Chapter 15

 

 

The high-pressured ice cold shower hit his human skin like a fire hose. However, the freezing temperature didn’t shock him into remembering. His private den remained alien. The palatial bathroom included a natural pool surrounded by river stones with an artificial waterfall. Though it aesthetically pleased him, he chose the normal shower. He turned off the water, dried himself and dressed in the black sweats they left for him. Clothes that fit. No doubt his. He walked to the kitchen, modernized with smart appliances controlled by voice commands. “Brew a fresh cup of coffee.”

The coffee maker ground the beans and then proceeded to make coffee. He peeked in the refrigerator. Stocked with fresh meat of every variety from game to domestic. Dark beer bottles stood on the refrigerator’s side door. A snapshot of him sitting by a lake drinking the beer with a stout-looking alpha, maybe a few years older. He had a military bearing and probably worked for Team Greywolf. Odd. The beer, his favorite, no doubt triggered something.

“Dark roast, ready,” said a computerized male voice.

Kane grabbed his mug and muttered, “This place is more like a space station than a wolf den.” He walked around, trying to see if anything else jogged his memory. The soft leather furnishings, exquisite paintings, and state of the art entertainment system belonged to him. Yet, he felt like he was in a stranger’s house. And empty without Gaby. He took out their wedding picture and looked at her beautiful face and sweet body. Where was she being held? His adrenaline spiked. Or had they gotten rid of her? At best compelled to forget him; at worse, murdered. Would they kill a helpless human? No one knew she was a wolf charmer. She had a calming effect, but that could be true of any human. He hid the wedding picture in his top drawer and closed it. I have to find my wife!

He paced. “I need a fucking phone.”

A screen on the wall switched on. “Who would you like to speak with?” asked the computer-generated female voice.

Lev had told him Rylee was his alpha and head commander of the team he belonged to. However, Lev mentioned to call him first to arrange meeting with anyone else. Bullshit. “Call Rylee.”

“Yes.”

An older attractive blonde appeared on the screen. “Prince Steele, it’s good to see you’re back with us.”

“Where is my wife?”

Her tone turned haughty. “My, have we forgotten protocol?”

He released a long breath. “Ma’am, commander.” Of all people, why couldn’t he remember the alpha pack leader? He lowered his gaze. “Please. Let me go to my wife.”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Gaby is not your wife, at least not by lycan law.”

His fangs emerged and he growled. “What have you done to her?”

“We have not harmed Gaby. She is safe in her temporary quarters.”

Temporary? If they booted her out, what made her think he’d stay? His heart ached. Had they compelled her to forget him? “I must see her.”

“Not quite yet.”

He gritted his teeth. “Why not? Ma’am.” It’d be impossible to fight off an entire pack and escape with Gaby. She might even be locked up. How the hell would he get the key?

“Steele, we first need to debrief you and work on your memory loss.”

“Fine. Let’s get it done.”

“Do you recall your way around?”

Headquarters should look familiar, but didn’t. Maybe he’d never been here. A hoax to get him to defect to their side. An alpha such as Rylee could hide the truth from him. “Not exactly.”

“I’ll send Lev.”

“Yes, ma’am.” As long as Gaby was unharmed, he’d play along. Do whatever it fucking took to be with her. Safe in his arms. This appeased his wolf.

“See you in ten.” The screen turned off.

In less than ten minutes, his door buzzed and he opened it. Lev stood there. Big. He looked badass in a long leather black coat. “Feeling better?”

“Not until I see Gaby.”

“Don’t worry, comrade. We would never harm an innocent human.”

“Take me to Rylee.” He followed the Russian down the hallway and into the elevator.

Lev pushed a button that said Debriefing Room. He smiled. “What do you think of your den?”

“Nice. An over the top smart home.”

“Built to your specifications. You should see your cavern mansion fifteen miles from here.”

“Really?” He couldn’t imagine anything better than his stylish den. Could he convince them to let him and Gaby stay in his mansion? Fifteen miles sounded just about far enough away for privacy.

