by Eva Gordon
“Besides our sexual tension?”
Gaby met his gaze. “I can sense your wolf even while you are in human form.”
“Now that is interesting. How so?”
“At first, I thought it was the shock of finding out you were a werewolf. But, when I look at others, I don’t perceive an inner wolf.”
He turned his head. “Is he behind me?”
“Physically, I saw a brief wolf-shaped mist. Only for a second, then I sensed the wolf shadow inside you, but only in my mind. As if you have a tattoo that only I can see. I’ve not mentioned it to Dr. Tomlin, since he and Giles might use this ability to find others like you.”
His eyes widened. “You can help me find others like me?”
She hated throwing him a bone of hope, but he should know. “If others like you roam around cities. Unfortunately, if there are few or just you, that plan won’t work. Plus, I’m stuck here.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
How dangerous would it be for her to look for more werewolves, while being pursued by Giles and his ilk? Giles had global connections with operatives around the globe, including rumors about an order that controlled the entire world. She furrowed her brow. “I trust you.” She smiled. “I’ll try not to influence you to kiss me.”
He smirked. “You didn’t.”
Gaby shamefully wanted him and like a typical alpha male, he thought it was his idea. The thought of using him to kill for Project Sabertooth turned her stomach. The last thing she wanted was to find more werewolves to kill for Giles. Of late, the project included offing whistle blowers and so-called enemies of the state. No one would trace an animal attack back to Sabertooth. “That’s what you think.”
“Very well, compel me to do something.”
“I’ll have you do something harmless. Fight it.”
“Sure.”
She studied his features, which at this moment looked human. “First, turn wolf.”
“Now?”
“Come into the living room, I don’t have much furniture.” Would it be possible to charm him into remembering his identity? If she could, she’d make sure he escaped and returned to his home. Possibly to his significant other. Although, she’d not turn him against the guards. The alarm would sound and Kane would end up dead. Giles would be pissed about losing his new asset. Plus, she’d vowed never to kill any more handlers or guards. Unless, they fired first.
He followed her into the spacious living room and pulled off his t-shirt. “Let’s do this.”
Her phone rang. She glanced at Kane. “Hold on.” He kept his shirt off. “Yes?”
Tomlin practically shouted, “The new Bengal tiger just mauled her handler.”
Gaby winced. “Okay, I’m on my way. What about Kane?” She nodded and put her phone away. “We need to postpone our experiment. The guards will escort you to your accommodations.”
“Confronting a tiger doesn’t sound safe.”
“You heard…of course, you did. Don’t worry, she’s tranquilized and in her cage.” If she’d been there, this would never have happened.
“So why go right away?”
“Tomlin wants me there when she awakens.”
He put his t-shirt back on. “Will you meet me later?”
“We’ll call it a day. Rest for now. They’ll serve you dinner soon and I’ll see you in the morning.” They walked out and she told the guards to take him to his room.
“I look forward to seeing if your charm compels me.”
I hope not. “After breakfast, I’ll arrange it.”
The wolf stared at a castle perched on a granite mountain above the forest. The scent of a nearby wolf pack seemed familiar. Yet, he didn’t know them. His identity remained blank. In wolf form, vague snippets flashed by, but not enough. His wolf snarled at him, “You did this!”
“What do you mean?”
“You took away our spirits. Our memories.”
“How and why would I do that to us?”
“If I knew, you would be the first to know.”
“Who lives in that castle?”
The wolf looked at the keep and growled. “I sense betrayal. Hate.” He backed away. “We can’t go there.”
The scent of a she-wolf interrupted their combating minds. The black she wolf stalked forward, snarling with gleaming white fangs. An alpha.
His hackles rose. He sniffed. “Is this your territory?”
Behind her, a pack appeared. She growled. “Kill him.”
