by Eva Gordon
Gaby pulled her finger back and though he could have kept it in his hard grip, he let go. “You used your alpha mind control to make me kiss you.”
“Honey, if that were true, you would have continued kissing me until…well…until dinner.”
Gaby crossed her arms. “How do I know you aren’t compelling me like you did Tomlin and the guards?”
“In the beginning, you submitted, but over time it appears your wolf-segen charm prevents my alpha aura from working on you.” He narrowed his eyes. “If I was in control, you would not have wagged your finger at me.”
No excuses, I wanted to kiss him. Actually, I want more. Gaby wrinkled her brow. “I suppose so.” Nonetheless, looking him in the eye proved difficult, although, she normally knew better than to stare at the animals she worked with. And being shy around him didn’t help with eye contact.
“I’m not sure why, but the term wolf-segen is vaguely familiar.”
“I wonder—assuming werewolves have always existed—if your kind and mine had some bond?”
He nodded as if coming to the same realization. “Indeed, especially since you can see my wolf aura.”
“Exactly.”
“Do you know if there are others like you?”
“Giles is always looking, but, apparently, I am the only one.” She shrugged. “I often wonder if my mother had this ability, but Giles said, no.”
Kane tapped his chin. “Wolf-segen?”
“I did a web search long ago and found a few references. Wolf charmers used to guide wolves, rats and other creatures from villages. There is also mention of them during the werewolf trials and paranoia that swept Europe. Wolf charmers were rare, mostly elderly men and women who traded their charm for food and lodging. Legend has it, a wolf-segen could ward away werewolves, but I assumed they interacted with normal wolves.”
“You do make me feel calm, so I imagine, you could sweet talk a werewolf to stay away. Not to mention rat out a werewolf to the authorities.”
Her heart constricted. If werewolves existed, she imagined wolf charmers were hired to identify them. Still, the documented werewolf cases were attributed to serial killers, innocent hermits, or wolves with rabies. “Being a wolf charmer in the open lasted until the 1600s when they were persecuted and burned at the stake as witches. After that, according to Giles, I am the only known wolf charmer in existence. I scored in genetic roulette for having this rare trait.”
“So what do you say? Are you okay with pretending I obey your wolf-segen commands?”
“Convincing and then compelling Giles will make it easier to help you escape…but…”
“What?”
“I have no clue where you can go.”
“Where are we now?”
“In Forest County, Wisconsin. We are on one hundred isolated acres, but have our own small airport for missions. Even the president and most members of the NSA and CIA don’t know we exist.”
“At least Wisconsin is not exactly the end of the earth.”
She scoffed. “Try getting in or out. You might as well try trespassing into Area 51.”
“After I learn as much as I can from Giles, we’ll leave.”
“If I get caught, I’m screwed.”
“Not if you have a partner.”
After escaping as a teenager, she endured torture and months in isolation. Fear kept her a prisoner despite her freedom to leave her home for trips to the local area. Even without security, they somehow knew her every move. The werewolf was not only powerful, but with his ability to mind control humans, he was her best chance to leave Project Sabertooth for good.
“How many people work here?”
“Twenty fulltime security and fifteen others including myself, handlers and operatives. On occasion, there is an army of Special Forces soldiers, but they don’t live here.”
“Small operation.”
“Ultra clandestine. We sign a non-disclosure contract. Anyone who talks is executed.”
“Yet, you are sent to carry out animal led assassinations.”
In defense, she blurted, “And the rescue of animals and people.”
“Don’t act so guilty. You are forced. I’m sure they’d love to send me on such missions.”
“Director Giles must think you are the greatest asset, but trust me, if there are more than one of you, he’ll use you to flush them out.”
He scowled. “A disturbing thought, but to be honest, I’d do anything to find out who I am.”
“I bet you were a soldier who nearly died, only to be turned into a werewolf.” She’d seen plenty of movies about wounded soldiers turned into robots or beasts.
“Except, I have a feeling I am part of a pack.”
“Who knows maybe the chimera secret lab facility created many werewolf soldiers. An army of shifters.”
“My gut or rather inner wolf feels I’m natural rather than created.”
She gave him an incredulous look. How could werewolves be natural? If they weren’t created in a lab, then the only other alternative was magic or dropped on earth by aliens. Or had the myth of their existence always been a well-kept secret? “I still can’t believe I’m talking to a real werewolf.” She snorted. “And really contemplating escape.” My last chance of leaving. Crippling fear strangled her. Where would they go? Giles would never stop hunting them. Once captured, they’d be tortured or executed. Kane must realize she’d be a burden. As a wolf, he could easily escape into the woods. Better he go alone. “I’m staying.”
He scowled. “The hell you are.”
Relief warmed her heart, but fear tempered her thoughts. “Think of the risk of bringing me along. As a wolf, you can blend in with a pack and literally vanish from their radar.”
“Besides never pointing a finger at an alpha, never question an alpha’s decision.” His gaze seared her soul. “You are coming with me, whether you like it or not.”
All her life she resented Giles and others for making decisions for her, but this time, it felt different. A hero had come along to rescue her. “First, let’s see if Giles finds out who you really are.” She winked. “Then you can boss him around with your mind control.”
