“And you ended up outside my fence, in my time, stuck in a trap.”
“I did.”
Well, that certainly explained why Brandy hadn’t been able to figure out where Alator had come from.
“Do you have the chance to go back to your time, your home?” She wasn’t sure she wanted the answer to this question.
“I will be sent back as soon as I do something worthy.”
“You saved Dylan and me. That wasn’t worthy enough?”
“No. That was a test from Flidae herself.”
“She’s here?” A Celtic goddess walked among them? What good was science if all this fantasy stuff was actually happening around them and they didn’t even know it?
“In some form, aye. I’ve only seen her appear as a nearly transparent apparition, but her power is strong here.”
“So if you don’t do something she considers worthy, do you get to stay in my time?” Did he want to stay in her time? Would she be able to let him go back to his? Did she have any choice in the matter?
“I sense that the answer to that is no. Flidae isn’t going to let me win this one. I’m to be punished and she will see that I am.” He stared directly into her eyes now. “In the meantime, however, I want to be with you, Brandy. I feel complete with you.”
“Complete. But we don’t know each other.” She’d only slept with this man once. “Jesus, I don’t even know your last name.”
“McAlator.”
“Ha, ha. Very funny.” She pursed her lips and let her hands slide out from under his as she took a step away from the bars.
“I’m not joking, Brandy. My full name is Reardon Douglas McAlator. Dylan named my wolf form well.”
“God of war. I suppose, given what you’ve told me about your former life, it was a fitting name.”
“Are you afraid of me?” His beautiful eyes were so pained, so sad.
“Afraid of you? No. I don’t even know you.”
Reardon shook his head. “You don’t know me as a man, but think about it, fairy lass. You know me as a wolf. You’ve cared for me when I was injured. You’ve fed me, sheltered me, given me a pack. You’ve invited me into your home, your bedroom, your heart, as a wolf. And that wolf has protected you, has he not? He’s returned your love, has he not? Everything you feel for that wolf and that wolf feels for you doesn’t change now that I’ve got two arms and two legs.”
Brandy studied the man behind the bars and had to agree that there was a certain level of familiarity she couldn’t explain with any logic other than what he had said. He was right. She did love the wolf. Was it such a stretch to love the man as well?
“We did have some chemistry together as humans, I suppose,” she said.
“You suppose?” Reardon offered her a heart-stopping grin. “Fairy lass, what we shared was destiny. You’re my soul mate. I’m certain of it.”
Soul mate. Completely unscientific, but it felt like the right label. She couldn’t deny that. She wanted to be his soul mate. But how could it last if he wasn’t from her time? How could they build something together when he’d have to return home eventually?
How could she waste another minute if this thing had a time limit on it?
Brandy turned and pounded a fist on the door the sheriff had left through. In a second, the door whipped open, and Sheriff Olsen looked ready to subdue anyone who needed subduing.
“You can release him. He wasn’t trespassing on Silver Moon property. It was a misunderstanding,” she said.
The sheriff eyed her for a good long moment. “You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Well, because it was Silver Moon that called him in, it’s Silver Moon who can call him out.” Sheriff Olsen removed keys from his utility belt and unlocked Reardon’s cell. “I’ll get the paperwork for his release. Follow me.”
Reardon pushed open the door to the cell and stepped into the corridor. Gently, he cupped Brandy’s cheek and she pressed her face into his palm. Not able to resist, she leaned into his big, strong, hard body and let out a sigh when he wrapped his arms around her.
“This feels no different than when you hugged me as a wolf, right?” he whispered in her ear.
And it didn’t. It truly didn’t.
Chapter Fifteen
They rode in silence. Meredith in the driver’s seat with Parker in the passenger seat. Brandy and Reardon shared the back seat. Far too much space stretched between them in the small car as far as Reardon was concerned, but he got the vibe that it wasn’t because Brandy wanted it that way. She’d gestured to her mother and friend in the front seat when they’d gotten into the car at the police station and he’d picked up her mental message.
Wait until we’re alone.
So he would. He’d wait until they were alone. Then he’d show her that everything he felt for her in wolf form was the same in man form. Maybe even stronger. He was so relieved she wasn’t angry with him for keeping the truth from her. She appeared to understand. Understand and accept. In fact, the way she kept shooting small smiles to him suggested she was a little… giddy over what he was. As if he were the proof she’d been searching for to prove her secret research into lycanthropy hadn’t been a waste of time. She was fascinated by the topic and his existence validated all the claims she’d collected over the years.
Meredith pulled her car into the driveway and turned to face them in the back seat. She stared at Reardon, her gaze drilling holes into him. “Before I let you loose, wolfman, I need to see what I saw on that video live and in person. I need to know you’re not going to hurt my daughter or my grandson.”
“I don’t like this,” Parker said, his worried gaze never leaving Brandy’s face.
“I’ve never intended to hurt Brandy or Dylan,” Reardon said before Brandy could protest against her mother’s demand and her friend’s concern. “I will show you anything you wish to see and guarantee I will keep Brandy safe as a man just as I have as a wolf.”
“You really share a consciousness with the wolf?” Parker turned more to look at Reardon.
