Unforgettable (3 page)

She was still as beautiful as ever though, with her silken, smooth skin and large eyes surrounded by lush, dark lashes. She’d lost weight, but those killer curves were still there.

“I thought introducing amnesia patients to their past helped them regain their memories.” As soon as Rick had told him about Eden’s injury, he’d done some quick research. He needed to know how to take care of her.

Rick sighed. “Thing is, the injury to her brain may have been enough to impair her short term memory, but it wasn’t really bad enough to completely erase all her previous memories.”

Galen frowned. “So what? They think she’s suppressing them?”
That she’d purposefully forgotten him?

“Possibly. The drugs they found in her system probably didn’t help.”

“Jesus.” Galen felt ill. “She was drugged? Fuck.” Whoever had done this would pay. “But that means her memory loss is reversible, right?”

“There were some unknown drugs in her blood, things the doctor hadn’t come across before. He’s hopeful that her memory will return, but he’s worried about the fragility of her mind in dealing with what she may remember. There could be a good reason she’s suppressing what happened to her. He thinks the drugs are probably fuzzing things up, but that Eden herself has to feel safe in order to face what she doesn’t want to remember.”

“Goddamn them to hell.”

“Look, I’m not saying you need to keep everything a secret. I think you should tell her that you know her, perhaps even about your relationship. But just take it slow. Think about her life right now,” Rick urged. “She doesn’t know anyone. She doesn’t even know who she is. Everything around her is different, strange. She could be talking to those who hurt her and never know. I’m sure there are members of your pack who would take advantage of her vulnerability and lack of knowledge to hurt her. Do you really want that?”

Galen let out a low growl of fury as the truth of Andrews’s words hit him—hit his heart, his very soul. Silence smothered the world around them. Birds stopped twittering, insects no longer buzzed, as though everything around them was waiting with bated breath for his next move.

“What are you going to say to her? Hi, I’m the husband you can’t remember. But I’m more than a man, I’m a werelion. Oh, and I believe that someone in my pack kidnapped you, possibly so they could kill you. You can’t. You’ll terrify her. If she even believes you. You need to treat her gently. Give her a chance to remember some of this herself. You push her too much, too fast, and you’ll lose her.”

Shit. Galen knew Rick was right as galling as it was to admit it.

To be so close and not be able to hold her, touch her, to reassure her with his love and protection was just another kind of torture. But her needs and wants came first, they always had. They always would. It wouldn’t be fair of him to load everything on her at once.

“Fine,” Galen growled reluctantly. “I will go slowly, but I won’t wait forever, and if she’s threatened in any way I may have to tell her so I can properly protect her.”

Andrews nodded, but Galen hadn’t been after his agreement.

“Do you know who might have done this?” Rick asked.

Someone had betrayed him. No way could anyone outside the pack have gotten onto their territory and taken her. Eden was everything to Galen and he surrounded her in the best protection. She should never have known a moment’s danger in her life. And yet she’d been kidnapped, no doubt terrorized, and then injured, waking up in hospital alone.

Galen frowned. “Do you think I haven’t thought about it? I’ve gone over everyone in my pack. She has no enemies that I know of. Eden is quiet and reserved but she’s sweet to everyone she meets. It could have been anyone. I was with my enforcers at the time I felt the mate bond disappear, but I don’t think we can rule them out. They could have had help.”

When she’d disappeared their mate bond had gone silent, something which only happened if the bond had been damaged somehow. Through the mate bond he should have been able to sense her emotions, thoughts, feelings. Galen now knew that the mate bond had been strained because of her head injury. He could only hope it would return with her memories.

It killed him that he had no idea who he had to protect her from. Andrews was right, taking her home was not the right move to make. But then was staying here much safer? They could come looking for her.

He’d simply have to be ready for them. Because trying to move her right now could do more damage than good. He could hardly gather her up and spirit her away.

“You live over six hundred miles away,” Rick said. “Didn’t you notice that someone was missing?”

“Lots of people were missing. One of my enforcers had taken his mate and cub to visit his parents out of state. Six other of the pack were in New York. Two of my cousins had been gone a week. I have a large pack, nearly eighty of them weren’t on pack grounds at the time. I’ve been trying to gain alibis for them all without raising their suspicions.”

