by Eva Gordon
“How many wolves out there are former werewolves?”
“I venture to guess about a hundred globally, but they often die early due to hunting or hunger since most wolf packs shun them.”
“So why not just kill them?
“We do, but it is up to the alpha pack leader. It all depends on the severity of the crime and, unfortunately, for good or bad how closely related the offender is to the alpha.”
“Oh, so if you are a sibling, odds are you are turned back to a wolf rather than face death.”
“There is that. We also feel the wolves that manage to join a pack help the wolf populations.”
“So how does one distinguish between a wolf and a former werewolf?”
“They tend to be bigger and have a special marking, but not as big as our lycan wolf form.”
“What type of marking?”
He stood and extended his hand. “Come. Until you sign the contract, save all your questions for later.”
Rachel shivered, and took his hand.
Chapter 16
Rachel stood beside Lev as the elevator descended twelve levels before stopping. No one got on or off prior. Then again this was not a department store or hospital, but a secret underground werewolf base. The only thing missing from the creepy scene was the “muahahaha” laughter over the speakers. Her breathing grew rapid. A strong desire to run out as soon as the doors opened increased her hyperventilation.
Lev lifted her chin, and she met his eyes. “Rachel, breathe slow. You are safe.”
Rachel nodded and overwhelming calmness warmed her.
The elevator doors opened, and they stepped out. Lev narrowed his eyes. “Come.” His tone ice cold.
At least he didn’t say heel. She followed him closely. Completely overcome with relief on not seeing a pit of werewolves snarling at the edible human. Why would she think they were cannibals? Lev gave no indication they preyed on humans. This was werewolf, not zombie, central. The interior was what she’d expected of a secret agency situation room, people worked on computer panels. If said agency was located in an underground bunker. No cubicles. Big screens lined the black stone walls, some displaying videos of people walking in big cities. One circular table displayed a hologram of geographic areas around the globe. Canines living with futuristic technology. Imagine what their research facility looked like. She glanced at one screen of a man jogging along a desert trail. Who were they monitoring? Did they have their own satellites or tapped into others? Big bad wolf is watching you. Oddly enough, blue light glowed throughout, reminding her of deep ocean bioluminescence. Did the lighting have to do with their eye physiology? It would be fun to tell conspiracy nut Jim, a secret werewolf society existed in their very midst. Fun until she was executed for spilling the beans or rather kibble. Not to mention Jim and possibly Maggie being included in the death sentence. Something this big would cause Jim to blurt it out to the entire world with one send to every social network.
The men and woman briefly stopped their work, glanced at her, followed by a rather obvious sniff. Dog-like. Lev had told her, lycans sniff to identify and she shouldn’t be offended. Had nothing to do with a bad body odor. More like a greeting of sorts. A shiver crawled down her spine and she pressed her elbows against her sides. Not just from the idea of being surrounded by a new species, but because of the cold temperature. Whether with or without fur, lycans were hot blooded and nearly impervious to cold.
None of the workers made direct eye contact with Lev. They lowered their head in deference. Lev was definitely top dog around here. Not shy about showing his cold dominance either. Since leaving the plane, he no longer gave her that warm wolf-fur fuzzy look. Instead, Lev’s demeanor changed from charming sexy Russian guy to gruff feral alpha. Okay, so maybe he was done with her. Fine. The important thing was staying out of trouble or even a love life and being re-united with Howard. As long as Lev didn’t give any females wolf-fur fuzzy looks. Not that she was in love with him. It had to be lust and the aftermath of him being her hero in black shining fur. He fooled her into thinking he was interested in her. Then again, didn’t the very term wolf mean player? Wolfish behavior, wolfish smile and the ever popular wolfish whistle. The big bad wolf in a hot guy’s clothing.
She followed him down the tunnel to a hall and waited in front of a large door. Before they knocked, the door opened.
A young petite brunette, wearing a form-fitting camouflage suit, greeted them in a reception area with museum-quality paintings prominently displayed on the walls. Wolves in various scenes. Some pieces looked classical, while others modern. They must have their own Leonardo de Lycan or Puppy Picasso.