Kane shot up from his bed. His fangs out and his hands clawed. Only a nightmare. He stared at the digital clock, seven a.m. Kane inhaled and slowly released his breath. Had the dream revealed clues about his identity? Only snippets of a castle in the middle of a forest, and a black she-wolf commanding her pack to attack. Was it a real place, hidden in the deep recesses of his subconscious? Why had he dreamt of a female? A hint that there were others like him. A mate? Not by the way she acted. He reached for the pad of paper and pen Gaby gave him to record what he could remember.
He wrote down the date and title, Dream 1. A castle and one angry bitch. A vast forest. Sadness and betrayal on viewing the castle. The palace felt like home. Why did my wolf blame me for the amnesia? The she-wolf elicited danger to my heart or perhaps my life.
The few impressions angered him. He threw the pad across the room. At this point, he needed a hypnotist to awaken his past. Kane stood and walked to the bathroom. He stared at his face in the mirror. Light brown hair, stubble and feral amber eyes. His wolf growled. Why can’t I remember?
A knock on the door interrupted his anguish.
He wore only boxer shorts, but left his bedroom as Dr. Tomlin entered with the same three guards following him in. One of the guards carried a tray. Coffee. Breakfast included a large omelet, slices of bacon and toast, unappetizing to a wolf’s palate. He set it on the dining table.
“Good morning, Kane. Hope we didn’t wake you,” said Tomlin.
The scent of food pleased his hungry wolf. Best of all, he didn’t detect drugs in the meal. “Since you brought bacon and coffee, I’m in a forgiving mood.”
“Good. Before you eat, I just want to check your vitals.” The doctor gestured for him to sit on a chair next to the food he’d soon devour. A desire to hunt crossed his mind, but for now, he’d eat their meals.
He sat. No immediate danger. Why not go along with everything? “Knock yourself out.”
The doctor took his blood pressure, looked in his eyes and ears, and then listened to his heartbeat. He put away his medical instruments. “Better than normal.”
No kidding. “If not remembering a damn thing about who I am is normal.”
Tomlin sighed. “So, still no clue?”
“Just impressions.”
Tomlin straightened. “Like what?”
He had no desire to share. Not with anybody, but Gaby. “Being alone. Nothing more.”
“Hmm, maybe the trauma of drowning in the ocean is blocking your memory.”
Drowning or being shot could cause post-traumatic stress, maybe even amnesia. “Am I seeing Gaby today?”
“No. Not until you meet with Director Giles. He will be here at seven p.m. and you can have dinner with him.”
Not the right answer. He stood. “Dr. Tomlin, you will ask Gaby to meet me after breakfast, in thirty minutes and then forget our conversation.”
Tomlin nodded. “Yes. I will call her.”
Kane focused on the guards. “You will remember nothing, but bringing me breakfast.” They nodded and lowered their heads. He turned to the doctor. “Call her now.”
The doctor took his phone from his pocket. “Gaby, meet Kane on level two unit 201 in thirty minutes.”
Kane smiled as he listened to her response. “Are you kidding me? You just texted me to wait until he meets with Giles.”
“New orders.”
“Fine. I’ll be there.”
Tomlin turned to him and nodded.
No longer would he let them boss him a
round. “You can return to your other duties and no guards will accompany us.”
“Yes, of course.”
They left and Kane returned to his breakfast. He devoured the food, even the toast. His ability to mind control humans seemed as natural as his ability to shift. Yet, he didn’t remember the reason behind it. If they knew the extent of his skill in controlling their minds, they’d fear him more than the fact he could turn into a werewolf. Though he had no clue about his identity, he was the superior species. A danger these fools had not anticipated.
He sipped the coffee, and his thoughts turned to Gaby. Wolf-segen. When he first heard the term, it seemed familiar yet vague. Wolf charmers were akin to mythical creatures who once existed, but no more. Where had that little memory come from? Perhaps, Gaby would enlighten him more about her kind. Did others like her exist? Could she influence his wolf to remember?
