Lev agreed. No enforcer was more fierce and feared than Dominic. “If Dominic can tear hims
elf away from Mia’s side.”
“We are bringing her here. Lev, you will get her to talk.” Rylee winked.
Lev scowled. Although, Lev had the enforcer bloodline, he didn’t enjoy the task of torture. “I prefer to use mind control. With your permission, ma’am.”
“Granted,” said Rylee.
Lev smiled. “Thank you.”
“She’s lucky Svetlana didn’t cut out her tongue,” said Cricket. Lev understood. The vicious woman had done worse to people, especially women, both human and werewolf who displeased her.
Rylee raised her eyebrow. “When you hunted Anton and Svetlana’s mob, did you know of this beta?”
Lev nodded. “Yes.” He had spent years gathering intelligence about Anton’s mob, plotting his revenge for his father’s murder. “Katya was a new member. No relation to the pack. She served as a courier. Probably taken from a rival pack before the change. Or perhaps her alpha traded her to pay off a debt.”
“You don’t think she volunteered to join?” asked Cricket.
“Trust me, few lycans volunteered to join Anton’s notorious pack. However, once they did, they became fiercely loyal.”
Rylee nodded. “We’ll run a sample of Kat’s DNA. I’ll have Jesper send Katya’s photograph and her scent sample to our global pack data base.” The screen displayed a photograph of the beta on the plane.
Cricket lifted a brow. “First thing we should check for is the tattoo.”
“Thorn’s team did. None. No sign of removing one either,” said Rylee.
Lev stared at the handcuffed attractive raven-haired woman. Her vivid green eyes glared at the photographer. Defiant. “Interesting, she would be separated from Svetlana.” He suspected that despite her intentions for revenge, Svetlana would return to her father’s mob rather than join another pack. “Katya might have left to shift for a couple days or to deliver contraband.”
Jesper nodded. “Or, Svetlana might have split from her beta to throw off our team. Svetlana could blend better in the crowded city without her werewolf companion.”
Lev leaned back and formed his fingers into a steeple. “We’ll learn soon enough if Svetlana is connected to this mysterious pack.”
Rachel spent the rest of the day touring the hospital with Dr. Mark. Later in the week, she’d visit the Luponomics Research Center. After dinner with the hospital staff, she returned to her guest den. Her father had a larger home on five acres nearby, but because they were on high alert she would stay at headquarters. He too would stay in the compound once well enough to get out of bed.
A male guard escorted her to her den. He opened the door, switched on the light and handed her the key. “Enjoy your stay, Dr. Becker.”
“Thanks.” Rachel closed the door.
“Wow.” She glanced about the apartment. The concept of a den described the space, but underground grotto fit better. They probably blasted tunnels to create these dwellings. The tall ceilings and walls were natural cave. Amazingly silent, no doubt designed with a wolf’s sensitive hearing kept in mind. Rachel pressed her ear against the door and heard nothing from the outside. The silence shouted, “You are not in Kansas, anymore.” She played with the lights, which ranged from soft yellowish to the blue lighting she’d seen in their workstation. No setting for normal lighting, but the soft glow allowed her to see well enough. She turned off the lights, instantly swallowed up by darkness. She blinked to adjust to the lack of light. No luck. Blackness reigned. This place could easily turn into a deprivation tank. Rachel quickly turned the lights back on.
A huge living room with all the comforts of home included a big television built into a cave nook. The soft leather furniture and southwestern-style rugs added a pleasant ambiance. She strolled toward the bedroom. The chamber had a huge round bed surrounded by red velvet curtains. A crevice, tunneled into one side of the wall, held a huge soft sheepskin dog bed. Her lips slightly parted. Roomy enough for a big bad wolf. Did lycans often sleep in wolf form? She smiled, imagining Lev sleeping in the cubby, his paws twitching and soft growls while having a canine dream.
Her small suitcase sat next to the arched bathroom. Rachel entered and gazed at the palatial bathroom. A white robe, bath towels hung and toiletries lay on a petrified wood vanity along the stone wall in keeping with the Paleolithic cave motif. Wow! The sunken bathtub was the size of a small swimming pool. Jets included. Obviously, the lycans had deep financial pockets. Not sure I want to know how they got so filthy rich. Lev revealed how he used mind control on Russian intelligence agents. Imagine if lycans used such power at banks or gambling? She pushed the unsettling thought aside and continued admiring her woman-cave.
Three shower faucets accommodated at least three big people or one Lev-sized man and her. Unlit candles decorated descending stone slab steps. Desire to bathe with her wolfish mate released a shiver that triggered moisture between her legs. Fantasy or reality, she’d know soon enough. Or not. Who knows, Lev might have decided a human would not suit his needs after all. She returned to the living room and continued her tour.
The large dining area and kitchen with modern appliances impressed her inner chef. The refrigerator was well stocked with deli-style food and drinks, from water to beer and wine. Tomato juice, but no apple or orange juice. No milk. Plenty of eggs and bacon. Paleo diet fans would love this place. She opened the pantry. There should be a sign on the door that said gluten free. No breads, cereals, or crackers to munch on. A variety of assorted flavored containers of beefy jerky and a box labeled, 100% protein treats for strong canine health. The apartment food was designed for a werewolf guest. She would have to contact room service to send her porridge or anything with chocolate. At least dinner had included rice and salad with the tender steak.
Rachel grabbed a beer, sat on the couch and rested her legs on the driftwood coffee table and then opened the bottle. She wished she had a mobile. She’d ask Rylee for one. The only form of communication appeared to be an intercom. Did Lev have her new dig’s number? He had not contacted her since their arrival. Her stomach hardened. Maybe he intended to keep their tryst a permanent rather than temporary secret. She frowned. You are not getting off that easy. Once Howard was better, she could ask him about this “wolf mate” thing and why he hated the idea of Lev being the one.
She turned on the television. It worked. Every network and local stations, despite the underground location. Dr. Mark had mentioned no enemy or even a nuclear bomb could reach her here. That is if one didn’t consider the werewolf an enemy.
A knock on the door spooked her. Shit. The door had no peephole. “Who is it?”
“It’s me, Lev.”
Her heart leapt in joy. Rachel opened the door. “Hey.”