Marisa Chenery - A Werewolf at the Falls

Kian phoned in their order before going to Soren’s room. His friend opened the door after the first knock. He eyed Kian. “You look better. I take it your mate is still here.”

“Yes, so I’ll make this short and sweet, though being this far from her won’t set off the separation anxiety. I ordered Jorja and me some room service, then we’re going to check out the Falls. I want you to come with us.”

“Why would you want me around as a third wheel?”

“Because I think it would be better for Jorja to get to know both of us before I tell her the truth. I want her to see werewolves can be just like everyone else.”

Soren laughed. “In other words, you’re scared shitless to tell her and you’re using me as an excuse not to.”

Kian frowned. “I’m not scared shitless. I just want one day with her without the whole werewolf and mate thing coming between us. So will you come with us or not?”

“Fine, I’ll tag along, though I still want to have some time at the gaming tables. We have to check out tomorrow. And speaking of that, what are you going to do about your mate? It isn’t as if you can leave her behind.”

“I’ll have to convince her to come back to Toronto with us.”

“And if she wants to stay in Niagara Falls?”

“Then I guess I’ll buy a place here as well. I’m not going to go lone wolf if that’s what you’re suggesting. With Atticus’ mating, the pack is a little more understanding about mortal mates.”

The pack’s understanding of one of their kind taking a mortal mate had gone through a radical change with the arrival of Rylee, Atticus’ mate. Their pack leader, Grant, had had a strong dislike for mortals, and of course, the rest of the pack had taken his lead. That is except for his mate, Krystal. According to Atticus, his mother had accepted Rylee with open arms, and had cowed his father into accepting Atticus’ mate as well.

“I guess that will just be another thing you’ll have to work out with your mate,” Soren said. “Anyway, come and get me once you two have finished eating.”

“I will.”

Kian left Soren and returned to his room. Jorja still sat on the couch where he’d left her. The room service arrived a few minutes later and they ate until neither one of them could eat anymore. During the meal, he noticed she relaxed around him more and more, and hardly stuttered. Now if only she’d get over the fact he was a werewolf so easily.

Jorja waited outside in the hallway as Kian knocked on Soren’s door. The blond man answered and stepped out to join them. She still found it hard to believe two men as good looking as Soren and Kian could be at the same place at the same time. Both were well over six feet tall and had well-muscled bodies. She couldn’t help staring at them as they walked toward her.

“So I hear you’re going to act the tour guide and shows us around the Falls,” Soren said as soon as they stood in front of her.

“I’ll try,” she said. “Though it won’t be that hard. We just have to walk to Queen Victoria Park and follow the walkway.”

“Well, since neither one of us has come to the Falls before,” Kian said, “you’re the expert. So lead on.”

They took the elevator down to the lobby and walked out of the resort. It wasn’t all that long of a walk before they reached the park and the walkway. At this end, the Rainbow Bridge, the Canadian and American border, was in easy sight. Jorja spied the long line of cars waiting to cross over into the States. Now with the Canadian dollar being close to, if not equal or better than, the American dollar, she knew more than a few people did a lot of cross-border shopping. She’d done it a few times herself. The outlet stores just over the border in Niagara Falls, New York were a good place for her to spend money she shouldn’t.

Also at this end there was a good view of the American Falls. But the real draw was farther along—the Horseshoe Falls, the Canadian falls. And Jorja knew of something that would take them up close.

Reaching that particular spot, Jorja said, “Let’s go on the Maid of the Mist .”

Kian nodded in agreement, but Soren looked a little pale. He said, “Ah, why don’t the two of you go? I’ll wait for you.”

“What’s the matter, Soren?” Kian asked. “Are you afraid of water?”

“No, dumbass. I just don’t feel like going.”

Jorja quickly added, “Anyone who comes to Niagara Falls should at least once take a ride on the Maid of the Mist . It’s nice. I’ve been on it a few times. The big thrill is when the boat goes to the foot of the Horseshoe Falls and you get wet.”

“See,” Kian said. “The expert thinks you should go. Or maybe you’re just a wuss and don’t like the idea of getting a little sprayed.”

Much to Jorja’s surprise, Soren made a growling sound very similar to the ones Kian could make. “I’m no wuss.”

“Then prove it.”

Soren swore. “All right, I’ll go. If I don’t you’ll just harass the shit out of me.”

“And you know it.”

Jorja smiled at the men’s back and forth banter. It was obvious they’d known each other for a long time—considering they could sling insults at one another and neither one took real offense.

“Come on,” she said. “The Maid of the Mist plaza is just up ahead. There are four Maid s with one departing every fifteen minutes. There’s not too many people around today, so we shouldn’t have too big of a crowd on the boat.”

She led them to the plaza that was built right into the gorge’s wall. All the buildings were below ground level. They paid for their entrance and then entered the brown, stone tower that housed the four high-speed elevators that would take them down to the docks at the Niagara River’s edge.

Once they were on one of the Maid s, they pulled on their recyclable souvenir raincoats that were given to them for free. And they’d need them. It was a guarantee they’d get wet before the ride was over.

After all the passengers boarded, the Maid pulled away from the dock. It took them past the base of the American Falls before heading for the basin of the Horseshoe Falls. That was where they’d get really soaked.

As the boat came closer to the falls, Jorja looked over at Soren, who stood on Kian’s other side. They were lined up along the rail. His face looked a trifle green. She nudged Kian. When he looked at her, she said quietly, “Ah, I think I know why Soren didn’t want to go. He’s not looking too good right about now.”

Kian turned his head toward his friend. “You’re not going to hurl, are you?”

Soren took a deep breath in through his nose and let it out through his mouth. “I will if you don’t leave me alone. I knew this was going to happen. I once had the marvelous idea of taking the Toronto Island Ferry to Centreville Amusement Park for a date. I hurled during both crossings. So stop talking to me, so I can concentrate on not losing my lunch.”

At that moment the boat reached the Horseshoe Falls. Jorja giggled as she pulled up the hood of her raincoat, catching spray directly in the face. Poor Soren looked even greener as the boat rocked a bit in the current. If she’d known he got seasick, she wouldn’t have pushed so much for him to come along. What was it about men that they couldn’t admit to a weakness? If it had been her, she’d have owned up to it real quick and not have thought it would make her appear any weaker.

Luckily for Soren the boat ride didn’t take much longer after that. Once the Maid docked, they took one of the elevators up to the walkway. They each had taken off their raincoats and carried them as they walked. Now back on solid ground, Soren lost the green tinge to his face. Kian took her hand, linking their fingers, as he walked at her side.