While he waited, he turned on the television. Morning news. Maybe he’d get a clue as to his location. He picked up the remote and flipped through channels. The stations were national not local. Probably a satellite feed. His sense of smell told him, he was not near the ocean or the desert. The aroma of pine as well as hardwood trees such as ash and maple surrounded the compound. Early fall meant he might be near a similar forest like the one in his dream. No point in leaving so soon. He had nice accommodations, good food and when Director Giles returned more information. His alpha influence guaranteed his control. Then there was Gaby. He had her under his dominant influence, but then she snapped out of it. Odd. What was up with his exquisite wolf charmer?
Chapter 5
Kane undressed. Gaby turned away and stared at the tablet. He shimmered and in seconds, he took up one third of the living room. Aware his nakedness disturbed her, or rather turned her on, he whined to let her know he wore fur.
Gaby slowly turned and parted her lips. Frozen.
The pulse in her throat pumped like prey caught in the predator’s gaze. It’s not like this was the first time she’d witnessed him shift. He sat and cocked his head. I’m ready.
She shook her head. “I still can’t believe what my senses tell me is true.”
I’m no illusion. I feel at home in wolf form. I can’t be the result of an experiment.
Gaby bit her lip and approached. She held out her hand. He sniffed her hand; he inhaled her rich aroma, reminding him of vanilla, and honeysuckle. “Good wolf.”
To ease her nerves, he played the role of a domestic dog. He grinned, fangs out and waved his tail.
She put down the tablet. “Raise your right paw up if you understand me.”
Oh, brother. No trust. Then again, why would she? If he wanted to harm her, the guards wouldn’t be quick enough to stop him. He had to admire her bravery. He lifted his paw in the friendly dog shake.
“You understand what I’m saying.”
Duh. He waved his paw to confirm.
She took a long breath and released it. “Okay. Put your paw down.”
Another test? He obeyed.
“Stand.”
He stood. She needed to stop with the obedience commands.
“Pin your ears back.” Again, he obeyed. His wolf groaned. Please, don’t ask me to beg. I have a limit on what I’ll do for a subordinate human.
“Now I’ll use my mind the way I command animals.” She closed her eyes and then slowly opened them.
He waited. Nothing. He never got her message. Only a sense of calmness.
Gaby sat on the couch and rubbed her forehead. “You obviously didn’t get my command.”
He cocked his head. Nope. Just standing here, watching your pretty lips pucker. Kissable. Kiss her. A command, he was happy to obey. He moved closer and licked her face.
Gaby laughed. “Stop that.”
He pulled away. Didn’t she command me to kiss her?
She sighed. “Let me try again.” Furrowing her brow, she stared. Not for long. Her gaze lowered. “Even at such a short distance, I still can’t influence you.”
He sat and raised his right paw.
She snorted. “Actually, if you had been influenced, the guards would have broken the door down.”
Enough. He shifted back to human form. “I didn’t feel anything, except I wanted to kiss you.”
Gaby looked down. “That’s not what I commanded.” She wrote something on the tablet. “Dress, while I make some coffee.” She stood and dashed into the kitchen.
What did she ask me to do? “I like mine black.”
“Got it,” she called.
He donned his clothes. “How the fuck do I know I like my coffee black?”
She came in with two mugs and handed him one. “Somewhere in your subconscious mind, you remember drink and food preferences. Knowing you like black coffee, love hamburgers and, apparently, beer is a start.”
He sipped the coffee. The aroma filled his palate. Strong. Just the way he liked it. “It’s only a matter of time before the fog clears.”
“True. In fact, if you write down what foods and things you enjoy, I bet that’ll trigger your memory.”
Kane gazed at her over the rim of his mug. “Besides rich coffee, I also like green-eyed women with silky brown hair.”
“When your memories return, you’ll remember more women.”
He smirked. “Perhaps, but none as pleasing as you.” His inner wolf spoke. She is lovely, but not our kind. What things did the wolf know that the man did not?
Gaby blushed. “Anyway. It looks like my influence didn’t work on your wolf.”
He chose to ignore the wolf’s sudden revelation and asked, “What did you compel me to do?”
