She sat and grabbed her coffee. “Us, of course.”
“No, something is not right.”
She threw off the blanket. “I think you’re right.”
Slade left her to open the door. “Hey Doc, the mission couldn’t be over so soon.”
Becker nodded. “Before Team Greywolf entered Wolf's Lair castle, Rylee rounded up as many of the unchanged as possible.”
Cricket stood by the door wrapped in her robe. “Why?”
“Humans nuked the castle.” His eyes tightened. “An unidentified plane dropped it.”
“Fuck.” They almost got nuked if not for their escape. Slade lifted a brow. “Which government?”
Cricket sighed. “The Keep. Jack or rather Robert must have sent his father the coordinates after all.”
How convenient, so many weres in one place, Slade thought.
Becker shrugged. “Rylee agrees it was The Keep as well. Her sources in the White House claimed they didn’t launch. Nor did any other known government we are on good terms with.”
Cricket shuddered, and Slade protectively draped an arm over her. “Henrik might have gotten away.”
Slade scowled. “He won’t get far, and he shouldn't have any friends to help him.”
“Odds are, he returned to the castle,” said Cricket. “With his messed up leg, he'd need medical treatment.” Even with his alpha blood’s quick healing properties, he won’t heal immediately.
“I bet you’re right. Apparently, when they caught wind of our team’s scent, they ran back to the castle, and then wiped off the face of the earth,” said Becker.
Slade cocked his head as the helicopter drew closer. “Let’s dress.”
Cricket nodded. “Roger.”
Cricket gave a final look as Slade boarded the second Team Greywolf plane. No time, nor privacy for a final farewell kiss. Not goodbye as team members, but goodbye to their fleeting moments of pretending they were mates.
Apparently, King Conan demanded Slade's presence. Would he force him to leave the LIA and return to the Yukon with a mate?
Cricket slept most of the flight back. Exhaustion or depression had done her in. How could she be happy heading back home without Slade?
They finally landed at headquarters. Home. Safe. The human apocalypse stopped. Rylee ordered she take a long well-deserved vacation. Rest and maybe go on a long ride on her mare. Not without Slade by her side.
Cricket walked off the plane and approached Rylee. “Ma’am, what about Slade?”
“The king invited him to stay with him while the royal European and British royals join him for a long investigation on Wolfstro
m and Raulf. And about The Keep. Naturally, they’re worried.”
“I could have helped.”
“You will. I have a million questions for you.”
Cricket bit her lower lip. “Right.”
“Don’t worry, he’ll be back in a couple weeks for the grand ball. In fact, Mia is anxious to talk to you about it.”
As much as she wanted to see her BFF, life without Slade, her arrogant bossy alpha, felt empty. Mia, a human, had her alpha mate, why couldn’t she? “I suppose, Prince Slade will be the centerpiece as he is the most available bachelor.”
“Along with a few others. From what I’ve heard, every available alpha she-wolf is coming, including your two bitchy sisters.”