Voodoo and Fate - Tamsin Baker

Voodoo and Fate By Tamsin Baker

Voodoo and Fate Copyright © 2017 Voodoo and Fate - Copyright © 2017 Tamsin Baker

The stories in this eBook are works of fiction. Any names, characters, places, and events portrayed in this work are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. No part of this eBook may be used or reproduced in any form whatsoever in any country whatsoever without the express written permission of Tamsin Baker except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

Tagline: Voodoo priestess Chanti is a true healer, but a simple request from a friend sets her on a path of fate, mysteries unveiled… and a werewolf she can’t resist.

Blurb: Chantelle Dubois is a Voodoo practitioner in New Orleans. When Tania, a friend of hers, asks for help getting rid of an unwanted pregnancy, Chanti knows she’s doing the wrong thing by helping. Her intuition is proved correct when she learns that the baby is the next in line to an Alpha werewolf. Life gets complicated when she agrees to help them convince Tania to keep the baby. Kody Talon is the brother to the Alpha werewolf in New Orleans. At the behest of his brother Marty, he follows Tania to a Voodoo shop. There he discovers the owner is actually his mate, and the woman who aided Tania in her horrible aim. Can these two enemies become lovers? And will Chanti have the strength to save them all?

Chapter 1.

I really need some more red candles… The chime of the bells that hung over her shop door made Chantelle Duboise turn around and look towards her customer. “Tania!” Her friend moved towards her, and she stared a little harder. “What’s wrong? What’s happened?” Tania’s hands were clinging to the edges of her cloak, wrapped tightly around her body and her skin was pale. Milk like. “You have to help me Chanti. Please…” Tania’s lip quivered as silvery tears filled her eyes. Worry coursed through her body, tingling in her fingertips. This wasn’t good. “Of course I’ll help you. If I can. What’s happened?” She took Tania’s hand and led her to a couch she had on one side of the shop, dropping down into the comfortably worn cushions. Tania was one of the strongest women she’d ever met, and from one of the most influential families in New Orleans. What could have happened to make her this upset? “I’m pregnant.” Woah. Now that’s news. Tania’s parents were not going to be impressed. A sick feeling hit her gut as she realised why Tania was asking for her help. “All right… are congratulations in order, or do you need something else?” Chanti hated helping people get rid of unwanted babies. She understood their reasons, and often supported them, but when half her business was

helping women conceive much wanted children, helping those to get rid of them felt like a waste. And worse. An unnatural waste of her talents. “No. Please don’t congratulate me. This is terrible! The worst possible thing that could have happened to me.” “I doubt it’s that bad. I know your parents will be unhappy, but…” Tania’s eyes went wide, and wild. “Unhappy? They’ll be furious.” Chanti frowned, noting again the paleness of Tania’s cheeks. The grim set of her jaw. She was determined to stick to this path, but she didn’t look well. “Start at the beginning.” Tania bit her lip then shook her head. “No, no, no. I don’t need any help deciding. I need to get rid of this, this… thing inside me. Please help me Chanti. You’re the most talented Voodoo priestess we have…” Tania’s lips thinned with a determined strength. “Or I’ll find someone who will.” Chanti held up her hands and stood up. She didn’t need the threat. Of course, she’d help. Even if she didn’t like it. There were quite a few herbs in the recipe, but it wouldn’t be hard to concoct. “Okay Tania. I’ll help you.” She began walking slowly around her shop, taking pinches of herbs and adding them to a hessian bag as she went. Tania was a member of their Voodoo society. Her parents were strong, and powerful. Why would she come to Chantelle for a relatively simple poison? “You know you could probably do this yourself, Tania. Why come to me?” “Because I have to make sure it works!” Such anger. What’s with that? Chanti finished off the vile spelling potion and tied the bag with a string. “You’ll need to seep this in water for a full day, then drink it. At night preferably. You’re going to be very sick for a few days, Tania. You know that?”

She held the bag out to the girl, who’s desperation was starting to become far too apparent for Chanti’s liking. Tania was practically salivating at the sight of the bag. Something was wrong. Her intuition was telling her she wasn’t doing the right thing here. And her intuition was never wrong. As Tania went to grab the bag, Chanti’s hand pulled it back. She looked down at the poisonous potion clutched in her fingers. They had grabbed it back almost against her will. So strange. She hadn’t meant to do that. Maybe she needed to ask just one thing… “Who’s the father, Tania?” Tania’s lip trembled again and Chanti stretched up to her full height, staring down at the younger woman. “Tania!” She put as much weight and strength into her voice as she could as Tania’s eyes darted from Chanti’s hands, to her face, and back again. “His name is Marty.” “And?” She glared at the young girl who was starting to upset her. What could be so bad that she couldn’t explain this decision. “I can’t tell you, Chanti. You’ll tell my parents, or you won’t help me… or…” What could Tania be afraid of? Was the father such an undesirable? She couldn’t think of anyone in Louisiana who would strike such fear into the heart of a Voodoo woman. Unless… No! Lightning struck and her brain came up with a conclusion that was simply impossible. “No… he isn’t… you didn’t…” “I didn’t mean to! I just couldn’t help myself. Maybe he put some sort of curse on me?”

Horror slammed into Chanti with the force of a fist, making her whirl backwards, her spine slamming into the glass cabinet of voodoo dolls she sold to the tourists. It couldn’t be… “A werewolf.” She breathed the words she never thought to say. The werewolves had been their mortal enemies for generations, but they had long stopped coming to New Orleans. They hid in small country towns, unable to compete with the power of the Voodoo Queens and the people who followed them. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.” Tania collapsed onto the couch in a shower of sobbing tears. Chanti stared at her. Unable to approach, yet she couldn’t walk away either. A half voodoo, half werewolf child could be anything. An abomination. “Here. Take it.” Chanti tried to push the bag out of her hand. But her arm would not extend. Ridiculous thing. Stop it! “Take it Tania. Take it. And go.” Her breathing laboured as she inhaled and exhaled. Heat filled her lungs. Then something occurred to her. Dear Goddess…. No. “Did he force you? Is that why you must get rid of it?” Tania’s gaze clashed with her own and Tania’s gaze softened, a pleasant memory filling her eyes as she almost smiled. “No. No, he didn’t.”

Chanti forced herself to relax a little. That was a good thing. Perhaps this was just a one off event. A good girl from the right side of the tracks, and a bad boy from the wrong side, sort of thing? Improbable… but still. She could hope. Her hand wasn’t unclenching, and as Tania edged closer Chanti had to will herself not to push the young woman away as her instincts dictate she did. What was with her body? Why wouldn’t she want to help this girl get rid of a beast? “Quick, Tania. Just grab it from me. I can’t let go.” Chanti closed her eyes and told herself to comply with her words. Let go. Let go. She swallowed the scream that rose as Tania’s hand touched her own and tugged the bag from her grip. Her eyes sprung open as she watched Tania run from the shop. The tinkle of the bells sounded again and Chanti collapsed onto the leather couch once more. A couch she had counseled so many people upon. As a Voodoo practitioner, and a descendent of the High Priestess, she was a natural healer. People came to her seeking remedies of all sorts of things. Physical ailments, heart break, infertility, and curses. She didn’t like the punishing and evil side of Voodoo, but she knew the craft. Had learnt the art from her grandmother before she died. If there was a werewolf plague coming for their town, she would be ready.

As she was putting away the last of the werewolf poison she’d made throughout the day, the bells to her shop chimed with a harsh clang she hadn’t heard before.

