Fur, Cloak and Dagger (Team Greywolf 4)

Emma frowned. “No. I’m just vetting my partner.” I prefer working alone.

Cricket whispered, “I scented his attraction to you.”

Typical alpha male. “I’ll admit, he’s handsome, but honestly, are you sure he is trustworthy?”

Cricket scowled as if Emma insulted her best friend. “Very. Nik helped us escape Nazi werewolves so I give him an A for loyalty.” A slow

smile appeared on her lips. “Got to admit, he’s a hottie. Lucky for him, I have a mate or I’d be all over him.”

Emma lowered her gaze. “I shouldn’t think of other men.” Specifically, lycan men.

Cricket’s brows drew together. She draped an arm over Emma’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to joke so soon after Danny’s death.”

Only a few team members, including Cricket, knew about her fiancé’s death. He and the two other field agents had been murdered. “That’s okay. He’s gone and I can’t bring him back.” Although, I’ll have my day of revenge.

Cricket patted her shoulder. “Your heart is broken and I wasn’t thinking.”

“About Nik Sokolov.”

“Yes.”

“He seems more human than werewolf.”

Cricket chuckled. “You probably know more about lycan culture than he does.”

“So I noticed.”

“Nik thought he was the last of his kind, until he ended up captured by the rogue Nazi pack. To be honest, we didn’t know if he’d work for us. Fortunately, he decided to join Team Greywolf. You’re right; he does have a tough time with lycan rules. When he was still a wolf, his pack was massacred. Had it not been for former KGB agent, Colonel Oleg Sokolov, he too would have been killed. After that, Nik was raised to be a military intelligence officer.”

“How could he not have known there were other lycans?”

“In the 80s, all Siberian werewolf packs were massacred.”

“Tragic.” He might be annoying, worse, dang attractive, but she couldn’t help feel something she hadn’t felt since Danny died, a need for a man. Knowing he’d had a sad life brought out her buried nurturing side. Yet, she shouldn’t have any romantic feelings for a werewolf. Not unless she wanted to be claimed as his pet. Not happening. Technically, she and her father belonged to Rylee, but only for lycan records. The LIA had always treated them with respect. Their low status became an issue only when they faced other packs. For the most part, there had been no need to visit other packs.

“You will love working with Nik. He is a powerful alpha and will die protecting you.”

“But he’s new to the LIA.” Her suspicious nature still had doubts. “An enemy agent could easily pretend to be loyal. A double agent might even fool Rylee.” Emma sighed. “Sorry, I’ve had plenty of experience with people you’d never suspect as moles.”

“Nik worked for Russian intelligence and still has contact with his comrades, however, Rylee trusts him. Besides, Lev used his powerful mind control to make sure he’s legit,” Cricket added.

Emma curiosity piqued. “Lev seems the most interesting of the lot.” She’d read everything in Chernobyl Werewolf’s file.

“Yep. Good thing he’s on our side.”

“Agreed.”

“Lev and Nik hit it off. They enjoy telling us how much better it is to be Russian. Nik keeps a cabin next to Lev and Rachel’s place.”

“Good to know, he’s got a paw on lycan ground.”

Cricket rolled her eyes. “Human humor.”

“Sorry, couldn’t resist.”

“We finally got used to Nik’s ‘Nikisms.’ ”

“What’s that?”