Slade, Book 1 in Team Greywolf Series

by Eva Gordon

  The king face tightened. “Slade, having a female mate won’t interfere with an occasional romp with others.”

  So that’s it. He thinks I should keep Cricket as a fuck buddy. “Your highness, I would never betray my mate.”

  “Why the reluctance to date one of our lovely princesses?”

  “Perhaps at the ball, I’ll meet one who pleases me. For now, I only wish to rest.” How could he tell the king his heart and soul belonged to a runt, a mate he’d no desire to betray?

  “I understand. You are a hero, but one who has seen and been forced to experience the darker side of our kind.”

  “Cricket and Nikolay are equal heroes.”

  “Yes, of course. They’ll be given the medal of honor for lycan heroism along with you.”

  “Cricket should be given beta status amongst all the packs.” In his book, she was all alpha. His heart.

  “Rylee gave her beta status, but I’m afraid as brave as she is, outside her pack we cannot allow it. Who know what the packs might demand next? Omegas might claim the right to marry betas or for heaven’s sake, even mate an alpha.”

  To think that at one time, he’d agreed to such nonsense. Wolfstrom and King Conan were not that far apart. “As a hero, I think Cricket should be allowed to take a mate.” As long as it’s me.

  “A runt is the weakest link. If she breeds, we might as well mate with humans.”

  “Like Dominic did.”

  “Mia is human, but she is a direct descendant of Stallo, and her genes will increase our chances of surviving the change.”

  As is Cricket. “I understand, but why not our omegas?”

  The king’s tone turned angry. “I heard the runt offered you comfort while you suffered morphopsychosis. Is there more to this bond?”

  As much as Slade wanted to challenge him, he didn’t want to die at the hands of the king’s army of guards and end up costing Abella her life. “Only respect, my sire.”

  King Conan roared in laughter. “Lust. I’ve seen her and even I have thought of humping her ass, but don’t confuse that with love.”

  Slade contained his rage. “Nonetheless, my first priority is to Team Greywolf.”

  “Your duty is to return to your Yukon Territory with a mate.”

  “Why? I have no pack and at the moment, no mate.”

  “You will. I’m ordering lone wolves to return to a pack. Your territory.”

  There was nothing worse than being in charge of a lycan who hated being part of a pack. “I doubt they’ll come willingly.”

  “Enforcer Dominic can be quite persuasive.”

  “Why? As long as they check in with the warden, there’s never been issue with them living outside the pack.”

  “Look what happened to the kidnapped lone lycans.”

  “An exception.” He rubbed his forehead. “Unfortunately, Randi and the other abducted lycans died in the castle bombing carried out by The Keep. It’s the unchanged ones we must guard better.”

  “Agreed, but no more lone wolves. Brainwashed as wolves and…” Conan bristled. “Wolfstrom trained them and the unchanged ones to hunt, kill and eat humans. Now we have to deal with returning the unchanged ones back to being law abiding werewolves.”

  “Are they back with their packs?”

  “Yes. We sent a team of therapists to work with them.”

  “If the Iceland and Oregon alphas can’t rehab them, I suppose they’ll be executed or given the werewolf lobotomy.” Slade frowned. “What about the humans they slaughtered? What justice will they get?”

  “I know this does not rationalize murder, but according to the therapist the men they hunted were arms dealers and terrorists Wolfstrom worked with and then betrayed.”

  “And if I refuse to have a pack of loners?”

  King Conan rose from his throne, his fangs bared. “Banishment or perhaps a few sessions with Enforcer Dominic.”

  Slade lowered his gaze and muttered, “After we ended Wolfstrom’s evil reign, you would punish me?”

  “It is what I and King Frederick, your father, would have wanted. Did you not once consider being a lone wolf?”

  “Yes, I wanted more adventure and had wanderlust. Now with Team Greywolf, I have that.”

  “I’ll send the current wardens and a team to help set up housing for the lone wolves when they are invited to your territory.”

  Invited? Yeah right. Besides, I never agreed. “I’ll discuss this with my alpha boss, Rylee, first.”

