Wolf Charmer, Team Greywolf, Book 3

by Eva Gordon

  She clicked on a map. “Do any continents ring a bell?”

  He chuckled. “I remember Pavlov’s dogs. Weren’t they trained to salivate at the sound of a bell?”

  “Yes.” She gave him an incredulous stare. “Interesting how you recall trivia, yet, you can’t remember your name.”

  Little factoids from the past had started to filter in. “Very weird.” He looked at the screen. “I’ve seen similar maps.” He furrowed his brow. “I’ve been to most of those continents except for Australia, I think.”

  Gaby moved on to cities. “Recognize these?” She started with New York.

  “Yep. The big apple.”

  “And what about this one?”

  “London.” She continued with Paris, Moscow, Mexico City and on and on. He recognized them all.

  She clicked on a destroyed Iraqi city. “How about his one?”

  “Mosul.”

  Her eyes widened and she paused. “Do you speak any languages besides English and wolf?”

  He glanced back at Mosul. “I speak Arabic, French, Spanish, and some German.” He didn’t mention a hybridized human wolf language that suddenly came up in his head.

  “Cool. We have a language expert you should meet with.” Gaby entered data into the tablet. She finished and sighed. “You are either special forces or a terrorist.”

  “Or none of the above.”

  Gaby switched the screen to people. Police officers, marines, special ops personnel, cowboys, presidents, men and women. Children playing. Sports.

  Everything looked familiar, but none offered a clue to his identity. Kane squeezed his temples. “Nothing helps.” He growled. “Who the fuck am I?”

  Gaby jumped and her pulse quickened.

  A guard opened the door. “Everything okay, ma’am?”

  “Yes.” She smiled. “No worries.”

  “We have orders to keep you safe.”

  Kane stared at the big man. His fangs had emerged. “Don’t come in until beckoned.”

  The guard nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  She shut the door and locked it. “How did you do that?”

  He furrowed his brow. “Do what?”

  “The guards don’t take orders from…” She blinked. “Just anybody.”

  His fangs returned to normal human teeth. “You mean a prisoner?”

  “Yep.” She frowned. “They act like you’re the alpha.”

  “Head of the pack? Interesting.” Being an alpha rang true. The guards instinctively understood his higher status. Another clue to his nature, but not as to his place within their society. Although, based on their reactions and hers, his kind didn’t exist.

  She turned off the screen. “Break time. Water?”

  “Any beer?”

  “You drink beer?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “Unfortunately, I don’t have any.”

  “Water then.”

  Gaby left and came back with several bottles. “Let me know when you want to see more images.”

  “I’m ready.”

  “Are you sure? I hate to upset you.”

  Not as much as I hate to frighten you. He smiled. “Nah, I’m good.”

  She sighed. “That’s a relief.”

  “How about we start with photos of dogmen?”

  Gaby cocked her head to the side. “Never heard of dogmen. Who mentioned them?”

  “Dr. Tomlin.” He smirked. “Don’t you work with all canines?”

  “Apparently not.”

  He sensed she spoke the truth. “Must be on a need to know basis around here. I figured since you know about me, you would know about dogmen.”

  Gabby raised a brow. “What did he say about them?”

  “He said they are a bipedal manlike creature with a dog face. They don’t shift and are apparently savage.”

  “A chimera. Probably created in the secret government lab.” She shook her head. “You would think they would have asked me to work with them.”

  “Why you?”

  “Long story. I’ll tell you some other time.”

  Evasive. Interesting. “Maybe I was created in that lab.”

  “If you were, Giles will find out.”

  “I gather their lab is not part of Project Sabertooth?”

  “No. We work with real animals. The other lab which I’m not supposed to know about exists in some above top secret location.”

  “Because what they do is illegal?”

  “Precisely. I bet you were a normal soldier they experimented on. That explains why you have no memory of your previous life. They erased it.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Yet, I don’t feel bothered with being a werewolf.” He released a low growl and smiled. “I relish it.”

