by V. A. Dold
“I have a lot to tell you, and much of it is going to sound crazy. First, I need to take care of your leg. You asked me how I know how to heal you. That’s part of what I need to talk to you about.”
She placed her hands about an inch above his screaming nerve endings. Instantly, the heat he’d felt last night washed over his aching limb. He sighed and relaxed.
It was several minutes before she spoke again.
“I have gifts that many humans have, but mine are much more developed and powerful.” She repositioned her hands and the heat began to radiate again.
His eyes moved over her serene face before he allowed them to drift shut. “What kind of gifts?”
“I can heal with energy that flows through me from the universe. I know, it sounds very woo-woo, but it’s true.”
“Why are your gifts stronger? Did you take special training or something?”
“No, my people are different. We all have gifts. We all can heal to some extent, but we all have other gifts as well.”
He opened his eyes and pinned her with his gaze. “Your…people?”
“Yes. My people.” She removed her cooling hands and sat back to look him in the eye. “Or should I say, my pack.”
“Pack? I’ve only ever heard that term used for wolves. You’re going to have to explain.”
“No explanation required. You hit it on the head. I meant as in wolves. Kind of.”
Mark frowned and swung his legs off the lounge. “What are you saying, Sharon?”
She huffed out a breath and twisted the sheet. “If you weren’t already sitting, I would have suggested you take a seat for this. What I’m about to tell you is a bit out there, and most people consider us a myth.”
Mark leaned forward, forearms on his thighs and hands between his knees, quietly waiting for her to explain herself.
Sharon kept her focus on the floor as she searched for a way to explain things. “Mark, do you believe in the possibility that fictional creatures might exist?”
He folded his hands and cocked his head. “When I was a kid, I was convinced Salvatore Stavros the creepy guy who lived next door was a vampire. Is that what you mean?”
She grinned at the pale pink creeping up his neck. “Yes, and no. Not vampires, although they’re real. And you are surprisingly perceptive. Sal is in fact a vampire from Greece. Not many humans can detect a supernatural being.”
Mark’s head shot up and he pinned her with wide eyes. “Just a dang minute. I was right? Vampires are real!”
She placed a calming hand on his knee and held his gaze. “Please, don’t freak out. But to be honest, most of the fictional creatures are real. That’s why there are stories that have been handed down through the ages in almost every country.”
Mark sat back, drumming his fingers on his thigh. I knew she was too good to be true.
Sighing, Sharon removed her hand from his leg. “I’m not a crazy person, Mark.”
He looked her in the eyes. Gave her a really hard look. He was very adept at detecting a lie. But damn, she showed no signs of an untruth. Either she convinced herself she was telling the truth, or what she was saying actually was true. What do you say to a person who believes so strongly that a crazy thing like vampires are real?
After holding her gaze for a long minute she ended the stare down and lowered her head. He was about to stand and leave when she spoke again.
“Let me ask you a few things, okay?”
Watching to see if she would look at him again, he quietly said, “All right.”
“When you first met me at the auction, did you smell anything unusual? Something you really like? Perhaps a favorite flower, or a scent that brought back happy memories?”
He jerked to full attention, his brows pulled together. “Yeah, for some reason I kept smelling my grandmother’s banana bread. I figured you liked to bake like she did.”
Sharon tipped her head back and laughed. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t cook. I have a chef for that.” Then she looked at him intensely. “To me, you smell like my favorite spices growing in my garden.”
“That’s strange. Why would I smell like that?” he asked still frowning.
“I’ll answer your question in a minute. First answer me this, when you initially saw me, did you experience a very strong attraction?”
Mark massaged the back of his neck. He averted his eyes, embarrassed to answer. Finally, he looked up and cleared his throat. “Yes. You’re the first woman to cause a visceral reaction in my body since my injury.”
She nodded and put her hand back on his knee, gave him a little squeeze, and smiled. “I had the same reaction to you.”