“Only Dominic, our enforcer, has a home of equal grandeur.”

“What about you? Big den?”

“I’m a minimalist. I only need simple home, big bed and warm mate.”

He chuckled. “You and me both.”

Lev snorted. “You have changed. I only wonder what will happen when you regain your memories.”

He shrugged and stared at the numbers. As long as his memory of Gaby remained, nothing else mattered. The elevator opened into a hallway. He sniffed and caught Gaby’s scent. He heard her talking. Who was she talking to? He veered left, but Lev grabbed his arm.

“When Rylee says ten minutes, she means it.”

At least Gaby was within hearing range “Got it.” Gaby’s voice didn’t sound stressed. If she did, he’d fight the mutant werewolf and every other damn werewolf to reach her. They entered the debriefing room. Except for an oblong table and a big screen, it appeared more like a living room than a war room. The lighting was a blue hue, and he noticed his pulse rate calm.

Rylee spoke to a small pale, almost albino, skinned man. Kane sniffed. An omega. Odd. Why would he work for a special ops team? “Once she arrives, make sure she sees me immediately.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He headed for the door.

“And Jesper?”

The pale omega paused and turned. “Ma’am.”

“Have Manny double check that we have every Project Sabertooth file hacked and copied into a secure download. ASAP.”

Jesper nodded and left.

Kane swallowed. Was it possible they knew Gaby was more than an animal handler? They could have compelled her to reveal her true nature.

Rylee smiled. “Please, sit. Both of you.”

He and Lev took a seat at the table. Time to get to the point. Kane furrowed his brow. “What is your interest in Project Sabertooth?”

“We were not aware it existed, otherwise, we would have retrieved you sooner.”

“That’s where I met a fellow prisoner, Gaby, my wife.”

She ignored his reference to his marriage status. “Mr. H., our inside man in the CIA, had no clue about it. Trust me. It must have been a well-guarded secret to escape his radar.”

“The project was run by a man named Giles.”

“He’s dead.”

“How do you know?”

“We found out you survived, but too late. There was no sign of you when we sent a retrieval team to the crash site. Once we learned of Project Sabertooth, we knew Giles would be more than happy to add a large wolf to his collection of assassin animals.”

“They found me in the middle of the Atlantic in wolf form, broken limbs and head injury.”

Rylee released a heavy sigh and then met his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

He sensed her heartfelt apology, as if she blamed herself. What alpha wouldn’t feel regret for not keeping a pack member safe? “I healed, but my amnesia continues.”

“The brain wipe was self-inflicted, but apparently, the dosage failed.”

He stiffened. This made sense. My inner wolf said the memory loss was my fault. “Why would I give myself a werewolf lobotomy?”

“It was the only alternative if captured. Your team member first priority is never to reveal our existence.” Her eyes narrowed. “Interesting you know the term.”

“The man who interrogated me, said my pack gave me the werewolf lobotomy, but it didn’t take since I didn’t stay a wolf.”

“Who was this man?”

“Avery Kraig. Sound familiar?”

Rylee scowled. “He is the son of Alistair Kraig, the leader of The Keep.” She furrowed her brow. “You are one of the few werewolves to meet him and live to tell about it.”

“So you know he hunts werewolves?”

“Not only do they want to annihilate our kind, but they control all governments behind the scenes. Conspiracy groups call them the Illuminati, the cabal, the one world government, the one percent or whatever The Keep is referred to. They knew about Project Sabertooth. Hell, they probably started it.”

“He used wolfsbane laced truth serum to jog my memory into revealing more about the king’s and your pack’s location. Fortunately, the drug failed.”

“Yes, we know about their serum. Which is why you took the mind wipe drug,” said Rylee.

He furrowed his brow. “A high price to pay.”

