time, but she wanted to get this over with, so she joined the guys and sat next to Anthony on the sofa.
Anthony looked very serious. “Are you sure you want to see this, Brandee?”
“I’m sure, but first I want to ask you something.”
“What’s that?”
“When you said you had erased my memory before. Was it only the one time Nick mentioned—when, according to him, I saw him shift?”
“Yes. He and I felt it was best if you didn’t know about the existence of paranormals. I’m still not one hundred percent sure it’s a good idea to fill you in now.”
“Why not? Do you think I’ll break my promise and tell?”
“Not purposely. It could slip out, though.”
Brandee snorted. “How on earth would I let ‘My boyfriend is a werewolf’ slip into any conversation?”
Anthony smiled. “I guess you have a point.”
Nick began to strip. “Last chance to change your mind, hon.”
She sucked in a breath. “What are you doing?”
“If I’m dressed when I shift, I’ll tear my clothes.”
She turned to Anthony. “Have you seen him shift before?”
Anthony shook his head.
“What about Nick’s dignity? If he has to gear down to his birthday suit, maybe you should look away.”
Nick rolled his eyes. “There’s nothing dignified about this process, Brandee. In fact, I should warn you—it’s a little painful.”
“How painful?”
“I imagine it’s similar to childbirth. I’ll be fine afterward.”
“Really? It’s that bad?”
“Well, not quite. It only lasts a minute or so. Considering labor can go on for hours or days, in that way I’m lucky, I guess.”
He continued to undress, swiveling so his back was to them before removing his underwear. As soon as he was naked, Brandee heard some cracking sounds. He fell to his hands and knees. Nick’s spine seemed to rise, becoming more visible just under his skin.
Dear God! It’s just like a horror movie.
Hair sprouted all over, filling in slowly. A few popping noises accompanied a change to his legs and arms. He shivered.
“Stop!” It had to be painful. More painful than he had let on. She grabbed Anthony’s arm and shook it. “Stop him. I-I don’t want him to go through this anymore.”
“I don’t know if he can,” Anthony said.
A buff-colored tail sprouted from Nick’s coccyx. At last, he seemed fully formed. He turned to face them and sat on his haunches. A moment later, he sported what looked like a grin, with his tongue lolling out over one side of his powerful jaw, and he panted as if he’d just run around the block.
She’d never seen a wolf up close. He was magnificent. His coat was a beige color with dark brown markings on his head and around his eyes.
“Are you frickin’ kidding me?” Brandee whispered.
“He can hear you, you know. In fact, his hearing is better now than in his human form.”
Nick lifted himself to all fours and slowly approached her.
“He—he knows who I am, right?” Then she remembered Nick could hear everything she said and addressed him directly. “You won’t take a chunk out of me, will you, boy?”
He shook his head.
“Okay…”
The beautiful wolf moved closer. At last, Brandee reached out a shaky hand and patted his soft fur.
“I’m sure he knows you. You’re his mate.”
“Yeah, so I heard. He said he chose me.” But why didn’t I get a choice?
“Then you’re a lucky woman.”
The jury is still out on that.
Chapter 15
The following day Brandee didn’t have to work. Ordinarily she’d spend her day off taking pictures or setting up her bathroom as a makeshift darkroom, then experimenting with new artistic techniques. But today, everything had changed. She had no desire to tackle her passion. She needed time to let the recent turn of events sink in. And she needed a change of scenery.
She had explained that to Nick, and he seemed to understand. He suggested she talk to his sister-in-law and gave Roz’s phone number to her. Then he promised to leave her alone for twenty-four hours.
Part of her wanted to get away—permanently. Just skip town and live on a beach somewhere down south. But avoidance wouldn’t help in the long run. Besides, she loved Nick.
She stared at the phone number in her hand and wondered what kind of woman would knowingly marry a werewolf. Moreover, she had to figure out if she was that kind of woman—not that Nick had proposed or anything. Apparently, he knew better than to do that. But this marking thing…wasn’t that similar?
She had too many questions and not enough confidants. She took a deep breath and sighed. At least if