Chapter 64

(**Rayne’s POV**)

Hearing her mother’s name causes Rayne to freeze. Who was this man and how did he know her mother? He is partially in shadows so making out his facial features is hard for her. Parker tenses beside her and from emotions coming from his, she can sense that he is ready for a fight, because one thing about the man in front of them is obvious from his scent.

He is a werewolf.

There are no packs in the area since there are no predators on the island. At least not permanently. What is a lone werewolf doing at here and how long had he been standing there? Did he watch them fuck against the tree or did he just walk up as they were fixing their clothes?

The man took a few steps forward, but at Parker’s deep growl of warning he stops. His face was now in the light and his eyes were staring straight at Rayne. The intensity in his eyes is unsettling. He cocked his head to the side as he studied her face as if he was looking for something. What did he want from her? Recognition? Does he think she is Mia?

“You are not her, but you look so much like her. Who are you?”

“We could ask you the same question,” Parker said as he steps closer to her.

“That is interesting. You are not a werewolf.”

“Ok, cut the shit and tell me who you are and how you know my mother?”

The man’s eyes widen in surprise at her straight forward demand. “Your mother? That is impossible. Mia, her husband and her daughter were all killed during the Pack Wars.”

“Who told you that?”

“Their Alpha.”

Rayne shook her head. This man’s answer echoed what her father figured Wilson had done. That explains why her uncle’s pack never came for her. “He lied to you.”

“Mia is alive?” Hope shines brightly in the man’s eyes.

“Tell me who you are and I will tell you what happened to my mother.”

“Daniel, I was her boyfriend before she met her mate. I am her brother, Ryan’s beta.”

“So, you are not family to me?” She asked him with a raised brow. This man was not who she thought he might have been. Her uncle, whom she had met twice in her life. She had cried when he never came for her. Was devastated when Wilson told her that her uncle didn’t want her. That was all a lie to keep her under his thumb and to guard the secrets locked in her mind.

Secrets that would have gotten him killed for what he did. Secrets that once revealed ended his life by her father’s hands.

“No, but I grew up with your mother.”

“Well, give my uncle a call. Tell him if he wants to know the truth about what happened to his sister, to go to a bar in Bodega Bay, California. The bar’s name is Shadow’s Retreat.” This man is not family and does not deserve to know what happened.

“Is she there?”

“That is for him, not you. Now if you will excuse us, we have a honeymoon to get back to.” Rayne spun on her heels and marched to the Harley.

Parker climbs on the Harley after handing her a helmet. He puts his own on and waits for her to climb on. Daniel follows them with an angry expression on his face. She could see that he would not let it go, so she hopped on the Harley and patted Parker’s back. He fired it up, lifted the kickstand, then turned them around to face the road.

“I need to know what happened to her!” Daniel screams at them.

“If you are who you say you are, then you will know when my uncle does.” She pats Parker again, and he drives them out of the trees and back on the road.

The loud noise from the Harley made verbal conversation impossible on the drive back to the beach house. Parker took a few detours along the way so their scent was harder to track. When they finally pulled up to the gates of their rental house, it was dark. The sun had set as they rode around the island. It was a beautiful site to see.

After parking the Harley in front of the house, they made their way inside. Parker scooped her up in his arms and sat her down on his lap in a big chair that faced a gigantic fireplace. He moves her so that her back is to his chest, his face is nuzzling her neck sending shivers down her body.

“Do you think he is who he claims to be?” He asked her while rubbing his hands over her belly.

“The way he stared at me at first was like he had seen a ghost. Then he the way he studied my face, was like he was looking for me to recognize him. If he isn’t how he claims to be, then who is he?” Rayne leans back against him, placing her hands over his as they rub her belly together.

“Do you want to call your father to see if the name rings a bell for him?”

“No. This is our time. We will deal with all the rest when we get home.”

“What if he finds us here and tries to get his answers?”

“Then I am confident that you and I can make it clear to him where he can find those answers.”

“So, you want him to go to your uncle with what happened. Are you sure your uncle will go to the bar?”

“He loved my mother dearly. Him not coming to Jade Moon after the war ended shocked me. He would have come to see her before they buried her. If he knew we all died, he would have come fast. What did Wilson tell him?”

Parker fell silent, then moved her off his lap so he could stand up. Going into the kitchen he opened the freezer then went to the drawer where the rattling of utensils let her know he was digging for something. Soon he came back with a container of ice cream and two spoons. Sitting in the chair next to her, he handed her one spoon while he opened the container.

Rayne laughs as he scoops out a big spoonful and shoves it in his mouth. A heated debate follows as they discuss possible baby names. Rayne was adamant that they wait longer to decide. She wants to wait until after their sonogram to pick names. Eventually he agrees with her, but not after throwing out a few names he likes.

She is not naming her child Harley!

After he took the ice cream back to the kitchen, Parker got the fire going in the fireplace. Then he spread a blanket out on the floor in front of it and laid her down with him behind her. His hand rubbing slow circle on her back as he nibbled at her neck. This had the effect he wanted. Her body was loose, her mind was blank, and her eyes were fighting to stay open.

He always knows how to calm her down, even if she doesn’t think she is upset. The mate bond enhances his ability to sense her feelings. So, without saying a word, he soothed her. The scene he set is romantic, but his intentions were not sexual for now. She can sense his tiredness as he lays behind her.

