Before The Moon Rises (Ritter Werewolves #1)(17)
Author: Catherine Bybee

“Come back!” he yelled as she ran from his home.

****

Janet slept for the better part of three days following her nightmare. During all hours of the day Max called, leaving messages.

She didn’t call back. She needed time.

Her life was completely upside down. She dreamt of Max in and out of his wolf form. Every morning she reminded herself that it wasn’t a dream.

Werewolves did exist. She knew one up close and personal.

The reality of that little fact made her question all life as she knew it.

If werewolves were real, than who was to say vampires were not? What about shape shifters and demons from the underworld?

Crazy talk, that’s what it all was. But who was to say it was only make believe? Perhaps her crazy patients weren’t so nuts after all.

Her fourth day in bed was interrupted by the phone ringing. Her caller ID reported her father on the other line. Rolling over she dragged the receiver to her ear.

“Janet honey, is that you?”

“You called me, dad.”

“Oh, yeah. I did, didn’t I?” His laughter brought a smile to her face despite the pain in her heart.

“What do you need, dad?”

“Can’t a father call his child to say hi?”

Janet rubbed her eyes and sat up. “Someone else’s dad, maybe, but not you.”

“You know me too well, girl.”

“So what’s up?”

Philip took a noisy breath that sounded like a groan over the line. “I’m having a cup of coffee with a friend of yours.”

“Really, who?” Janet kicked the sheets off and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Someone who asked if it would be okay if he married you.”

She paused, digested her fathers words. “Max.” she whispered his name.

Philip let out a hoot. “I’m glad you guessed his name. I was beginning to worry about this one.”

“Is he sitting right there?” Janet asked completely awake.

“Yeah, he’s a nice guy, Janet. Did you know he drove a Ferrari? Nothing wrong with a guy who drives a car like that if you ask me.”

“No one’s asking you, dad.”

“He did. Kind of old-fashioned of him, but I have to admit I liked it.”

“Put him on the phone,” she said.

“He says you’re not taking his calls.”

She was about to blow her top. “Put him on the phone!”

“Okay, okay…geez.”

“Hi, beautiful.” Max’s voice purred over the line, sending instant shockwaves over her body. Her heart lunged.

“Hi, Max.”

“Your dad’s a nice guy, even if he is making me pay for the coffee.”

“What are you doing?” He sounded so calm, so sure of himself.

“Having coffee, and asking your father for your hand.”

“You’re crazy, you know that?” She kept her voice even, although it threatened to crack.

“I’ve been called worse.” He sighed into the phone. “I need to see you, Janet. I can’t sleep, I can’t eat.”

His plea pressed on every nerve in her body. She ached for him, too. “A bit extreme of you to pretend you want to marry me.”

“I’m not pretending, Janet. I am going to marry you. It might take me years to convince you we belong together, but I’m in for the long haul. I’m not going anywhere.”

The lump in her throat caught, he sounded so sincere. “How can I trust you? How will I know you won’t lie to me again?”

“I will tell you everything. From the beginning to the moment we met. Give me a chance, Janet. I need you.”

Janet heard her father’s chuckle. She imagined his laughing eyes as Max poured out his soul over the phone.

“Fine. Meet me in Griffith Park in front of the pony rides in an hour.”

Max’s breath came in a rush, as if he had been holding it. “You won’t be sorry.”

“Goodbye, Max.”

“Janet,” he stopped her from hanging up. “I love you.”

She choked on a cry before hanging up. She was a goner. She knew it before she made it to the shower.

****

It was Saturday and the park was crowded with families celebrating life in sunny California. Janet found a lone park bench and watched the children happily climbing on the back of ponies. Their delightful squeals brought a smile to her face.

She knew when he walked up behind her, even before she turned his way.

“One day those will be our children,” he said in her ear.

Pivoting, she stared into an armload of roses. There must have been four dozen of all different colors.

“I didn’t know which ones you liked, so I bought them all.”

His million-dollar smile had the hairs on her arms standing on end.

“They’re beautiful,” she said while reaching for them. “You didn’t have to.”

“What man asks a woman to marry him without flowers?” He slid in beside her and captured her hand before bringing it to his lips.

“I don’t know.” Her train of thought fled. His soft lips caressed her hand. Without missing a beat, he slid a ring on her finger. “Max!”

“Say yes, Janet. Put me out of my misery and tell me you’ll marry me.”

“We hardly know each other,” she argued.

“We fit and you know it.” He moved in and placed a soft kiss to her lips. She trembled. He placed her hand against his heart. “Feel this. It beats in time with yours. The moment my lips met yours I knew you were for me.”

“That’s sweet but…”

“No buts. You have to believe me. We’re meant to be together. My kind has only one mate in their lifetime, and you are mine.”

Her gaze searched his, his eyes drew in. “Your kind… You mean werewolves?”

“Yes, werewolves. We have one mate in our life,” he repeated.

“You’ve been with other women.”

Max stroked the side of her face. “But I have only one mate, Janet.”

“I don’t know.”

“Ask me anything. Let me earn back your trust.”

Janet chewed her bottom lip. So many questions rose to the surface she didn’t know where to start. “Did you choose this life?”

“Yes,” he said without blinking. “Every month those like Gorman hunt, kill and turn others into monsters like them. The only way to track and remove them is by being one of them.”

Janet remembered his family, their dedication to each other when they returned from their hunt.