  The king pinched the bridge of his nose. “Ms. Greywolf may think she is above the alpha royals and lycan law, but if she continues her rebellious behaviors, she can be replaced.”

  “Lycan intelligence has been run by the Greywolf family for a century.”

  He snorted. “We have run the packs for thousands of years.”

  Banishment and torture might be bearable, but how could he be responsible for Rylee being fired or perhaps dismantling the LIA? Slade gritted his teeth. “Very well, sire.”

  “Good, you may return to Rylee’s territory.” He smiled. “Enjoy the ball.”

  Slade bowed. “Yes, my liege.”

  “And Prince Slade.”

  “Yes, sire?”

  “My niece, Princess Wilhelmina will attend and looks forward to meeting you.”

  Cricket sat in Mia’s cottage and opened the garment box. She pulled out the most glamorous silk green gown, she’d ever seen. She held it up. “Wow. Backless. So sexy. Mia, this must have cost thousands of dollars. I can’t accept this.”

  Mia smiled. “Nonsense. Dominic told me to spare no expense on our brave Team Greywolf heroine.”

  “Actually, I’ll be mostly in the back helping with set up.” The fundraising ball would be held in Dominic’s territory in a huge banquet tent, similar to the type built for posh weddings. Though Mia controlled the entire operation, she’d successfully, with Dominic’s influence, delegated every job to her staff. All she needed to do was supervise at leisure. Much to Cricket’s pleasure, Mia invited her to help taste test all the drink and food for the menu.

  Mia frowned. “No, you’re not. You’re announcing my concert.”

  She shook her head. “I’d rather face Wolfstrom all over again than watch Slade be fawned over by lusty she-wolves, including my gorgeous but mean alpha sisters.”

  Mia ignored her and handed her a shoebox. Cricket opened the box and widened her eyes as she took out a pair of stilettos. “Matching green and for sure I’ll be as tall as an alpha. That is, if I don’t fall on my ass.”

  “Actually, I think the green complements Slade’s beautiful green eyes.”

  “Look, girlfriend, I love you and all, but don’t tease me with what I can’t have.”

  “Of course, you can have Slade! He loves you and you love him.”

  I shouldn’t have shared so much with her. “Mia, there is more to our kind than just love or rather lust. There’s duty and status.” Outdated lycan law.

  “Dominic defied the king. And as it turned out, everyone agrees it’s good to add different genes to the wolfish mix.”

  “In that department, I’m part of the wolf mix. You on the other hand have always been pure human.”

  “I don’t mean to insult you, but Dom says you are 60% human.”

  “And Slade is 75% or more wolf.”

  “Precisely.”

  “Which means to honor our wolf, the king wants Prince Slade to find an alpha female who is just as much wolf.” To think the defiant little human ended up with a powerful enforcer fond of bondage. “Even if we love each other, Slade owes it to his murdered family to find a proper mate.”

  “That would be you. So fight for him,” Mia insisted.

  Mia knows nothing of our laws. “If you think lycans are so open, why do you keep your cottage getaway?”

  Mia snorted. “Not much of a getaway. Five betas watch my every move.”

  She furrowed her brow. “You do have a point. Although, even if I married a human I’d still want my own woma
n-cave.”

  “I wish I could be a lone wolf or part-time lone wolf, but I’ve always longed for companionship.” Cricket frowned. “Maybe because my pack rejected me.” She had shared her terrible pre-change experience only with Rylee and Mia. Not even Slade knew of her horrible past. To share her sad beginnings with the most desired male alpha would have been shameful beyond reason. Pity from him, the last thing she needed.

  Mia’s mouth downturned. “I’m sorry, I was being flippant.”

  “No problem. I’m grateful I live with Team Greywolf. They treat me like a sister, but with respect.”

  “I’m sorry I can’t un-invite your sisters. Please don’t change your mind about coming to our ball.”

  “I’m coming. I promised, but I’m only going to the ball to support your campaign.” Mia intended to raise funds for the wounded human warrior and their canine companion program, a worthy cause. Otherwise, she would have stayed home and cleaned the barn. “Actually, since I received the Lycan Medal of Bravery, sister-bitches will probably be green with envy. Can’t wait to hear what they say to that.”