“I love you, Parker.”

“I love you too, Ra Ra.” His voice is husky as he whispers in her ear.

“How do you do that? The way you just know how to make me feel better without saying a single word?”

“I know you. Sometimes saying nothing is best, so I use actions instead.”

“Well, you do it very well.”

“I do other things very well too,” he grinds his hips against her ass.

The feel of his erection makes her laugh. “I thought you were falling asleep.”

“Oh, I will, but I think it is time we put this romantic atmosphere to use.” Rolling her on to her back, he lay over her. His lips claiming hers in a gentle kiss that took her breath away.

Soft sighs, gentle caresses, and limbs entwined together. The light from the fire causes their shadows to dance along the wall as Parker slowly removes her clothes and she helps him remove his. She moans quietly as he joins his body with hers. He interlaces his fingers with hers as he moves within her. Ever so slowly, he draws out each movement, allowing her to savor every moment.

Parker worships her body for hours until they both lay breathless before the fire. Their skin slick with sweat as they fall asleep in each other’s arms. Rayne’s last thought before sleep claimed her was how much she can’t wait to get out on the boat with him. To have him alone, to do whatever they wanted without pretending to be human.

Ruby wants to play with Parker.

*The next morning*

Rayne woke to the smell of bacon, sausage, pancakes, and eggs. Opening her eyes, she sees Parker’s bare ass as he walks from the table to the stove. He has an apron on and that is it. Cooking naked has always been something he loves to do. Partially because he knows it is something she likes to watch.

Standing up, she wraps the blanket off the floor around her body. There was a slight chill in the air, making her look at the fireplace. The fire had long since died out as they slept. Turning back to the kitchen, she notices their packed bags near the door. “Are we going somewhere?”

“I thought it might be nice to pack our stuff so we can just grab it after the tour today. We can head straight to the boat after and spend the next few days out on the water.” Parker turns to her with a plate of pancakes in his hand.

“Mm, pancakes.” She walks to the table, grabs a piece of bacon, then walks towards the bathroom for a shower.

When she returned, Parker had gotten dressed and his hair was still wet. He must have used the second bathroom downstairs. Walking to him, she combs her fingers through his hair and brings his mouth down to hers. Before the kiss could get out of control, she pulls back and sat at the table. His groan of frustration making her laugh as she pours syrup over her pancakes.

After breakfast was over and the dishes washed and put away, they headed to town for their helicopter tour of Maui. Rayne was hesitant at first about going up in such a small helicopter, but refused to let it keep her from seeing the beauty that the island had to show them. Grabbing Parker’s hand, she climbed on board and took a deep breath.

The tour proved to be worth it. The mountains, beaches, and waterfalls took her breath away. Parker was already forming plans to go for hikes to see some waterfalls up close. When the tour ended, she was sad it was over. There was beauty all over California, but she had yet to see anything quite like the island of Maui. She would leave part of her heart behind when they finally leave for home.

*Can we move here when we are old and grey?* She asks him as the helicopter lands.

*And give up our beach at home?*

*Yes.*

*Then if that is what you want, then that is what we shall do. However, what about that little town in France we passed while we were there? The one you swore called to your soul.*

*Nah, that pales compared to this place. Though how about we take a trip to Ireland soon so I can see where you came from.*

They exit the helicopter and drive back to the rental house. Soon they were driving to the marina where their rental boat is docked. Parker is a skilled sailor and has them out in the open water in no time. Rayne stood next to him at the helm of the boat as he took them out further into the sea. A sense of peace came over her as they left the island and all its inhabitants behind.

Rayne can sense Parker’s excitement at being able to fly over the sea. Ruby is begging to be let out so she could bath in the sun or play in the sea. Rayne is not so keen on the idea of her wolf jumping into the sea. It was silly to think about. Wolves are land animals not meant for the ocean. Yet the excitement coming from Ruby makes her decide to try it.

They traveled for hours before Parker felt they were far enough out to be out of range of any other boats. Then he cut the engine, so they were just sitting idle without the sail up. Stripping all his clothes off as he walks to the bow of the boat to get ready to shift. Looking at him with hungry eyes, it tempted her to make him wait, but decided he needed this more right now.

“I won’t take long, or at least I will try not to, then we can make something to eat and just let the ocean relax us.”

“Go. The sooner you do, the faster you can get back to me. I will let Ruby out for some sun.”

“We should let her out in the forest behind the rental house before we go home. Let her have a good run.”

“That is a good idea. Now, get going.”

Parker shifted into his eagle form and flew off the boat and away from her. It was always an amazing site to see. His wings spread wide as he flew. She always wondered what it is like through his eyes. Never once had she thought to ask him until now. Something to do when he gets back. Now it was time to let her wolf free.

*Just stay on the boat for now. Wait until Parker is here and he can play with you in the water later.*

*I will. I just want to feel the sun and wind on my fur. The idea of going for a run in the woods is good. All the unfamiliar scents and sights to see.*

*You can’t go too far in these woods. Wolves are not native here. It would cause issues if anyone sees you.*

With that said, Rayne stripped her clothes off and moved let Ruby have her time in the sun. This was going to be a first for both of them. Running through the forest or along the beach is one thing, but to be on a boat in the ocean is a whole new experience for them. Ruby better behave.