Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,57
husband’s obsession, but I’m getting into it more and more. We like to curl up—but never mind that. I’m getting off the topic again. We’re here to talk about you and Nick.”
“Yes. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to discuss this, uh…situation.”
“You must be pretty confused.”
“You can say that again. I’d never have believed him if he hadn’t showed me.”
Roz’s jaw dropped. “He transformed—in front of you?”
“I-I asked him to.”
“Wait a minute. Back up,” Roz said.
Suddenly the teapot whistled.
“Crap. Hold that thought.” Roz raced to the kitchen. A couple seconds later, she returned with the teapot and poured hot water into the teacups.
“How did you know what he was? Did he just come out and tell you?”
“No.” Brandee remembered the circumstances of being marked and her face began to heat. Would Roz know they’d been making love at the time? Oh well, it’s not as if I have anyone else to talk to about this. A little embarrassment might be worth the insight.
Roz filled the silent void. “I knew there was a big secret Konrad wasn’t telling me, and as I became more and more suspicious, I demanded he tell me what it was.”
Brandee snorted. “I didn’t have a clue.”
Roz scratched her head. “Now I’m the one who’s confused.”
Brandee worried her lower lip. “If I tell you, promise not to tell anyone else.”
“I won’t keep secrets from my husband. If he asks, I’ll have to tell the truth. But other than that, I promise.”
That’s reasonable, I guess. I’d ask for the same exception if I was married. “Okay, but if he doesn’t ask…”
“I won’t offer.”
“Good enough.” Brandee took a deep breath and blurted it out. “We were making love, and he bit me. I thought it was weird, so I asked him why he did it and he told me. He said I’m his mate.”
Roz gasped and jumped to her feet. “He marked you?”
“Yes. That’s what he called it.”
Roz slapped her forehead and reeled back. “He didn’t tell you what he was about to do and get your permission? He just did it?”
Brandee nodded. “He said something about not being able to control himself. He said it was instinct.”
Roz balled her fists. “Wait until I see my brother-in-law again—”
“No! You said you wouldn’t.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Damn. I did, didn’t I?”
At that moment, a key rattled in the door lock and an exact replica of Nick walked in. The only reason Brandee suspected it wasn’t Nick was because the man wore a conservative suit and didn’t seem to recognize her.
“Oh, hello. I didn’t know we had company,” he said.
Roz strolled over to him and gave him a kiss. “This is Brandee, Konrad. Nick’s mate.”
Konrad’s eyebrows shot up. “Did you just inadvertently tell her?”
“Nope. He told her.”
“Already?”
Roz frowned. “He marked her already.”
Konrad’s big body thumped into the armchair nearest him. “Holy shit.”
“He marked her and he shifted in front of her.”
“You weren’t supposed to tell…” Brandee hoped Nick wouldn’t get in trouble for doing things out of order or for something he apparently did wrong.
Roz sat on the armrest next to her husband. “I told you that Konrad is the only one I’d ever tell. And he needs to know this.”
“Why? What did Nick do wrong?”
Konrad gazed at the ceiling. “Everything.”
Brandee rose, intending to leave. “I’m sorry I said anything.”
“No. Don’t be. We—we’re just surprised,” Roz said.
“Why? Because he was supposed to keep the big, bad secret from me until I got so suspicious I broke up with him?” Raising her voice, she asked, “Is that what he did wrong?”
The Wolfensens must have been speechless. They just sat there with their mouths open.
“Look, he’s not perfect, but I love him and forgave him…not only for biting me, but also for hiding what he was. I imagine the two of you love him too. And if I can forgive him, then I expect you can too.” Dang, I didn’t realize I’d get angry. Even so, yes, she’d forgiven him for everything. If yelling at his family made her realize that, it was worth it.
Konrad recovered first. A smile slowly turned into a grin. “You’re defending him. That’s a good sign. As his mate, you can be assured that he’ll defend you too.”
“Well, duh. He told me the truth. I don’t like it, but I can’t change it. And it’s not like I’m perfect.”
“Yeah? What’s wrong with you?” Konrad asked outright.
“Konrad!” Roz slapped his arm.
“It’s okay,” Brandee said. “Well, for one thing, I’m severely lactose intolerant. You shouldn’t offer me scones