“Shit,” Rick said, running his hand over his dark hair.

“How did you know she was mine?” Galen had never been as relieved as when he’d received the phone call from Rick telling him that Eden was alive and safe.

 He hadn’t stopped searching for her since she’d disappeared. Thank God that Andrews was a wereleopard as well as the sheriff or Galen hated to think what might have happened to her. Andrews had taken care of her and Galen knew he owed him a lot.

Andrews sighed, looking around him. “Sure you don’t want to go talk about this up at the house? I’ll make us some coffee.”

Galen shook his head. “No, I have no patience for social niceties right now.” He looked at the small porch around the cottage. “But let’s sit.”

Rick sighed and sat on a cane chair that had seen better days as Galen did the same.

“Well, when I got the call out to the accident, it was obvious something odd was going on. It actually happened over near Harmony. It was 2 a.m., a stormy night and the area where she was hit is fairly remote. Eden was bruised, dirty, exhausted. There was a nasty bump on her head and bruising on her face and body that couldn’t be all attributed to her collision with a car. As soon as I got close, I smelled your bond and knew she was mated to a werelion, a powerful one, but I wasn’t sure what had happened to her or who had hurt her. Not knowing her circumstances I decided I’d better take care of this quietly. I didn’t want to unwittingly contact the very people who had hurt her in the first place.”

“Did you smell any other scents on her?” Galen asked, wondering if he could be wrong. Maybe someone from outside the pack had gotten to her. Somehow.

Rick nodded with a frown. “Other lions.”

Galen growled.

 “I’d hoped that when she awoke she’d be able to give me some information,” Rick continued. “But when she woke up she had no idea who she was. And she was terrified. I did what I could to reassure her. But I knew I had a real problem. I had to find her mate, but I also had to make sure that she wasn’t in any danger from you. I had no idea how she’d come to be in the middle of nowhere at two in the morning, but obviously she was in some sort of trouble.

“I have a friend who works for the Council, and he accessed their records.” Every shifter was required to have their birth, death, and any mate bond, registered with the Were Council which was run by a group of elected shifters.

“It didn’t take him long to find out that you were Eden’s mate, but I needed to make certain that you weren’t a danger to her so I did some quiet investigating with his help before I contacted you.”

 Galen nodded. “Who hit her? Is it possible he was involved?”

Andrews shook his head. “Old Sam is harmless. It scared him half out of his wits when she ran out in front of him. He hasn’t driven again, even though there was nothing he could do to avoid her. I can take you to the place where he hit her.”

“Good.” Galen grinned, a feral look that displayed his lethal canines. “Let’s go hunting.”

Chapter Three:

Eden glanced up as the bell over the diner’s door rang, indicating a new customer. The last few days had been fairly quiet. Thank God. Because her mind wasn’t exactly on her job. Instead she’d been preoccupied with thoughts of Galen.

What’s going on with me?

She hadn’t seen him again since he’d arrived. But he hadn’t been far from her thoughts. The man was incredibly sexy. She’d lain awake last night, imagining him touching her, taking her. Yeah, it had been another sleepless night. But at least the nightmares had left her alone.

Butterflies danced through her belly as Galen entered the diner, his gaze immediately homing in on her. She froze as he strode towards her.

“Eden,” he greeted her, his voice sending a throb of bliss throughout her voice. “Eden?” he questioned with concern and she blushed, realizing he was waiting for her to speak.

“Ahh, sorry, how can I help you? Are you here for lunch?” she asked, striving for a professional tone.

He looked around him as though suddenly realizing where he was. “Yes, lunch would be nice. Would you join me?”

She almost said yes before her brain kicked in. “I’m working.”

“Surely you get a lunch break?” he asked.

“I’ve had it,” she lied.

Galen stared at her through narrowed eyes, his expression clearly telling her that he knew she was lying. “If you don’t want to have lunch with me, sweetheart, just say. Because all lying will get you is a red butt.”

Eden gaped at him, too surprised to speak.