Lev sniffed the attractive woman and smiled. “Hey.”
She bowed her head, but bore a defiant demeanor on her face. Yep, a smirk. “Nice to see you again, Lev.” The woman, who was her height, shot her quick sniff and smiled. “Welcome, Dr. Becker.”
“Please, call me, Rachel.”
“Very well, Rachel. I’m Cricket.”
“I’ve heard the name…” Lev directed a frown at Rachel conveying she keep her mouth shut. “Actually, not a name I expected from a lycan, I mean…unless…you’re human.”
Cricket showed off her small fangs. “All werewolf, Doc. Beta, in fact.”
Rachel got the clear impression she’d somehow insulted Cricket. “Yes, of course.”
“Rylee will see you now. This way.”
They followed Cricket to the very end of the hall, but Lev gently pulled her back. “Rachel, remember what I said about showing respect to Rylee.”
“I got it, like she’s the queen of England.” Don’t piss off the alpha queen.
“The queen of England will not bite your ear off if you step out of bounds.”
Cricket giggled as if enjoying his stress. Or maybe she looked forward to a possible romance rival being maimed.
They entered the large office. Behind a long mahogany desk stood a statuesque blonde-haired woman, her hair up in a bun with highlights of deep silver. She looked about mid-40s. But something about her seemed older, wiser. Maybe lycans aged slower. The head of the LIA was stunningly attractive. Glamorous in a black suit. Red stilettos. Despite her Hollywood movie star appearance, she radiated unchallenged authority. Rachel’s knees weakened in her presence. Rachel focused on the surroundings.
The office could belong to a normal executive as well. Only decorated with wolf paintings on the wall and next to her desk stood a wooden sculpture of a wolf and three cubs. A large water bowl, like the kind for a pet Great Dane lay near the bar. Did she have a dog or was it there in case she shifted and needed water? Would her wolf be as big as Lev’s wolf?
Cricket bowed and slowly rose. “Ma’am. Dr. Rachel Becker.”
Rachel was pleased Cricket used her title and didn’t introduce her as their new human acquisition. A genetic anomaly. She kept her head bowed. Rylee stood, walked up to Lev and Rachel heard her sniff twice. He bowed, looked up and sniffed her once. Interesting. Must be some type of alpha wolf greeting.
Rylee turned her attention to her. “Welcome Rachel, I’m Rylee, head of the Lycan Intelligence Agency Pack. Please, look up. I promise I won’t bite.”
Not yet. Rachel sighed and glanced at her, but not full eye contact. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
Rylee apprised her. “I must say you don’t look at all like your father.”
“I take after my mother’s side.”
“But you have your father’s whiskey eyes.” She inhaled. “Becker’s similar scent. And based on his analysis of your DNA, you have the Stallo gene marker. The shifter mutation.”
Her skin chilled. From the corner of her eye, she saw Lev stiffen. Maybe he just stood more at attention. No. Mention of my DNA appears to have upset him.
Rylee shot him a glance. “Lev, Cricket, leave us alone.”
“Ma’am, should I not stay…she doesn’t know the etiquette of our kind.”
“That’s an order,” Rylee snapped. “Rachel is not the f
irst human I’ve brought into our pack.” She threw him a fanged smile and her tone softened. “Newbie humans don’t get reprimanded for not understanding our rules.”
Lev threw Rachel a concerned look. So, he did care. “Yes, ma’am.” He said something to Rylee in Russian.
She answered in Russian, and he nodded as if appeased. Rachel swallowed. Had Rylee eased Lev’s fear about using her for a breeding or cloning program? And how the hell would they eventually reprimand her if she broke some wolfish social taboo?
Cricket turned to Lev. “Why don’t you join Slade and me for a run in the woods?”
“Good idea,” encouraged Rylee. “You can probably use a day in wolf form. When you feel refreshed, return to the forensics lab and describe the abductors and tattoo to our sketch artist.”
