That one got to her. Ryne noticed how she paled at the mention of voices. So her wolf had been awakening and trying to make itself known. She probably thought she was losing her mind. Little wonder she was in denial right now. Melody probably thought her grip on sanity was rapidly slipping away and she was fighting it tooth and nail. The thought of her distress softened his attitude towards her. He inched closer and spoke softly.
“It was an accident. A freaky accident that mixed my blood with yours and awakened some hidden werewolf genes in your system.”
“I don’t have werewolf genes—” There was a touch of anger in her tone that let Ryne know he might be getting through to her.
“I beg to differ. Somewhere in your family tree there must be a werewolf; maybe a parent or a grandparent.” Melody started to speak but then paused and seemed to be thinking. Good, at least she wasn’t totally rejecting the idea. He pressed his advantage. “The genes might have stayed dormant for your entire life and you would have shown only trace characteristics, if you hadn’t become involved with me.”
“Trace characteristics?” She spoke distractedly and Ryne wasn’t really sure how much she was taking in, or if she was in shock and just operating on autopilot. He suspected the latter. Whichever it was, he didn’t have time to waste and ploughed onward delivering even more information.
“Trace characteristics include better than normal eyesight, acute hearing, and sensitivity to smells. A strong immune system—I bet you were hardly ever sick as a child and never visited the doctor.” He watched carefully and caught her slight flinch. “There’s also a tendency to instinctively submit to alpha personalities even when you don’t want to and you tilt your head a bit to the side exposing your throat...”
Ryne could tell her mind was racing, sifting through past incidents that had seemed trivial at the time, but in the light of the information he was delivering, became significant.
Mel gave a short laugh, shook her head, and rubbed her temples with her fingers. She seemed to be talking to herself. “This is just so weird. I can’t believe I’m having this conversation. I am awake, aren’t I? It’s not just another dream, is it? Because sometimes I have these really real dreams. There was this one about wolves and then the wolf became a man and...” She stopped and blushed.
Ryne knew exactly what dream she was talking about and tried hard to keep a straight face. Somehow he didn’t feel this was the time for confessions of that nature. “We’re awake. It’s not a dream. You haven’t been drugged. Now listen while I explain...”
Chapter 36
“Cassandra! I told you to stay away from the windows. It’s still light out and the sunshine could bring on another migraine.” Greyson stood in the doorway, looking at the young woman who occupied the upper room in the west wing of his mansion. Her dark hair was pulled back in a long braid, revealing the paleness of her skin. Her cheeks were slightly sunken and dark shadows showed under her eyes. He tried to not let his worry show.
“I’m sorry, Uncle. It’s just such a sunny day, I thought it would be nice to go outside.” She obediently moved back and let the heavy velvet curtains fall shut.
Greyson stepped into the room and gently took her by the elbow, leading her back to bed. “In a few more days, when the danger of another migraine has passed, you can go outside. Did you take your medication? I’m surprised to see you awake.”
She looked up at him with a tentative smile. “I forgot.”
He cupped her cheek, noting the stark difference between his gnarled hand and her soft youthful skin. She was such a beauty, just like her mother. “You know what the doctor said. Prevention is the key. It’s a monthly treatment; five days of pills and then you’re fine for the rest of the month.”
Cassandra reached out and squeezed his hand before stepping away. “I know. It’s just...” She blushed. “Maybe I should see another doctor.”
“Doctor Friedrich is the finest physician money can buy. You know what he told you. Every girl’s body is different. This is how you react to the monthly changes—”
“All right, Uncle! Stop, just stop.” Her face was flushed with embarrassment. “I’ll take the darn pill. Anything to keep from having this conversation again.”
“Cassandra, I’ve known you since you were a baby—.”
“But I’m not a baby anymore. And my bodily functions aren’t a subject I wish to discuss with you.”
Greyson chuckled. “Of course. At seventeen, you’re so very, very old.”