Chapter~27~Unforgettable.

Nick~27

I had 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'm convinced that she knows Leonard from Ian's pack.

Perhaps a bit more intimate than just seeing him there as well. Luccese's long list of crimes included child molestation. Ian would have given his blessing if it sealed a deal. 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?"

"I don't have a problem with my heart. Hyperthymesia, not hypertension, and yes, I do."

"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've not yet grown scales or 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. After kissing her forehead, I got up from the bed and went to the microwave.

"If you did, I would dampen your scales and shine your horns."

"Thank you for taking care of me."

"Forevermore, Amante. You need to eat. I dashed us some dinner. I wasn't sure, so I got you soup and salad, but I can have something else delivered if you like."

"Soup is fine; I don't want to be too full when we shift."

"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 heating our food and serving Harley in bed, I then joined her with my hoagie, 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?"

Harley set down the cup, looked up at me, and pointed to her head. "You realize what goes on here? Would also go on in here," she touched my temple, then traced her finger over my cheek.

"Un-hun, but 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 set my sandwich aside, 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. Now I offer you my respect, protection, and honor forevermore."

I lifted my hand to her, and Harley accepted my blood, then took the knife from my hand and sliced her palm for me.

"Harley Gibson, I, Alpha Nicholas Reins, accept you into my pack. Now I offer you my respect, protection, and honor forevermore."

Before I accepted her blood, I brushed her palm over my lips. As soon as her life source entered my mouth, I heard Harley giggling in my head. Not having had a mind link with a werewolf for a long time, it felt a little weird.

'What's so funny?' I do love the way her voice echoed in my brain.

'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 that was probably not intended for vehicle travel. 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, kiss 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. If I kissed her a million times, 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, and 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, but when the old man gets tired, he stops their game of tag by dropping to the ground.

Rae 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 under the moonlight?"

I'd had no time to give her an answer; 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 when I let 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.