Her answer tugged a smile from him and set his traitorous heart fluttering. “You did?”
Her smile widened. “Oh yeah, I did. You are one smoking hot man, Mark Anderson.”
He felt his blush deepen and his smile grow wide.
Mark?
She was watching him like a bug in a jar. His brows pulled low and tight. He swore he heard her say his name, but her lips hadn’t moved.
Yes, Mark. You heard me. I’m speaking to you telepathically. You can speak to me as well. Just think what you want to say and direct it at me as if you spoke with your voice.
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Is this for real?”
“It’s very real. Try it.”
He hesitated. Studied her face. After a long minute he gave it a try. Sharon?
Yes, Mark?
You’re scaring the crap out of me.
“Cher, there’s no need to be afraid. What we’re experiencing is perfectly normal for my people.”
“Well, it’s not normal for me. I’m not telepathic. And why do you keep saying ‘my people’? What the hell is going on?”
“You may not normally be telepathic, but with me you are. Mates can communicate privately through that particular gift.”
Mark scowled, losing patience. “First you refer to your people, like your different from me, then you mention mates. What exactly are you trying to say, Sharon?”
“I’m one of those mythical creatures you don’t believe in. I’m a wolf shifter and you’re my destined mate. I can turn into a wolf. So can Simon and many other people you’ve met.”
He stared at her waiting for her to say she was kidding. She didn’t.
Slowly he moved his leg from under her hand and stood for a second time to inch toward the door. “What the hell do you mean, you’re a werewolf and I’m your mate?”
Sharon stood and adjusted the sheet she still wore. “Mark, please don’t go. I’m not a werewolf and I’m not going to attack you. A shifter is simply a human with an extra soul. A wolf soul. I’m no less human than you are.”
When he stopped moving toward the door, she let out a relieved breath.
He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. “Sharon, I think you need to get some help. Let me call someone to stay with you until you can be evaluated.”
She raised one eyebrow and chuckled. “Thank you, but no. As they say, seeing is believing. Would you like me to show you? You’ll be completely safe, I promise. When I change into my wolf, I’m still human, I’m just in another form. I’ll still be able to think and control my wolf form just as I control my human body.”
He didn’t respond, just looked at her like he was waiting for a tail or ears to erupt.
Sharon closed her eyes, feeling as if her heart were being torn from her chest. Her wolf howled in pain as she felt his determination to leave squeeze her heart in a crushing grip. If she encouraged Mark to talk to Simon there was a chance that once he left her house he may never return. This was a huge gamble on her part, but it was one she had to take. She wanted Mark to choose her on his own terms. “It’s evident this is too strange for you to accept. At least coming from me. Talk to Simon. Ask him if I’m telling you the truth, and then come back and we’ll talk.”
Mark drew a breath as his body visibly relaxed. “I’ll do that. Thank you for last nigh
t. I’m sorry this didn’t work out.”
She stared at him for a long moment, then sighed. “Don’t be so quick to assume it hasn’t. While you’re chatting with Simon, I think I’ll take a nice long bubble bath. When you return, let yourself in and come find me here in my bedroom.”
Mark gathered his scattered clothing without making eye contact. “You seem awfully confident I’ll be back.”
She just shrugged. “Once you believe what I’ve told you, our mating bond will bring you back. That doesn’t mean I’m nonchalant about you leaving. Your walking out my door is going to be more painful than you know. But you’re my mate, and letting you leave is what’s best for you. I’ll always do what’s best for you no matter how much it hurts me to do it.”
“I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings, Sharon, but claiming to be a wolf is more than a little nuts. You should really take my advice and seek professional help.” Pulling on his slacks, he dressed in record time. Minus his ripped shirt. She was giving him an easy escape and he was grabbing it.
Taking a shaky breath, she held back the tears threatening to fall. “I appreciate your concern, however misplaced it is. My father left a lot of clothes behind when they left, would you like a clean shirt to replace the one I ruined?
