Wolves Gone Wild(3)

“Basically, yeah. That’s it in a nutshell. It’s going to hit you, boys, and hit you hard.”

Grant snorted and put down his fork. “You can’t believe all that crap, Milly. I know you’ve got more sense than that.”

Milly’s eyebrow went skyward. “Gee, thanks.”

“You know what I mean.”

Milly was one of the few people in Forever who had a chance of putting Grant Harkness in his place. She ran a friendly diner, but she didn’t take any guff from anyone.

“Yeah, I get that. But to answer your question, yes, I do believe all that crap. Just ask Miss Clara. She was around the last time it happened.”

Miss Clara was a mainstay of the community. No one knew exactly how old she was because she’d tell them one age one time, then change it to a different age the next week. But one thing was certain. If Miss Clara said something was true, then it damn well was.

“She was?” Duncan knew right then and there that he’d have to talk to the old lady. It didn’t mean she’d tell him what he wanted to know—she was growing more irascible every day—but it was worth a try.

“She was.” Milly leaned over the table, flattening one hand on the top. “See those two guys over in the corner? Damn it. Don’t stare.”

Duncan, Lance, and Grant jerked their gazes away from the two elderly men sitting at a small table toward the rear of the diner. They were hunched and not talking, their expressions locked in what seemed like perpetual scowls.

“Yeah?” whispered Lance.

“They were there, too. And they met their mate. People say that they had the connection with her one night, but when they woke up the next morning, they couldn’t feel anything at all for her. I’m talking zero attraction. Hell, even zero friendliness. She left town and they never mated. It’s just so sad.”

Duncan was surprised to see her eyes glisten with unshed tears. He’d rarely seen Milly get teary-eyed.

“Anyway, that’s the story straight from Miss Clara’s mouth.”

Duncan took another glimpse at the two old men and inwardly grimaced. He’d hate like hell to end up without a mate and miserable like them. “Wait a second. Is that why Miss Clara never mated?”

Milly straightened up. “I don’t know and I’m not about to ask. In fact, I’ve heard it both ways. I’ve heard she found her mates that night and lost them, and that she never found anyone else she could tolerate enough to live with.”

“Someone needs to get with Miss Clara and write down her life story.” Duncan wasn’t being facetious. “I bet it’d be a hell of a read.”

“That’s for sure.” Milly waved at a couple coming through the door. “You keep talking, boys. Just make sure you can live with whatever you decide. Better make it quick, though, before the moon comes out.”

“Why? Tomorrow’s when it really takes place. Isn’t that right?” Lance had chowed down on his food until Milly had come up. Now his attention was set on her.

“It starts tonight, but tomorrow’s when it’s supposed to be the most powerful. Saying it lasts for one night is misleading. How much it’ll affect unmated shifters tonight is anyone’s guess.”

“I don’t feel anything.” Grant shoved his plate away.

“I doubt you’d feel anything yet because the sun hasn’t gone down. Like I said, once it does, who knows?”

She pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Anyway, as I was going to tell you, Miss Clara said an unmated werewolf doesn’t have a chance trying to ignore its influence. So you can try hiding out at home and going crazy, or you can face the facts and come into town. Either way, you take a risk.”

She thrust a finger at them. “Just beware. If you come here, my men and I will do anything necessary to protect what’s ours. Got it?”

“Hell, Milly, we wouldn’t do anything wrong, much less to you or your diner.” The diner was the first place they’d come to when they’d found the small town. Not only was Milly’s a favorite hangout of theirs, it was where most of the residents liked to gather.

She passed by Lance and put a hand on his shoulder. “I know you wouldn’t. At least not in your right mind. But under the influence of the amber moon? There’s no telling what you might do. Just you beware.”

They let her warning sink in. Milly was a lot like Miss Clara in that respect. She meant what she said and was ready to back up her words with action.

“What more do you want, Duncan?” Grant took a sip of his coffee. “I’d rather run crazy all night in the wild where I can’t do any real damage.”