  Gaby’s pulse spiked before calming to normal. She returned to her computer. “Maybe you were turned and they found you. Give me a minute.” She turned on the screen. “Okay. Let’s see if you can recall these images.”

  Slides of gory Hollywood werewolf scenes displayed on the screen. Ripped off arms and severed heads. A video of a man hollering in agony under the full moon as he transformed into a monster. He rolled his eyes. “Werewolf movies?”

  She switched the pictures to werewolf drawings from the middle ages. A werewolf carrying a peasant woman in his jaws, werewolves at a wall and images of men burning at the stake for being werewolves. “Hold on, doing another search.” A few seconds later, a picture of wolfsbane came on the screen and then the full moon. “Anything?”

  “No.”

  Gaby furrowed her brow. “Here we go. Ways to become a werewolf. Being bitten is one, but there are other ways. Wearing a magical wolf pelt belt, drinking from a puddle stepped on by a werewolf, and the ever-classic curse. Something that causes a sudden change into a beast.”

  The change. He pressed his hands against his temples. A memory of agony as a wolf.

  “What is it?”

  He locked his jaw. The flash of memory passed. “I don’t know. I just remember horrible pain.”

  “Torture?”

  “Yes…no…” He shook his head. “Don’t know.”

  “Perhaps, you remember being bitten by a wolf?”

  Bitten. Pain. Shifting. He furrowed his brow. “Maybe.”

  “How about these images?” She clicked to slides of real wolves. Howling wolves, packs running after buffalo and pups at play.

  He swallowed. “I remember being a pup, but not who I am.”

  “A pup? That’s odd.”

  “Why?”

  “If you were bitten by a wolf or injected with some genetic modifying drug you would have been turned into an adult wolf not a pup.”

  Kane fingered his hair back. His head ached. “Damn.”

  “Look, this is not helping. Maybe a hypnotist who specializes in repressed memories is what you need.”

  “Good. There’s nothing more frustrating than looking at familiar images only to draw a complete blank.”

  Gaby turned off the screen. “You should keep a dream journal.” She reached in a drawer and took out a notepad and pen. She handed them to him.

  He took it. “You think my dreams reveal memories?”

  “Possibly.” She smiled. “I’ve worked with dogs since I was brought here and trust me; I’ve never met a canine that didn’t dream. Their paws move, and some even bark and wag their tails during sleep.”

  Kane’s curiosity piqued. Did she not apply to work here? He narrowed his eyes. “You said you were brought here?”

  She blushed. “Yes. Transferred. ”

  Her heartbeat thumped faster and her pupils dilated. He tilted his head. “As a werewolf, I can detect lies.”

  She stared at him and then shook her head. “My situation has nothing to do with you.”

  “Maybe it does.” His bond with her appeared too strong, too immediate and too damn important. As though he’d known her in the past.

  Gaby released a long breath. “Fine. Like you, I’m an asset. However, I get paid and like eve
ryone else, get vacations and health benefits.”

  “So that’s what I am, an asset.”

  “Director Giles will explain.”

  “I know he’s interested in my wolfish traits, but besides your stunning beauty, what is your special talent?”

  Gaby gaped, and this time, even her ears flushed red. She swallowed. “I work well with animals, even big, bad, flirty wolves, apparently.”

  “I’m being honest.” He drew her in and lifted her chin. “You are the most exquisite woman I’ve ever met.”

  Her eyebrows squished together. “I am?”

  Kane fingered a strand of her silky brown hair. “I find your emerald eyes, sweet voice, and glorious scent captivating.”

  Before she could speak, he kissed her. Long and hard. Desire ripped though him as the scent of her arousal soaked his soul. Home. Mine.

  Gaby moaned in pleasure as he grabbed her by the ass and picked her up. She wrapped her arms around him and they knocked over a lamp.

