“In the beginning, you submitted, but over time it appears your wolf-segen charm prevents my alpha aura from working on you.” He narrowed his eyes. “If I was in control, you would not have wagged your finger at me.”
No excuses, I wanted to kiss him. Actually, I want more. Gaby wrinkled her brow. “I suppose so.” Nonetheless, looking him in the eye proved difficult, although, she normally knew better than to stare at the animals she worked with. And being shy around him didn’t help with eye contact.
“I’m not sure why, but the term wolf-segen is vaguely familiar.”
“I wonder—assuming werewolves have always existed—if your kind and mine had some bond?”
He nodded as if coming to the same realization. “Indeed, especially since you can see my wolf aura.”
“Exactly.”
“Do you know if there are others like you?”
“Giles is always looking, but, apparently, I am the only one.” She shrugged. “I often wonder if my mother had this ability, but Giles said, no.”
Kane tapped his chin. “Wolf-segen?”
“I did a web search long ago and found a few references. Wolf charmers used to guide wolves, rats and other creatures from villages. There is also mention of them during the werewolf trials and paranoia that swept Europe. Wolf charmers were rare, mostly elderly men and women who traded their charm for food and lodging. Legend has it, a wolf-segen could ward away werewolves, but I assumed they interacted with normal wolves.”
“You do make me feel calm, so I imagine, you could sweet talk a werewolf to stay away. Not to mention rat out a werewolf to the authorities.”
Her heart constricted. If werewolves existed, she imagined wolf charmers were hired to identify them. Still, the documented werewolf cases were attributed to serial killers, innocent hermits, or wolves with rabies. “Being a wolf charmer in the open lasted until the 1600s when they were persecuted and burned at the stake as witches. After that, according to Giles, I am the only known wolf charmer in existence. I scored in genetic roulette for having this rare trait.”
“So what do you say? Are you okay with pretending I obey your wolf-segen commands?”
“Convincing and then compelling Giles will make it easier to help you escape…but…”
“What?”
“I have no clue where you can go.”
“Where are we now?”
“In Forest County, Wisconsin. We are on one hundred isolated acres, but have our own small airport for missions. Even the president and most members of the NSA and CIA don’t know we exist.”
“At least Wisconsin is not exactly the end of the earth.”
She scoffed. “Try getting in or out. You might as well try trespassing into Area 51.”
“After I learn as much as I can from Giles, we’ll leave.”
“If I get caught, I’m screwed.”
“Not if you have a partner.”
After escaping as a teenager, she endured torture and months in isolation. Fear kept her a prisoner despite her freedom to leave her home for trips to the local area. Even without security, they somehow knew her every move. The werewolf was not only powerful, but with his ability to mind control humans, he was her best chance to leave Project Sabertooth for good.
“How many people work here?”
“Twenty fulltime security and fifteen others including myself, handlers and operatives. On occasion, there is an army of Special Forces soldiers, but they don’t live here.”
“Small operation.”
“Ultra clandestine. We sign a non-disclosure contract. Anyone who talks is executed.”
“Yet, you are sent to carry out animal led assassinations.”
In defense, she blurted, “And the rescue of animals and people.”