“Someone who will make sure our society is kept secret.”
“No interference is needed. The LIA has an excellent cleanup committee.”
“While you flew in, I called Rylee and discussed my offer. She agreed, but only for a month visit.”
“My alpha is always willing to compromise,” said Steele.
Conan narrowed his eyes. Referring to Rylee as his alpha probably wasn’t the most diplomatic thing to say. “As long as you know even your alpha answers to me.”
“Of course, brother.”
Conan’s tone softened. “How about we go on a hunt, just you and I? Like old times.”
Stalking prey appealed to his wolf. Steele smiled. “Yes, that will do me good.”
Conan cocked his head. “So no memory lapses?”
“Don’t worry. No permanent damage.” Except for the fact he’d fallen in love and married a human. Gaby. How the hell would he explain that to his human-hating brother? How far would Conan go to stop him from keeping her as a pet? Would she even want to be his human until he took a proper mate?
“Good. We’ll spend the day in wolf form. When we return, you can shower and dress for a proper welcome banquet.”
Steele hated pomp and circumstance, but why not let his brother celebrate his return? A reunion that could turn explosive if he breathed a word about Gaby.
Alone, Gaby ate breakfast. After being marked during the ritual, Steele gently bit her, healing her wounds. She remembered floating in his arms in blissful sleep. Yet, he’d left. Did he even bother sleeping with her or did he leave after putting her to bed? Why hadn’t he checked on her? She sipped the coffee and glanced at her gashes, now silvery scars. Thanks to his healing alpha saliva. Imagine the pharmaceutical uses their salivary juices could provide. No wonder lycans kept their kind secret. Revelation of their existence would put them under the scope and knife of research scientists. The Keep on the other hand wanted them dead. A species that could compel humans to their will were certainly a threat. The fact they were super soldiers didn’t help alleviate the Keep’s fears of them taking over human society.
A knock followed by the door opening gladdened her. He’s back. “Oh, it’s you.”
Cricket smirked. “Expecting Steele?”
“Yeah. I was. Where is my husband?”
“About the marriage thing, our kind won’t recognize it as binding. You better get used to it before someone bites your head off, literally.”
Gaby shrugged. “I know. Werewolves are not allowed to marry humans-thing.”
Cricket rubbed her chin. “I can’t imagine a prince of the realm keeping a wolf charmer as a pet.”
“Not that I’m a big fan of being owned, but what if he chooses to keep me as his human pet?” In public, she could keep the pretense, but in the privacy of their home, they’d be husband and wife. Like he’d promised not so long ago in the little chapel in Las Vegas. Yet, though she loved him, the return of his memories would put distance between them. When he waltze
d in last night during the non-disclosure ritual, a change had come over him. Steele couldn’t shower her with affection around his commander, but Gaby nonetheless detected his wolf aura appeared aloof. Not once acknowledging her.
“Being the king’s brother even being his pet may not be possible.” Cricket took out a mug from the cupboard and poured herself coffee.
Gaby stared at her hands. “I see. Now that his identity has returned, he understands we can no longer be together.”
“I’m not saying give up. He is over the moon in love with you. At least that’s what I sensed.”
“What was the old Steele like?”
“Honestly, not a big fan of human and werewolf relationships. Although, he felt protective of humans. Steele always volunteered to help save humans during disasters and stopping the bad guys from harming them. I’m not at liberty to give specifics, but on his missions he often saved millions of human lives.”
“So to Steele, humans are like livestock to guard, not love.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. It’s just that his brother the king prefers to cut all human ties. Meaning no more missions to save humans and or allowing them to live amongst our kind.”
“And now that he remembers his true feelings, he wants to forget me?”
“I think he has split into two men; one his old snooty self and the other his new open-minded self.”