  “I tried to get them off the list, but Dominic went all-alpha on me and forbid me to do so.”

  Cricket’s eyes widened. “You…tried to take alpha lycans off the list…” She laughed. “Have you not read The How To Piss Off The Entire Lycan Society manual?”

  Mia blushed. “Dominic made that very clear.”

  Hmm. Did he spank her? She got a kick talking to Mia about their kinky BDSM relationship. Slade’s dominance over her had turned her on like nothing else. Oh, well. So much for pursing that aspect of their relationship. She winked. “I bet he did.”

  “Anyway, when Slade sees you, he’s going to go all-alpha wolf on you.”

  “Not. Rylee says the king demanded he take an alpha mate and move to the Yukon to take in lone wolves.”

  “What about his duty with Team Greywolf?”

  “He’ll still be a member. Rylee feels having an LIA presence in the northern territories would be a good thing.”

  “Did he agree?”

  Cricket shrugged. “I’m sure he will. After all, his entire Yukon Territory can’t remain up for grabs forever. My only wish is he doesn’t end up with one of my sisters. I texted Jesper not to include them in his list of top mates. Although, I’m sure all the available alpha males and females will be at the same table.”

  “I’ll make sure they are on the opposite end from his seat.”

  “By the way, will I even have a place to sit?” The royals coming to the affair would have something to say if she sat with her team betas.

  “You will sit at my table, next to me.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “I insisted. You are an honored hero and my BFF.”

  Cricket smirked. “I guess even the king can’t say no to that.”

  “Hey, he’s invited, but it’s my event. If he doesn’t like it, he can talk to the Big Bad Wolf about it.”

  “Good news. Rylee says the king will not attend after all.”

  Mia raised her brow. “Oh? When did you hear that?”

  “This morning.”

  “I’m sure Dominic will be relieved.” Mia smirked. “Like Rylee, he’s not a big fan of royals.”

  Cricket nodded. “Me too. Fuck the royals.”

  Mia elbowed her. “Except Prince Slade, of course.”

  “Ha, ha.” Cricket’s heart broke, remembering how her mother an omega could never openly love her father. “Especially him. I’m going to tell him to stay away.”

  “Wait, what?”

  “I promised my mother I would never fall for a lycan above my status and end up living a sad lonely life.”

  “Give him a chance.”

  “The king will never allow our union.”

  “He has no say. Dominic worried about pleasing the king, but then realized he didn’t matter.”

  “Dominic is undoubtedly an important alpha, but he’s not a prince.” She sulked. “Big difference.”

  “I’m not judging, but monarchies are so 19th Century.”

  “Rylee agrees, but we’re not having a revolution anytime soon.” She took out her phone and texted Slade.

  Mia looked over. “What are you doing?”

  She typed rapidly. “Wishing Slade good luck with finding a mate; and I was honored to work with him on his first mission with Team Greywolf.”

  “You’re sending a Dear John text message?”

  Cricket smiled and hit send. “Done.”

  Chapter 21

  Slade loosened the tight tie, adjusting it about his neck and then entered the elaborate tent. Collared. This black tie event was not his thing. Running in the woods with his prancing little she-wolf was all he wanted. Every female even attached ones stared at him. The women wore alluring gowns designed by a sex fiend. They sniffed toward him, displaying their sharp fangs with flirtatious smiles.

  He’d agreed to attend the fund raising event, but not as the center of attention for every available alpha she-wolf looking to land a prince as a mate. Duty or not. Slade acknowledged them with a quick nod and scanned the crowd. He flared his nostrils. Her soft honeyed scent lingered. Where the hell was she?

  Jesper stepped in front of him. “Sir, allow me to guide you to your seat.”

  Slade narrowed his eyes at him. “Where’s Cricket?”

  “She is helping Mia.”

  “With what?”

  He pointed to a tunnel connecting to another tent. “They are in the dance hall choosing the music.”

  Slade adjusted the lapels of his dress coat. “Good. I need to have a word with her.”

