Avery offered his hand. “At last we meet.”
The man’s scent remained hidden. Avery had to know about his superior sense of smell. How and why had he masked his scent? His heartbeat and grip was human, yet, he met Kane’s eyes without blinking. No sign of human submission. Kane lifted a brow. “Are you sure I don’t know you?”
They stopped shaking hands and Avery smiled. “No, we never met, but let’s celebrate.”
The butler offered them a tray of champagne filled glasses. Each took one. Kane raised the glass. “What are we celebrating?”
Avery raised his glass. “To meeting a rare werewolf.”
Kane refused to play twenty questions. “Do you know who I am?”
“In fact, I do.” He drained his glass. “Umm.” He smacked his lips. “Not bad.”
“Don’t keep me in suspense. Who the fuck am I?” Kane bore fangs and glared at Avery, who finally lowered his gaze. He could squeeze the information out of him. Despite the man’s masked scent, he couldn’t hide the truth from him. He knew his identity.
Gaby put a hand on his arm. “Kane, I think he’ll tell you over dinner.”
Kane put his hand over hers. “Sorry, my amnesia pushes my patience to its limits.”
Director Giles nodded to the butler who guided them to the dining table. “Dinner will be served.”
The butler entered the kitchen. He and the cook returned with silver platters. Kane savored the sweet scent of lamb. For now, he felt placated. Avery seemed to relish torturing him with hints about his true identity.
The butler poured red wine.
Avery addressed Giles. “When I return home, I’ll send you a case of my father’s Pinot Noir.” Then he went on and on about the difference in soil at wineries between California and Chile. Then moved on to talking about a golf game coming up in Scotland he planned to attend.
Damn it. He clearly played mind games. Kane stared at Avery Kraig sitting across from him. “I don’t mind talking about mundane subjects, but I would really love to know my identity.”
Avery’s pupils grew and then returned to a pinpoint size. He appeared to know how to suppress the wolf’s mind control. Was it training or some drug?
Gaby took the napkin and wiped her lips. “I would love to know as well.”
Avery set his fork down. “Does the name Steele sound familiar?”
His inner wolf cocked his head. Wolves running in the forests. The white she-wolf. The castle. Kane’s head ached. “Who is he?”
“You. A werewolf.” He returned to slicing his lamb. “Actually, I prefer to talk about your identity in private.”
Gaby glanced at Giles who shrugged. She smiled. “Steele fits, but I prefer Kane.”
Kane smiled at her. “I do, too.” At this point, even if he remembered, he’d continue to claim amnesia. His wolf may not remember, but Avery radiated insincerity. This was not a man to trust but to kill. If only he knew why.
Gaby disliked Avery. A total prick. He told Kane his real name was Steele and then insisted on privacy to divulge more details. I’m sure Kane would be happy to postpone dinner to learn about his true identity. Instead, Avery took his time eating, and talking about everything from golf to the type of fish found in the local lakes. Kane’s alpha wolf mind control didn’t seem to work on Avery. Was he even human? Gaby did not sense a werewolf, and apparently, Kane didn’t either. She gritted her teeth. Making them wait for answers turned into torture. She too was dying to know. Perhaps, Kane was created in a secret lab and Avery came to retrieve him. He probably preferred to keep Giles and her in the dark regarding any details about Kane, other than his name.
“I’m done.” Kane pushed his clean plate away.
Slowly, Avery ate the chocolate mousse and feigned concern. “I’m sorry, Steele. Giles’ cook must not have known werewolves don’t eat chocolate.”
Gaby blurted. “Like all canines.”
“I can eat chocolate, but I’m not fond of the taste, nor the company.”
Avery ignored his jibe and sipped coffee.
“Next time, I’ll make sure you get something that agrees more with your palate,” said Director Giles.
“I would like a minute to speak to Gaby while you enjoy your dessert and coffee,” said Kane.