“The wolf and the man are the same. I know—and feel—everything the wolf does and the opposite is also true.”
“Show us.” Meredith climbed out of the car.
Parker hesitated a moment before following Meredith’s lead.
Reardon put his hand on the door handle, and Brandy reached over and took his other hand. The sight of her small hand on his warmed him like nothing else could.
“You don’t have to prove anything to them if you don’t want to. I believe everything you’ve said, Reardon. I trust you.” She cupped his cheek, letting her fingertips play with his left earlobe. When she moved her hand up higher and traced the edge of his ear up under his hair a bit, her eyes widened. “The tip of your ear is gone.”
“As is Alator’s.” He closed his eyes while she fingered the jagged top of his left ear as she had done to his wolf ear so many times. He opened his eyes to find her smiling at him.
“I think a part of me always knew you and Alator shared a… soul.”
“We share a deep love for you as well, fairy lass.”
“I know, big boy.” She winked, and though she hadn’t told him she loved him in return, he was encouraged by her playfulness. “C’mon, let’s get the demonstration for these two over with.”
They got out of the car and walked to where Meredith and Parker both stood, each with their arms folded across their chests like a couple of skeptics.
“Chella’s not here yet?” Brandy asked.
Parker shook his head. “She’ll probably be here any minute, so let’s go, Reardon. Do your thing.”
“Let’s go into the woods a little,” Brandy said. “In case Chella does show up. She’ll scream her head off, and I don’t want Dylan to be scared.”
Parker led the way, Meredith behind him, with Brandy and Reardon following. As they went deeper, the other wolves appeared and wasted no time rubbing themselves against Reardon, welcoming him home.
&
nbsp; Home. If only it could be his home.
Swallowing around a tight throat, Reardon continued walking until he felt Brandy staring at him.
“What?” he asked, halting to look at her.
“Nothing. I just love seeing my wolves with you.”
“They are good friends of mine now. Like family.”
“Do you have family? You know, in Ireland? In your time?” The expression on her face told him she feared his answer.
He stroked her cheek, letting his fingers glide over her soft skin. “I have a brother, Jaemus, but I don’t know where Flidae sent him. My mother still lives, but we do not see each other. I only know my father as the man who made me what I am. I saw him on my first change, then never again.”
Brandy stepped into him, her arms going around his waist. She simply held him and he could have stood there for an eternity.
But suddenly Parker was there, a silent demand in his dark eyes.
Reardon peeled Brandy’s arms off him and motioned to Parker. “We have an audience.”
“Damn right you do, buddy,” Parker said. “I’m not leaving you with her until I get explanations.”
“Or you could trust me, Park,” Brandy said. “You know I don’t do things that are irrational or dangerous.”
“Maybe he’s done something to your mind.”
Reardon laughed, earning a glare from Parker. “Mind control is not one of my talents.”
“Well, show us what talents you do have.” Parker gestured to the open field in front of them.
The other wolves had gathered around, and Reardon could feel their energy, filling him, supporting him. He stepped away from Brandy and entered the field.
Brandy walked over to Meredith who put her arm around her daughter’s shoulders. Parker joined them, his face equal parts doubtful and curious.
“Does it hurt?” Brandy asked Reardon. “When you change?”
Her concern touched him. “No. It did at first, but not anymore.”
He yanked his T-shirt over his head and set it on the ground. Meredith let out a sound and Brandy elbowed her.
“What?” Meredith asked. “I think I see why you want to forgive him. Shit, how can abs like that be possible?”
Parker cleared his throat. “Let’s focus on what we’re witnessing here, shall we, ladies? Don’t get sidetracked by… by… abs.” He huffed out a breath then sucked in his stomach. The man was in good shape as well, but Reardon knew regular humans weren’t capable of developing the muscles he had.
Reardon slid his jeans down his legs and stepped out of them. He left his boxers on then crouched to all fours, noting how Brandy’s eyes went to the bandage on his left calf, further evidence to suggest he and Alator were the same.
One moment he was a man on his hands and knees. The next he was a giant, black wolf, wagging his tail, hoping to project a friendly look instead of a big, bad look.
Meredith cupped her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide and darting between Reardon’s wolf in the field and Brandy at her side.
“Well,” Parker said, his voice full of wonder, “he can actually do it.”
As Reardon approached, Brandy shared a quick version of what he’d told her at the police department. She ended with, “He’s even got a jagged ear like Alator does.”
He flicked that ear, and slowly, Parker reached out a hand and touched the ear. He jumped back a little as if he didn’t expect the wolf in front of him to be real.
“All the science I know just went poof.” Parker shot his hands out then let them flap down to his sides.
“This is not a matter of science.” Meredith crouched in front of Reardon and rubbed the scruff around his neck, eliciting a low growl of appreciation from him. She laughed. “This is a matter of believing in magic.” She stood and tugged on Parker’s arm. “C’mon, kid. I’ve got a bottle of Jack Daniels that goes perfectly with this kind of revelation.” She stopped by Brandy’s side. “I’ll make something to eat. I imagine shifting from man to wolf and back again works up a hunger.”