“Only a partial mind wipe. Our lab designed a special drug, similar to the wolf lobotomy drug to erase your human mind, temporarily. You must have deemed it necessary to take the drug.” She frowned. “It would or should have kept you in wolf form for three months. At least as a wolf, you would not reveal our nature. Dr. Becker will need to find out why you shifted to human form.”

“What was my mission?”

“You were sent on a special mission to stop a terrorist group from nuking Manhattan.”

“A successful mission I take it? No epic disaster or mushroom clouds reported on the news.” Gaby had kept close tabs on all major stories.

“Yes, attack averted, millions saved.” She smiled. “Technically, you are the secret hero of the day.”

“Lucky me my captors didn’t put me down thinking I was some suffering beast.”

Lev frowned. “Becker said the drug worked on one of our agents, but he wasn’t pleased you decided to take it since it was only tested on one lycan.”

“I don’t have a clue how I injected it.”

“You didn’t. It was hidden in a fake molar, which you bit into.”

“Well, it’s back to the drawing board because not only did it allow me to shift in front of humans, but robbed me of my pre-mission lifetime memories.”

Rylee smiled. “Don’t worry. We’ll help you regain your identity.”

“Not more drugs and not if it means never seeing Gaby. Forget about it.”

Lev shook his head. “I have special mutant mind control powers. I can compel you to remember. You will retain all your memories. Previous and new ones.”

“So get started.”

“Steele, if this works, you may have conflicting thoughts about marrying a human.”

“Not possible. My wolf claimed her as a mate.”

“You are King Conan’s brother and a prince of the realm. You must take a royal alpha mate, which according to your brother you have already chosen.”

His inner wolf growled. Never. “Gaby is my wife.”

“The king will not allow it.”

“If he is a true brother, he will be swayed.”

“Not possible. Conan wants to cut all ties to humans. I don’t think he would have given a damn if terrorists had nuked Manhattan.”

“Then he’s a cold asshole.”

“He isn’t pleased my pack helps human causes. I’ve fought hard to keep Team Greywolf, despite his demand to dismantle it. I’m afraid you and he disagreed. However, you intended to mate only an alpha. You even looked down on werewolves who keep humans as pets.”

“I find keeping a human as a pet disgusting, but only because it’s demeaning.” Gaby would be his equal.

“The only way you can keep Gaby is as a pet and even that might be pushing it, considering who or rather what she is.”

His hackles rose. “What do you mean?”

“Gaby is a wolf-segen. Also known as a wolf charmer. She can sense our wolf aura. A dangerous enemy.”

Why would Gaby admit she was a wolf charmer? He suppressed a growl. “Did you compel her to reveal this?”

“I didn’t need to. Lunara, our wolf shaman, found out. She is a dream walker and learned the truth upon meeting her in a dreamscape. Don’t worry, only she, Lev and I know. I trust both Lunara and Lev with my life.” She sighed. “I’ve not said a word to the king.”

Lev turned to him. “I know you are trying to hide the truth, but there is no point.”

He narrowed his eyes at Rylee. “You can’t sentence her to the death. She is my wife. My soul mate.”

“Our laws are archaic, but clear. At least your brother will think so.”

“Then execute me as well. I have Griswold’s serial killer DNA.”

“Who told you?”

“Avery.”

Rylee snorted. “He was mistaken. Only your younger brother had the taint of Griswold. You and King Conan were spared.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Your DNA confirmed it.” Rylee stood. “Before Lev compels you to remember, why don’t we take a walk around to see if you recognize anyone first?”

“Not unless you promise no harm comes to Gaby.”

“You have my word.”

“Very well.”

They left and headed for another elevator. Gaby’s sweet scent filtered through the air, filling him with hope. So close. Soon, they’d be together and, despite all the obstacles, make it work.

He cocked his head and listened to her conversation.

Gaby shouted, “You’re killing me!”

Fuck. He dashed toward the room to save her. Lev and Rylee gave chase hot on his heels.

He slammed the door open. Relief engulfed him on seeing her in one piece, followed by amusement. What the fuck? Gaby and Cricket held game remotes. They had been playing some video game.

