Cricket chuckled. “You probably know more about lycan culture than he does.”

  “So I noticed.”

  “Nik thought he was the last of his kind, until he ended up captured by the rogue Nazi pack. To be honest, we didn’t know if he’d work for us. Fortunately, he decided to join Team Greywolf. You’re right; he does have a tough time with lycan rules. When he was still a wolf, his pack was massacred. Had it not been for former KGB agent, Colonel Oleg Sokolov, he too would have been killed. After that, Nik was raised to be a military intelligence officer.”

  “How could he not have known there were other lycans?”

  “In the 80s, all Siberian werewolf packs were massacred.”

  “Tragic.” He might be annoying, worse, dang attractive, but she couldn’t help feel something she hadn’t felt since Danny died, a need for a man. Knowing he’d had a sad life brought out her buried nurturing side. Yet, she shouldn’t have any romantic feelings for a werewolf. Not unless she wanted to be claimed as his pet. Not happening. Technically, she and her father belonged to Rylee, but only for lycan records. The LIA had always treated them with respect. Their low status became an issue only when they faced other packs. For the most part, there had been no need to visit other packs.

  “You will love working with Nik. He is a powerful alpha and will die protecting you.”

  “But he’s new to the LIA.” Her suspicious nature still had doubts. “An enemy agent could easily pretend to be loyal. A double agent might even fool Rylee.” Emma sighed. “Sorry, I’ve had plenty of experience with people you’d never suspect as moles.”

  “Nik worked for Russian intelligence and still has contact with his comrades, however, Rylee trusts him. Besides, Lev used his powerful mind control to make sure he’s legit,” Cricket added.

  Emma curiosity piqued. “Lev seems the most interesting of the lot.” She’d read everything in Chernobyl Werewolf’s file.

  “Yep. Good thing he’s on our side.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Lev and Nik hit it off. They enjoy telling us how much better it is to be Russian. Nik keeps a cabin next to Lev and Rachel’s place.”

  “Good to know, he’s got a paw on lycan ground.”

  Cricket rolled her eyes. “Human humor.”

  “Sorry, couldn’t resist.”

  “We finally got used to Nik’s ‘Nikisms.’ ”

  “What’s that?”

  “His attempt to master American idioms.”

  Emma laughed. “He also needs to tone down his Russian accent, maybe a couple notches.”

  “Any who, Nik spends most of his time on missions. Won’t lie. He was pissed Rylee called him away from pursuing Saskia.”

  “He made that very loud and clear. Saskia is one of the escaped Nazi werewolves and a serial killer.”

  “When they captured Nik, he was supposed to have mated her.”

  “Really?”

  “He dodged that bullet.” She sighed. “Or dodged that bite.”

  “I bet.” Did he pursue Saskia because he’d been drawn to her as a mate? Nah, she was a murderer. Then again, once the wolf felt a love bond, that sort of history didn’t matter as much. Maybe he hoped to turn her.

  Cricket wrinkled her brow. “What’s really odd is when we go to bars, Nik doesn’t drink alcohol.”

  Red flags and not necessarily old Soviet ones flashed before her. “Maybe he’s an alcoholic?”

  “No. At least Slade and I don’t think so. Rylee might, but she won’t share.”

  Emma bit the inside of her cheek and stared at her mug. “Hmm. I bet if that was an issue, Rylee would let me know.”

  “I’m sure she would, unless the almighty Rylee doesn’t know.” She laughed. “Maybe, he just doesn’t like the taste.”

  “Yeah right.”

  Emma changed the subject. “I wonder if my father’s cottage is still here.” Her eyes prickled with tears. “I remember staying there just about every summer since age ten. When I was twelve, Rylee introduced me to your world.” She traced the silvery claw marks on her arm. “Marked me.”

  “The cabin belongs to you. If you prefer, you can stay there.”

  “Perhaps someday.” Until she settled into her new position, she’d stay close to headquarters. She glanced at Cricket. “Did you know my father?”

  “Only by phone. I never met Mr. H. in person.”

  “Now as a top LIA agent, I’m sure you would have.”

  Cricket smiled. “Explains why I got to meet you. As a matter of fact, Rylee wants me to be at your beck and call while you’re here.”

  “My handler.”

  “We jokingly say your border collie.”

