Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,90
to tell you in the strictest confidence.”
“Of course.”
Nick went on to explain what happened the night Adolf Balog took him to the mysterious building that housed GAIA. He described its paranormal leader, Mother Nature, in detail, including her temperament. Then he shared her threat and ability to carry it out.
In typical Konrad fashion, he seemed to consider what Nick had told him seriously and thoughtfully. Then he nodded and muttered, “Mother Nature seems like a real asshole.”
Nick laughed. That was just the kind of remark he needed. But even though it relieved the tension slightly, he was puzzled about his brother’s lack of knowledge.
“I thought you knew everything about the paranormal world,” Nick said. “Hell, I thought you knew everything about everything.”
“What gave you that idea?”
Nick scratched his head. “Oh, only because you’ve read every book you could get your hands on and seem to know it all.”
“Are you calling me a know-it-all?”
“Kind of.” Nick was quick to add, “In a good way.”
“Well, I knew nothing about this society. And fortunately, they seem to know nothing about me.”
“Lucky you. So you never had to fess up and tell them Roz knows about us.”
“No. Now I’m beginning to wonder why not.”
“Me too. Shit. I had hoped you could tell me how to get in touch with the Council and how you managed to get their approval to marry Roz.”
“Nope. Sorry, Nick.”
“Have you ever wondered why you and I wound up with human mates instead of other wolves?”
Konrad shrugged. “I imagine it’s because we were human in the first place. Had we been born pups of two werewolf parents, we might have had a pack mate.”
Nick nodded. Leave it to his brother to be logical.
“So, getting back to the Council. Where did you meet when Adolf took you to them?”
“Good question. There’s an office building on State Street where they supposedly hang out, but I’ll be damned if I can find the right floor. There was a glass bubble and sky overhead, so you’d think it would be easy to locate, but it’s impossible.”
“Why do you want to get in touch with Mother Nature? It seems to me you should avoid her.”
“I’d like to get her blessing as far as Brandee is concerned. I know for a fact my mate can be trusted with our secret. I need to make Gaia understand that before I propose. I don’t want Brandee to wind up a widow just because I was too chicken to clear it with a deity.”
Konrad rose and took over pacing for Nick. “I wonder if I’m off the hook or not. My only excuse is ignorance. I couldn’t have told Gaia about Roz since I didn’t know about the existence of the Council back then—thank God—or gods and goddesses, or whomever.” Konrad slapped his brother on the back. “You’re a braver man than I.”
“I was kind of hoping you’d come with me. If I can even find them again.”
Konrad’s jaw dropped. “You want me to face an angry goddess who you pissed off by doing exactly what I did, but somehow I got away with it?”
“Well, when you put it that way…”
***
Nick sought out Adolf Balog before going to the bar to see Brandee. After all this, he wanted to give her some good news.
He walked into the small foyer that housed the buzzers for each apartment. Instead of pressing two for the second floor, he pressed three for where the Balogs lived.
“Yah,” a female voice said.
“Mrs. Balog. I’m looking for Adolf.”
“Adolf? Who are you and what do you want with my son?”
Nick heard Adolf’s voice in the background but couldn’t make out what he said.
“It’s Nick Wolfensen. I need to talk to him.”
Adolf’s voice said, “I’ll be down in one minute.”
Whew. He had the feeling Mrs. Balog wouldn’t let her precious son speak to a werewolf.
A few moments later, the young man opened the door, but instead of letting Nick in, he stepped out and closed the door behind him.
“What can I do for you?”
“You can take me back to GAIA.”
Adolf reared back and started at him. Finally he asked, “Are you sure? I mean, she doesn’t exactly welcome visitors.”
“It’s not a social call.”
“Okaaaay. May I ask what it’s about?”
“It’s personal.” Nick thought he saw the kid’s eye twitch.
“Hmmm… When did you want to do this?” Adolf asked.
“As soon as possible.”
The kid shuffled his feet. “I need to go upstairs for a few minutes. Meet me back here in five.”