Someone was in a hurry. She called out, “Can I help you? I was just about to close.” The person didn’t speak and she couldn’t see them. A tourist maybe? The man who’d stepped into the shop was behind a rack of scarves, his huge shoulders peeking out from either side of the brightly coloured fabrics. “Hello?” She stepped around the counter and the smell hit her like she’d run into a wall. Sex and male, sweat and muscle. Her knees weakened, her body throbbed. What sort of magic was this? The man stepped out from behind the rack, his silver eyes causing a shiver of a long forgotten memory to pass through her mind. “Hi.” “Who are you?” He had long dark hair to his shoulders, and cat like almond shaped eyes. The colour was liquid moonlight, and reached out for her very soul. “I’m Kody.” He was familiar, too familiar. Like a dream she’d had forever. “Why do I know you?” She forced her legs to straighten and her hand lifted towards him. Stretching out to touch the olive skin, the silky hair. Why was she feeling this way? He stepped forward, his lips thin and tight. “Did the girl, Tania, come to see you?” Chanti’s arm dropped and cold slithered down her spine. Was this the father of Tania’s baby? No…

Was this man a werewolf? Possibly. He looked strong, and the chemistry between them was animal. “How do you know Tania?” She forced herself to keep her voice calm as she headed back around the counter. Reaching for a protection charm she’d made for herself as a child and wrapped the leather strip around her wrist. Whatever this man was, werewolf or human, he was going to be something very special to her. She knew it in her bones, the way she knew that she was a direct descendant of a Voodoo High Priestess. But that didn’t mean he was safe. Kody’s face twisted and Chanti could practically see the fight he was having in his head, trying to decide what he was going to say to her. “Did you give her what she came here for?” Chanti narrowed her eyes. “Of course, I did.” The man’s grim façade broke. “Fuck! Chanti, how could you?” She cocked her head to one side and stared at him. “Do I know you?” Kody growled and shook his head, pacing the store and weaving around her many display cases. Her pulse kicked up a notch, making swallowing hard. Should she be running for the safety of her back room? Did she need to? “Why would you do that? She can’t kill off the baby. It’s the start of the new…” “New what?” She swallowed hard. She needed to ask the question. “Are you a…” She looked harder. The silver eyes. The square jaw. The huge shoulders and coiled strength. “You are. Oh. Goddess.”

Panic slammed into her. She knew so little about these creatures. They hadn’t proved a threat in her lifetime, and they’d all become quite complacent about the werewolves living out of town. What could she do to stop him, if he wanted to hurt her? She had a gun in the back, hidden amongst the extra skirts. If he wouldn’t leave… she’d have to make him. She inched towards the door when Kody raced around the counter and grabbed her. His arms came around her body, squeezing tight. Adrenaline zinged along her veins, pooling between her thighs and making her knees give out from beneath her. She sunk lower and he held her up, staring down at her as magic wove around them. Kody pressed his lips to hers and she melted into him. All thoughts disappeared as her body turned into a puddle of screaming rapture. Orgasmic tingles pulsed in her pussy as he her nipples tightened and her spine arched up into Kody’s body. He pushed her away and the cold drove in like a steam train, pushing the fog from her mind and the heat from her body. “What the hell was that?” Her knees folded and she let herself go down, falling gracefully into a folded leg sit on the ground. She stared up at the man mountain who had just reduced her to the weakest woman she’d ever been. If that was what one kiss, imagine what his touch might do? He answered her, “Destiny.” He stared at her a moment longer and then turned and fled like the wind. Chanti sat on the floor and pondered her life. What on earth had just happened?

****

Kody’s wolf snapped and growled inside his mind. Settle the fuck down. Now. He’d met his mate. The one and only woman he was meant to be with. And she was a fucking Voodoo doctor. Of all the rotten luck. He pounded the pavements as he stormed through the town looking for his brother. Their pack’s leader and Alpha. Marty. Marty had come across a beautiful young girl at a pub a few weeks ago. They’d hit it off like nothing else, according to his brother, had the wildest sex imaginable, and then she’d disappeared. Marty had found her again, through some of their townie friends, but she was running scared supposedly and wouldn’t respond to any of Marty’s messages. According to their sources who had been listening at the doorways, and watching her, the chick was pregnant. Half werewolf, half voodoo royalty. How was is it even possible? They’d been told they couldn’t breed outside their own pack. Kody had thought it to be impossible. A lie told by the little human to get his brother back perhaps? That was until he’d met Chanti. Now he knew something he’d never known. Matings between the humans and the werewolves were possible. He’d been following Tania, only to see her go into a Voodoo shop. He’d listened at the door and heard her ask for something to get rid of the babe. Anger and pain had slammed into him. If it really was true, and his brother had conceived a child, Tania couldn’t kill it!

This baby could be the only way to fulfil the prophesy, and re-bond their communities. It had long been said by the elders that the werewolves were meant to live in peace and harmony with the townspeople. That was only achievable with the blending of their blood and of course, negotiating with the people in power in New Orleans. No one he knew of had ever tried such a thing. He saw his brother ahead, hiding in the alleyway next to a triple story house. He sidled up next to Marty, and his brother spoke to him. “Did you find her?” “I found more than just her.” “What do you mean?” Kody inhaled sharply. This was such a hard thing to say. Would his brother hate him? Be embarrassed to call him family? “I met my mate.” His brother swung around to face him. “What? Where?” “In the Voodoo shop Tania went into. She’s the owner, or whatever.” “A Voodoo doctor? Are you kidding me?” I wish. “Ah… no. And she’s more than that. I can feel the power in her, the strength. I heard someone talking about her outside, and heard what Tania said to her. She’s one of the most powerful priestesses they have, and ah… Tania’s no slouch in the Voodoo arts either.” His brother’s eyes bulged. “What? My mate’s a Voodoo priestess, too?” Excuse me? “Your what? You said she was just a one night stand. A good…” His brother growled, low and menacing. “Don’t say it Kody, or I’ll rip your fucking head off.”

Kody bit his own tongue, swallowing the disbelief and surprise he could feel in his heart. His brother’s mate? Why hadn’t he told him? “Why didn’t you say anything before, Marty?” He’d thought it was a little strange that his brother was chasing down this girl after only one night. And that she’d conceived so readily. It was unheard of. His brother turned away, his jaw set and tight. “I was ashamed. What sort of Alpha doesn’t have a werewolf mate?” Marty was looking at this wrong way. “One who is destined to be our saviour! Come on brother, you know the legends! This could reunite our families, bring us back to New Orleans!” Excitement was beginning to bubble in his veins. For so many generations they had been outcasts. Not welcome in the human world. That could change. Forever. “So, brother, did your mate come back here?” “Yeah, I saw her go in the front door. This is her home I think.” Marty pointed at the three story mansion. Shit… “Do you know anything else about her, Marty?” His brother shook his head. Damn... I have to tell him. “Well, from what I heard, she’s from a real wealthy family.” His brother rolled his eyes. “Obviously, look at the house. Smartass…” His brother looked back towards the mansion as though he couldn’t keep his eyes off one of the top windows.

“Her family is one of the oldest and most powerful Voodoo families in New Orleans.” “What?” His brother swung around to face him, staring with wide open eyes. “There’s something else too, Marty.” His brother waited and he swallowed hard. This was gonna hurt. “She’d trying to get rid of the baby.” There was a beat of silence and then his brother blinked. “Excuse me?” Marty’s hands curled into fists and he was sending out a vibe that made Kody want to back away. As the Alpha, Marty’s word was law, and Kody had no choice but to follow him. That made saying something that would piss him off hard. “I followed her to the Chanti’s shop and listened to everything they said. The church they belong to think that any babe of ours is... sacrilege.” “Fuck. Me.” His brother’s anger seemed to drift away as shock took its place. “But… this is Fate. She’s my mate. That baby is… destined to be.” Kody laughed, pushing through the need to submit to his brother’s emotions. “I know my brother, I know. But they’re not going to believe that. You know what they are like.” Marty grimaced and cursed under his breath. The people who practised the ancient art of Voodoo in New Orleans were an unusual mix of the original Voodoo brought over from Africa several hundred years ago, and the Catholicism that was forced onto them. They believed in Jesus Christ and many ancient Gods and Goddesses. Why not Fate?

“Then we must stop her Marty, and I think I know the way. We have twenty-four hours until your mate drinks the potion that will kill off your heir. We must convince Chanti to stop her.” His brother nodded with grim understanding and together they walked away from the house to formulate a plan.

Chapter 2.

Back at her house, a few blocks back from the shop, Chanti mulled over what had happened today. A werewolf baby had been conceived and she’d been asked to assist in its abortion. An aberration of nature. A ridiculous thing. She’d never even really considered whether she believed the stories she’d been told about them. Having never met one. And then a werewolf had kissed her to within an inch of her life right there in her shop. God, she’d wanted him to take her right there on the countertop. She ran a hand down her neck and let it flow over her sensitive breasts. Her loins were still burning for him. A shiver coursed through her body. What had that been between them? She’d never felt anything like it. Bang, bang, bang… She frowned towards the front door. Who could that be? And at this time? She glanced at the clock on the wall. Nine o’clock. Not too late. Someone who needed her help perhaps? She didn’t really have any family left. That thought had her hurrying towards the pounding. What could have happened? She pulled open the door. The werewolf stood on her doorstep. Silver eyes blazing at her and causing a cascade of fire to flow through her core. Next to him stood… “Damn. Did you bring another one with you?” The man next to him was even bigger if that was possible, but not as attractive as Kody. He had darker, curlier hair, and a crooked nose. “This is my brother, Marty. Can we come in?”