Gaby dropped her controller and ran to him. “Kane!”

He drew her in and kissed her long and hard. The feel of her nourished his soul. Not giving a damn they had an audience. Mine.

Cricket cleared her throat. “Get a room.”

Lev chuckled. “Looks like I’m not the only one who loves a human.”

Kane stopped and turned to the big Russian alpha. “You have a human mate?”

Cricket snarked. “Former human.”

“Prince Steele!” Rylee’s commanding tone could have stopped a battle.

Still holding Gaby in his arms, he glared at Rylee. “She stays with me.”

The alpha growled at him. “Stand down, Prince Steele, if you know what’s good for you.”

He bowed his head. “Apologies, my wolf got out of hand.” He came damn close to challenging the top alpha. Though she was older and could not win a fight with him, as alpha she could choose her champion. No doubt mutant Lev.

He fingered a hair back from Gaby’s brow. “Are you all right?”

Gaby pressed a comforting hand to his chest. “Yes. Everyone is cool.” She wrinkled her brow. “And you, Steele?”

“Why not call me Kane?”

Gaby blushed. “I think it’s better to call you by your real name.”

“I see.” He might as well get used to his real identity. As long as Gaby remained at his side.

Gaby turned to Rylee, but looked down. “Perhaps, I can join Prince Steele for a few minutes.”

Cricket folded her arms. “Not until we finish the game. I just reached the last level.”

He wasn’t fond of Gaby’s handler’s flippant manner. “Allow me to take responsibility for Gaby,” he offered.

Rylee met his eyes. “Cricket is in charge of Gaby. And as you can see, Gaby is unharmed.”

Lev picked up the game controller and smirked. “Cricket, is this how you teach a new human our ways?”

“Baby steps.” Cricket winked.

Rylee addressed him. “Prince Steele, I want to show you around to see if anything jogs your memory.” She turned to Lev. “You too, since you are Steele’s handler until he comes back to his senses.”

Lev bowed. “Of course.”

Gaby smiled at him. “Go. I’ll be fine. At least Cricket doesn’t cheat on the wild horse quest.”

“Got that right. I rounded up the herd fair and square.” Cricket smirked.

Gaby leaned over and whispered to him, “This happens to be my favorite game.”

Here he was married to her and he hadn’t a clue she played video games. He smiled and kissed her forehead. “Game on.” He turned to Rylee. “I’ll take the tour.”

Rylee commanded Cricket, “After you finish the game take her back to her quarters and show her the binder about our ways.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

 

Gaby won the game. “Yes!”

“Not bad.” Cricket gave her a high-five and then turned it off.

Gaby sighed. Winning was fun, but seeing Steele warmed her heart. She even accepted calling him Steele. It suited him. She figured if she acknowledged his real identity, she’d see him sooner. He’d signed the marriage certificate Kane, which probably made their marriage null and void.

Cricket’s phone rang and she picked up. “Hey.” She smiled. “Yeah, we better stay at headquarters tonight. Okay. Love you more.” Cricket put away her phone. “Let’s go back to your place.”

“Was that your mate?”

She nodded. “Slade. He was part of the rescue team. You were knocked out so you never had a chance to ogle him.”

“Ogling Steele is enough for me.” Had she and Slade been set up through some werewolf dating system? “So you two met here?”

“Yes.”

“Working together?”

“It’s complicated.”

“I see.” Probably involved pack ritual.

Two men walked in and headed toward the game station.

“I’m surprised the door is not secured,” said Gaby.

“This is the recreation room, not the secret archives.” Cricket laughed.

Gaby glanced at the pool table and screens with different gaming set ups. Where were they, high school? After being homeschooled, it looked how she imagined a recreation room would. Though Cricket was bossy, she’d never had as much fun playing someone her age. Never had a friend she could hang out with. Who knew Cricket played her favorite game and though snarky, was easy to talk to? “True enough.”