“No, that isn’t necessary, I have a change of clothes in the car.”
“In that case, drive safely, and I’ll see you in a bit.”
Mark’s lips tightened. “Good bye, Sharon.” He gave her a nod and walked out the door.
Chapter 8
Rose Le Beau poured a cup of tea for herself and coffee for her mate. Mornings on the veranda were her favorite time of day. She loved that the house had a wrap around porch. The space felt warm and inviting without all of the pomp and circumstance that came with a formal gallery.
Using her hip to open the screen door she handed Simon his cup as she took a seat next to him on the glider. The day was shaping up quite well. Not a cloud in the sky, a light breeze cooled her skin, and zero event details to attend to. She loved planning the charity ball, but she was also happy it was over.
“Thank you, mon amour. But I should be the one serving you. How are you feeling this morning?” Simon smiled lovingly at her and took her hand. He kissed the backs of her fingers and warmed her with feelings of love and utter devotion.
Rose rubbed circles over her nonexistent baby bump. “Better. Anna shared her secret remedy with me. This tea your mother makes for her is really helping. The morning sickness is much less.”
“I’m happy to hear that. It tears me up inside when you’re ill,” Simon said as they watched Mark’s car pull up the drive.
He frowned as he took his first sip. “I wonder what brings him here? I thought things were going well with Sharon.”
“Yeah. They were very cozy at the ball last night. I thought they made a handsome couple.”
The sound of a car door shutting was followed by footsteps crunching gravel was heard.
Mark waved as he rounded the corner with Rizzo at his side. “Mind if we join you?”
“Not at all. Would you like a cup of coffee?” Rose asked as she halted the loveseat’s motion.
He shook his head. “Thank you, but no. I don’t want to be a bother and I can’t stay more than a minute or two.”
“All right.” Rose pushed off with her foot to start the glider moving again.
She watched as Simon indicated a vacant chair. “Good morning, Mark. What’s up? I didn’t expect to see you until Monday.”
“Well,” he began rubbing his jaw, still standing at the bottom of the stairs. “I think your friend Sharon is a few bricks short of a load.”
Simon raised an eyebrow and leaned forward. “Why do you say that?”
“She thinks she can turn into a wolf.”
Simon chuckled and with a sweeping hand indicated the empty chairs a few feet from where he sat. “You better take a seat.”
Mark stopped mid-step and narrowed his eyes. “Why?”
“Because I have a few things to tell you. Now, sit your keister down and listen.”
Rose sipped her tea and laughed quietly as she watched the interaction between the men. This was going to be interesting.
Mark looked at Simon warily, but took a seat.
“She told you the truth. She can turn into a wolf.”
Rose nodded in agreement. “She did. I had a hard time believing it at first myself.”
Mark began to sputter.
Simon held up a hand to silence him and continued. “Both of us can as well. As a matter of fact, my entire family can.”
He looked from Simon to Rose and back again. “Are you telling me shifters are real?”
“Yes, Mark, we’re real. For Sharon to have disclosed that information to you, you must be her mate. Congratulations and welcome to the shifter family.”
“Did someone pour crazy juice in the water around here? People don’t turn into wolves, Simon.”
“Sure they do. Would you like me to demonstrate?”
Before Mark could respond a white wolf streaked by with a smaller dark brown wolf close on its heels.
Mark’s eyes rounded. “Did I just see two wolves run by?”
“Yes, and no. You saw my brother Stefan and his mate El playing tag.”
Simon turned toward the direction the wolves disappeared into the underbrush. In a flash, the white wolf appeared again. “Stefan!”
The brown wolf ran into the white wolf as he skidded to a stop. “What?” The now human Stefan asked in an annoyed tone as he rubbed the brown wolf’s ear.
Mark yelped and would have toppled over backwards if Rose hadn’t grabbed his chair.
Simon tipped his head in Mark’s direction. “He doesn’t believe shifters exist. Thank you for the demonstration.”
