She laughed. “With the right werewolf I do.”
“Good, because from now on, I am the only wolf you can romp with.”
“Not that I’m saying yes to romping in dark caves forever, but should you first ask my father for my hand—or is it paw in marriage?”
Lev stiffened as if he’d thought the word marriage was wolf code for collar. “Do not mention I claimed you to your father.”
She frowned. “Because…”
Lev sighed. “I sort of promised I wouldn’t.”
Rachel’s heart stilled. Lev appeared the type to always keep his vows. Yet, he apparently broke this one. Big time. “I get it. Loyalty. But why would Howard make you promise not to?” Or would he back out once they returned to safe territory? The master spy who seduced women into carrying out his bidding for the cause. She’d seen enough spy thriller movies to know lies were all part of the game of seduction.
“No more talk.” He stood.
That’s kind of abrupt. “Where are you going?”
“I will have the copilot arrange a vehicle to meet us at our airstrip. Then I will talk to Rylee to see if she’s learned anything new about the rogue pack.”
After a half an hour, Lev returned, took his seat on the other side of the aisle. His demeanor cold as a brick of ice. No charming smile. No longing look. No more affectionate flirts. Was Lev’s sour mood because of his conversation with Rylee? “Press that lever and your seat will extend into a bed. Overhead are pillows and blankets.”
“Cool.” She furrowed her brow. “Did you get in touch with Rylee?”
“Yes. She has Manny, head of our tech team, utilizing satellites to help locate Stallo’s Island. If such a place exists.”
“I imagine searching for his island will be like finding a needle in a haystack.”
He released a hard breath. “Rylee told me another Stallo woman, one we thought dead is alive, but just vanished.”
Rachel’s pulse quickened. “American?”
“No. Russian. Her name is Svetlana. The evil bitch and her werewolf mate, Anton were notorious mobsters.” He stared at nothing in particular. “The lycan who murdered my father.”
So that explained his cold mood. “I’m sorry about your father.”
“No worries.” He smiled with satisfaction. “Anton met a grisly end.”
“But Svetlana escaped?”
“Yes, but we don’t know how.” His eyes turned an iridescent blue, as if he’d gone demon. “I am not sure if the rogue pack abducted Svetlana or she joined their ranks.”
“Your eyes are glowing.”
He blinked and his eyes returned to his normal blue colors. “Sorry. Anger always brings out my mutant traits.”
She spoke with a gentle tone. “Now that the pack took a Stallo woman, they’ll leave me alone.”
Lev snorted. “I doubt it.” He scowled. “No more talking. Get sleep.”
Hey, don’t snap at me like a rabid wolf. “I’m not yours to order around.”
“You are tired and will soon know your place.”
That’s what you think. She suppressed a yawn as if fighting his command, but exhaustion made her surrender. “Fine.” In the overhead bin, she reached for a pillow and wool blanket then turned her seat into a roomy bed. Within moments of putting her head on the firm pillow, she drifted into much needed sleep.
Lev got out of the SUV and opened the door for Rachel. “We are here.”
Rachel wore blue jeans and a sweatshirt she borrowed from the pilot. She looked hot, with an ass that could drive any male, human or werewolf mad with lust. Before disembarking, she donned a heavy snow jacket. Montana winter had produced heavy snow this year. However, for everyone’s sake, he’d held back being affectionate since they disembarked at the private lycan airfield, and he drove her to headquarters. He’d confessed his claim to her, but she hadn’t really agreed to a life with him. The lycan council and king may deem her too important to belong to a mutant werewolf. Yet, he could no longer break their bond. Most disturbing, his attempt to mind control her on the plane had failed. No human and only a handful of alphas avoided his influence. Ever since he drank her blood to save her life, he’d not been able to even get her to fall asleep. His gut twisted. Had she become his blood mistress? He decided to do what he did best, put on the icy demeanor that made everyone shake in their boots. In return, she gave him the cold treatment the entire drive.