She sighed. “Anyway, I’m supposed to go over our werewolf binder and prep you for the contract vow.”

“We’ll finish the game later?”

“You bet. If we ever get through the binder.”

They returned to her apartment they called a den. Nice. Cave-like. Awesome. Yet, not home without her husband. The bedroom was big. Considering the size of the average werewolf not a surprise. After Cricket had picked her up from Rylee’s den, she’d been unnerved Rylee knew her secret. The head alpha told Gaby not to tell anyone about her gift and she agreed. Apparently, the king and the lycan council might still believe in the Edict of Segner. Cricket, not knowing what Gaby hid, detected her nervousness and suggested the recreation room to chill out. It worked, but now her fears returned with a vengeance. Yet, why worry? She planned to sign the non-disclosure contract.

Cricket opened the binder. “You don’t mind if I make coffee, right? It’ll take a long time to go over werewolf protocol basics for dummies, I mean humans.”

Wasn’t she wired enough? “Are you sure you need more coffee?”

“To get through the binder, I’ll need at least three cups. How about you?”

“Sure, why not.”

Cricket disappeared into the kitchen. “Make two cups, bold French roast.” The coffee maker immediately went to work.

The place had smart appliances. This werewolf society had the means to bring in high tech conveniences she didn’t expect. Everything else, such as the cavern underground, looked just as she imagined. Primal.

Cricket returned. “Okay, so where were we?”

“Page one,” said Gaby. The big fat binder titled, Human’s Guide to Lycan Society sat in front of her.

“Why don’t you read the introduction and then I’ll go through the whole status protocol bullshit.”

Hard to take this seriously, when Cricket apparently didn’t. Gaby leafed through the pages. “Might be a bit.”

Cricket handed her a highlighter. “Not that you’ll be tested, but if you don’t get the basics down, it’ll be your ass and mine as your handler.”

“No pressure,” snarked Gaby. She sat and opened the binder. The introduction included the history of their kind, which piqued her interest. At last, how the heck their kind evolved or even existed.

“Take your time. I’ll review my next mission.” Earlier, she’d brought a backpack. Cricket took her laptop out and set it up.

“How much do I need to know before signing the non-disclosure contract?”

“Honestly, all you need to know is we exist. Learning our lifestyle will take you a long time. That is if Rylee agrees to keep you in her pack.”

“I would be free to go?” Although, not happening without Steele.

“As long as you don’t blab, sure. Trust me, if you tell anyone about our kind, we’ll know and you will pay with your life. Not to mention anyone you tell.”

“I don’t plan to ever say anything, even without a contract. They would think I’m nuts.”

“True enough.”

“Rachel told me she’s a newbie.”

“Yep, and she’s not exactly as submissive as she should be. It hasn’t been a year, so she has some leeway. Plus, her mate Lev is permissive of her indiscretions.”

“I can’t believe she was once human.”

“Well, now she is a werewolf and though she’s a beta, you as a human will always be lower than an omega.”

“Thanks for the confidence booster,” Gaby snarked.

“Coffee ready,” said the computerized feminine voice.

Cricket turned to her. “What do you like in your coffee?”

“Cream, no sugar.”

“Just like me.” She returned with two mugs. “Let me know if you have any questions.”

Gaby flipped to the visuals of the behaviors. “I’m familiar with the postures, fur and tail positions.”

“We have similarities with wolf and dog behaviors, but our lycan behaviors are more refined and stricter, too human in some ways, but feral in other ways.”

“Who told you about my former job?”

“Rylee had some intel. The first night, while you rested, we had an all hands meeting about you and Steele.”

Gaby scratched her neck where she’d been pricked. “You mean after you tranquilized me.”

“It was for your own good.”

“In Las Vegas, Kane sensed a werewolf.”

Cricket frowned. “Who sensed a werewolf?”

Gaby rolled her eyes. “Steele.”

“That was Slade and me. Then you skipped out on us.”

“How did you know we were in Las Vegas?”

