Nik winked. “Come.”
“Actually, I’m getting a The Man from U.N.C.L.E vibe.” She entered the elevator and he pressed a button.
She counted five floors as they descended. The doors opened and she entered what looked like a survival prepper’s paradise. The place had beds, rows of canned food, a kitchen with modern sinks. “Impressive.”
“Russian fall-out shelter from old Soviet era.”
“No picture of Stalin, I see.” She raised her brow. “How did you find this place?”
“My mentor once brought me here. A long time ago. Which is why I’m familiar with the area.”
“You never mentioned this at our last meeting.”
He smiled. “Rylee already knew, but for the rest, it is on a need to know basis.”
“Next time, fill me in.”
“I just did.”
“I mean ahead of time.” They were partners after all. Emma inspected the area. “Looks like old style surveillance cameras.”
“Yes. We can make sure we were not followed.”
“Do you expect the pack to follow us to this area?”
“No. It is better if they find a new territory. Far from civilization.”
A table held board games, including a chess game as well as cards. “When do we start our search?”
He opened a drawer and took out two phones, then he handed one to her. “Maybe you should stay here, and I go in wolf form.”
She took the phone. “Hey, remember I’m the wolf biologist, so think again.”
He sighed. “Okay. We will take the helicopter a little closer, land and then hike for several miles.”
“Better.”
“Shall we leave after lunch?”
Emma nodded. “Sounds good, but will we fly back at night or make camp up there?”
“No. We will camp.”
“Okay. I’ll bring my backpack. I have a tent and food.”
“Very good,” he said.
“Big enough for two.” Her cheeks burned. “I mean for two sleeping bags.”
“No need to share warmth. I will remain in wolf form.”
“Not what I meant.” Part of her was relieved. Just the two of them, she envisioned awkward moments with the handsome werewolf in a tent. Better he curl up as a wolf. Less temptation for erotic shenanigans. Having a werewolf with superior senses guarding their camp guaranteed she’d have a good night’s sleep.
Nik opened the cabinet. “Time for some borsht.”
“I take it we don’t have chicken noodle soup.”
“I can add canned beef to borsht.”