“Can I trust you?” Their eyes met and a frisson of heat spiralled through her. He nodded slowly and she stepped back. She didn’t have much choice anyway. They moved into her small home, the men filling up the space like two huge trees. “How can I help you gentlemen? Do you need a charm perhaps? A spell?” She couldn’t imagine either one of them needing love or protection, even wishing evil on another could be easily achieved by their strength and power. How could she possibly help them? Chanti sat down on her favourite armchair and moaned with longing as her body arched towards Kody. He groaned in unison and fell onto the couch as though knocked down. “Stop doing that.” He grunted at her. “Me? What on earth am I doing?” He rolled his eyes and beckoned to his brother to join him on the couch. Marty fell into one of the other chairs, his huge body folding down awkwardly. “We’ll cut to the chase, Chanti.” She nodded her head and resisted a smile. That seemed very likely for his sort of people. Werewolves were known for being fierce beasts, but before her sat two men who had full control over their words, facial expressions, and emotions. If Kody’s ability to walk away this afternoon was any indication, the reports on them were wrong. Which meant… she really had no idea what to expect.

“Tania, the girls who came to see you this morning…” Marty stopped and Chanti inhaled sharply, realisation dawning. “You’re the father of her baby.” He nodded once. “Yes. And I know that you gave her something to get rid of it.” Chanti hesitated. Her gaze sliding over to Kody who narrowed his eyes at her. He’d known when he confronted her at the shop. He must have been listening at the door. “Yes, I did. She came to me for help, and I gave it to her.” A deep growl rolled out of Marty and her stomach dropped. What did she have in her home for protection against a werewolf? She wore her amulet and it had not failed her yet. “Please settle yourself, or you may leave.” Marty stood up and began to pace. Her heart beat in time with the pounding of his heavy footsteps on her floor boards. “She can’t get rid of it, she can’t. I need to stop her.” Chanti searched inside herself for the magic she knew was there and pushed outwards, calming Marty, encouraging him to sit and relax with her. She didn’t like to use her ability to sway people too often, but when it helped them get to a solution, it was best. Not to mention the fact that she would feel safer. The big werewolf swayed a little. She waved at him, forcing her voice to stay calm. “Sit down, Marty. We can sort this out.” He fell back into his chair, shaking his head as though he didn’t know what had just happened. “Tell me why this is so important to you, and it is obvious Tania means a lot more than she should. I have never, in my lifetime, seen a werewolf in town. What brings you this far?”

The brothers looked at each other without speaking, although they were definitely communicating in their own way. She waited. She had all the time in the world. Finally, Kody turned to look at her. “How much do you know about werewolves Chanti?” “I will admit, very little.” She knew what she’d been taught. That they were little better than rabid dogs. Dirty, untrustworthy, and stupid. However, she wasn’t telling them that. Marty continued. “Werewolves rarely mate outside our own pack, in fact, we were told it would be impossible to conceive a child with a human. Werewolves are born, not bitten. Even when a werewolf would fall in love with a human, they would rarely conceive and if they did, that child would never be a shifter.” He stopped and took a breath. “However, there are a few exceptions to the rule. The Alpha’s in our pack have pre-destined mates. We know them on sight and often by their smell. Tania is my mate. I saw her at a bar one night, about six weeks ago, and knew instantly. She ran away afterwards, knowing what I was, and I thought I could go back to the pack and forget about her. I can’t. And knowing she carries my child… I can’t allow her to destroy the legacy of our pack. A child that is destined to be.” Chanti blinked and blinked again. They spoke of powers out of their control. Of Fate and Destiny. Were these really the creatures she’d been told about? “I have to tell you both something as well. I am a Voodoo practitioner, as you would know from my shop, I am certain, but there’s something else. I have several gifts passed down to me from my ancestors. One is an intuition that is never wrong. A third eye, so to speak. And yesterday…” she bit her lip. She still could not believe she had gone against a feeling that was so strong. Everything in her had not wanted to give Tania that medicine, and yet she had. Too many years of hearing the bad stories of

werewolves had tainted her, and she was furious at herself for falling for such a common mistake. She knew better. “I did the wrong thing. Every part of me knew what I was doing was wrong. I literally could not give her the medicine, instead she had to take it from me. I’ve never felt anything like it… And because of that, I will help you. It is very obvious to me that I was not meant to give her that poison.” There was silence in the room as the men stared at her. “Thank you, Chanti. We thought you would be harder to convince.” Kody said, his eyes sparkling even in the evening light. She shrugged and put a hand to her belly as it fluttered and twisted as Kody stared at her. She hadn’t worked out what the special attraction to him was, but she would have to at some point. After this mess was sorted out. “I will warn you. Don’t cross me. I know this world and these people, and you will need to trust me to help you as I have said I would.” There was a soft chuckle from the men. “Trust a Voodoo Queen whose ancestors were probably one of the reasons we were banished from New Orleans?” She sat up straighter and fixed them with a stare. “That was not me, and it was not you either. If you want my help, contacting Tania and convincing her to birth a half breed baby, when her parents are some of the most powerful people in this city, then you need to trust me. I trust that you are here to help, not harm. And I trust my intuition that this baby indeed is meant to be.” Marty flung himself back in his chair and Kody reached out for him, squeezing his brother’s arm. “We need her help, brother. And she has no reason to help us other than wanting to do the right thing. Surely that is all you need?”

Marty frowned. “No, it isn’t. But knowing what she is to you, makes me want to believe it.” Huh? I’m what to him? Marty turned towards her, his hard mouth pressed into a thin line. “So yes, we’ll trust you Chanti. And I will follow your direction, no matter how hard that will be for an Alpha.” His tone was strangely dominant and she struggled not to balk at the arrogant way he spoke. “Thank you, but what did you mean by that comment? What am I to Kody?” Marty opened his mouth and Kody jumped in. “That’s not important at the moment. I think we need to fix this problem first, and then talk about that.” He threw his brother a ‘shut your mouth’ look and Chanti couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her lips. It was all so intriguing, and yet, she couldn’t handle any more at the moment. “Yes, I think we have more than enough to deal with. If Tania went straight home and starting steeping the brew I gave her, we have about twenty hours before she drinks it. That should be enough time to convince her not to take it, but there are lots of other people, including her parents, that could make it for her again. We need to not only convince her to not take my potion, but to keep the baby.” The men chimed in, in beautiful, baritone unison. “Agreed.” “Then we have a big day on tomorrow.” She glanced at the clock and felt the wave of tiredness pass over her. “I need to rest, and something is telling me this is going to be a bigger fight than any of us anticipate. Would you both like to sleep here tonight, or do you have somewhere else to stay?” Marty shrugged. “We could go back to the pack.” “It’s a couple of hours drive each way, brother.”

Chanti stood up and took a few steps away from the brothers as her nipples throbbed with need. Kody’s body was calling to hers, and she’d be lucky if she made it another day without begging him to take her. “Then it’s settled. There’s a spare bed in there.” She pointed to the guest room, “and the couch of course. There’s a bathroom through there and please help yourself to the food in the fridge.” She turned her back to leave and thought better of it. “And try not to touch anything. Every room has different spells and charms on them for protection, mostly. If you mean me no harm, and don’t go touching anything, you’ll be fine.” Their eyes went a little wide and they looked around as though someone was set to jump out at them. Good. Let them be a little wary of me. “Goodnight gentlemen.” There was a chortle of amusement and Chanti staggered into her bedroom on molten legs, shutting the door behind her. Hopefully they’d be able to talk to Tania quite easily and they could all move on with their lives. But as her arms pulsed with heat and her heart ached with the pain that would come, she knew that wasn’t how it was going to be.

