Chapter~21~Return of the Wolfman.

Harley~

"Excuse me, please."

Out of the captain's office, I bolt to the nearest bathroom, entering the accessible stall. After securing the latch lock, I slide down the wall to the floor and hug my knees to my chest, tears welling up in my eyes.

'It's going to be ok, Harley, breathe; I know you just got a double shot, but you've got to get yourself together, sister.'

'What do I do, Rae?'

'You put on your big-girl panties and get up off the floor; we still have a job to do, Detective; you can't back down from Nick or Lenorad. Show them they're dealing with a strong Lycan!'

Sheer determination brings me up by my bootstraps! Damned, I will be before I let the Wolfman waltz in here and shake my foundation, mate or not! The stall door swings open. I go to the hand sink, turn on the faucet, and cup water over my face. Rae flashes forward, and I see what I am when I exit the bathroom. I find them both waiting in the hallway.

Howard raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms over his chest. "Are you okay, Detective?"

"I am fine, Captain, damn allergies."

Nick's eyes surprised me when they filled with genuine concern. "We can do this later if you aren't feeling well."

"That won't be necessary, Agent Reins; Captain Howard suggested I wait for you to search for the missing van. Just let me get the file, and we can go." I moved past them to my desk.

"It's good to have you on board, Agent Reins. Let me know what you find, Detective, and I will run Luccese through the panels while you're gone."

Mitch walks away, and I head for the door, not bothering to see if the Wolfman is following me; it wasn't necessary, as I could feel him. With the key fob, I unlock the car, go to the passenger side, and get inside. Nick slides into the driver's seat, and I pass him the keys. He starts the car; I enter the coordinates into the GPS interface, then plant my hands in my lap and look out the window.

"It's nice to see you again, Harley."

My brain isn't functioning enough for me to speak, and I remain quiet when he wants to know how I've been. Though I have seemed to have lost my voice, Rae hasn't. Nick's wolf growls at her, and she returns his sentiments. Nick follows the GPS for a few more unanswered questions before entering a parking lot. He finds a secluded spot and puts the car in park, turns to face me, and cups my face in his hands.

Like a moth drawn to a flame, I turned my face into his palm, not at all what I intended to do, but resistance was futile. He slid his hand around my neck and under my hair, leaving my skin a heated trail as he pulled me to him. His lips are gentle on mine at first, and his warmth makes me moan as my arms wrap around his neck, where my fingers tangle in his hair like it's their nest. In response, he deepened the kiss. When he released me, I groaned in protest.

"Why didn't you tell me, Nick?"

"There wasn't much time between the bar and my hotel room, and I was called back to headquarters on another case shortly after you left."

My cheeks heat as I pull away from him. "About that, Nick, I want to apologize for my behavior at McGilleys. It's not like I do what we did with strange men as a hobby."

"The thought never crossed my mind; you were just a she-wolf following her instinct, which is good, by the way. I would worry if you didn't find your fated mate attractive."

"You know about that, too, hun?" I bit my lip, earning me a deep rumble from Nick. His deep voice caused kitty juice to leak into my panties.

He pulls me back in, and I go to him obediently. "I do, but I assure you there will be no pressure from me. My wolf, Zeek, however, would like to meet his mate at least, so I asked you once before; let me see your wolf."

Rae turns on her motor, and the seat behind me vibrates. "Ok, Wolfman, but not now; we have work to do first."

Nick's fingers trail over my marking spot, and a chill runs down my spine before he takes my hand, kisses it, and places it on his thigh. Then, he puts the car in reverse. I'd never thought I would enjoy being electrocuted, but I damn sure do!

Sparks fly over my skin as he draws circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. We pull into Young's Recoveries' parking lot and park. Nick leans in for a kiss, and I instinctively pull away from him. Disappointment flashed in his eyes. To flee the scene, I jerked the handle to open the door.

As soon as my feet hit the asphalt, I realized I had gone too far too fast when my legs were as sturdy as running water beneath me. In a second, I realized Nick had seen me slump against the car when his massive hands encircled my waist.

"I am fine, Nick. I have an appointment the day after tomorrow."

He steps back but stays close. "I know LA is diverse, but I didn't realize there was a pack doctor."

Now he sounds like my wolf, I shrugged. "There isn't. It's just Mad Wolf disease. As long as I get my shots every month, I don't foam at the mouth."

We get into the office, and Nick steps in front of me; I don't like that! He flashed his badge abruptly in the clerk's face, and I don't like that either. His voice was sharp when he spoke to the parts clerk.

"I am Agent Reins, and this is Detective Gibson. Are you the manager?"

As I stepped around him, I gave him the side-eye. "Nancy is not the manager. Is Phill around?"

"Sure, Detective." She walked away to get Phill.

"You will catch more flies with honey than vinegar, Agent Reins."

A few moments later, Phill came up from the back office. "What can I do for you, Detective?"

"Hi, Phill. I am looking for a cargo van, maybe a 22' or 23' model only. I don't know the make, but I assume it is white and would have a big H on the side."

Phill types away on his keyboard. A satisfied smile crosses my face. "I don't remember a van with an H, but I have a few; you're welcome to look." He hands me two printouts.

"Thanks, Phill." I hand Nick a copy, and we head out the service door towards the lot.