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.

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.

He bent her forward, his hands covering hers on the boulder and his body draped over her like a heavy blanket. A werewolf blanket. She loved the weight of him surrounding her. When he slid into her from behind, she let out a shuddery sigh and pressed herself against him.

They fell into an easy rhythm, and in no time, Brandy was soaring. Flying high. Peaking. Diving. Tumbling over the edge with this amazing man, wolf, werewolf… soul mate.

When they’d both fallen apart in a shower of pure bliss and her legs could no longer support her, Reardon lifted her into his arms and set her in his lap again as he sat on the boulder. His breathing was as labored as hers, but the smile on his face told her he’d enjoyed himself. He caught her lips with his and they kissed in the quiet of the woods until they had to stop for more air.

“Oh, lass…” Reardon traced circles on her thigh, his big hands rough against her skin. “I didn’t know feeling like this was possible.”

Brandy nestled closer. “Neither did I, and now that I do know, what can we do to keep you here?”

He squeezed his arms around her. “Knowing that you want to keep me here fills my heart to overflowing.” After dropping a soft kiss on her forehead, he leveled those gorgeous wolf eyes at her. “But I don’t think Flidae will change the rules for anyone. Least of all me.”

“There has to be a way, Reardon. I can’t have found you only to lose you.” Brandy shook her head. “My sister, Dylan’s mom, was taken from me. I don’t think I can stand to see someone else I love go.”

The hopeful look on his face was adorable. “You love me?”

She fingered his jagged ear. “I love you and your wolf. Does that officially make us soul mates?”

“There’s a way to make it official.” He set her on her feet and took her hands in his. Without taking his eyes off hers, he opened his mouth, his canine teeth elongating right before Brandy’s eyes.

She couldn’t look away. The sight of those teeth astonished and fascinated her. “You bite me?”

He nodded. “I turn you.”

“Isn’t that what got you in trouble in the first place?”

“Yes, but my intentions are very different now.” His eyes darkened as he ran his tongue over one of the canines. “I would turn you to bind us in love.”

A zip of anticipation shockwaved through Brandy. Why did she want him to bite her? Wasn’t that crazy? Where had Dr. Brandy Wendon, scientist, gone? When had she gone completely insane?

The moment he touched me.

“Where would you bite me?” she asked. “Will it hurt?”

“Anywhere you want me to bite you and aye, only for a moment.” He slid his hands to her hips. “Then I promise to make the hurt go away.”

Electric zip number two raced through her body and she found herself stepping in closer to him, corralling her hair onto one shoulder, baring her neck to him. Before she could think too much about it, she said, “Do it.”

Another low growl hummed in his throat as he stood and wrapped one arm around her waist. His free hand slid up her arm to rest at her shoulder and he looked at her for several silent seconds, his eyes a warm green-gold with a light of their own.

Brandy’s heart beat so hard in her chest, she feared it would burst through her ribcage. Her legs were wobbly, her hands clammy.

But she wanted this. Good God, she wanted this.

As Reardon lowered his head and the tip of his canine grazed her flesh, a bolt of lightning zapped to the ground, setting some nearby ferns on fire.

“Shit!” Brandy scrambled for her clothes as did Reardon. “We have to put that out before it catches the rest of the woods on fire! I could lose the entire sanctuary if that happens!”

She led them to the barn and wrenched a fire extinguisher off the wall. Pushing it into Reardon’s waiting hands, she said, “Pull this pin, aim the hose, and spray! Go!”

“Aye!” He took off, his long legs covering more ground than she could hope to.

With fumbling hands, Brandy turned on the spigot at the back of the barn and grabbed the hose.

“What’s going on?” Parker was suddenly beside her.

“Lightning strike. Ferns on fire.”

Parker took the hose from her. “I’ve got it.” He set off in the direction Reardon had gone.

Brandy jogged behind him and let out a breath because Reardon had the fire out already. A few cloudy wisps of smoke rose from the blackened ferns, but nothing else looked harmed.

“Lightning, you say?” Parker asked, still holding the hose.

“Yeah.” Brandy looked up to the sky, which was a cloudless blue. Not a rain cloud in sight. “It came out of nowhere.”

Parker opened his mouth, but his phone ringing from his pocket stopped him. He reached around and retrieved the phone. “It’s Chella.” He tapped the screen. “Hey, babe. Where are you? I called and said you could bring Dylan to Silver Moon almost an hour ago.”

Reardon stared at the destroyed ferns. He looked up at the tree tops and Brandy would have sworn he was putting together his own theory for that lightning.

But she’d seen it. With her own two eyes. And after a day like today, what was so strange about a little rogue lightning? She’d made love with a werewolf for Christ’s sake. Lightning was far more routine than that.

Although…

Was it a little strange that the bolt appeared just as Reardon was about to bite her? Did some outside force—some angry goddess—not approve?

“Something’s not right,” Parker said, his phone still to his ear.

“What do you mean?” Brandy asked.

“It’s Chella’s number showing up, but it wasn’t Chella on the line.” Parker pulled his phone from his ear and blinked at the screen. “Chella doesn’t say things like, ‘If you want to stay, I’ll take the boy.’ What does that even mean?”

Reardon let out a roar that made Brandy jump. Parker’s phone flew out of his hand as did the hose.

“Flidae!” Reardon yelled. “Flidae, hear me! You don’t harm that boy.”

Fear washed over Brandy like a tidal wave. “Flidae has Dylan?” Suddenly she couldn’t get any oxygen into her lungs. “Reardon? Does she?”

He set the fire extinguisher down and grabbed Brandy’s hand. “Not for long she doesn’t.” He stopped in front of Parker. “Take us to Chella’s.”

“Wait,” Parker said. “Someone tell me what’s going on. Who is Flidae?”

“Tell you on the way.” Reardon prodded Parker into a jog and didn’t stop until they were in front of Parker’s truck. “Brandy, call Meredith. Tell her to stay inside the house. Tell her we’ll explain when we get back.”

Brandy followed his instructions while he gathered the sanctuary’s wolves around him. Holding his hands out to them, he appeared to be talking to them.

“What were you doing?” she asked when he climbed into the back seat of the truck next to her.

“Asking them to protect Meredith. Trust me, nothing is getting inside your house. Nothing.”

“What about us?” Parker asked. “What are we driving into? Do we need protection? Does Chella? Is Chella okay?”

“Flidae wants to punish me,” Reardon said, notes of shame and guilt lacing his words. “I’m certain she will accept an exchange for Dylan and Chella.”

Brandy scooted closer to Reardon, but he stopped her. “No. What I was about to do obviously angered Flidae. Again.” He rubbed his forehead. “You’d do well to stay away from me.”

“I can’t.” The two words spilled out of her mouth without her even having to think. “Soul mate, remember? We’ll figure this out together, Reardon. Together we’re stronger.”

He blinked those green-gold eyes at her. They went from cold and hardened to something warm and loving.

“Aye. Together.”