“Where should I sit?” he asked.

Working on automaton, reeling at his casual promise to spank her, Eden gestured to a booth. She went back and grabbed a menu, passing it to him silently. He nodded in thanks.

“Would you like a drink?” she asked, trying to hide her reaction to him. Just being close to him had her heart pounding and moisture gathering in her panties. Eden watched as his large hands held the menu. She imagined his palm coming down on her bare bottom. His hand would cover her whole butt.

She shivered, and not from fear or cold. How could she possibly be turned on at the idea of him spanking her? It was barbaric, insulting. And hot. Very hot.

“Just a coffee, thanks.”

As she walked back to the counter to get his coffee, Lola, the other waitress, grabbed hold of her arm.

“Wow, who is that hottie sitting in your section? Do you know him?” she asked, snapping her gum as she practically drooled over Galen.

Irritated, Eden felt an irrational surge of jealously. “His name is Galen. He’s a friend of Rick’s.”

“Let me take care of him. Please,” Lola begged.

A refusal rose to her lips but she forced it back. This was the perfect solution. She needed to stay far, far away from this man. “Okay, I think I’ll take my lunch then.”

Lola nodded distractedly, chewing furiously on her gum. “Uh-huh, whatever, I owe you. That man is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Here.” Eden passed her the cup of coffee. “Take his coffee to him. He likes it black.”

She turned and walked into the kitchen, sure she could feel his gaze burning holes in her back.

Outside, she nearly collapsed, the urge to return to him incredible. Why the hell was she having such a strong reaction to him? Sure, he was gorgeous. Sexy. But Rick was a handsome guy and she didn’t want to jump his bones. What was it about Galen that held her body and mind spellbound?

And how the hell had she known how he liked his coffee?

*****

Eden sat on her porch with a cup of tea and stared out at the trees beyond. It was early evening, the light slowly fading. Autumn was her favorite time of the year. Unfortunately, it was soon followed by winter. She really needed to start chopping up some firewood to prepare.

Her gaze was caught by some movement in the distance. Someone walked towards her from Rick’s house. Rick often came over to check on her, but he was duty tonight.

Which meant the person striding her way had to be Galen.

Damn, hope he’s not angry over me running away from him today.

When she’d returned from lunch he’d already left. Lola had been in a rotten mood, claiming he had to be gay because he’d given her the cold shoulder. Eden felt a ridiculous surge of joy that he hadn’t jumped at the offer her attractive workmate would have flung his way.

She felt stupid at having run off. She owed him some courtesy, for Rick’s sake if nothing else. And he had done nothing to deserve her bad manners. Her body’s reaction to him scared her, so she’d fled like a scared little rabbit.

Wimp.

She had no idea how she’d known he liked his coffee black, but maybe he’d told her with his order.

Or maybe I know him.

“Evening, Eden,” he greeted her as he got closer. Dark jeans encased his long legs. He wore a tight black t-shirt, showing off his muscular chest and arms. If he was cold, he showed no sign of it.

She nodded back. He stilled at the top of her stairs, leaning against the banister.

“I didn’t get a chance to apologize to you this afternoon,” he said suddenly.

Eden looked at him in surprise. “Apologize?”

“Yes, for scaring you yesterday morning. I have a tendency to be a bit blunt and bossy. I came on too strong. I hope I didn’t frighten you.”

She shook her head, relaxing a little. “That’s okay. I’m, umm, sorry I skipped out on you at the diner. I had to get some air.”

Galen looked at her with concern before nodding. “I’ve decided to stay for a while. Is there any way we could work on becoming friends?”

Eden swallowed, wondering how the hell she could be around him and hide her arousal. But he was here, offering friendship, something she was sure he didn’t often do. It would be rude of her to turn him away. Plus, he was a friend of Rick’s friend and she owed Rick a lot.

“Okay,” she agreed.

“Good.” He smiled at her and her insides melted. “How is your headache? All better now? Rick said you’ve been getting a lot of them lately.”

She frowned slightly, unsure how she felt about them discussing her. “Yes, thanks. Umm, did Rick tell you about…” she let her voice trail off.