Chapter 3. Two hours on Chanti’s couch and Kody was going insane. His skin itched, his blood boiled, and his cock was so hard it lay against his belly like a lump of wood. Kody twisted onto his side and punched the pillow beneath his head. He was going to get some fucking sleep if it killed him. Who knew what tomorrow might bring? A door creaked behind the couch and he sat straight up. Chanti’s dark hair was down, falling over her shoulders like a black waterfall. She wore a blue singlet and only her underwear. Her long legs stretched out, bright in the soft moon light coming in the windows. “Oh… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. It’s just… I… can’t sleep.” Kody couldn’t speak, his wolf swimming up to the surface with strong, undeniable movements; growling and purring as his mate stepped closer. She held out her arms, welcoming him in. “What is this Kody? I don’t understand it.” He rolled over the back of her couch and grabbed Chanti up into his arms. She gasped and grabbed hold of him, her nails digging into his arms as she lifted her lips up to his. He pulled her close at the same time as he dropped his face to meet hers. Their lips met and he pressed down, opening her mouth and tasting the first lick of sweetness. An explosion of pleasure rippled through his body and he groaned loudly. He needed to get closer. As close as possible. Kody lifted her up by the waist and Chanti wrapped her legs around his waist, grabbing onto his bare shoulders and kneading the tight muscles there. She gyrated her pelvis against him, breaking off to pant. “Please. My bedroom.”

He grabbed her tightly and strode straight into her room. Walking until his legs hit the mattress and then falling flat, he put his arms up to protect them as they fell. Chanti groaned and swivelled her hips. He kissed her again on the lips, then trailed them down her body. Kissing the long line of her throat, the rapidly fluttering pulse at the edge of her collar bone. “Please Kody… please.” She pushed on his shoulder and he moved further down. He kissed her sweet, delectable skin as he moved down further. Lifting a hand, he partially shifted his paw, slicing her singlet from her body in one move. She gasped and arched her back, her full breasts now exposed to his gaze. He let his mouth learn her curves, grabbing mouthfuls of her honeyed flesh as he tasted the pure sweetness. He moved and settled between her thighs and cupped both full breasts, licking first one erect tip, and then the other. Her nipples were like dark, liquor cherries, bursting with flavour as he suckled them deeply. His head spun. Woah. He dropped his lips and suckled harder, drawing from her a taste, a sweetness, the closest thing to life milk he’d ever tasted. He drew back and looked down. He couldn’t see anything, but he could swear he’d tasted something. He shook the idea from his mind and continued down, changing his paw once again and slicing her underwear on first one side, then leaning up so he could do the other. “That’s very... handy.” She grinned up at him. “You’re not scared?” She shook her head.

He smiled down on her and bent his head, settling between her thighs and grabbing her arse with both hands to lift her up to his mouth. Her scent was like the flowers that grew around New Orleans. Perfect. Sweet. Wild. He swiped his tongue across her juicy, pink clit and Chanti cried out, reaching for him and tangling her hands into his hair. He licked downwards, tasting her core and feeling that same head rush of dizziness. Like a drug injection straight into his blood stream. Chanti bucked in his hands and he held her tight, eating her pussy with as much enthusiasm as a dying man at a banquet. And what a feast it was. He suckled her clit, flicking it side to side with his tongue, and then thrusting it inside her. Over and over again as Chanti moaned and gasped, crying out and thrashing against the bed. “Kody… Kody… Kody!” Her voice was getting more and more insistent. The nails she was digging into his head almost painful now. Even with his wolf’s high tolerance of pain. His cock was stiff, sore, and throbbing. His balls were drawing up tight against his body and with each cry she let go, his orgasm grew closer and closer. If he wasn’t careful, he’d cum in his pants like a teenager. Kody jumped to his feet and tore off his underwear, his cock springing out. The relief so sweet, he almost came. “Fuck!” He dove on top of her, lining up their bodies so that as they connected, they both screamed. Heat against heat. Skin against skin. And the undeniably perfect slide of his cock into her waiting, wet pussy. Kody thrust to the hilt and tangled his tongue with Chanti’s. She wrapped her legs around his waist again, her arms tight around his chest.

She gripped him hard as he rode her. Faster and harder. Higher and higher. Her pussy tightened like a vice, clenching down on him. She broke their kiss, arching her spine as she began to cum. The ripples flowed around him and through him like a wave crashing over his whole body. Saturating his skin and sending hot pulses through him. Kody cried out, seating himself fully in her body as his flesh spasmed with hers. Rejoicing in the unity of their bodies. Hot seed squirted from his cock, flooded her as he shuddered, collapsing to the side so he didn’t squash her, and pulling her with him. They both panted hard, the only sounds in the room now, their hot breathing. Chanti stared hard at him, sweat beading her forehead. “Wow.” “You can say that again.” The silence stretched and Kody glanced away, awkwardness creeping into the room like a thief in the night. He slipped further away from her and she reached down for the sheet, pulling it up to cloak them both. What should he say? Now that the moment was over and their hunger had been quenched, there was something lacking. “So… what’s the plan for tomorrow? Anything I should know?” Chanti shrugged, one creamy shoulder rising in the dark. “The werewolves are feared and hated in this town. Be very careful. I will do everything I can to help you, but I’m not entirely sure what we’re going up against.” Kody rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. What were they going to face tomorrow? He had no idea. But he was here to support his family. That was his only aim. He sat up and swung his legs off the bed. “Where are you going?” Her words were soft, but the strength behind the question was unmistakeable. He was compelled to reverse his movements, lying back down again.

“I thought I should go back to the couch and sleep.” “No.” She closed her eyes and Kody let his own body relax. After everything that had happened today, was he really going to be able to sleep?

Kody woke up seven hours later. He glanced at the clock, unable to believe his eyes. “Good morning.” Chanti’s sleepy greeting had him turning to look at her. Had she drugged him last night? “I think I just had the best nights’ sleep of my life.” She quirked an elegant dark brow. “You think?” He huffed out a laugh. “I know. Damn… what did you give me last night?” “I think it’s was you that gave me something, not the other way round.” She stretched and rolled out of bed, her elegant back flashing as she bent to pick up her clothes. Art work covered her beautiful shoulders. “Wow. Your tatts are incredible.” He hadn’t seen them last night. Black roses, covering her upper back and down her arms in a line. “Thank you. But they’re not tattoos. I was born with these. No one knows why.” “No way.” He shuffled over to the side of the bed and she stilled, obviously sensing what he was going to do. He raised his hand and traced her skin. It looked like it had been inked on. There was black pattern, up to her neck and down the other shoulder. But there was something different about the texture. Raised, hot. If they weren’t tattoo’s, what were they?

“They’re beautiful.” He pressed a kiss to the base of her neck and she shivered, a soft moan escaping her lips. “Thank you.” She stepped away and grabbed clean clothes, slipping into a simple black dress and sweeping her hair back up into an elegant arrangement on top of her head. “Let’s eat and get moving. Time is running out.” He nodded, grabbing his underwear and moving out into the lounge to grab his clothes. His brother was already there, dressed and pacing. Marty raised an eyebrow at him and Kody shrugged. He wasn’t saying anything about last night. He wasn’t even sure it was real. He reached for his clothes and tugged on his jeans. “You’re pretty brave you know. Letting two werewolves you don’t even know sleep in your home overnight.” Marty said to Chanti as she stepped into the room and began banging around the kitchen. “Yes and no.” She answered. “Coffee?” “Yes, please. Black.” Kody said, glaring at his brother. What are you doing? Marty ignored him and stepped closer to Chanti. “Why wasn’t it brave? Aren’t you voodoo witches scared of us?” What was his brother doing? Trying to intimidate the one person who could help them? She turned and fixed Marty with a hard stare and Kody moved into position beside his brother. Marty was his blood, and his Alpha. But at this moment, he wasn’t sure who he’d protect if the moment called for it. For the first time in his life, he feared it wouldn’t be Marty he’d be jumping in front of.

“Number one… I’m not a witch, I’m a healer. Number two. My home is protected by protection spells and other Voodoo charms. This house was my great grandmothers, a very powerful Voodoo Queen… so I dare you to try anything here.” A growl rolled out of Marty and Kody grabbed his brother’s arm. “No! Don’t!” Marty was shaking as though he was about to shift, and panic raced through Kody. He tugged at his brother’s arms to pull him back, and yet nothing happened. “What the fuck is this?” Marty asked through clenched teeth. Chanti went back to making coffee. “I told you. I am protected from harm here. Relax. We need to eat and go if we’re going to find Tania before she drinks my potion.” Marty shrunk and stepped back and Kody moved into the kitchen, desperately trying to calm his wolf down. How dare Marty try to hurt her. As though sensing his distress, Chanti put a hand on his arm and handed him the coffee mug. “It’s okay. Sit. We’ll leave soon.” He walked towards the small table and sat down, his head spinning with the ramifications of what that sort of challenge to his allegiances would mean. He daren’t even think about it. “Here. Eat.” Chanti placed a plate down in the middle of the table filled with pastries and bread rolls. His brother sat back and regarded the food with suspicion. Kody’s stomach growled and he dug in, eating some of the delicious food and drinking the hot coffee she had prepared. He’d never tasted anything like it.

