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“See what?” he asked with pure innocence.
“It’s a wolf.”
“That’s Preston trying to heal.”
She jumped up. What was happening? Didn’t Benson see that his best friend wasn’t there anymore? “Am I hallucinating?”
“I’m afraid not. That’s what we wanted to talk to you about.”
He wasn’t making any sense. Ariel wanted to see for herself what was going on. She stepped over to the animal on the floor and knelt down. At first, she was afraid of touching him, but she was a vet’s assistant. She dealt with animals every day.
“Preston?”
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Benson movedbehind her and lifted her to her feet. “It’s Preston. He’s a werewolf. Being in his animal form helps him heal.”
Ariel laughed and spun around to face him. “You’re funny. It’s a good parlor trick. Where’s Preston?”
He looked over at the wolf—and yes, it was a wolf. “If you can, how about shifting back for a moment?” Benson said to his friend.
Out of curiosity, Ariel watched the show, half expecting the animal to actually change back. Only he didn’t. She faced Benson again. “Where was the wolf hiding? I didn’t see him come in with you.” And the door hadn’t opened after Beth left.
“Come sit down. I’ll explain.”
She didn’t understand why he was being so serious about this trick, but she sat next to Benson on the sofa nonetheless, her back to the wolf. “I’m listening.”
“Both Preston and I are werewolves. In fact, my whole family is. Preston’s are too.”
“Of course. Silly me. Why didn’t I think of that? Werewolves exist. Everyone knows that.” It would be easier to convince her that aliens were living among them than to believe men could change into wolves.
Benson stood. “I’ll show you what I’m saying is true since Preston is clearly too weak to do so.”
She leaned back to enjoy the show. One second Benson was standing in front of her, and the next, he was a beautiful wolf with a white diamond-shaped patch right above his eyes.
Her heart skipped several beats. “This is a trick, right?”
The wolf strode up to her and nuzzled her hand. As if this was a domesticated animal, she petted him. His fur was soft. When she pressed a little harder, he whimpered and stepped back. A second later, he was a fully-clothed Benson again.
“Do you believe me now?” he asked.
“It’s not possible.”
“It is. Haven’t you noticed that when Preston and I are around you that our eyes often turn golden?”
She thought it was a trick of the light. “Yes, but so what?”
He exhaled. “I’m not sure how to explain this to you, but when a wolf meets a woman—a particular woman—he can tell instantly that she is the one meant for him.”
“Are you talking about a soulmate?” Ariel had more important questions than ones involving love, but this seemed important to him. She and Beth had discussed the love topic ad nauseam.
“Yes. Both Preston and I are your soulmates. Werewolves only get one in a lifetime.”
Both of them were meant for her? And why no second chances? Too many questions bombarded her brain. “So if I’m this soulmate, why didn’t you tell me about yourselves before? Has everything you’ve told me been one big fat lie? Did you and Preston have fun playing this game with me?” Yes, her voice had risen, because a combination of fear, anger, and confusion had swamped her. Ariel stood. “I don’t know what you two are trying to pull, but I’m not interested.”
Benson stood and gently clasped her shoulder. “Give us some time. We figured you would react this way. Hell, any human would. It’s why we’ve been waiting to tell you.”
“That is slick, Mr. Lawyer.” She jerked out of his grasp. “I’m packing and going home. Please don’t call me.”