Stefan bowed low. “My pleasure. If we’re finished here, I have a game to win.”
In a blink, Stefan was the white wolf again and tore off for the far edge of the yard and out of sight.
Simon sipped his coffee, eyeing Mark over the rim. “Do you believe me now?”
Mark gaped at Simon. Actual mouth hanging open, drool gathering, gaped. “Holy shit! What the fuck, man!”
He raised his cup in salute to his friend. “Yep, that’s pretty much the universal reaction we get.”
“I can’t believe it,” Mark mumbled to himself. “Werewolves, or shifters, whatever, they’re just stories. People just made them up. This is bad horror movie stuff, not real life. And Simon? No way. He’s my best friend…”
Rose watched as Mark sat forward and leaned his elbows on his knees still mumbling. His complexion was ashen. The way he kept talking to himself, she feared he was losing his mind. Simon watched him too, but remained silent.
At least he didn’t run for the hills screaming, HELP WEREWOLVES. Simon snorted in her mind.
Did we push him too far? she asked. Is he having a breakdown?
No, not Mark, he’s solid as a rock. I’ve seen him like this before. Give him a minute, cher. This is the way he processes difficult subjects.
After several minutes, Mark looked up. His face very pale, and lips thin, eyes glassy. “I saw it with my own two eyes, and still can’t wrap my brain around it. Damn, Simon, she was telling me the truth,” he croaked.
“Yes, she was.” Simon grinned. “So, what are you going to do about it?”
Still leaning forward, Mark rubbed his face with both hands and sighed a shaky breath. “I guess I’m going to eat some crow. I just can’t get over all this being real. How do people not know about you? Hell, how did you get through all those years in the Marines without anyone finding out?”
“Shifters are very adept at hiding in plain sight. As for the Marines, that was one of the most difficult times of my life and a very long story.”
Mark heaved a sigh and got to his feet on shaky legs. “I would like to hear it some time. But right now, I better apologize to Sharon.”
Simon stood and slapped Mark on the back.
“You’re a good man, Mark, don’t be too hard on yourself. We don’t expect a human to respond to our secret with ‘cool shifters exist.’ That will never happen. Just ask Rose. I sent her screaming. Then she hid in Cade’s house.”
Rose giggled and nodded. “It’s true. I really did.”
Simon walked Mark and Rizzo to his car and wished him luck.
*****
Sharon closed the book she was reading and smiled. It had only been an hour since Mark left when she heard his car pull up to the house. A minute later, he stood in her doorway, shamefaced.
She gave him a gentle smile and held out her hand. “Please come in and take a seat.”
Mark signaled Rizzo to lie down in the hall and silently did as she asked. But her heart broke when his eyes remained downcast.
Finally seated next to her, he cleared his throat. “I owe you an apology, Sharon.”
His headshot up and his eyes locked with hers when her tiny hand took his. She felt and smelled his remorse.
“No, cher, you don’t. I understand how difficult it was for you to believe that shifters are real. I was prepared for your disbelief. I’m just happy Simon was able to convince you.”
Mark snorted. “It was Stefan who did the convincing. That bastard shifted right in front of me without warning. I thought I was going to have a heart attack.”
Sharon covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. “I’m sorry, Mark. I shouldn’t laugh.”
A grin tugged at the edge of his lips. “No need to say you’re sorry. I’m sure in a day or two I’ll be laughing about it myself.”
“Be that as it may, I shouldn’t laugh. But if you knew Stefan, you would know that was normal behavior for him. He loves to get a rise out of people. Most of the time his brothers want to shoot him.” She leaned into him and gave him a sweet kiss and then stood. “Now that you are here and believe in shifters, would you like to see my wolf as well? Unlike, Stefan, I’ll warn you before I change.”
Mark tilted his head and grinned. “Yeah, I would. But first, I think I need another kiss.”
Sharon gave him a saucy smile and slipped onto his lap. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him like there was no tomorrow. “Will that do?” she panted against his lips.