Lev smirked. He must suspect. “I went on a hunt, why?”
“A hunt in Nigeria?”
Most knew of Lev’s ability to shift from his normal black wolf form to other fur colors and even sizes, but only Dr. Becker and Rylee knew of his ability to temporarily shift into other carnivores. “Yes, your daughter need not worry about her pretty little neck.”
His voice tensed. “So it was you?”
Why was Becker distressed rather than relieved? True, he took action without permission from Team Greywolf. However, he had always been a rogue werewolf, taking orders from no one. Rylee, head of Team Greywolf knew this about him. “I owed you a life debt.”
“I never asked you to risk exposing lycan society.”
“Nor would I, comrade.”
“You could have tracked them and killed them with conventional methods.”
“Of course. I could have destroyed their camp with a well-placed explosive without harming their captives.” When dealing with human enemies, the team remained human at all times, unless, there was no other choice.
“I saw the images. Not a lion killing for food or territory, but a lion mauling for blood revenge.”
The doctor spoke the truth. A werewolf killed in such a manner when a mate or offspring were harmed or murdered. The minute he caught Rachel’s scent, set eyes on her and felt her soft skin, he’d claimed her. At least symbolically. Naturally, she’d return to practicing medicine and perhaps even marry, but no matter. He would protect her, even if he could not claim her physically. “The terrorists needed a message that will scare them from doing such things. They must fear the lion demon.”
“Does Rylee know?”
“I haven’t heard from her. Rylee understands I’m a soldier of fortune who happens to be loyal to her team.” Unless it interferes with my needs. No secrets were kept from Rylee, head of the Lycan Intelligence Agency. Though he’d proven himself as a hero for the team, she warned him not to endanger their kind. Rylee had once been his father’s lover during the height of the Cold War, but warned Lev not to take advantage of her soft place for her lover’s son. If the cold-blooded seasoned commander had a soft place.
“If she thinks you’ve gone rogue, she’ll order you to see your enforcer or have you eliminated.”
The enforcer and he were good friends. After all, he’d help rescue his mate. “I’d be happy to share a drink with Dominic.”
“Now that my daughter is out of danger, you will leave her alone.”
Lev suppressed a growl. “As long as she is safe, I will leave her alone.”
“I know enough of your kind, to know an alpha will kill those who threaten his mate.”
“I did you a favor, my friend.”
“Rylee knows my daughter has Stallo’s blood and is irresistible to all werewolves.”
“I never tasted her blood.” You interrupted me, before I could.
“I know.” He paused and sighed. “I’m sorry. You were only returning a favor.”
“I understand.”
“Good. I’ll report back to duty on Monday.”
Lev raised a brow. “I take it, Rachel feels better.”
“Completely recovered.”
“Good. She will return to work?”
“She will take a break, but has left my home. No more world travels for a while.”
Relief washed through him. He wanted to ask where she was, but didn’t want to make it obvious he cared. When he returned to the states, he’d check on her anyway. Make sure other alphas never caught her scent. Though not marked by his bite, she belonged to him, even if he never touched her. “Have a good day, Howard.”
He laughed. “You sound like Rachel.”