“Wow. This is just beautiful. Thank you.” Chanti sat and picked up one of the pastries. “You’re welcome. I don’t usually have so much, but I was walking past a shop on my way home, and just had the feeling I needed to buy what they had left.” She gave him a shy smile and ate her breakfast. Kody glared at his brother and eventually, after watching Chanti eat also, Marty joined them. They finished the whole plate off and even Marty groaned his thanks for the rich food. “All right. Let’s go.” They all stood and walked through her house, moving out into the crisp morning air and sunshine. New Orleans was beautiful, and Kody was glad he was finally here to see it with his own two eyes. **** Chanti nodded at a passerby and pulled her door closed. Out here in the world, she didn’t have the same protection as she did in her home. But she couldn’t let fear rule her heart. She had to stay strong. Today was going to be a testing one, that was for sure. Part of her was still rattled by the happenings of yesterday and last night, although she was trying not to show it. What had possessed her? To throw herself so ashamedly at Kody, and then not letting the man go to sleep where he wanted to go. She wanted him close, and she needed him to stay there. She’d never felt like this before. An all consuming passion that went far beyond the conscious. “So... what do you know about Tania, Marty?” Marty, the big lug, just shrugged. “Not much. We had one night together, and not much talking was done, to be frank.”

Yep, she got the idea. She wasn’t sure she liked Kody’s brother much, but despite all the bravado, she could feel that he was a good man beneath it all. “Well… I’ll tell you a bit then. Tania is young, but she is strong, and she is powerful. She comes from an old, established family, who would be utterly mortified if they knew what has been going on.” The werewolf gave her a dirty look and she just waved her hand in rejection of his supposedly wounded feelings. “Don’t look at me like that. Anyway… here’s the house.” She stopped outside the mansion that housed Tania’s family. A shudder ran down her spine. The Voodoo on this place was dark. Scary even. She didn’t like to use that side of their religion. For her it was about peace, and love, and healing. But there was another side. One Tania’s family knew and used, too often if the vibe from the house was any indication. “I’m going to go inside and talk to Tania. Hopefully she’s home.” Kody grabbed for her arm. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” “No. I can’t guarantee your safety in there. I don’t know what sort of protection they have set up, but I don’t believe it is as benign as my home.” Kody’s jaw tightened and then he let go, a flood of sadness flowing over her as her lover moved away to stand in the shadows. He was so big and strong, but his soul was so light and loving. She shook herself of those thoughts and concentrated on her task. Tania. The baby. Woah, this was going to be tough. She gathered her courage and marched up to the front door, thinking only healing, calm, good thoughts. She wasn’t here to harm anyone. She was here to help.

She lifted her hand and knocked on the large white door. A moment ticked by and then their butler opened the door. “Can I help you?” “Yes, my name is Chantelle Dubois. I was hoping to speak to Tania. Is she home?” The butler inclined his head and she stepped inside, nervous butterflies taking wing inside her belly. “Miss Tania has not been up long. I will see if she is available. Please sit.” Chanti sank into the chair he pointed to and waited for the butler to ascend the stairs and disappear along a corridor. She let her gaze wander. To the huge oak stair case. The large chandelier. The home was grand indeed. The butler began to descend the steps and Chanti got up to meet him at the landing. “Miss Tania would like to speak to you, but would prefer you to follow me. Please come.” He turned back around and Chanti followed him back the way he’d gone, arriving a moment later at a closed door. “Have a good morning.” Chanti nodded at the older man and pushed open the door, her heart leaping in anticipation of what she would find. Tania, lying on her bed in foetal position was not what she had been expecting. “Tania, are you alright?” The young girl shook her head and as Chanti moved closer she could see the glistening of tears on her face. “I can feel it Chanti. Moving inside me. How is that possible?” Tania looked up, her face a mess of red and blotched white.

“I… don’t know. It’s only been a month since you conceived, has it not?” Tania sat up straight, her hair at an odd angle as she stared at Chanti with accusing eyes. “How do you know that?” She swallowed hard and sunk into the arm chair next to Tania’s bed. “Because Marty and his brother found me yesterday.” Tania’s eyes went huge and wide. “Marty? He’s here? How did he find me?” “He tracked you down by scent, I believe. He told me that you’re his one and only true mate, and he can’t be without you. He asked me to come up and get you to speak to him.” Tania’s hands went to her rounded belly. “Does he know?” How was her stomach so much bigger today? Chanti nodded. “Yes. He had someone following you and they heard us speaking yesterday at the shop.” “Oh no!” Tania got up and raced for her dressing table. The brewing tea stood there, the dark, murky water an ominous sign to all. “I have to get rid of it now!” Chanti wasn’t sure how it happened, but she raced over and knocked the potion out of Tania’s hands, spilling the stench over the patterned carpet. They both stared at the ground and a terrible tightening in Chanti’s gut told her something bad was coming. She twisted around and shook her head at Tania. “No. You can’t do that.” Tania stared at her as though she’d lost her mind, and perhaps she had. “Why did you do that?” “I’m not sure… honestly, I’m not. But everything in me tells me you can’t kill off this baby, Tania. Not today. Please speak to him. I can’t in good conscious help you in this.”

Tania snatched up the glass that had fallen and marched to the door, pulling it open. “Then get out. I’ll make it myself.” Her belly once again caught Chanti’s eye. It was dark in the room and Tania wore a flowing dress, but she looked about five months along. How was that possible? “But Tania, can’t you see that this is something special? If you can feel it already… maybe it is already forming? Perhaps the werewolf blood changed it? Does it grow faster? You look a lot further along than two months. We have to find out.” “Werewolf forming? What is she talking about?” They both jumped as Tania’s mother walked into the room, obviously hearing part of the conversation. She sniffed the air and then stared down at the carpet, her shrewd gaze landing on the spilled potion. It had a very distinct colour, one Chanti knew her senior would recognise. “Chanti… Did you do this?” Then she rounded on Tania. “What have you done?” She stared down at Tania’s hands which were clutching her abdomen. “You’re pregnant! To who?” “Ah…um…. It doesn’t matter, mama. Please help me get rid of it.” Her mother seemed too calm as she pointed to the bed. “Lie down and pull up your shirt.” Tania trembled as she walked to the bed and lay back, lifting her cotton dress with one hand. There was already a round bump, her flesh twitching and contorting beneath their gaze. Oh God. That is a real baby. Why didn’t I check Tania before I made her the potion? “What magic is this? It’s already too far gone for those herbs. What were you thinking, Chanti? You could have killed my daughter.”

Chanti held up both hands, staring at the belly that looked at least five months along. “Tania said it was only six weeks. I…” “Get out. I will deal with this.” Tania’s mother pushed at her and Chanti moved as she was instructed, her limbs moving of their own accord. But even though she moved through the house, she was torn. Should she stay and help Tania? What would her mother do now? Chanti wandered down the curved staircase and a banging made her jump, then raised voices and a scream. Oh fuck. She raced down the rest of the stairs and ran out into the street to find the wolves. Kody’s arm snaked out and grabbed her, pulling her out of sight behind the building. She squealed then swallowed hard, trying to calm the racing of her heart. “What happened?” Kody asked, still gripping her hard as though he sensed her fear. “I spilled the potion so she couldn’t use it, but her mother found us and… uh. I think she’ll try to get rid of it now.” She turned towards Marty, hope flaring in her mind. Maybe they could get out of this. “Are you sure it’s yours? That belly of hers looks like she’s five months along already.” Marty grimly nodded. “Yes. That is how it is with werewolves. Our gestation is only two lunar months. I wasn’t sure if it would be the same for a human… but…” “She’s your mate and that changes things.” She finished for him. Why did she already know so much? It was all fitting in too well. Damn it.