  “About?” asked Jesper.

  Cricket’s breakup text kept him awake all night. He paced, reading the message over and over. To rid his excessive energy, he’d shifted and ran through the forest, like a rabid wolf looking for some creature or hapless soul to devour. Did she think they had just a tryst? And who gave her permission to be the first to call off whatever the hell they had? He barreled in her direction, but Rylee blocked his path.

  “Prince Slade, where are you off to in such haste?”

  “I need to speak to Cricket.”

  “If it’s about the last mission, we’re having an all hands meeting Monday.”

  Wait three days? You’ve got to be kidding me. “It’s not. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her since we left Patagonia.”

  Her normally stern voice softened. “I understand Cricket sent you a text about finding a mate, perhaps tonight.”

  Fuck. Did everyone know? “Yes, she did.”

  She snorted. “It’s what King Conan commanded.”

  Rylee must think him a fool for allowing a runt to break his heart. Fine. He faked his new identity with Wolfstrom; he’d pretend all was good. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Jesper caught up with him. “Prince Slade, everybody is taking their seats.”

  “Go on, looks like you are at the alpha singles table.” Rylee winked.

  Slade raised his eyebrow. “Will you be joining me at my table, then, ma’am?”

  “I might be single, but it’s complicated. I’m sitting at Dominic’s table. Kind of a mixed status table, but Mia arranged it.”

  Hypocrite. “Next to Carson, I see.” Rylee had been in a long-term relationship with Dominic’s beta second. She should know better than to push an alpha in love with another to find a proper mate.

  Rylee whispered in his ear, “I’ll be in between Carson and Mia’s best friend.”

  Cricket sitting as a guest of honor at Dominic’s table gladdened his heart. Damn, right where she belonged. He followed Jesper to a seat next to Nik. They shared their table with other available male alphas and over a dozen gorgeous single female alphas. Those closest introduced themselves. The scent of desire like cheap cologne fogged the air. Fucking awkward.

  Two of the females sweet talked two males sitting across from him into exchanging their seats.

  Oh brother, it starts. The two women were stun
ning, but they did not please him. Only Abella did.

  Nik smiled at them. “I’m Nikolay.”

  They both said, “Hi,” but then turned their attention to Slade. “Prince Slade. I’m Oriana and this is my sister Dacia.”

  Cricket’s bitch half-sisters. Remain calm. “Pleasure.”

  Oriana, the blonde, batted her eyelashes. “Prince Slade, you went on a mission with our little sister Cricket. How wonderful.”

  Little, but badass. He sipped his wine. “You must have been so relieved she survived our dangerous mission.”

  “Indeed. We heard how you stopped that fiend from kidnapping more lycans.”

  Except for the higher ups, the packs didn’t know about Wolfstrom’s plans to destroy human kind or his packs’ lust for human flesh. “Yes, she was very instrumental in their rescue.”

  Dacia swooned. “Is it true you saved her?”

  “Yes, I killed many werewolves to protect her.”

  “How kind of you,” said Oriana.

  Nik chuckled. “Your sister is quite beautiful, and I too was pleased to step in to save her,” he snorted at Slade, “And save you as well, my gutsy prince.”

  Slade smiled at the Russian lycan. “Thank you.”

  Dacia pouted, but then twisted an insincere smile. “Nik, you do know Cricket is only our half-sister and as pretty as she is won’t mate due to her runt status?”

  Slade snapped at her. “Don’t ever call her that. Rylee made her a beta, and she’s a decorated hero.”

  Dacia’s face darkened. “I’m just letting Nik know, she’s not available to him.”

  Nik laughed. “As you Americans say, I don’t give a rat’s ass. All that matters is love.”

  Oriana frowned. “It’s lycan law, even in Russia.”

  Nik shrugged. “To be honest, I didn’t consider myself part of your society until I was kidnapped. So such status elitism doesn’t affect who I take as a mate.”

  Dacia cocked her head. “How can that be?”

  Nik shook his head. “I was found by a human after the change. The only survivor. I knew I belonged to a pack and remembered my father’s bite, but when I awoke, they were gone.”