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Chapter 1

Lev parked his rented SUV in front of Dr Howard Becker’s log cabin in Portland, situated on forest land with a view of Mt Hood A property the doctor normally leased out and never lived in Why the sudden leave of absence? It had been months since anyone had seen Becker, who, as head of luponoery, rarely left olf territory Lev’s new boss, head of the LIA and Team Greywolf, Rylee, knehy, but she hadn’t shared She’d only said his leave was personal and confidential Selene, his assistant and lover had to know, but she too rehtlipped

Becker’s reason for leaving rave Whatever the motive, Lev was here to help He owed him Becker had become Lev’s savior and friend The brilliant doctor had not only saved his life, but also ery and use of stem cells repaired his shattered spine Not only could he run as fast as any alpha olf, but Lev returned to his original state of being faster, stronger, better Lev had been born a mutant olf as a result of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, and his mutations made him physically superior Werewolves considered him a freak, and referred to hiood reason Rylee called hierous olf to ever exist

In gratitude, Lev brought Becker a gift he’d picked up in Moscow He also wanted reassurance he’d not taken ill Though if he was sick, why had his beta lover Selene not accoed frohter he hadn’t seen in years and who vowed she would never ever see hihter Like Lev, the doctor’s parents had died long ago, and he had no siblings No family to speak of

Lev stepped out of the car and into the moist drizzle The aroma of rich soil and volatile oils from the trees emanated a healthy smell Different from his home The Red Forest of Chernobyl, one of the most radioactive areas in the world Such a place was notcreatures He was the exception

His smile wavered He should have at least texted Becker of his visit

Lev pro him the best Russian vodka money could buy and a special Russian souvenir Becker said if Lev was ever well enough to visit Moscow to bring hiood cash on a rare red bronze i, a welcohten his mood Certainly, the vodka would He opened the back of the SUV and took out the sarabbed the bottle

As he closed the door, an irresistible aromatic scent embedded with the sweetest blood he’d ever s The sweet delicate floral scent of snowdrop bulbs as if the flowers e into the winter of his cold senses

The glorious aro from Dr Becker’s home He narrowed his eyes and sniffed for Becker The doctor’s scent permeated the area, but not currently home Odd The female was Had he broken up with Selene? That would explain his sudden need for isolation A pissed off jealous she-ould drive away even the bravest olf But Becker was hu his critical research No Selene would not break lycan law and haret over it or be delivered to the enforcer for discipline

A desire to release his wolf and stalk the female overwhelmed him, but nonetheless he remained in control of the bear-sized Chernobyl wolf

Lev straightened his black leather jacket and rang the doorbell

No one answered He should return later, after calling Becker That would be polite, yet his as bewitched Whoever lay in wait inside the house belonged to him Lev shook his head Not possible He would never take aterm Certainly, not a weak human And not one in a relationship with the doctor who saved his life

The woht not be Becker’s lover, but a patient As sweet as her blood smelled, the blood had residual corruption as if she’d been poisoned

I’hter That would explain the blood type so addictive to lycans Becker had confided his daughter had Stallo’s blood type and like the enforcer’s mate, was human, but with the ability to have lycan children of superior blood Too bad Becker didn’t want his daughter ever involved olves He respected their kind, his daughter should live in human society to practice medicine, st lycans was a cultural hardship for huas Pets Because Dr Becker had savedcoenetics research, he’d been given beta status

The soft shuffle of feet reached the entrance The female

He swore and turned to leave when the door opened

“Can I help you?”

Lev turned and gaped The woy paja aolden blonde curls, messily tied in a ponytail Much too thin Despite her disheveled look, perhaps after a debilitating illness, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen Krasivaya, dusha-devitsa He whispered the translation “Beautiful, pretty maiden”

She , not reacting As if she was a mesmerist’s victim, she waited for his next command

Such beautiful eyes The color of expensive Baltic amber Lev could drown i

n them and die happy

She tilted her head, exposing her carotid artery Teasing his wolf to sink his fangs into her soft throat The pretty maiden desired him

Lev shook his head What was he thinking? He’d unknowingly rendered her netism All olves had some mind control over huifted alpha olves He’d promised Team Greywolf he’d never mesmerize humans, unless necessary and then only in a life and death situation And never to submit to his sexual desires

Lev released her ers to distract her aze