This was getting more and more complicated. Kody grabbed her attention again. “Chanti, what can we do? This is my brother’s heir. Possibly the next Alpha for our pack. You need to help us. Please.” Kody’s hand squeezed hers and fire licked up her arm. “I will help you, but I don’t know how we’re going to get in there now. Her mother knows I tried to help her, and there is evil in that house. You can’t go in there.” She squeezed tight to her wolf’s hand. “Ok. Then we need a plan.” “I’ll just go in there and get her.” Marty growled out, the veins in his neck bulging as he stormed across the road. “No.” Chanti yelled out as she held Kody back with all of her strength, as he tried to follow his brother. “You can’t go in there.” Marty opened the door and marched inside, his scream of pain sounding as he hit the ground. She pushed back at Kody. “Stay here. Don’t expose yourself.” She ran for the door as it banged shut, the sight of Marty on his knees holding his head in his hands was the last thing she saw. Oh No. Dear Christ in Heaven. What are they going to do to him? Tania’s family were known throughout New Orleans as being devout Christians, but there was a side of them that few people knew about. They dabbled highly in the dark arts and Marty was going to soon find out how powerful they were. She ran back to Kody and grabbed his arm, pulling him down the road and away from the huge white building. He was practically vibrating. “What the fuck was that? What happened to him?” “I assume they have a very strong protective spell on the front door. Your stupid brother stormed in there wishing them harm, and it wounded him. What they’ll do with him now, I can only guess…”

Kody frowned as they walked down the street. “He’s not stupid, he’s…” “He’s stupid.” She re-iterated, fury infiltrating her words. This could have been avoided, and now Marty had made things ten times worse. “He didn’t listen to me, and thought he knew what was best. But this is my world and the rules here are different.” Kody blew air out his nose in a frustrated move. “Chanti, he’s an unmated Alpha who’s found his mate. That makes him very… yep, stupid. Let’s go with that.” Despite the grimness of the situation she could see the humour in Kody’s face again. “We need to get him out of there.” She nodded in agreement. “We do. Both of them preferably. Which means…” She took a few deep breaths. This was what she’d been afraid of. “I need to go back to the shop and make us some amulets.” She’d have to delve into her power reservoir for this, she knew she would. And she wasn’t even sure who she was doing it for, or why. Which would be a first. Kody nodded and touched her cheek with his hand. The move shockingly slow, and kind, considering the danger and urgency of the situation. He looked deep into her eyes and said, “Thank you.” Flashes of a future she had yet to live cartwheeled through her mind like a superfast movie. Children with Kody’s silver eyes. Bon fires and laughing, music and dance. The wolves and her community, all together as one. Chanti stuttered to a halt, her mind blurring with tears. Was that really what her future held? Kody’s arms came around her, holding her tight as she let her eyes close over the tears still running down her face.

“What’s wrong? What happened? Chanti, speak to me. Please!” Kody’s voice became too urgent. The alarm was too strong and she couldn’t let him worry over what was actually an amazingly beautiful vision. Chanti forced herself to relax and opened her eyes to look at him. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m fine. Just overwhelmed, I think.” Kody exhaled sharply. “You’re telling me. Now, where to? Your shop, or home?” “Shop first.” She pulled away from his embrace and began walking in the direction of her shop. She’d need a few things. As they stepped around the corner and her business came into view, her mother’s words circled in her mind. A Voodoo practitioner can cure ailments, grant desires, and confound or destroy one’s enemies. Despite her born abilities, and the call she felt towards the church and the people around her, Chanti had preferred not to allow the profiteering side of the business to influence her. She treated everyone equally. Whether it be a beggar on the street, or a rich international businessman. But here she would be going up against her own people, and for what? Werewolves? She needed to know more. “Kody, come with me.” She unlocked the door to her shop and drew Kody inside. She pulled a key from her pocket and opened the glass cabinet to her right. It was full of her most expensive charms. She reached up and pulled down a leather strap with a pendant, then grabbed one of the wrist bands. “Put these on, now.”

Kody was weak in every way, and it scared her. His loyalty to his brother and his feelings for her would make him act foolishly. Coupled with his inexperience in this world, and it was a deadly combination. Her hands shook as tied the band to his wrist and when he bent his head she put the necklace on. It settled against his black t-shirt and she picked it up and popped it down behind the material, against his skin. “It feels warm.” Perfect. “It will help protect you.” Now… I need some white sage sticks and I’ve got some mugwort out the back. Chanti went through the list in her head and searched her shop for anything that came to mind that may help. She wanted to get home to make the Voodoo dolls and potions she needed. “Tell me more about your world, Kody. Tell me why this is so important.” Kody leaned against the wall, fiddling with the band at his wrist. “All right… I grew up being told stories about New Orleans. How it was a great city, but full of powerful and nasty people that had banned our pack from ever setting foot on its hallowed grounds again.” Yep, that was pretty much what she knew as well. “But when I was about sixteen, and my brother eighteen, we took my dad’s truck and drove here. Part of me thought we’d be burnt alive by just setting foot in town. But when we didn’t and instead, we actually came in and bought something, a trinket of some sort, we went back to my father and asked what the real deal was.” “And what did he say?” Kody looked down. “He never told us the real truth as far as I know. He died in a battle for Alpha soon after that. But the legends about our mates are clear. If Marty is mated to a New Orleans Voodoo witch… then anything’s possible.”

Chapter 4. Chanti gathered the last of the things she needed and headed back to the front door. She already wore the strongest protective charms she could. She didn’t need anymore. “Let’s go. I need to get home.” Kody followed her like a shadow and together they wove through the narrow cobbled streets, until they made it home. At the sight of her pitched roof and front door, relief filled her. She opened the door and turned to Kody. “What I don’t understand is why your kind stick to the swamps. Why not move further out, or even come back to New Orleans? There’s nothing liveable for miles and miles outside of the city.” “I know.” Kody wrinkled his nose as they settled into her lounge room. “But that hasn’t stopped my family from living out there for generations. If we could find a way to live peacefully back in New Orleans, I know a lot of us would move back here. Chanti sat down with four voodoo dolls in front of her and Kody on the couch, who watched her keenly. “Then maybe we can do something about that.” “What are you doing?” “I’m creating dolls for Tania’s parents, Tania, and Marty.” “You’re going to hurt them?” She resisted the need to roll her eyes. Of course not. “No. I can use these to try to keep Marty and Tania safe.” She swallowed hard. “But yes… If I have to, I can.” She concentrated on the two she’d made for her friend and Marty. Sprinkling the dolls with a potion for protection and good health. Then lifted them up and carried them to her dresser, singing softly to them a song her mother had taught her for guidance and enduring hard times.

Next she took the two dolls for Tania’s parents and wove them with a plant based fibre meant to decrease a Voodoo practitioner’s powers, and sprinkled them with a sleeping potion. Hopefully that would stop them from doing too much damage before she could get back to help Tania and Marty. Then she wrapped them both in a bag and tucked them into her knapsack. “All right. You’re wearing the best protection I can give you, and the dolls will hopefully protect everyone else. That is the most I can do from here. We need to work out how we’re going to get your brother back in one piece. Is there anything else you haven’t told me?” Kody went silent. Grave-like silent and Chanti’s heart skipped a beat. “Kody? What is it?” “I haven’t told you much of our mating system, have I?” Her belly dropped, visions of biting wolves and howling at the moon flashing through her mind. “No. But why is that important?” “It may be, just hear me out. As a werewolf, I am stronger than any human. Faster, bigger. I think that is why we were driven out of New Orleans so long ago. We were feared, and yet our need for shifting form at the full moon was seen as a curse. And a weakness. My ancestors allowed us to be banished, like the animals they think we are.” His tone was bitter and Chanti moved to the couch to sit with the man who’d shown her nothing but passion and kindness. “I can see how strong you are, Kody. But what has that got to do with…” “When a werewolf mates, we bind our soul to the other person. The strength is shared, linked. It is the most powerful bond we can share. When one of the pair dies, the other will often struggle to survive afterwards. My mother has managed, but only because the pack needs her. She has aged twenty years in the last ten.”