“I asked you to howl.”
“Hmm. Never got that message.”
“At first, I thought you didn’t want to draw the attention of the entire compound so then I asked you to lie on your back.”
He chuckled. “A nice belly rub would have felt good.”
“But you didn’t do it.”
“I don’t know what the dogs read when you command them, but nah, didn’t feel a thing.” Except, feeling relaxed in your presence. Because of his attraction to her or, did her wolf charm calm rather than mind control his kind?
“Must be because your mind is completely human.”
Doubt it. His wolf was in command at all times. And of late, acting like his conscious. “I bet because I’m dominant.”
She frowned. “I’ve worked with alpha dogs and even they are influenced by my charm.”
“Must be an alpha wolf thing.” Although, he understood he could command any human to his will, he wasn’t ready to tell her now. Or should he? Gaby appeared to be the exception. In the beginning, she followed his commands, but recently she held her own against his influence. Do not tolerate a human who does not bow down to our dominance, snapped his wolf.
“Giles will think I’m no longer necessary in working with you.”
“You think so?” The director had sensed his attraction to her. Why else would they want her to seduce him?
“When he finds out I can’t influence your behavior, I’ll go back to working with our other killer beasts.”
“Not if he doesn’t know.” Before he left, he wanted to assess the situation. Meaning, remembering his true identity. And most important, help Gaby escape. She’d been brought here as a child and forced to their bidding. Her enslavement to Project Sabertooth encouraged his need to protect. His wolf didn’t protest. At last, they agreed on that.
“What do you mean?”
“Tell him your power works on me.”
She smiled. “Hmm. You have made it well known you like having me around.”
He threw her a wolfish grin. “Hell, yeah.” His wolf whined. I agree, but we can’t take a human seriously as a mate. How did his wolf know that?
“However, your attraction must be influenced by my wolf-segen charm.”
Could be truth in what she said. His hypocritical wolf agreed. She made him feel grounded. Warm all over. A wolf charmer might share
a different type of bond with werewolves. The fact he could not entirely control Gaby and her ability to know psychically he was a werewolf piqued his interest in keeping her. Yet, the word wolf-segen bothered him for some reason. Odd. “Trust me, I find you quite charming.” He gazed into her green eyes, wanting her more than anything, besides his memory. Maybe he didn’t want to remember. But why did his inner wolf warn him? Perhaps, he had a mate. The element of the forbidden clouded his mind. Human or not, he wanted her. His wolf retreated into the shadows in reluctant acquiescence.
“Precisely, all canines do.”
“Gaby, when was the last time you looked in the mirror? You are breathtakingly gorgeous.”
Instead of blushing like a shy schoolgirl, she put her mug down and took his. She put it on the coffee table and gazed at him. “You are the charming one, in a big bad wolf sort of way.”
Now, he turned shy wolf on her. She kissed him gently on the chin and his duplicitous wolf howled in deep satisfaction. Before he could reciprocate with wolfish appreciation, she stepped back as if surprised by her boldness.
Gaby snapped out of her enthrallment of Kane. Why had she kissed him? It wasn’t her nature to be forward with a hot guy. Or any guy. One she only knew for a few days, and a werewolf at that. “Sorry, I don’t know why I just did that.”
“I’m not complaining.” He smiled.
“I’m taking advantage of your vulnerability.”
“I’m twice your size and a foot taller. I believe you are the vulnerable one.”
“Seriously, I’m not the one with amnesia.” Who knew what other mental baggage his subconscious hid? Then again, he didn’t mention her emotional vulnerability. “Or lycanthropy.”
“You honestly think I suffer from lycanthropy?”
“You know the term?” She raised her brow. “Interesting. You are right. You don’t suffer from the psychological condition, but a real physiological one.”
Kane grinned. “I think kissing you is good therapy.”
No wonder she shared her past with him. She wagged a finger at him. “You did this.”
He grabbed her finger and his smile slipped. “Never point a finger at an alpha.”