Rachel gave Lev a helpless shrug. Not that she wanted to cling to him, but for now he was the only familiar face. That is until she demanded, or rather, requested to visit her father.
As if reading her thoughts, Lev smiled, baring long fangs. “I’m certain Rachel is anxious to see her father.”
“And she shall. Once the contract is signed. I’ve invited two team members to serve as witnesses. At least you’ve already marked her so this part will be painless.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Cricket flicked her wavy brown hair and teased. “Time to release the big bad wolf.” She winked at Rachel as if she was up to some wolf-in-heat romp with her man. Or rather wolf. Small as Cricket was, no way would Rachel win a challenge against her. Petite or not, she-wolf Cricket must be equipped with lethal claws and canines.
Lev gave Rachel a parting look and left with the attractive brunette.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” Rylee said.
As the door shut, a pang of jealousy washed over her. Spunky Cricket must be a love interest. Would they romp in the woods like lovers?
“Don’t worry. Cricket is mated to Prince Slade.”
A prince? So what was she doing here? Then again, her idea of royalty must not apply to the lycan kind. “Why would I be worried?” Rachel asked defensively.
“Try as you might, humans can’t hide the scent of their emotions from us.”
Crap. Might as well tell the entire world she had a lusty crush on Lev. Nonetheless, she felt relief Cricket had a mate. “We’re just friends.” Shit. Rylee’s lie detector powers would know the truth. “I thought Cricket and he were dating. I didn’t see a wedding ring.”
“Only humans wear wedding rings. It would be complicated always having to store jewelry before shifting.”
That certainly made sense in this crazy world of werewolves. Although, Rylee sported a very expensive-looking diamond ring. Was she engaged, married or something else? Did werewolves stay up all night buying on the shopping channel?
Rylee pointed to a leather sofa. “Please sit.”
“Thank you.” Rachel remembered her first job interview with trepidation. This one was different. An interview that had the potential to turn into death by fangs for acting like an idiot rather than not getting hired. Very unnerving to face the top company bitch.
“Would you like coffee, tea or water?”
“Just water is fine.”
Rylee opened a wooden door on the wall that turned out to be a refrigerator and took out a bottle of water. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” Rachel twisted off the cap and placed the bottle to her lips, but then stopped. “Sorry, I forgot. You drink first, right?”
Rylee gave her a pointed look. “True enough, except I’m not having water.”
“I see.”
“But good to ask. I don’t expect you to follow our rules just yet. I’ll give you a grace period to make human mistakes in etiquette. At least not in my pack. Any other pack, you must follow proper behavior. As a new human joining our society, I would not expect you to visit any other pack without undergoing a few months indoctrination into our etiquette.”
“That’s a relief.”
“You will be assigned a handler to learn about our culture. Once you are out of danger, you may work and live apart from us, but with the understanding your unique DNA will be susceptible to our kind.”
A glimmer of hope dangled before her like a carrot. She could leave them once the danger was over. Certainly, a place existed where she could stay away from their kind. Her heart ached at the idea of never seeing Lev. Leaving the man who had brought her back to life and made love to her like no other man bothered her more than learning their wolfish rules. Not to mention her alluring special scent, making her a target for other alpha males. “Will Lev be my handler?”
“Not a chance. Of all the members of my team, he is the last one I would choose to train you.”
Why? Did she know they had sex? That his wolf claimed her? Or was that a lycan version of a one-night stand? “May I ask why?”
“Until a few years ago, we considered Lev a rogue wolf. Not that he didn’t provide us with vital intelligence while he worked for the Russians, but he has not made a complete commitment. Point in fact, Lev has never chosen to live in a pack.”
“Doesn’t he belong to your pack?”
“Yes, he’s a member of Team Greywolf; unfortunately, he doesn’t wish to continue.” Rylee gave her a guarded look. “Now that you are here, I doubt he’ll ever leave.”
Rachel’s cheeks burned. “Not sure about that.”
Rylee approached her and gently grabbed her chin and turned to look at Rachel’s neck. “I’m very sure.”
Rachel swallowed. “Because?”