He coughed and cleared his throat. She waited for the point to come. “But I’m not sure that would be the case if we mated with a human. I would suspect that some of the strength would be shared, but perhaps not the full amount of a werewolf linking. I don’t think a human would die from heartache as a wolf might.” Chanti nodded. “I’ve seen it in humans too. When a couple have been together for as long as, say your parents had, they simply don’t want to live without one another.” A muscles jumped in Kody’s jaw and Chanti waited for him to speak. But he didn’t. “Although I appreciate you telling me more about the wolves, Kody, are you going to tell me the point of your story?” “We are mates, Chanti. You are mine. If we shared the ritual tonight, you would absorb much of my strength. It would mean safety for you, going into this fight with me.” Chanti blinked, her mind completely frozen. Say what? “Pardon me?” “Can you feel it? The incredible heat and magnetism between us?” Hell yes. “Well, obviously I can… but that doesn’t mean…” “It does. It’s one of the first and strongest signs. If we don’t mate, or are pulled apart for some reason, the pain will be terrible. I understand if you don’t want to mate with me tonight, you barely know me, but I’ve never been so sure about anything in my whole life. You’re everything for me.” She’s known it the moment he’d walked into the shop. That he was meant for her. But how could she bind herself to this man. Now?

“Why are you telling me this now?” “It would come out eventually, and here I can offer you something that will keep you safe. If I am injured or killed, it shouldn’t affect you too severely as we haven’t known each other long, but you’d absorb some of my strength...” Chanti pulled Kody closer, kissing his perfect lips to silence the words to come. Her instincts, those that she trusted more than anything, were sitting on the fence about this offer. She believed him. That in his world, and perhaps in hers too, they were meant to be together. Her vision had shown her a future that could be theirs to share. But how, with everything that stood in their way? A sharp knock sounded, over and over. Kody looked towards the sound. “Are you expecting anyone?” She frowned. “No I’m not. And not many people would disturb me at home…” She got to her feet and started moving down the hall, “unless there was something wrong…” She turned and motioned to him to move. “Hide in my room and don’t come out.” Kody nodded once, his jaw tight and his eyes flaring as he stood and moved into her room, closing the door, with a two inch gap. Chanti frowned at the door and turned around. A cold shiver ran through her that told her to strengthen herself for the fight coming. She opened the door and there stood Tania’s mother, looking worried and grim. “Mary. What’s wrong? You look terrible.” And she did, the colour had drained from the woman’s face and she was almost a green colour. “My daughter told me everything… and that, that, creature. He said she’s his mate.” Mary turned and spat on the pavement behind her.

“Can you help me? I don’t know who else to ask. I know you tried to help already, but…” This was her way in. “I can come. I want to help.” Mary’s face lit up. “You will? Thank you!” “Let me just get my bag. I’ll just be a minute.” She closed the front door gently, smiling at Mary as she turned back. The Voodoo dolls were already inside her bag, safe. She gathered a few more herbs and Kody walked out into the room with her. “How can I help, Chanti? You can’t leave me here.” No, she couldn’t. But how to disguise who and what he was? “You need to change. Do you have any other clothes?” He shook his head and she searched her memory. She did have some of her ex-boyfriends clothes in the spare room that she’d never got round to giving away. “I have some old stuff. Come with me. Quickly.” They hurried into her extra room and pulled out some jeans and a tank, a hoodie, a shirt. “They’ll be a bit tight. But I need to be able to say you’re my boyfriend, and a fellow practitioner.” She threw the black shirt and black jeans at him. He gave her a ‘you’re kidding?’ look and she glared at him, crossing her arms over her chest. No, I’m not kidding. Put ‘em on. He shrugged and began to strip off his older, wolf clothing. Her knees went weak and she leaned on the bed as his incredible body came into view. His thick thighs, his perfect arse, his… Focus!

She ran to her bathroom and grabbed some hair product, moving back to the bedroom to throw it at him. “Slick your hair back so you don’t look so wild.” He grimaced as he did as she asked. Another shiver shot through her and she danced on the spot. Nervous to get going all of a sudden. “Let’s go.” She took a few deep breaths and raced ahead. They’d be fucking lucky if they got away with this. She opened the door and gave Mary her sunniest smile. “Mary, do you mind if my boyfriend comes along? You know, for protection against the…” she lowered her voice, “werewolf.” Mary’s smug face made Chanti’s belly tighten and drop. “Don’t worry about him. We’ve rendered him harmless.” That could mean anything. Kody stepped up and Chanti’s body melted at the sight. Damn, he’s right about us. “Kody, this is Mary. Mary, Kody. Honestly Mary, I’d feel a lot better if he came with us.” Kody managed a charming smile as he leaned against the door, hands in his pockets, looking smart and relaxed. “Ah, sure.” Mary’s eyes ran over him, noting the Voodoo marks Chanti had put on him. “Will he be able to assist us…” Chanti nodded. “He may. His mother was a friend of my mothers.” She lied. Mary clapped her hands with glee. “Wonderful. Let’s go.” Mary staggered a little as she walked down the stairs and Chanti grabbed for her hand. “Are you all right, Mary?”

“Yes, just feeling a little weak. The stress and the shock I think.” Or the spells I wove over you, perhaps. “Oh, yes. You’ll feel so much better once this is sorted.” She held tight to Mary’s hand, chanting in her head. She did not wish anyone in Mary’s family harm. She would not hurt anyone. But protect herself, she would. They stepped along the streets of New Orleans and she didn’t even need to turn around to make sure Kody was keeping up. She could feel her shadow behind her like he was an extension of her soul. As the thought registered she had to smother her groan. He was right about them being soul mates, or whatever name he wanted to put on it. He was sooo right. ***** Kody’s gaze was tugged to the gorgeous slopes of Chanti’s shoulders and the hints of dark ink he could see around the straps of her dress. She was one gorgeous woman. And she was all his. Despite the ridiculously tight clothes he was now wearing that smelled like another man, and the danger of the situation, he was elated. His mate knew they were connected, what their destiny was. And despite the fact they hadn’t been able to complete the mating, Chanti hadn’t shown any signs that she was unhappy at the prospect of being his. In fact, if this bitch in front of him hadn’t knocked on the door when she had, they may have been linked for life. The forever type of mating that the wolves had once scared him, but not anymore. He couldn’t think of anything better than spending his life next to this beautiful, strong woman. They turned and walked up the stairs of the big white house.

His wolf cried inside him, backing away into a dark corner of his mind. He could smell his brother, and he was hurt. Bad. He took a deep breath and followed the women up the stairs, focusing on only good thoughts and good intentions. He was here to rescue his brother. Help Chanti. Nothing more. The women opened the door and passed through un-harmed. Kody, conscious of the fact he couldn’t look like he was afraid, strode straight through the door. If he was to be struck down by lightning, then let it happen now. Nothing happened and he lifted his hand to stroke the pendant at his chest. Chanti’s magic was powerful. “So, what would you like help with Mary?” He could hear Chanti say as they walked up the amazing winding staircase, sunlight blinding him as it bounced off the marble floors. Bloody Hell. Look at this house! How much money do these people have? “I need you to help me abort the foetus, without killing Tania. It’s strong and I’ve had no luck so far.” The woman, who Kody now wanted to punch in the face, pushed open a door at the end of the corridor and moans came through to greet them. His wolf growled inside him, but he swallowed it down. If you give us away, we’re all gone. He’d be dead before he could shift, he was sure of it. And that was if he could shift. Marty hadn’t been able to in Tania’s house, so why would he be able to here? They stepped into the bedroom, stinking to high Heaven of death and blood. Jesus Christ… He gagged and covered his nose, his enhanced senses making it almost impossible to breathe in a room like this. What the hell is that smell?

“You’re pushing both of their souls too hard. You’ll kill them, Mary.” Chanti waved her arms around, the swirling black smoke obscuring his vision. He didn’t want to ask where they were or what was happening. He was meant to be the bodyguard, or something. Nothing more. “You need to open the windows, Mary. This isn’t the way to do it.” Mary stomped off and fresh air blew into the room. Kody coughed and gagged a few times, then forced himself to stand back against the wall, watching and waiting. When the black smoke cleared he saw Marty for the first time. His brother, his Alpha, literally chained to the wall. His head bleeding. His nose and eyes a bloody mess. What had they done to him? He looked away, his chest heaving as his breathing began to change. He’s alive. Calm down. You still have to get him out of here. “What are you killing the wolf for, Mary?” Chanti asked as she walked over and knelt down, inspecting Marty like any doctor would, without showing any signs of attachment or disgust. Kody could feel the rise of anger and hatred towards these people, but pushed it down with all his might. Refusing to look towards the mess of a man they’d left in place of his brother. “He’s a werewolf, Chantelle. They all deserve to die.” Chanti stood up and walked towards the bed that Mary was standing by. When Kody looked harder he could see another woman there also. Tania. She was lying down, her skin as pale as the white sheets she lay upon. “I don’t know why you think that, Mary. They haven’t hurt us.” Chantelle leant over the woman he assumed was Tania and Mary’s harsh laugh made him tighten his fingers into fists. If he was allowed to, he’d throw her right out the window. “You’re too soft, Chantelle. Just like your mother.”