“I should tell you about my nightmare.”
“Did you write it down?”
“Yes. I remember fragments.”
“Clues?”
“Yes. I was in wolf form. There was a castle. A fierce alpha female approached and ordered her pack to kill me.”
“I wonder if seeing a castle was the result of viewing all those pictures of werewolves in the Middle Ages?”
He frowned. “You could be right.”
“Although, the female and her pack might be significant.”
“Meaning there are others?”
“Precisely.” She sensed something rang true, but she was no psychologist.
“The wolf in me appears to know more about what I am than I do while human.”
“Did you sleep in human form?”
“Yes.”
“Perhaps, if you sleep in wolf form you’ll get more clues.”
“I’ll try that tonight.”
She gazed at her watch. “Let’s call it a day. I need to check on my other charges.”
“Can I tag along?”
Gaby lifted a brow. “Since you can, apparently, compel Tomlin’s permission, why not?”
Kane smirked. “I only wish I could compel you.”
Her wolf-segen charm prevented him from influencing her, yet her belly knotted. “How do I know you are not?”
“Trust me, it’s not like I haven’t tried.”
“If you come with, you can’t talk while I’m working with any animal.”
“I’ll be silent.”
“Good wolf,” Gaby smirked. He followed her into an elevator to the underground section of the new asset containment area. A security guard sat in front of the entrance. “I’m going to check on Sahira our new Bengal tiger.”
The guard stood. “Only you are cleared to enter.”
Gaby turned to Kane and gave him a sardonic smile. “Go on. Tell him you want to come in.”
Kane met his eyes. “I have clearance to enter.”
The guard nodded. “Yes.”
They went through another door that read, Wild Predators. Only Handlers Beyond This Point.
The intense smell of tiger and lion urine accosted Kane’s sensitive nose as they entered. There were five huge enclosures, complete with dens and trees. “Underground zoo.”
“We call it man-eater zoo.”
“Oh?”
“We have six big cats; two lions, one Siberian tiger, a mountain lion, and two Bengal tigers including our newest asset, Sahira.”
“You mean assassin-in-training kitties?”
“All our wild beasts were brought in because they have killed and, in some cases, eaten people. Stand back. I’ll show you my charm at work.”
Kane stood away. The lions charged him and roared, most likely not pleased about his presence. His wolf growled back. The large male snarled and struck at the glass barrier.
Gaby turned toward the enclosure and closed her eyes. The lions silenced. They backed away and returned to their dens.
Kane’s fangs receded. “What did you tell them?”
“I told them you are my companion and to go back to napping.”
“I like that.” I bet they thought she meant mate.
She approached the tiger’s enclosure. “Sahira.”
The tigress slowly stepped out of her den and approached Gaby. She rubbed her head against the glass and chuffed, a sound he recognized as a friendly greeting. Odd, he remembered. “Seems friendly enough. How many people has she killed?”
“She’s eaten nine people that we know of.”
“So it will come natural to her when you ask her to kill.”
“Actually, I can ask any animal to attack, but our policy is to use dangerous ones experienced in killing.” She slumped. “I hope to get out of here before Giles or his second in command Tomlin makes me use them again.”
“Don’t worry. No one will ever ask you again to use animals as weapons.” Unless, she counts me.
Gaby glanced at a food slit. “At least she ate all her beef.” She entered information into her tablet.
“How often are the big cats used to assassinate?”
“Only on rare occasions. Sometimes, we use them as gifts for drug lords, or to get rid of a person in the animal’s native country, so their death looks like a legitimate accident. The hard part is getting the animal back before he or she is hunted down. We lose most that way.”
“Because you don’t hang about?”
“Right. Most of the time, I stay in the shadows unless I have a cover story. I’m not much of an actress. I’ve had several close calls after being discovered.”
He stiffened. Though he’d known her for a short period, the thought he could have lost her before meeting her disturbed him. Could she be my destined mate? He kept his tone neutral. “What roles have you played?”
“Everything from news reporter to relief worker to…call girl.”
“Really?” He feigned amusement. “I’m shocked.”
Gaby rolled her eyes. “I was schooled by a professional madam on the art of seduction.”
His sense of humor died and fierce anger took over. His wolf’s hackles rose as he longed to taste their blood. “You were used…that way?”
“No. It’s never gone that far. Yet. The team gets me out before it comes to that, but I’ve had more than enough close calls.”
Relief soothed his nerves. However, his need to protect overtook his need to find out his identity. All that mattered was getting her out. “I understand why I never liked Giles.”
“Are you sure you want to meet with him?”
“Yes, only because he might know who I am.” He smiled. “Don’t worry, he’ll tell me everything he knows.”
“I would take you on the grand tour of our facility, but we better get back before Director Giles returns.”
He looked at the sign to another area, Bears. He sniffed and recognized the stench of grizzly and polar bears. His wolf spoke. We have fought a polar bear. Another snippet, but how or when drew a blank.
Chapter 6
Gaby and Kane ate lunch and then he went back to his quarters. Giles returned and wanted to talk to her, alone. Kane wanted to come along, but agreed she should first meet privately with Giles and tell him her wolf charm worked on the werewolf. That way she’d get a feel of what he’d learned about Kane if anything. She took in a long breath and knocked.