“You will learn soon enough.” She pressed an intercom. “Send in Commander Trevor and Selene.”
Rachel’s eyes widened. “Selene?” The woman Howard had spoken to on the phone, when he thought Rachel was out of listening range. His lover?
“Yes, you’re father’s consort.” She chuckled. “Or rather Selene’s pet.”
Pet? Not for real. Why would Rylee say such an off-color comment? Her mood darkened. Was Selene the reason Howard abandoned his family? A mixture of curiosity and resentment clouded her mind. Awkward. “Shouldn’t the witness be impartial?” Not a home breaker.
“Not necessarily. Selene is a scientist and not the evil stepmother type.”
Ugh. Is she reading my thoughts or picking up on emotions? “Not what I meant. I thought Lev could be one of the witnesses.”
“True. Although he initiated you with the three markings…” Her voice trailed off and she furrowed her brow. “Best we use other witnesses.”
Something about her pensive look did not bode well. Would she be allowed to see Lev? Ever? Rylee had said he would never leave because of her. Their sex had been pretty fantastic. His wolf claimed her. But what about Lev, the man? Was claiming a human even allowed without permission from his pack leader? Were there other rituals involved? Howard had been allowed his she-wolf lover. Why not she?
The door opened and a tall broad-shouldered older man and a stunning older woman close to her father’s age walked in.
“Rachel, this is Commander Trevor, headquarters territory security officer and Selene Zeigler, head of the Luponomics Research Center. You are permitted to be on a first name basis.”
“Nice to meet you.” Rachel lowered her head while they circled and sniffed her loudly as if trying to identify what type of perfume she wore. None except her own aroma.
Trevor smiled. “A pleasure.”
Selene stopped and lifted Rachel’s chin. “You are as beautiful as your father described and, from what I’ve heard, a brilliant doctor.”
“Thank you.” Except for their odd sniffing ritual, they both looked like normal humans.
Rylee gestured for them to sit at the round conference table.
Rachel sat and the others followed suit.
A pale almost albino man stepped out of an elevator she hadn’t noticed until now. He carried a huge binder and pens. He appeared in his twenties and shorter than the other werewolves she’d seen thus far. He reminde
d her of Cricket. Not quite as big as the others. Maybe even human.
“This is Jesper, my assistant. He works in accounting and archives.”
He smiled shyly. No domineering lingering stare and he only sniffed once. More like a sniffle rather than taking in her odor like the others had. Less rude. But definitely werewolf. Unless, she too would end up sniffing others as well. She was not a fan of taking in bad odors so that would suck. “Welcome, Dr. Becker.”
“Please, call me, Rachel.”
He glanced at Rylee and she nodded. “Well, Rachel, I have the contract and if you will please sign next to the bookmarked highlights and then pass it to Rylee.”
Not as big as Gray’s Anatomy textbook, but the binder looked like a contract to buy a corporate business. “Will I have time to read the fine print?”
Rylee sat at the head of the table. “Normally, yes, but you have been marked and at this point, it’s a formality, but one necessary to avoid your execution.”
Pretty blunt. Rachel swallowed and compelled to obey, she nodded. “If you put it that way. What choice do I have?”
“None,” said Rylee. “If you have any questions, you may ask.”
She stared at the big binding contract. “My father signed all this?”
Selene smiled. “Yes.”
As she thumbed through, it seemed every detailed paragraph ended with I understand… and if I break this rule, death will be carried out blah, blah, blah. “You have to be kidding me.” Number five bothered her. Though she knew the consequences of revealing their secret to others, it didn’t seem fair. “How could you eliminate innocent people who accidently learn about your kind?”
“Mind control is our first choice to erase a person’s memory of meeting us, but if we feel our secret is threatened, we will not hold back. Don’t worry, most of the time no one believes them so we often let it go, or they are given a simple mind erase.”
“How many have you ki…eliminated?”
“Very few. Most executed you would consider criminals. A few decades ago, we unfortunately had to get rid of a reporter who refused to cooperate. Your father has never told anyone so we trust you won’t as well.”