Nick~
I have never heard the term Harley used to describe her affliction. I wonder if it is a guardian power she does not yet understand. It also puts a bit of a spin on the shindig; there's no telling what she remembers. I am convinced that she knows Leonard from Ian's pack. It is possibly even a bit more intimate than just seeing him there. Luccese's long list of crimes included child molestation. Ian would have given his blessing.
I tightened my grip on Harley and pulled her closer to me. "Have you ever thought the hypertension in that brain of yours is hereditary?"
She laughed lightly. "I don't have a problem with my heart. Hyperthymesia, not Hypertentious. and yes, I have."
"Surely, the thing you have is rare; it shouldn't be hard to find or locate others like yourself."
"You make me sound like an alien or something. I don't have scales or grow horns."
When she started deflecting my questions, I knew I had pushed my Amante too far. It was okay; I'd had enough to know tonight. "If you did, I would dampen your scales and shine your horns." I kissed her forehead.
"Thank you for taking care of me."
Not really knowing what to I rubbed my hands along her back. "Forevermore, Amante. You need to eat. I got you some soup, but I can get you something else."
"Soup is fine, and we have a run to get ready for."
"We don't have to go if you're not up to it."
"Nick, I am fine. The dizziness is over. I've never let the episodes stop me before, and Rae would never forgive me."
After serving Harley the soup in bed, I then joined her, sitting Indian-style in front of her. "Ok, I get why I can't mark you now, but would you be willing to accept me as your Alpha?"
She looked at me and set down the cup. "You realize what goes on here?" she pointed to her temple. "Would also go on in here." She touched my temple and traced her finger over my face.
Et
"Un-hun, I also know I could hear your voice whenever I wanted. That's worth the hypertension of the brain thing."
"Ok, Alpha, I am game if you are."
With a nod, I removed the food tray from the bed, retrieved the pocket knife from my jeans, and returned to the bed. "Ready?" She nodded her head. I slid my knife across my palm as she spoke.
"Alpha Nicholas Reins, I, Harley Gibson, ask for acceptance into your pack. I now offer you my respect, protection, and honor forevermore."
I lifted my hand to her, and Harley accepted my blood. Harley took the knife from my hand and sliced her palm for me.
"I, Alpha Nicholas Reins, accept you, Harley Gibson, into my pack. I now offer you my respect, protection, and honor forevermore."
She lifted her hand. I took it and brushed her blood first over my lips before accepting her blood. Almost instantly, I hear Harley giggling in my head. I haven't had a mind link with a werewolf for a long time. It felt a little weird.
'What's so funny?' I asked, loving the way her voice echoed in my head.
'The look on your face is priceless.'
After midnight, we head back toward the basin a ways down from the crime scene. I pulled off onto a mountain trail, probably not intended for a vehicle to travel on. My Amante waits for me to open the door for her, and we walk hand in hand into the mountains. Harley is looking up at the stars in awe.
We find a spot that we like, strip our clothes, and I put them up in the tree. I take a moment to pull my Amante into my arms. I first kissed her forehead and nose before settling my lips over hers. She opened up to me without hesitation, and my tongue explored inside her mouth. She tasted so sweet. I could kiss her a million times, and the feeling would never fade.
Ok, time to apply the brakes! It was now or never! I step back. "I will see you in a little while, Amante." Zeek pulls our shift.
In a moment, we are looking at a gorgeous, dark brown Lycan female wolf with big golden eyes looking back at us. Rae is beautiful and purrs as she makes her way to Zeke. She rubs him up one side and down the other. Zeek is loving the attention from his mate. He lies down on his back, giving her complete control of him.
'Wolfman?'
'Yes, Amante.'
'Didn't the two of you promise us a run?' Rae untangled herself from Zeek, licked his snout, and took off.
Of course, we follow. I am wondering if I should recognize Harley as a Lycan female. It would be hard to miss for any self-respecting werewolf. Now, seeing Rae's sharp movements and flawless strides, her breeding is unmistakable. Rae gives Zeek a good workout. When the old man gets tired, he stops their game of tag by dropping to the ground.
Ray began to lick and rub Zeke from snout to paw, imprinting her scent into his fur and onto our skin. Zeek lifted his head and let out a satisfied howl at being claimed by his mate. The man was howling too. We gave the star-crossed lovers a few more minutes together before heading back down the mountain. We return to the tree, I shift, and go for our clothes.
Harley shifts and stops me. "Have you ever made love in the moonlight?"
I didn't have time to answer her before she pressed her lips to mine, pulled me down in the tall grass, and straddled me. Her eyes momentarily flashed black as she mounted me like a hungry grizzly claiming the last salmon. She raised her hips, taking me inside her with a growl. I knew I was in for a wild ride letting her have control. I place my hands on her hips and enjoy the view of her riding me like she owns me, and she does.