  “Huh?”

  “As in a herding dog.”

  “That makes me feel sheep. You know as in cheap.”

  Cricket shook her head. “Baaad.”

  Emma liked that Cricket seemed looser about pack rules. “I noticed you didn’t demand to take the first sip before I did?”

  “As far as I’m concerned when it’s just the two of us, or on an outside mission, we act like normal girlfriends. No wolfish behavior.” Cricket lowered her voice. “Which I personally detest.”

  “I understand after all you went through.”

  “How much do you know about me?”

  “I’ve read the files of all the top LIA agents, including Team Greywolf, and plan to learn more about the others after this mission.” I need to read Nik’s file as well as any other new assets.

  “You know I was born a runt.”

  “The only runt to survive the change. More human than wolf, which makes you the perfect agent for infiltrating human society.”

  She smiled. “Got that right. And to think I’m married to Slade, who is more wolf than man.”

  “Not to mention, a prince who gave up his royal status to take you as his mate.”

  “That’s the werewolf gossip of the century.” She wrinkled her nose. “Sort of. First, there was Mia, a human with the Stallo gene who married our alpha enforcer, Dominic. Next, Dr. Rachel Becker, another Stallo woman, who bitten by Lev, turned werewolf.”

  Emma nodded. “Yep, I’ve kept abreast of all lycan politics for the past five years.”

  Cricket furrowed her brow. “Any regrets?”

  “No. I understood the commitment from the time I was a preteen.” The reality of the responsibility suddenly hit her. She took a long sip of coffee and swallowed.

  “I’ve read about you as well,” said Cricket.

  “Here I thought my bio was classified.” Emma laughed.

  “It is, but I received clearance on you, our greatest asset.”

  “So tell me. What do you know about me?”

  “Honestly, not much except you are Mr. H.’s only child, and a brilliant field agent for the CIA. Code name Cloak. Like your father, you are a master of disguise.”

  “I have my share of tricks.”

  “Including some anti-lycan accessories, like vaporo and the high frequency weapon you carry in your purse.”

  Emma flinched, then shot her a fixed stare. “Did you go through my stuff?” She was cool with Cricket being her handler, but not at the cost of invading her privacy.

  �
��Didn’t have to. Rylee told me you carry those items, but unlike anyone else in the LIA and in our territory, you are allowed to do so.” Cricket sighed. “Sorry, I sense you are pissed. Trust me, no one else knows about your secret stash.”

  Emma gave a half-hearted shrug. “I guess there are some perks to being the key human for the LIA.”

  “I also know you have a perfect photographic memory, which makes you an even better team member.”

  Emma’s gift didn’t save her team’s life. If anything, it had been a distraction. She’d joined them late while she read a file on a nefarious big pharma company Danny had been tracking.

  “You need to stay safe, not only from enemy humans, but enemy werewolves.”

  Goose flesh prickled Emma’s skin. “Duly noted.” Rogue and criminal werewolves were a growing problem and they’d take pleasure in removing the LIA’s top human. The infamous Russian werewolf mafia, The Chess Piece gang and the rogue Nazi werewolves were far more dangerous than any human villain. Even the lycan king preferred to cut ties with humans. Emma was valuable to the LIA, but not necessarily to the rest of the packs, who distrusted most humans. She could offer proof werewolves really existed. However, the three claws on her arm were part of a blood vow. If broken, it doomed her to immediate execution.

  “Has anybody ever asked about the claw scars?” Cricket asked.

  Emma smoothed her sleeve over them. “When my friends, and Danny, asked about them, I convinced them I was attacked by a wolf.” She snorted. “Not far from the truth.”

  “To be honest, none of us are safe. I worry when Slade is on assignment.”

  “How long has he been away?”

  “Two days, but it feels like months.”

  “I’m surprised you didn’t go with him. Don’t you go on missions as partners?”

  “Yes, despite his over protectiveness. This time, Rylee had me stay behind since most of the operation is battle rather than intelligence gathering.”

  “Well, that’s good. I have someone I can relate to.”

  “You’ll like our newbie she-wolf Rachel and Dominic’s human wife, Mia, who just had a baby boy.”

  “I look forward to meeting them.”

  “You and I have something in common.”

  “Oh?” Emma wanted to say they were both petite, but Cricket might be insulted.