by Eva Gordon
“No. It’s not my first trip to Russia, but my first to Siberia.”
He smiled. “Novosibirsk is big industrial and scientific city.”
She batted her luscious eyelashes at him. “I am not exactly a geographic dummy. I know Siberia is not made up of penal shacks in the middle of nowhere.”
“Where we are going, it will seem like nowhere.” The heat between them radiated and stirred his arousal.
She adjusted her body so as not to be so close, as if she sensed his lust. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Her scent told him she fought to stay in control. He swallowed and focused on a normal conversation. “You like the forests?”
“I’ve hiked just about every national forest. My nanny taught me to appreciate nature.”
Nik furrowed his brow. “Nanny, like kind babushka?”
Emma snorted. “More like nanny with fur and claws.”
He whispered in her ear, “Lycan?”
“Yep. Her name is Mara, my original handler.”
“Interesting. I bet you were a wild child.”
“That describes me to a T.” She cocked her head. “Are you happy to return to Siberia?”
Part of him wanted to tell her he always felt sad when visiting Siberia, but instead he smiled. “I’ll be happy to fly a helicopter again.” Nik arranged for his Russian contacts to leave a helicopter for him to make the final leg to the Verhoyansk Mountain range.
“You aren’t rusty, I hope.”
“Trust me. There will be no rust.”
Emma watched Nik run through takeoff checklist for the helicopter. They donned headsets to communicate over the deafening noise. Although securely buckled in, she had qualms about flying the old thing. Not the modern model she’d expected, but he seemed as familiar with the flight dashboard and controls as she was with riding horses. Nik grinned, in his element. Most werewolves preferred being on the ground, but Nik might as well have been a hawk shifter. That is, if bird shifters even existed.
He glanced at her. “Ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
The helicopter rose and flew above the dense green forest. A carpet of never ending tree tops, primitive and impenetrable. Untouched. The snow had started to thaw in the late spring waning sunlight. She could only imagine what it would be like in the middle of winter. A cozy cabin with Nik, snuggled in his arms, in front of a blazing fireplace. What’s wrong with me? I have to stop thinking of Nik as a romantic interest. I’m a professional agent, not some giddy girl in love with a supernatural creature.
Nik turned to her. “Navigating northeast.”
“How close to the wolf pack will we get?”
“First, we will land at a secluded cabin. From there, I’ll follow the pack’s scent.”
Ugh. Secluded cabin. Were her desires coming to life? She focused on their mission. “How will I keep up when you go after the wolves?”
“We’ll try to get you a pony.”
“I think you mean a horse.”
“Compared to the giant horse you rode back in the arena, this one will be much smaller.”
He probably meant the small Mongolian type horses. The sturdy mounts were so short her feet would probably drag the ground. “I can hike.”
“Better that you stay in cabin while I search.”
“Remember, I have to take blood samples to bring back to Becker’s lab for analysis.”
He nodded. “Yes, but then I will command them to go deeper into the forest. Safe from those who mean to kill them.”
“We are on the same page, then.”
Nik glanced at her. “The first page.”
The helicopter bounced and shook.
“Sorry about bumpy ride.”
Helicopters handled turbulence better than planes. “Not bad, if you don’t mind riding old junkets.”
“What is junket?”
“This helicopter must be decades old.”
“It’s an M-8. Works good. This one survived the Afghan War of 1985.” He frowned. “Don’t judge book.”
Another, idiom he messed up, or what Cricket called “Nikism.” Don’t judge a book by its cover. “Still, was this the best your comrades could provide?”
“Belonged to foster father.”
“A human?”
“Yes, top KGB operative who saved my ass.”
Cricket had filled her in about what she knew of Nikolay. The entire time he worked as a Russian military operative, he thought he was the only werewolf. He’d been taken in by a retired KGB agent, who kept him safe during Nik’s change. The man must have been surprised when the wolf turned human. “Colonel Oleg Sokolov?”
“Yes. Father and mentor. You know of him?”
“As I understand it, he was one of the few humans ever recorded to witness the change.”
“And lived to speak about it. Although, he never talked to anyone. He took the secret with him to the grave. That is until I met others like me.”
“I noticed you don’t take status rules so seriously.”
He laughed. “I am alpha. Perhaps, I should.” He raised his brow. “How do I not act like top wolf?”
“For one, you don’t seem to mind when I drink or eat before you do.”
“Ah, that is a stupid rule. I prefer to let lovely ladies eat and drink first.”
“I bet you do.”
He stared at his navigation gauges. “Getting closer to cabin.”
“We need to hide the helicopter.”
“Not necessary. We are research team.”
As if old battle helicopters made good research vehicles. Then again, her cover was a research biologist on a budget. “I just hope we get to the pack before whoever’s behind the chimera experiments.”
“If they are humans, we might be lucky. But if they are rogue werewolves, how shall I say, our luck will run out.”
“Unfortunately, if my theory is right, a team of humans and werewolves could be our undoing.”
“I will keep you safe.”
“Actually, I thought I should keep you safe.”
