Fur, Cloak and Dagger (Team Greywolf 4)

Emma gave him a sardonic look. “Who did you learn boasting from? Chekov from Star Trek?”

“You mean Anton Chekov, the novelist?”

Okay, so he doesn’t watch every old television series. Or, more likely, he wanted to show off his literary knowledge. Emma rolled her eyes. “Never mind.”

Rylee continued. “Once you arrive, you will have no contact with us. We can’t have anyone, human or lycan, trace you back to us. I’m sorry, but once you’re compromised you will be on your own. At least until I can get a team together to rescue you.”

My turn to boast. “Don’t worry. Avoiding surveillance and eluding the enemy is my specialty.” Having a werewolf who needed to shift put her in jeopardy.

Rylee smiled. “If you are as good as your father, I have no doubts.”

“Ma’am, which is why I prefer to go solo.”

Nik scoffed. “What if you get captured?” Then he muttered, “Or need rescue from assassins.”

“Look, this is not personal. It’s better if I go in as a human scientist without being compromised by a lycan who needs to shift.”

“Not a scientist. An agent of the CIA,” reminded Nik.

“This is not the first time I have infiltrated a lab.” She was also well educated in wolf biology.

Rylee frowned. “Okay, you two, grow up. Find out who is running this chimera program so we can shut it down.”

“Understood,” said Nik.

“Yes, ma’am.” Emma stood.

“Good. Nik, see you in the morning. Emma, a word…”

Shit. To the pack, it was all about teamwork and obeying the alpha. Normally, Emma was cool headed, but something about Nik really irked her.

Rylee narrowed her eyes. “Sit.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She stared at her hands.

“Lev and I personally vetted Nicolay. He is green in terms of lycan politics, but he is a worthy team member. The missions he’s gone on were successful. Furthermore, he didn’t grow up in a pack, but he is an alpha and you will treat him with the respect he deserves.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“If he’d been any other alpha, he would have demanded your submission.”

Here we go. The ‘alpha is boss’ thing. “I’m sorry. I will follow pack protocol from now on.”

“Good. In my territory, I’m far more lenient than other pack leaders. However, like it or not, Nik is your superior.”

“I understand.”

“No one knows Siberia better than Nik. And furthermore, he has one job. Protect our new Ms. H.”

She never needed a babysitter before, but Rylee had a point. If push came to shove, it would be nice to have a fierce werewolf for backup. “I second that.”

Chapter Five

Nik hated flying in a commercial aircraft, but they wanted to keep their human cover. They traveled like normal people. First class, but not big enough for a werewolf with such little legroom to move. The small box of food they served might be okay for a sparrow, not a wolf with his ravenous appetite. In the window seat, Emma slept like a tired child. She must be used to this mode of travel. What is wrong with me? Sweet Emma. Heartbroken. Thinking of her dead fiancé. Nik longed to drape his arms around her. He too would want revenge if his mate was murdered. Such an emotional state might cause her to make foolish choices. Would Emma put herself in danger? He wouldn’t allow it. His overprotective wolf rose, ready to snap at the chance to attack anyone who threatened her.

As if hearing his thoughts, she woke up. “Did you say something?”

“No. Just trying to stretch. Go back to sleep. We still have another hour before we land.”