  “Ma’am. Everything okay?” The guard tried to open the locked door and then pounded on the door, breaking their spell. He released her, set her down and growled toward the stupid guard, fangs out. If he entered, he’d have ripped out his throat.

  Gaby licked her lips and straightened. She opened the door. “Everything is okay. I tripped.”

  “Keep the door unlocked, ma’am.” The guard met Kane’s eyes. The two other guards stood at attention behind the first.

  His wolf commanded them. The door stays locked. Leave and never interrupt.

  Gaby nodded. “I will.”

  The guard gave her a quizzical look. “Keep the door locked and we won’t interrupt.”

  “But you just told me to unlock it?”

  The guard stared down. “We were wrong.” He backed away and closed the door.

  Looks like my dominant influence controls all humans. Mind control. A wolf amongst sheep. Kane smiled and locked the door. “Now, where were we?”

  Chapter 4

  Gaby blinked. “That’s odd?”

  At the door, Kane smirked, a wolfish grin. “What?”

  She shook her head. “The guards changing their minds and asking me to lock the door.” Not these men, former marines who would never take orders from a prisoner. This time she couldn’t blame their unusual behavior on Kane. He hadn’t said a word.

  “Never mind them.” His feral eyes turned into seductive beacons, calling her to his light. “Let’s return to finding out why you work so well with beasts.”

  Kane obviously intended to slam her with another possessive kiss. Gaby backed away, although she wanted the same. She had responded to his kiss with the tenacity of an alley cat in heat. She lusted for him since the minute she saw him on the gurney, but never expected to act on her desire. With the few men she’d dated, she proceeded slowly in getting to know them. Never kissed any as passionately as this perfect stranger. Yet, the poor man had to know the truth. Her “wolf charm” drew him to her. Nothing more. No sulking, Gaby. She found her voice. “Sorry, we shouldn’t have kissed. You are recovering.”

  Kane grinned, still bearing long canines. “I didn’t mind.” Fangs the guards had not seen. Or had they? Maybe they thought it best to let her talent control the beast. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d been locked in a cage with a fierce predator.

  “Sit for a second. I need to explain my nature and maybe then, you’ll understand.”

  Kane lifted a brow. “Because your boss suggested you seduce me?”

  Her eyes widened. “Why would you say that?”

  “I vaguely remember you speaking to Giles while I was in wolf form.”

  “You were just coming out of your drug-induced sleep.”

  “Later, I overheard Dr. Tomlin ask you the same thing. To use your charms on me.” He cocked his head. “Something about being a wolf-segen.”

  “Wait. How? We were outside a sound proof room.”

  “My wolf hearing picked it up. I stopped eating to listen.” His eyes twinkled in amusement. “My curiosity got the better of me.”

  Her cheeks burned. “I assumed your wolf senses didn’t work while you’re in human form. Wrong ear anatomy.”

  “My enhanced senses remain, no matter my form.”

  “And your superior sense of smell,” she mumbled more to herself. Did he smell her moistness?

  “Yep.”

  “Well then, you must have heard me tell them both I would never do such a thing.” Influence yes, but not take advantage of his vulnerability.

  He winked. “You think I want to get in your pants.”

  “No. Yes…never mind.”

  He sat and smirked. “So if you don’t plan on using your seductive charms on me, what is it? Because, sweet thing, my wolf is quite fond of you.”

  So my charm must work on his inner wolf. She crossed her arms while observing his behavior. “You make it sound like you have two personalities.”

  “In a way, that’s true. I might act like a normal human, but my wolf is always in the shadows. Feral emotions and desires pushing to take what’s his.”

  Definitely, his wolf was in control. “That explains my influence on you.”

  He frowned as if in disappointment. “I’m listening.”

  “You heard correctly. I’m a wolf-segen or wolf charmer.”

  He spread his arms behind his head and stretched. A dreamy look on his face that tempted her to jump his bones. “You certainly are.”

  “Not in that way! The charm is the reason I’m an asset.”

  His amusement disappeared. “Go on.”