“Perhaps, we should follow lycan rules to remind you I’m superior alpha.”
“So you can fight off a pack of enemy werewolves?”
“Can you, smarty slacks?”
“You mean smarty pants.” If we return unscathed, I’ll get him a book of American idioms.
“Exactly.”
“I have a few tricks up my sleeves.”
“So you brought the vaporo?”
“And a high frequency wolf paralyzing stunner. Plus, my usual accessories.”
“Good to know in case I piss you off.”
“Just a warning.” Emma smiled.
Over the engine din and static, she barely heard the navigation woman’s tinny Russian voice. “Arriving at designated location.”
Emma peered out the window at a small dilapidated cabin with a broken down fence surrounded by weeds. “Might as well camp outside.”
“No. Bears might want you. What Americans call ‘fast food.’ ”
“Trust me, if a bear wants in, he’ll simply whack off that rickety door.”
“You are in for a surprise.”
The helicopter landed and once the propellers stopped, they stepped out.
Nik opened the unlocked cabin door. “Go in. I will bring in our cargo.”
Emma ducked under the thick cobwebs. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” She scanned the small circa Bolshevik Revolution cabin. The place hadn’t been swept in years. The sink was broken. Probably no pipes. Ugh. No bathroom. Good thing she brought a box of tissue paper.
Nik winked. “We are home, honey.”
“This place is older than the helicopter.”
“Actually, the LIA purchased this old Soviet secret base. I convinced Rylee we should have a place in Siberia.”
“Excellent cover because not even druggies would want to move in.”
Nik carried in a box and placed it in the small bedroom. “We’ll put everythi
ng in the closet.”
Emma glanced at the small bullet riddled closet. “Good luck.”
Nik laughed. “You think this is where we are staying?”
“I didn’t see any tourist lodges or hotels, so yeah.”
“Watch.” Nik opened the small closet, grabbed a remote from the top shelf and pressed a red button. The back wall of the closet opened into a modern elevator.
“Hmm.”
Nik winked. “Come.”
“Actually, I’m getting a The Man from U.N.C.L.E vibe.” She entered the elevator and he pressed a button.
She counted five floors as they descended. The doors opened and she entered what looked like a survival prepper’s paradise. The place had beds, rows of canned food, a kitchen with modern sinks. “Impressive.”
“Russian fall-out shelter from old Soviet era.”
“No picture of Stalin, I see.” She raised her brow. “How did you find this place?”
“My mentor once brought me here. A long time ago. Which is why I’m familiar with the area.”
“You never mentioned this at our last meeting.”
He smiled. “Rylee already knew, but for the rest, it is on a need to know basis.”
“Next time, fill me in.”
“I just did.”
“I mean ahead of time.” They were partners after all. Emma inspected the area. “Looks like old style surveillance cameras.”
“Yes. We can make sure we were not followed.”
“Do you expect the pack to follow us to this area?”
“No. It is better if they find a new territory. Far from civilization.”
A table held board games, including a chess game as well as cards. “When do we start our search?”
He opened a drawer and took out two phones, then he handed one to her. “Maybe you should stay here, and I go in wolf form.”
She took the phone. “Hey, remember I’m the wolf biologist, so think again.”
He sighed. “Okay. We will take the helicopter a little closer, land and then hike for several miles.”
“Better.”
“Shall we leave after lunch?”
Emma nodded. “Sounds good, but will we fly back at night or make camp up there?”
“No. We will camp.”
“Okay. I’ll bring my backpack. I have a tent and food.”
“Very good,” he said.
“Big enough for two.” Her cheeks burned. “I mean for two sleeping bags.”
“No need to share warmth. I will remain in wolf form.”
“Not what I meant.” Part of her was relieved. Just the two of them, she envisioned awkward moments with the handsome werewolf in a tent. Better he curl up as a wolf. Less temptation for erotic shenanigans. Having a werewolf with superior senses guarding their camp guaranteed she’d have a good night’s sleep.
Nik opened the cabinet. “Time for some borsht.”
“I take it we don’t have chicken noodle soup.”
“I can add canned beef to borsht.”
“No thanks.” Good thing she brought her own snacks and freeze-dried food. She opened a gun cabinet. “A Yarygin pistol.” She took it out and added a magazine. “Reminds me of my Glock.”
“Yes, you can borrow it.”
She smiled. “Thanks.”
Chapter Six
Nik set the helicopter down smoothly in the middle of a meadow. He unbuckled and turned to her. “Ready, comrade?”
Emma nodded. She stepped out with her backpack and pulled out a navigation device. “Do I even need this?”
“No. I have their scent.”
She tucked the device back into her pack. “Okay, lead the way.”
Nik also had a small daypack. The type with a harness designed for a werewolf. He began to strip and smiled as Emma blushed and turned around.
“A little warning, please.”
“If you are going to work with werewolves, you must get used to nudity.” He stepped out of his pants. Good thing she averted her eyes this time. His blatant erection would have created an uncomfortable situation. Why couldn’t he think of her as just a comrade?
“Some things will never change. Humans are modest, but I’ll do my best.”
