“This madness must stop,” Katarina said firmly.
Brandi blew out a breath. “I don’t think it can be stopped—not forever. Humans will keep looking into genetic research because they’re fascinated by the challenge of improving on nature. Ariel was a biomedical scientist when she was human and she still loves that shit. The primary reason we got successfully turned was because of some break-through finding of hers. She refuses to disclose what she found to anyone, but do you think she’s the only scientist able to figure it out? That would be stupid to assume.”
Katarina made a growling sound deep in her throat. “This is not helpful talk, Agent Nano Wolf. Give me clear bad guys I can kill. I want to believe good guys can end this.”
Brandi met Katarina’s determined gaze with her own. “If we murdered every scientist in the world, we’d be no better than the people we’re chasing. We can only take out the scientists who are kidnapping shifters and experimenting on unsuspecting humans. I want the bad mad scientists to become terrified of the wolf packs living in Alaska. Word will get around.”
Katarina nodded. “Okay. I will help you make this happen.”
“Good. I have a plan.”
Chuckling, Katarina elbowed the nano wolf in her side. “You always have plan. Is this good one?”
“Hey now, I’m the one who sent Reed to you.” Grinning, Brandi elbowed Katarina. “First thing on your help list is to wake up the alpha prime who’s sleeping his life away today. Gareth isn’t back yet, so you get the honors.”
“Fine. I will do this task, but you must stay out here in case alpha prime wakes up in frisky mood,” Katarina commanded as she climbed to her feet and walked toward the cabin door. “I did my best to wear him out last night, but like me, he is pent up after long time without female. This is unfortunate timing for your plan.”
“I know I explained earlier that I didn’t want that level of detail. That’s TMI, Katarina. Don’t make me say that in Russian. It wouldn’t translate well,” Brandi warned.
Grinning when a laughing Katarina walked inside the cabin, Brandi pulled a sandwich out of the bag, set her coffee to the side, and got comfortable enough to wait however long it took.
“Temptation?”
Reed rolled in the bed and reached for the owner of the sexy voice. Memories of last night had him smiling and wanting more. He opened his eyes wide when his hand found nothing but empty bed beneath his questing fingers.
He shifted to look around and found Katarina stuffing everything into their packs before carrying his clothes to the bed.
“I planned to let you sleep while I catch us more fish. Delivery arrived first.”
Seeing she was already dressed, Reed scooted upright. “Why are you wearing clothes? We’re not done yet.”
“Nyet.” Katarina agreed as she laid his clothes on the edge of the bed. “You get dressed now. Agent Nano Wolf bring us excellent food. It is worth getting up to eat.”
Brandi and Gareth must have found them. “Is that coffee I smell?”
Katarina nodded. “I pour cup for you. Put clothes on. No time for shower. We need to leave.”
Reed reached out and pulled his clothes into his lap. “Brandi has a plan?”
“Good plan,” Katarina said with a chuckle, then shrugged. “Too bad no killing involved.”
Reed laughed. “Should I be grateful to wake up alive this morning? I thought last night went better than that.”
Katarina walked to the bed. When Reed was sitting, she could look him in the eyes. “Last night was perfect. I want more, but more will have to wait. We need to save your grandsons and what is left of your pack beta.”
Reed stood and walked slowly to the bathroom. The fiery female responsible for him sleeping like the dead smiled with pride at his slow gait. “We can forget one grandson. Joshua is long gone.”
“Nyet,” Katarina said, shaking her head. “Clone Joshua is mole.”
Reed lifted an eyebrow. “Are you saying they turned my grandson into a blind creature that lives in tunnels underground?”
Katarina’s face wrinkled in confusion. She laughed when she figured out what he was saying. “Mole as in spy. Clone Joshua is being spy.”
Reed’s sigh of relief was loud. “I’m really glad I didn’t kill him.”
“Yes. That was lucky thing. You would have felt terrible.”
Reed started into the bathroom and stopped. He looked back at Katarina. “Are you okay today?”
“Da. Good food helped much. Thank you for asking.”
Reed huffed out his frustration. “Woman, I’m asking about us. Are you okay about us?”
Katarina pretended to give his question consideration. He was being so serious. Finally, she rolled her eyes. “If I was not okay, I would not have made offer for sex. Do you not know this about females?”
“I thought I knew a lot until you came along. I’m realizing that I still have a lot to learn,” Reed said dryly.
“When our time comes again, I will be good teacher for you.”
Reed blinked. She’d certainly taught him a few new tricks last night. He’d never been with a woman who didn’t get tired before he did. “I think I could handle that.”
Katarina sighed. Men were so much emotional work. This is why she never kept one for very long. “Does your ego need stroking this morning? This surprises me, Temptation.” She shrugged. “Dress and I will think of worthy compliment while I change sheets on bed so no one know we fucked there.”
Shaking his head at a female he’d likely never understand, Reed went into the bathroom and quietly closed the door.
12
The drive back to Bear Central, as Brandi called the environmental compound Jon had built, was long and boring for her and Reed stuck in the backseat of some jeep-like vehicle. The rest of Brandi’s team were in some kind of cargo van behind them. She’d gotten a whiff of them as they left but couldn’t quite name their animal. Based on hints Brandi had dropped, most were hybrids.
She didn’t care enough to ask—or maybe she feared learning more truths she’d just as soon not know. Whatever the case, she remained silent during the drive because Brandi and Gareth kept receiving phone call after phone call on some device installed in the vehicle. Reed kept silent too, which was not unusual for him, but she could tell he was listening to everything.
When they’d started out, she’d made Brandi explain to him about the bad grandson being a good grandson. It had eased a great tension in Reed more than last night had.
Well, maybe not more, but it had definitely eased his mind about his family.
His green eyes were clear today. He’d showered and left his long dark hair flowing down his back. Somewhere in the night he’d told her he used to have silver strands in his hair, but that after getting a blood transfusion from Ariel, the silver had disappeared. She thought about his stories now, trying to view them from his perspective. The magic of science had taken a male in the autumn of his life and forced his body backwards to springtime. She could see how confusing that could be and how it might take a long while to accept.