The server brought a mug of fresh brew.
“I had my first breakfast already; this is my mid-morning meal of fresh venison.”
Not knowing what to say, Gaby said, “It’s an honor to meet Steele’s pack leader.”
“I’m happy you know his real name. Although, of all the people for him to escape with and even marry, I never in my wildest dreams expected you.”
“Because I’m human.”
“Yes, but even more imp
ortantly, because you are a wolf-segen, an unusual human we thought long dead.”
Gaby’s pulse quickened. No point in lying since werewolves could read the truth. “How do you know?”
“We have a man, a human, who works for the CIA. Our ears and eyes. He found out and told us about Project Sabertooth. A secret black ops group using animals to assassinate enemies. Your files were hard to access, but our techie, Manny, is a genius hacker.”
Maybe she had met her inside man. Only, she might know he was a double agent. “Does Avery Kraig work for you?”
Rylee’s mouth tightened as if she smelled a foul odor. “No, he is our number one enemy. His father Alistair Kraig is the leader of The Keep. Unfortunately, he found out about you as well.”
“That I’m a wolf charmer?”
“Yes, and so did Lunara, our wolf shaman.”
Gaby’s appetite disappeared, replaced by a gnawing feeling her days or possibly hours were over. “You plan to kill me.”
Rylee sighed and stared at an ancient-looking text encased in glass. “So dictates our laws.”
Chapter 15
The high-pressured ice cold shower hit his human skin like a fire hose. However, the freezing temperature didn’t shock him into remembering. His private den remained alien. The palatial bathroom included a natural pool surrounded by river stones with an artificial waterfall. Though it aesthetically pleased him, he chose the normal shower. He turned off the water, dried himself and dressed in the black sweats they left for him. Clothes that fit. No doubt his. He walked to the kitchen, modernized with smart appliances controlled by voice commands. “Brew a fresh cup of coffee.”
The coffee maker ground the beans and then proceeded to make coffee. He peeked in the refrigerator. Stocked with fresh meat of every variety from game to domestic. Dark beer bottles stood on the refrigerator’s side door. A snapshot of him sitting by a lake drinking the beer with a stout-looking alpha, maybe a few years older. He had a military bearing and probably worked for Team Greywolf. Odd. The beer, his favorite, no doubt triggered something.
“Dark roast, ready,” said a computerized male voice.
Kane grabbed his mug and muttered, “This place is more like a space station than a wolf den.” He walked around, trying to see if anything else jogged his memory. The soft leather furnishings, exquisite paintings, and state of the art entertainment system belonged to him. Yet, he felt like he was in a stranger’s house. And empty without Gaby. He took out their wedding picture and looked at her beautiful face and sweet body. Where was she being held? His adrenaline spiked. Or had they gotten rid of her? At best compelled to forget him; at worse, murdered. Would they kill a helpless human? No one knew she was a wolf charmer. She had a calming effect, but that could be true of any human. He hid the wedding picture in his top drawer and closed it. I have to find my wife!
He paced. “I need a fucking phone.”
A screen on the wall switched on. “Who would you like to speak with?” asked the computer-generated female voice.
Lev had told him Rylee was his alpha and head commander of the team he belonged to. However, Lev mentioned to call him first to arrange meeting with anyone else. Bullshit. “Call Rylee.”
“Yes.”
An older attractive blonde appeared on the screen. “Prince Steele, it’s good to see you’re back with us.”
“Where is my wife?”
Her tone turned haughty. “My, have we forgotten protocol?”
He released a long breath. “Ma’am, commander.” Of all people, why couldn’t he remember the alpha pack leader? He lowered his gaze. “Please. Let me go to my wife.”
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Gaby is not your wife, at least not by lycan law.”
His fangs emerged and he growled. “What have you done to her?”