Nik shivered in the chill. When in human form, they could tolerate extreme temperatures. The shock of it made him appreciate the extra fur. Not that it helped ease his hardness. He stuffed his clothing in his pack and snapped on the harness. Once he shifted, the harness would expand to accommodate his larger frame. “After I shift, I can only communicate with canine gestures.”
With her back to him, she said, “No problem. I’m quite familiar with non-verbal wolf communication.”
“I will keep the pace slow, but if we get separated, blow your whistle.”
“As long as you remember I’m weighed down by a thirty pound pack.”
“See those mountains to the left?”
Emma turned, but stared only at the mountains. “Yes.”
“We will go up that trail. At the top, I’ll signal the pack with a welcoming howl that I’m approaching their territory.”
“I’m ready.”
Nik shifted to wolf form. The thick fur warmed him instantly. He flared his nose. Odd. He scented only five individuals. Were they too late?
He walked at a steady pace up the mountain. He was impressed Emma kept up without insisting on resting. Nonetheless, Nik stopped halfway to let her catch her breath. She took the opportunity to drink water.
Nik cocked his head to the side, in a gesture asking if she was ready.
Emma put the water bottle away. “Lead on.”
He liked her tenacity, bravery, sweet aroma and kickass body. He wouldn’t mind being her pet wolf. Wrong as it might be in their society, his wolf had a strong desire to learn more about her, both in and out of the den.
Finally, they reached the ridge. Nik sat and howled.
A few moments later, several howls answered. The howls were not hostile, but not welcoming either. Cautious.
Slowly, the pack appeared out of the thick forest like ghostly figures. Snarling and growling. Their pungent odor signaled their fear. His larger bear size form would frighten any beast. Their fear intensified as Emma made her way toward them. Then he understood. The beta male stepped closer then bowed his head to Nik. In the language of the feral wolf, he spoke to Nik. Their alpha pair was dead.
Emma set up the tent while Nik, back in human form, donned his clothes. The wolf pack stood a few yards away. They watched, but fortunately, did not run away. She was more than curious to find out what Nik had communicated with them about.
Nik joined her. “The pack said men shot the alpha pair and took their bodies on a sky bird. Their word for helicopter.”
“Killed or tranquilized?”
Nik’s fangs emerged and his tone turned fierce. “Killed. The alpha pair ordered them to escape while they faced the danger. The beta watched from a distance as the alpha pair were shot from the helicopter and fell. The men put them into a container and took them.”
“To the pack, the tranquilized wolves would appear dead.”
“No. They smelled their death.”
Damn. They had been too late. “How long ago?”
“Their concept of time is different from ours, but they said after the ice melt.”
“Which could mean yesterday, or several months ago.”
“I’m guessing about two weeks.”
“So we missed them.”
“The pack senses bad men will return.”
“If only alphas carry the retrovirus, why would they come back?”
“Another younger wolf, an alpha is up there.” He pointed to a white wolf on the ridge.
“Now what?”
“We move them to higher ground before these men return. I’ll cover their tracks.”
She rubbed her forehead. “Are there any pups?”
“No cubs this year.”
“We better get going.”
Nik sighed. “
I should return you to the cabin.”
“That will take too much time.”
“If the enemy shows up, it will be too dangerous for you.”
“I’ve gone on far riskier missions so cut that crap. Besides, can’t you protect me from a few humans?”
Nik quirked a smile. “Of course I can.”
“And I promise to watch your ass as well.”
He patted his muscular bottom and grinned. “That pleases me.” Nik, typical of alpha werewolves, was motivated by sex even if only innuendo.
“Anyway, we can have them take us to their lab.”
“There is no ‘we.’ They will not invite you.”
“Leave that to me.”
Nik shook his head. “Actually, that’s where my persuasion comes in.”
Emma sighed. “I’m counting on it.” Long ago, several alphas used mind control to control humans, but it backfired and caused a rift with other packs and nearly caused their extinction. Stopping them from killing more wolves and creating monsters was definitely the exception to the rule.
Nik stiffened. “I hear a helicopter.”
“It must be them.” She squinted and searched the empty sky.
“Okay, time to shift.”
“Shit. There’s only one problem.”
“What?”
“You are too big to be a normal wolf.”
Nik sighed. “That is a problem.”
The helicopter drew closer.
“You will stick to being Boris, my guide. The cover Rylee gave you.”
“No problem.”
The wolves whined and then fell to the ground. Whimpering before they became unconscious.
Nik fell onto his knees and covered his ears. “High frequency weapon is…” He pummeled to the ground.
Emma knelt at his side and felt his pulse. Alive. “Nik!” She shook him, but to no avail. He was out cold.
The sound didn’t bother her, but how would she explain how Nik got knocked out? She grabbed his legs and dragged him into the bushes. She covered him with leaves and fallen branches.
From the helicopter, three men grabbed a rope and descended. The helicopter flew away, perhaps to wait in the meadow.
Emma stood in front of her tent as they approached. “Hello,” she said in Russian.
One of the men spoke to another in English, “Tell her, she is on private property.”