“I think I can handle being alone.” He’d be the one to reject her and not the other way around.
“I talked to Dr. Warner earlier, and he still thinks a lower ranked wolf should remain your companion in case you have a setback.”
Cricket blurted, “Sounds like Jesper should stay.”
“I have work for Jesper,” said Rylee.
Slade had done his best to convince them he was okay without Cricket, though every fiber of his soul wanted her at his side. “Fine. But she must follow protocol.”
“Don’t worry, she will,” said Rylee.
Cricket stiffened, but held her lowered gaze.
“Good. I find her calming, but I can handle being away from her.”
Rylee smiled. “No disrespect, Prince Slade, but you need to learn how to act a bit more human before you go on missions that might involve humans. Cricket will be your coach.”
Cricket snarked. “How can I be a coach and a groveling omega?”
“I will take her advice on being human,” he volunteered. He sneered at her. “As long as she understands who is in command.”
Rylee turned to Cricket. “Good, because in a few days you are going undercover.”
She smiled as if relieved.
“Naturally since we are on high alert, Slade will join you.”
Her eyes widened. “What? You expect him to act human in Santa Cruz, California?”
“Don’t worry, he’s backup. Nothing more.”
She whispered to Rylee, “Can we talk? Privately, ma’am.”
“Slade, go shower. Cricket will join you in an hour or so.”
He grinned. “I’ll leave the door unlocked.” What could have been a crashing disappointment turned out for the best. Rylee had ordered her to remain at his side even without him insisting. Try to get out of this one, Little Wolf.
Chapter 8
Cricket contained her temper. “No disrespect, ma’am, but I can’t be responsible if Sir Thick-Head-goes-Hollywood-werewolf in the middle of picturesque Santa Cruz.”
Rylee laughed. “He won’t unless you ditch him.”
“Am I not going undercover?”
“You are, but for only three to four days. You will pretend to be Randi’s kid sister. Follow his last footsteps, especially with his biker friends. Tell them some sob story about losing touch with your brother.”
“Okay, but how do I explain Slade?”
“Randi was into motorcycles. Slade can be your biker boyfriend.”
The thought of Slade dressed in badass leather biker chaps moistened her panties. Hot, but clueless about motorcycles. “He’s from the Yukon. He probably never rode anything mechanical, with the exception of a snowmobile.” Most likely stuck to sled dogs.
“Actually, Slade owns a Harley and travelled across Canada with his brothers a few years ago. He’s credible for the cover.”
Holy hell, three hot werewolves on bikes, her libido heightened and skidded to a stop to take an imaginary look. “Except Yukon weres have little or no experience with humans.”
“Precisely, which is why, you are the ideal candidate to teach him how to interact.” Rylee smiled. “Tone down his alpha wolf.”