  “I go on missions with Project Sabertooth. I’ve caused faithful dogs to turn on their owners and prize racehorses to trample their trainers.”

  “You mean with your mind?”

  “Yes, but I can also do good. Last year, I helped a team of researchers escape polar bears intent on eating them. I influenced the hungry bears to walk away.” She blurted on. “I helped a pack of wolves return to a national park to protect them from hunters.”

  “But you turn animals into assassins?”

  Gaby lowered her gaze. He’d find out soon enough. “As surely as a murderer pulls the trigger.”

  “On orders from Giles?”

  “Yes.”

  “You take out bad guys?”

  Gaby nodded. “Arms dealers, drug cartel thugs, and terrorists. Enemies we don’t want traced back to us. My last target was a notorious member of the Mexican Cartel. The man murdered three DEA undercover agents and terrorized a local village. He enjoyed dogfights. Under my command, his two top fighting dogs ripped him to shreds.”

  “Don’t look so glum. Special forces or drones take out the enemy all the time.” He chuckled. “Only instead of ammo, your weapons are fangs and claws.”

  “I prefer taming animals rather than turning them into killers.”

  “So you think this charm of yours caused me to kiss you?”

  “Yes.”

  He smiled. “Last time I looked, I was in human form. Can you influence people?”

  “No. If I could, I wouldn’t be here.”

  “You can’t leave?”

  “I’m considered too dangerous. Last time I escaped, I…” She lowered her gaze. “Never mind. Let’s just say they caught me and brought me back.”

  “How did you escape?”

  His amber eyes stared into her soul. Compelled to confess, she shared her shame. Trusting him with top secret information, although she had never confided with anybody. “I released five attack trained Doberman pinchers.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “They killed a handler…a friend…who tried to stop them. Two guards came and they attacked them. I made my escape. One of the guards died. The other survived minus an arm. The poor dogs were shot.” She sighed. “That was ten years ago when I was fifteen years old. A rebellious teenager.”

  He frowned. “But they keep you prisoner?”

  “More like a curfew. As long as I get permission, I can come and go.” />
  “That’s called probation.” He frowned. “Are you allowed to visit your family?”

  “I don’t have a family.”

  “Everyone has a family.”

  “Until Director Giles found me, I lived in foster homes after the death of my druggie mother.”

  “He adopted you?”

  “Technically, he was my legal guardian, but no, he never acted like a real father.”

  “If you could, would you leave?”

  “Part of me wants to, but if I did, I would be a danger to others.” And targeted for execution.

  “Because you can make Fido bite his owner?”

  “In a manner of speaking.” Along with every other creature she had been told to work with. Death by birds, tiger, lion, bear and so many more.

  “You act like you have no control.”

  “I’m better at it, but I’m too scared to find out.”

  “How old were you when you were brought here?”

  “I went from foster home to foster home until I was six. As a child, I caused animals to attack kids that bullied me. None died, but a few scarred emotionally and even maimed. I had anger issues. One foster parent even put me through an exorcism, thinking I was possessed.”

  “Because you made dogs bite?”

  “Because I called over two hundred cats to stand guard against that particular foster parent.”

  “What did she do to provoke you?”

  “Rules about turning my lights off at the night. They scared her but only two of the cats attacked.” She thought better of mentioning what dogs did to her next set of abusive foster parents.

  “What happened to your parents?”

  Her eyes moistened. “My mother died of a heroin overdose when I was four. No relatives came to identify her or claim me. She put an ‘x’ through paternity on the form.” She sold her body for drugs so it was anybody’s guess the identity of her father.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Gaby changed the subject. “I think it’s time for you to leave.” Odd. She felt as though she snapped out of a trance.

  He smoothed his thumb over a single tear on her cheek. “I didn’t mean to pry.” He sighed. “I’m just hoping knowing about you will trigger my memory.”

  “There’s one more thing about my charm I wasn’t aware of until now.”