Chapter Thirty Six
"It's strange that we always find ourselves together like this," Andre murmured as his lips brushed against Mary's throat.
They lay naked in the bed of the truck. The bright light of the sun filtered through the evergreen needles of the trees that surrounded them. Somewhere in the distance, a squirrel was scolding a woodpecker as it drilled noisily.
Mary hummed, enjoying the sensation of sparks that simmered under her skin. "What do you mean, like this? We usually make love in trucks?"
Andre chuckled. "That's more accurate than you know."
He brought her knee over his hip and his mouth returned to her neck. She tilted her head to one side, allowing him better access. As her fingers combed through his long brown hair, she couldn't help but smirk. He'd been hesitant, but once she assured him it was what she really wanted, he'd been so eager that the clothing nearly tore as he undressed the both of them.
"I love the way you smell," he whispered. "I love the way you smile and laugh. I love everything about you."
"Then you've got me at a disadvantage," she moaned, arching herself to him as his mouth trailed lower. She felt so lazily relaxed with his hands roaming her body that she almost hated talking.
Andre moved from one breast to the other before he looked up and smiled at her. "What do you mean?"
"You know what you love about me. I don't know what I love about you. And, I suppose it goes further. You know what I like. I don't know what you like. I don't even know what I like."
"Ah, then won't it be fun to rediscover everything?" the Bear nipped at her breast, grinning, and she grinned back, squeezing his hips with her thighs. "We'll just have to remember to be gentle, for the baby."
"Are we usually rough?"
"No, but sometimes we get a little wild." He trailed butterfly kisses down her stomach, causing something inside to quiver. Heat flared from her core when he kissed her thigh. "You always liked this, though."
He was right–she did like it. Mary grasped at her own hair, her body bringing itself off the truck bed towards him. Her skin flushed with heat and she stuffed a hand into her mouth, moaning with pleasure as he continued his ministrations. How can this feel so right? I don't even know him.
But she did know him, deep in her soul. The part of her that knew him cried for more. It sung as it pulled her towards him. A flash of panic made her tense as she felt something jerk inside her. Something hit against her ribs, like a bird trying to escape its cage. She cried out against it.
Andre was lying beside her in an instant, the heat radiating from his body soothing her. His massive hand stroked her hair and worried black eyes gazed deep into hers.
"We can stop if you want."
Mary clung to him, borrowing the warmth of his body as she rested her head against his shoulder. It felt so right, so perfect, to be in his arms. She didn't want it to stop! She just wanted this inexplicable thing inside her to go away.
"I'm afraid if I give in, I'll lose control," she whispered. "I'm afraid of what might happen."
"Nothing will happen."
He didn't understand. How could he? He didn't know about this deep need inside her, the terrifying pull that seemed beyond her control. But with his arms around her, she felt safe and the pull inside her relaxed. It flowed through her veins, rather than battering against her ribs.
Mary inhaled his fresh pine scent, trying to clear her mind. Was it her Wolf trying to escape? Was making love with her soulmate what was necessary to bring it back? Would it bring her memories with it?
She opened her eyes again and gripped Andre's firm buttocks. "Take me now."
He grinned, all too willing to obey her demand.
***
The sky was overcast, dark and gloomy. Cold for summer. Mary rubbed her aching eyes as Andre pulled into the parking lot of a Denny's restaurant and checked the time. 11:45. Almost midnight. She yawned, staggering slightly as she slid out of the truck. Her knees moved stiffly and she swiveled from side to side, trying to loosen her spine.
Andre smiled at her. "We'll just grab a quick bite, okay?"
She nodded, though she certainly was not looking forward to getting back into that truck. They had been driving so long that she was too restless to sleep. And it was even more boring than in the daytime because there was nothing outside the window to look at.
Perhaps if they had not spent so much time that morning making love, they would not be so pressed for time now.
Mary grinned. Even if they had wasted time, it was well worth it. She couldn't remember the last time she had been as happy as she was when she finally gave into the tug inside her and gave herself to Andre.
There was a surprising amount of people in Denny's. Most of them seemed to be around Mary's age or a little younger, although there were a couple of older groups as well, all wearing formal clothing. Maybe a wedding party or something.
The waitress showed them to a table by the window where Mary glanced over the menu items. Her mouth watered at the sight of the hamburgers and she considered if she could get them without the bread.
"I have been having some serious meat cravings lately," she mentioned. "Do you think it's because of the baby? I mean, it could be a Wolf or Bear couldn't it?"
A frown crossed Andre's face. "I suppose, yes. Or neither. Shifting is somewhat hereditary, but it's like blue eyes. Not every child with two blue-eyed parents is going to have blue eyes themselves."
"That doesn't sound right." Mary strained her memory, but didn't know anything about genes, so she shrugged. "How long will it be until we get to my family?"
"If you drive while I rest, then I think we should be able to get there by dark tomorrow. I must admit, it will be nice to be able to sleep in a proper bed."
"When you say sleep, you mean something else, right?" She wiggled her eyebrows. Then, feeling foolish, she crossed her eyes and stuck out her tongue.
Andre smirked.
Mary looked out the window as the waitress returned to take their orders. The clouds had cleared, revealing a bright white, perfectly round moon. The light brushed against her face as warm as sunlight, and she sighed. She would have no problem staying awake with that moon in the sky. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever laid eyes on. Unconsciously she reached across the table and took Andre's hands in hers. A blissful smile crossed her lips.
"Isn't the moon the loveliest thing you have ever seen?"
***
It's very dangerous for a Purged Wolf to return during the involuntary transformation. It will sometimes lead the Wolf to madness…
Andre's heart pounded against his chest as soon as Mary moved closer to the window. There was the faraway look in her eyes that he had seen only in her on the night of the full moon. His gaze was drawn to the window. It was still pitch black outside, yet Mary was staring upwards as though she was observing the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Her alabaster skin seemed to turn gray. Andre suddenly realized that it was because black fur was growing over her face. He pushed himself to his feet, grabbing the waitress's arm. She shrieked, which finally caught Mary's attention.
Andre turned, pushing the waitress away.
When he turned back, a Wolf stood on the table.
How could I be so stupid?
"Mary." He reached towards her but stopped when she snarled, hackles rising. Her fur was shaggy, patchy, and there was a gleam in her green eyes that he had never seen before.
He was aware that the conversation from the humans in the restaurant had gone silent, but he dared not take his eyes from Mary. Was it Mary? Her lips were pulled back in a snarl and shudders ran up her spine. In the past, she had always embraced her Wolf before midnight, the time when the moon called. Her eyes had always sparkled and she had frolicked around him, tail wagging, growling playfully.
There was no recognition in her eyes now.
"Mary," he whispered. Though she growled still, he moved slowly, inching forward until his fingers brushed her chest.
The growling ceased abruptly. Her head cocked to one side and she blinked as if coming out a trance. Andre managed a tentative smile, stepping closer.
"Mary."
Her tail started wagging side to side, her eyes not breaking from his.
There was a tinkling of the door opening, and then a loud, annoyed voice spoke. "What is an animal doing in here?"
Mary's eyes darted towards the voice and her whole body tensed again. Even as Andre reached to hold her, she let out an ear-splitting half-animal, half-human scream.
She bounded off the table and ran for the humans, snarling, with bloodlust in her eyes.