It only took him forty-five minutes to have all the details of Mary's life in front of him. Obsession fueled his search through her background. Till sun up he poured over all the information.
Being twenty- I'm five, her work history was short and she lived in a total of three residences all her life. Social media was mostly a dead end. He learned that she liked jocks judging from the looks of her ex, Brian. And as for her mother, there was no information other than a name on Mary's birth certificate.
Viktor slept a total of two hours, the night blurred into the next day. Sorting through her life made him feel close to her since he could not be with her at the moment. His mate was leaving in twenty-four hours. His wolf didn't understand why he might be rejected, other than rejection hurts and she was his everything.
Having found no new information, he desperately wanted to see her again, so he climbed into his car, drove to the inn and waited for a glimpse of her. After an hour of people watching, Viktor checked the voicemail for his tour company hoping to hear her voice. Mary did not disappoint him.
She said she'd be available at eleven this morning. Before he could return the call or check the time, Mary stepped outside, sans friends wearing a yellow sundress. Judging by how she looked it was worth the wait.
"You're early, Viktor? I like that."
"How is your friend doing?"
"Mikey is hungover. She's not up for another round with the suit of armor so it's going to be just you and me today or are others coming along?"
"No, just us." He saw that she had a more human appearance. It was subtle.
"Good I can have you all to myself. Last night I only saw two rooms before I fainted; I really am eager to see the rest of the rooms."
He lead her to his silver sedan. On the way, he kept looking at her. He had to remind himself that this wasn't a date but reconnaissance. Even though he strongly doubted she was the enemy he couldn't say for sure. Too much happened to disregard anything from that family.
Dutifully he showed her the castle, going room to room showing her every nook, cranny and holy relic. The sun was setting in the sky when they reached the highest tower. Looking out at the countryside from the old window felt like a surreal nightmare.
"Why do you want to see a dark morbid place like this?"
"I don't know anything about my father and my mother is in an awake coma."
"An awake coma?"
"She has severe PTSD where she retreats into herself. It's like being in a coma but her eyes are open and the lights are on, but no one is home. But there are some days which are better than others and I'm able to interact with her." She shook her head. "I wish I knew what had happened to her when she was here that would cause such trauma."
"What about your father?"
"She only says he worked a lot." Mary sighed. "It's like I said, my mother rarely talks and it's precious little about the past. I just know she lived with my father here before she moved to the United States. I don't know if my father came with her and later went back. I don't even know if he's alive or dead."
"So you know nothing about him?"
"His name is Juan Carlos and he insisted that I have his mother's last name since she was an only child." Viktor noticed Mary's wet eyes. Inadvertently, he hugged her. To his surprise, she didn't push away. "I truly must be pathetic if I can make a total stranger hug me like that."
"Total stranger, huh?" The words cut him deeper than any blade he's ever dealt with. Her tragically fake smile only added to his heartache.
"Let's get dinner. There's no electricity in the remaining part of the castle."
"Thanks but I need to get back to the inn."
For a second, her eyes flashed golden yellow, her wolf's response to his presence. It was either because she was with him all day or that the new autumn moon would be rising in a couple of hours.
"I need to pack tonight and then get to the airport in time to get through security."
"There's more I can show you in town." He wondered if she would shift at moonrise since equinox full moons had its most pull on their kind.
"Thanks, but I have to get back."
Thinking on his feet he replied, "At least let me get you a meal. We spent all day together. Surely you aren't going to skip dinner. I know someplace nice and it's close to where you're staying."
Her eyes skeptically looked him over, but the smile came back on her face. "Sure, a quick bite somewhere wouldn't hurt I guess."
The twenty-minute drive back Viktor stretched to thirty. The moon was rising within the hour. All he needed was for Mary had to stay through dinner to prove his theory.
The local diner wasn't packed to his dismay. Normally, Saturday nights people would pack the place, but the chill in the air and the equinox may have been affecting them. Mary selected a stool at the counter and not a booth.
"Do you have any recommendations?"
He shook his head. She started up small talk about the weather, then anything and everything but what was important. When the food arrived, Mary had a few bites and then spooned it around. Viktor could sense there was something wrong, though she acted normal. She was going to leave soon so he checked the time, hoping moonrise would be any minute, but he still had fifteen minutes before the new autumn moon.
"Thank you, for everything." She stood up from the table and placed her napkin on the counter. "I need to get going."
"Have you seen the chocolate cake and ...?" Viktor placed money on the table before hurrying to the door. The waitress was going to have one hell of a tip. "Why not stay for dessert or do you prefer to sample some more local brew?"
"No, no more alcohol! I'm done." She waved her hand as she crossed the threshold into the street. "Viktor, thank you for today, the tour and everything else."
"C'mon, at least have a beer, there's plenty of great choices here you can't find in the United States?"
Instead of an answer, Mary threw up her hand and waved as she headed back to the inn. Viktor put the car in park and caught up to her before she turned the corner. He looked at the sky above her head. The moon was still on the rise.
"Why are you following me?" She spun around and confronted him.
"What if I told you that werewolves, vampires and other preternatural creatures were real?"
"I'd say that you were full of it and goodnight!" She spun back around, but Viktor stepped in front of her.
"Mary hear me out. Have you ever wondered why you never caught a cold, broke a bone or why you felt a special connection with the moon?"
"My mother always said ..." She replied but fell silent.
"Your mother is a werewolf I'm sure of it, but not your father... no, he was," he chose his words carefully. "He was fully human. But you always knew you were different than everyone and maybe just maybe that's why you are here with me right now on this night."
"Why should I believe anything you said?" She stepped around him, but he stepped back in her path. "Get out of my way!"
Her eyes glowed again. It was obvious she felt the telltale signs. Yet she did not understand what she was feeling.
"Deep down you know I'm telling the truth, Mary, I have no reason to lie to you." She remained silent and pushed past him.
"Viktor, why are you doing this?" She tried to walk away but he kept a steady pace with her.
"Because you're my mate, my soulmate."
The moon was almost out. Any minute and she would shift for the first time. He reached for her hand but she moved it away.
"Stop, Viktor, just stop, I don't ..."
He looked around; they were all alone on the desolate street with only the moon bathing them in light. His reservations were all afterthoughts. The moon had fully risen and she was still complaining and trying to getaway.
When his gaze returned to her, a spotted wolf the size of a large hound sat in front of him. His hypothesis was correct. He extended his hand to her, but she didn't budge.
"The last thing I want you to be is afraid."
Having her shift backfired. He knew Mary was confused and didn't understand what had happened. Her wolf quivered on the sidewalk staring wide-eyed at the moon.
"All first times are awkward, but when you get used to it, it will come naturally."
The little wolf sat at attention when he sat beside her. She was afraid, so afraid that she took off down the street, toward where she was staying. Quickly he shifted, but the head start was too great and she was nowhere in sight. Mary was barely half his size, but she moved quickly and silently.
Since she was terrified her scent was easier to track. He did not know what to say when he found her, but he had to before anyone else. She was his woman and it was his duty to keep her from harm.