“Top secret.” She sat at her computer and turned it on. “Going to catch up on work.”

Gaby understood the “need to know” basis. “Got it.” She returned to reading. Soon, she was absorbed in their unusual beginning. Magic and a wizard named Stallo. Two hours later, she continued reading about their history, pack dynamics and status behavior. She shook her head. “Who knew you are born wolf first until bitten to become human?”

Cricket turned. “Only if we survive the change.”

“Sounds awful. I just read the transformation often takes eight hours or more of pure agony.”

The petite lycan snorted. “No one knows that better than I do.” She returned to her keyboard.

Gaby was curious, but didn’t want to pry. She returned to reading what felt like an epic fantasy of a deep secret society.

Cricket closed her laptop and went to the kitchen. “Time to eat.” She heated a pre-made meatloaf and set the table for dinner. “I ordered a meal ahead of time. I’m not much of a cook.”

On her third cup of coffee, Gaby had lost track of time. Already five thirty p.m. “When will I sign the contract?”

“I believe she scheduled you for the contract ritual tomorrow evening. Until then, you can’t leave your room, unless I accompany you.”

Gaby bit her lower lip. Why did signing papers sound freakin’ weird? “Ritual?”

“Blood ritual. Did I forget to mention the marks?”

Her skin chilled. “No, you never said anything about blood. All you said was contract signing. What do you mean marks?”

“It’s quick.”

“Can you elaborate?”

Cricket sighed as if it were no big deal. “After you sign the vow, three alpha witnesses mark you with a claw. A permanent scar, which lets all werewolves know you signed the contract. It means you were marked to keep silent. If any lycan witnesses you exposing our society, he or she can kill you outright. That is unless you belong to an alpha. In which case, they need his or her permission to execute you.”

“So my master can say no?” After escaping from one master, I’ve had enough of being someone’s dog. Although, Steele might make being my master kinky fun.

“Or do the deed himself or herself, which is normally the case.”

“I don’t plan to speak of it, so I’m cool.” She could never imagine Steele killing her. He’d called her his mate. That had to mean something.

“I know. Most of our humans obey.”

“How many humans have gone through this ritual?”

“I’m really not exactly sure. Rachel’s father, Dr. Howard Becker is the only other human who permanently lives on the grounds.”

Rachel’s father was here? Had he initiated Rachel into the lifestyle by introducing her to the mutant werewolf, Lev? “He chooses to live here?”

“Yep.”

Gaby wrinkled her brow. “So is Dr. Becker considered below an omega?”

“Not under Rylee’s jurisdiction.”

“So does he belong to her?” Why not? Rylee appeared available and like Steele, maybe she fell in love with a human.

“No. He’s Selene’s.”

“Her pet?”

Cricket nodded. “A human we keep as a lover or beloved companion.”

“As long as it doesn’t mean wearing a collar, the term is not so bad.”

“Actually, pets are required to do so, although Becker only does when meeting with the royal pack. Rylee doesn’t require it.”

“What?” No way in hell would she wear a collar.

“Anyway, go back to reviewing.”

Seems like I’m signing up for more than I expected. She swallowed. “Will you be at the ritual tomorrow?”

“No. You have to be an alpha or a high-ranking beta. Rylee and two alphas she selects will be there.”

“Like Lev and Slade.” Besides Steele, those were the only other alphas she knew of.

“Not Lev. He is a mutant and who knows what a deep scratch from his claw will do. Not Slade, since he never mentioned it.”

“How deep is the cut?”

“Normally, you would need stitches, but one of the alphas will lick you to heal the wounds.”

“Heal?”

“An alpha’s saliva can heal most wounds. And accompanied by a gentle bite has a calming effect.”

She remembered how relaxed she felt after Steele’s bite.

Cricket sniffed as if to gage the readiness of their meal and then smiled. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

Gaby lost her appetite. Being mauled by three werewolves was not something she looked forward to. Where was Steele? Would he be there?