Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,52
to make her understand. “I’m serious. You’ll have to take this secret to your grave. Do you still want to hear it?”
She set her wineglass on the coffee table. “More than ever.”
“Shit,” he muttered to himself. “How do I say this?”
“Just say it. And in case you’re thinking of holding anything back, don’t. Tell me all of it. I need to know you’re being completely honest with me.”
“I wish my sister-in-law were here. She could put it tactfully as well as truthfully.”
“Your sister-in-law? What does she have to do with it?”
“She went through the same thing. My brother had to tell her what I’m about to tell you.”
Brandee crossed her arms and looked as if she was getting frustrated. “So tell me already.”
Maybe if I tell her the good news first it’ll help. “Here’s the thing…I’m not exactly human. I’m part wolf, and wolves mate for life. The bite I just gave you marked you as my mate. You’ll never have to worry about my straying. My kind is completely monogamous once we’ve chosen our mate.”
She hadn’t reacted yet. No screaming. No fainting. No nothing. Did she hear me?
“A wolf, huh? Is that some kind of club, like the Lions or the Rotary Club?”
“Uh, not exactly.”
She let out a deep breath. “Well, that doesn’t sound so bad. At least you’re not a werewolf.” She chuckled loudly. “Imagine how weird that would be.”
Crap. Nick sucked in a sharp breath and sighed. He put his head in his hands and peeked at Brandee from the corner of his eye. “Brandee…” She didn’t respond to his telepathic thought. Damn.
Her eyes grew wide, and Nick reached out and took both of her hands in his. “Yeah. Things just got weird.”
Brandee yanked her away. “Are you telling me you’re a werewolf?”
Nick nodded slowly. He hoped the sad expression on his face would tell her he wasn’t thrilled about it.
She sat frozen. Palpable waves of fear radiated from her. Quick. Jump in before she faints. “It won’t change a thing between us, except once a month on the full moon I’ll be with my pack in Newton. You never have to see me shift into my wolf form if you don’t—”
To Nick’s surprise, Brandee burst out laughing.
“Oh, my monthly… You really had me going there for a minute.”
Puzzled, he sat back and stared at her. She was giggling so hard, tears were leaking from the outer corners of her eyes. Is that nervous laughter, or does she really not believe me?
Her giggles slowly subsided. She stared at him. “Nick, we said we were going to be honest with each other. Brownies are one thing, but c’mon. Werewolves? This isn’t funny anymore.”
“I’m not joking.”
Her jaw dropped. Eventually she said in a soft voice, “And you think I’m your mate?”
He nodded.
She stared at him for a full minute. “Let’s say I believe you. If it’s true, you can prove it, right?”
Nick mulled over the possibilities—and the consequences. His shift was a hideous thing to watch. Seeing cute little brownies was one thing, but witnessing a grown man pop and contort into a giant wolf was quite another. He had learned not to scream and howl during the transformation, but he couldn’t help grimacing in pain. If she truly loved him, she’d probably experience emotional pain for him.
“Nick?”
“Brandee, please don’t make me show you. It—it’s disturbing.”
“I need to know.”
Nick thought about the time she had seen him transform. She couldn’t have seen his pain from that distance. He had asked Anthony to erase it from her memory, but perhaps he could undo the memory wipe.
***
He gently touched the spot where he’d marked her. “Does it still hurt?”
“Not a lot.”
He gazed down at her with a sad-looking smile.
“What’s the matter?”
Sweeping her hair behind her ear, he said, “You’ve just learned I’m a monster. And you’re still here with me.”
“You’re not a monster. You’re Nick. I’ve known you as a person a lot longer than I’ve known you as a werewolf.” And I’m not convinced you’re not delusional yet.
“You might be in denial. I wouldn’t blame you if you were.”
A knock sounded at the door. Nick left to answer it, and Brandee was surprised to hear Anthony’s voice.
Nick brought Anthony to the living room and faced Brandee, who was still in the open kitchen. “I’ll give you a demonstration now that Anthony’s here.”
“Why does my boss need to be here?”
“I’m just here for emotional support,” Anthony said.
“Are you ready, sweetheart?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Her nerves were kicking in, big