Meredith guided Parker back the way they’d come, but Parker paused.
“You feel safe around him, B?”
Reardon had to admire the man’s determination to keep Brandy secure.
“I do, Park. Go with Mom. Have that drink. We’ll chat later about how everything we know is wrong.”
“Shit, right?” He raked a hand through his hair and followed Meredith.
When they could no longer be seen, Brandy turned to him. “Your leg is still hurt from yesterday?” She pointed to his back left leg where the bandage had fallen off.
Reardon sat on his haunches and lifted that leg for inspection.
Brandy got to her knees and leaned forward, taking that limb in her hands and noting the stitching still visible. “It looks so much better than yesterday. Fast healing is part of this werewolf thing?”
He let out a short bark in reply.
“Okay.” Brandy chewed on her lower lip as she regarded him. “Change back so we can… talk.”
Reardon didn’t have to be asked twice. He shifted immediately, but stayed on all fours.
“Can you get my clothes? My leg hurts a bit more in human form.”
Brandy sprung into action, jogging to his pile of clothes and handing them to him. “For the record though, I prefer you naked.”
He let out a sound of male appreciation at that comment. “Likewise.” He dressed quickly and led Brandy over to a boulder. They both sat, their thighs touching in one, warm line that Reardon adored.
“Do you think I’ve scarred Meredith and Parker for life?” He took Brandy’s hand and laced his fingers with hers.
She studied their joined hands on his thigh. The fact that she made no attempt to free herself pleased him greatly.
“No. My mom called you magic and she’s got a special place in her heart for magic. She always said what she had with my dad was magic.” Brandy brought their hands up to her lips and dropped soft kisses along his knuckles. The sensation instantly hardened him and he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything. “And Parker will most likely have a thousand questions for you by the time we get back to the house. He’s very analytical and will want to know all the specifics of your ability.”
“And you?” Reardon hooked her hair behind her ear. “What do you think?”
“I think if you don’t kiss me right now, big boy, I might seriously lose it.”
She leaned forward and Reardon didn’t waste any time considering her request because he was dangerously close to losing it, too, if he didn’t taste her.
When their lips met, something liquid and molten surged through him. Something heated and filling. Something that touched his soul—the one he shared between man and wolf.
The one that loved this woman with everything he had.
****
Brandy nearly melted under the heat of Reardon’s kiss… or was it Alator’s kiss?
It’s Reardon McAlator’s kiss. And she freaking loved it. She had her very own werewolf right here in her arms. Never in a million years did she ever think this day would come.
She’d wished for it. Every time she added to her lycanthropy notes, every time she’d heard about a new case of someone reporting they could change into an animal, every time she watched Twilight, she’d fantasized about meeting a shapeshifter. If she were being honest, the fantasy always ended with her and the shifter getting it on.
And now it’s really happening.
Brandy climbed onto Reardon’s lap and he wrapped his muscled arms around her, pulling her hot, ready center closer to his hard, ready arousal.
“I think it’s time for you to lose the clothes again, big boy.” She sucked gently on his bottom lip and absolutely loved the low growl that rumbled—very wolf-like—deep in his throat.
“Only if you’ll lose yours too.” He skimmed his fingertips along her stomach under her tank top.
“Deal.” She nearly tore her top off then set to work removing his
T-shirt.
Reardon palmed her breasts and the heat of his hands through the thin fabric of her bra pebbled her nipples. He unclasped the bra and tossed it aside, his hands taking over the job of cupping her breasts.
“So beautiful…” His voice was raspy with need and the timbre of it struck something inside Brandy like the pluck of a guitar string. The vibrations pulsed all over her body, but at her core mostly. She’d never wanted something as much as she wanted Reardon.
She slid off his lap so she could get rid of her shorts. Reardon stood and pushed off his jeans, appearing to be as eager, as aroused, as she was. When they were both naked, she made a move to jump at him, but he put his hands on her shoulders first.
“Thank you, fairy lass.” He stared directly into her eyes, his own green-gold ones intense and… glowing. Brandy couldn’t look away. He was enthralling.
“For what?” she asked, her voice ragged with need. She wanted him inside her right now.
“For forgiving me. For accepting me. For wanting me.”
She shook off his hold so she could step closer and hook her hands on his shoulders instead. “Thank you for protecting me against Hank. Thank you for saving Dylan and me in town. Thank you for trusting me with the story surrounding your secret. Thank you for shifting in front of my mother and my friend to shut them up.” She smiled when he laughed. “Thank you for making love to me and waking me up inside. Thank you for making love to me again right now.”
He pulled her in so her entire front was touching his in one long line of warm, naked flesh. She loved the way her nipples rubbed against the hard muscles of his chest, the way his erection sought entrance between her willing thighs.
Reardon teased her at first, slowly running the tip of his arousal back and forth along her throbbing center. When he finally turned her so she was facing the boulder and rubbed his desire along her from the back, she cried out, her desperation for him threatening to rip her apart.
“Please, Reardon. Now.” She ground her bottom against him, loving the moan it pulled from him.
Wolf Kiss (Warrior Wolves Book 1) Page 20