“Enter,” said Director Giles.
“You want to talk.”
“Yes, sit.” He smiled from behind his desk.
She did as told. Anxiety swirled around her. He was probably about to tell her the truth about Kane. He had a wife or family or worked with terrorists? “Did you learn about his identity?”
“I tried all my intelligence contacts, and nothing came up.”
“Oh.” Back to square one.
“If he served with special operations, someone deeper on the inside covered his tracks.” He sneered and clenched his fists. “First time this has ever happened.”
“So we haven’t a clue who he is?”
“Only that you changed his name from Specimen Zero W to Kane.” He chuckled. “I approve.”
“His amnesia appears permanent and we’ll never know.”
“Actually, we’ll learn something soon enough. I inquired at the chimera labs about any experiments involving wolf DNA. Five minutes later, I got a call from the top echelon commander. The big Kahuna. My boss’s bosses’ boss, Alistair Kraig, who I’ve never met.”
This was the first time she’d heard the name. Giles had never shared anything about who was in charge. All the black government facilities kept their identity hidden. Giles’ project was one of them. He was not the top rung, but she was on the very bottom. Limited need to know. The chimera labs must have created Kane. “I bet they are anxious to meet him.” Or rather retrieve him.
“Yes. The helicopter should arrive soon.”
“Alistair Kraig is coming here?”
“Actually, his son, part of his father’s investigative division, Avery Kraig will join us for dinner to meet our werewolf.”
Gaby wrinkled her brow. “I’m sure he knows him.”
“And wants him back.” He leaned back in his chair and sighed. “I hate to lose one of our greatest assets.”
Yeah, I bet you do. A predator that could kill and devour a target, with the intelligence of a man. Maybe I’ll be retired since a shifter is far more convenient than transporting a tiger or bear to a site for an assassination. “Are you going to turn him over?”
“I have no choice.”
Unless this mysterious man was another werewolf, Kane would be able to compel him. Had to love Kane’s mind control, an advantage in their planned escape. “I suppose you’ll find out by dinner.”
“You are invited, by the way.”
“I am?” He’d always kept her hidden from his contacts outside Project Sabertooth. An asset he refused to share.
“Avery Kraig requested your presence.”
Gaby shifted in her chair. “Are you kidding me?”
“No, I’m not. He insisted.”
“Did you tell him about my gift?”
“No. You are listed as my ward and animal handler. Unless…” He blew out a long breath. “He accessed my encrypted files.”
“You said that was impossible.” The less people who knew about her power over animals, the better. No telling what his boss would ask her to do. Or she might end up as his experimental rat. Worse, he might put her on display to demonstrate her charm in front of the entire world.
“I’m just guessing. This is the first time Alistair Kraig has ever given Project Sabertooth a second thought.”
“Maybe he just wants to meet family,” she scoffed. Though Director Giles had been her legal guardian on paper, there was no rel
ationship. As a child, Gaby never had birthdays, trips to the park or Christmas. Home schooling with a private tutor and occasional visits to museums and zoos while growing up was the extent of normalcy. To Giles, she’d always been an asset. A creature to carry out missions against the assigned targets. A possession he never intended to share with anyone but second in command, Tomlin.
He gave her an incredulous gaze. “Doubtful.”
“Afraid he might want to take me?”
“If he did, Project Sabertooth would come to an end.” He lifted a brow. “Speaking of, does your wolf charm work on the werewolf?”
Time to lie. “Yes. I tested him. His wolf obeys my every command.”
He smiled. “Interesting. What did you compel him to do?”
“I asked him to wag his tail, just like a harmless puppy.”
“Good. During dinner, you can charm him if he becomes upset.”
“What time?”
“At seven p.m. My penthouse.”
Gaby could count the number of times she’d been to his apartment. The last time was a year ago, when she insisted on seeing him about the health of one of her trained dogs. “I think I can fit that into my busy schedule,” she said, her tone sarcastic. Her schedule never mattered to him one damn bit.
“Wear something nice.”
“First, I need to go home to pick up a dress.” Not to mention, pack for their escape.
“Very well. I’ll see to it the driver goes with you.”
“Sure.”
“Remember, don’t discuss your talent. You are simply the girl I fostered after my daughter’s death and my subsequent divorce.”
Relief washed through her. Giles must have faith the encrypted files kept her hidden from everyone’s radar. She’d stick to the story. “Got it.” She stood. “May I go?”
“Not quite. Sit.” He took out a manila folder.
Gaby collapsed back onto her chair. She wanted to remind him, she was due a break. That is, until she and Kane escaped. She couldn’t wait to rush back to her quarters and research their escape route. Getting a vehicle would be easy, until they acquired another one or found other means of transportation. Despite Kane’s help, it wouldn’t be easy to return to society. Her fake passports and IDs were inaccessible, locked from her. Once she left, Giles would freeze her bank account. Fortunately, she knew this day would come so over the past few years, she kept a few thousand dollars hidden in her cabin. She also kept a couple throw away phones as well. One here and one at home. “A new target?”