“I’m a healer, Mary. I find it hard to see anyone in pain. Including the wolf. I’d treat a dog better than that.” A harsh gasp echoed in the room. “Well, that dog got my baby pregnant! And look at her. She’s growing bigger by the minute. How are we going to stop this?” “Give me a minute to examine her.” Mary began to pace, her bright white hair tied up into a bun, shining like some sort of ironic halo. Kody retched, his stomach heaving at the evil stench in the room. “Your boyfriend’s got a weak stomach.” “He isn’t used to black magic, Mary. You know I don’t use it.” Chantelle’s voice didn’t waver, those same soothing tones making it clear she was in control. “Well, you’re soft. I don’t know why I came to you,” Mary spat in disgust. “Because I’m the best and you know it. Leave us. I need to concentrate and you’re distracting me.” Mary glared at Chanti for a moment, but his mate just looked back at the old bitch as calmly as can be. Mary finally gave up, throwing up her hands. “Fine then.” Chanti continued to touch Tania. Checking her eyes, her hands, her belly. As soon as the door closed Kody ran for his brother. “Marty. Marty! Can you hear me?” His brother groaned and nodded his head. His eyes too swollen to open. “Give him some water, there’s some in my bag, but don’t untie him yet Kody. Please.” He grabbed for Chanti’s bag and pulled out a bottle, holding it to his brother’s lips.

Marty drank as much as he could, some of the water spilling over his cracked lips. “Oh fuck, brother, what happened to you?” “Don’t really remember.” Marty slurred. “They tried to kill him, but it didn’t work.” Tania’s weak voice filled the room as she staggered to her feet. “I’m so sorry.” Her face was so thin and pale. She looked so sick. Kody’s heart broke for the two people in front of him. They were the strongest of the strongest, the pair that were destined to rule his pack. And look at them. He took a shuddering breath. It was probably a great thing they were as strong as they were. They’d be dead if they were anyone else. He looked to Chanti. “What are we going to do?” Chanti blew air out her nose in a frustrated sign. “I don’t know yet. We can try to carry them out of here, but we’ll be stopped at the door.” He looked towards the only sunshine in the room. “The window maybe?” They were on the second floor. She screwed up her face. “It’s a thirty foot drop.” Onto concrete. “Yeah… but if I can get outside I might be able to shift. Which means I can catch them.” Kody grinned, the idea becoming more and more inspired. Chanti turned to Tania. “I know you wanted to get rid of this baby, Tania. But you won’t be able to. It needs to be born. Are you ready for that?” She nodded, tears leaking from her pale blue eyes. “Yes. I think my heart broke in two when I saw my mama hurt Marty like that...” Her voice trembled and she sobbed. “I never wanted that to happen, I just didn’t want… oh God…. I’m so sorry…”

Chanti pointed to the door. “Lock the door, Kody.” She turned back towards her patient, “Then lets get you out of here.” Kody did as his mate bade, then rushed to unlock his brother from his chains. He pulled and pushed, using all his strength. They finally broke apart loudly with a clang. Fuck. That would bring someone. “Hurry!” He picked Marty’s weak form up into his arms, his brother’s weight heavy and stinking of death. “He smells like decay.” Chanti grunted as she pushed open the double window as far as it would go. “They tried to kill him, I have to assume my Voodoo, and his Alpha strength kept it from happening. Jump out, quick.” Kody propped his brother up against the window sill, jumped up onto the edge and let himself fall. His wolf leapt to the surface, his clothes ripping apart as he transformed, landing squarely on all four paws. He shifted straight back, holding out his arms. “Jump brother.” Marty fell, twisting awkwardly. Kody caught him, just, his head inches from the concrete. He righted him up, pushing him against the white wall of the house. “Come on. You too!” he yelled at his mate, his heart beginning to pound as the real danger his mate was in rammed home. He’d left her alone up there. Please hurry. Chanti’s head disappeared from sight and then Tania slid onto the ledge, her eyes wide with shock as she squealed, then fell, her arms flailing as Kody caught her. He placed Tania on the ground too and she staggered towards his brother.

Chanti was next and instead of seeing his mate launching out of the window as he hoped to, he heard her yelling and screaming, something smashing loudly. “Fuck! Chanti!” He glanced at his very injured brother and weak future sister-in-law. “Marty, if you can, shift and take your mate back to the pack.” Shifting into wolf form would make Marty’s injuries heal faster, but that was only if he could. Marty nodded once, a horrible moan of pain rolling off him as his clothes ripped apart and the huge black wolf stood in his place. There were cries of alarm around them as people in the street saw what they were doing. He didn’t have time to deal with them. “Quick, Tania, get on his back and hold on.” The poor, pale girl nodded. He lifted her up and placed her on his brother’s back. “I mean it, hold tight and don’t fall off.” “Thank you.” Tania whispered, as they took off awkwardly down the street. His brother limped and howled as he tried to run and Kody cringed to see his brother in so much pain, but he needed to focus. He turned back to the window. “Chanti!” A growl ripped through him as his muscles bulged, readying himself for the shift. Her leg appeared, and then another. Relief washed over him as she jumped without a seeming thought, straight into his arms. He pressed his lips to hers quickly. Thank God.

“Quick. We need to get out of here. Now.” “Jump on my back and hold on. Do not fall off.” He didn’t wait for her to agree, as there was a loud curse above them and a glass vase shattered beside them on the pavement. He let the change take him over and dropped to his paws. Chanti jumped on his back and clenched onto his fur tightly. He took off. Running through the streets, following his brother’s bloody footprints and odd smell. People screeched and screamed, jumping out of his way. Food was thrown at them and he took a short cut, turning right and running straight down the main street. They had to get out of New Orleans, and get back to the pack. He didn’t know what Tania’s family would do when they found them, but having a Voodoo priestess on their side had to be a good thing. **** Chanti kept her eyes open and clung tight to the grey fur that covered the wolf she rode like a horse. Her muscles ached as she clasped her thighs tight to his lean frame, the sheer thrill of running so fast making her heart pound like a bass drum. How had she been so wrong about these creatures? They were majestic. Strong. Honourable. Kody turned left and jumped over a log as they moved through the forest. She squealed and swallowed the sound. She couldn’t be scared. She refused to be. Her whole life she’d known there was a reason she hadn’t realised her full powers and potential. And this had to be it. Her life partner was a werewolf. And her whole community had an inbuilt hatred for them. This was going to be a harder road that any she’d travelled before.

Chapter 5.

Chanti lifted her head from the harsh fur on Kody’s back and squinted hard at the houses she could see in the distance. Kody had slowed down and was now moving at a walking pace. “Where are we?” Even as she asked the question, she knew the answer. Where else would Kody take her, but home? He stopped and waited. Did he want her to get off? She relaxed her cramped hands, gasping as the pain pulsed through her tired, sore fingers. She slid off, her legs shaking as she hit the solid earth. A giggle escaping her lips as endorphins flooded her blood stream. “We made it. We actually made it!” They’d managed to steal back an Alpha werewolf and a Voodoo priestess. The Gods must have been watching over them today. Thank you, Loa. Beside her, a naked Kody stood, his chest heaving with exertion and his skin slick with sweat. “This is my family’s home. I know it’s nothing like the bright lights of New Orleans, but…” “It’s home.” She finished for him. She knew that. She’d never understood people’s obsession with money and material possessions. All she’d ever wanted was to help people, and have a family. Perhaps my wishes are finally coming true? But at what cost? Her mind whirled with the implications of what would happen when they were found, but she pushed them away.

She was a powerful Voodoo woman. She had to have faith that the Gods would protect her. “Let’s go find my brother.” Kody took her hand and led her through the thick forest, finding a path of sorts that led into town. It was a ramshackle style village. Lots of small, obviously man made homes. Makeshift streets, no shops. What did they do for medical assistance? Food? “Where would he be?” “My mother’s house.” Kody pulled her further into the town, the townsfolk all gathering to take a closer look at her. They all had long hair, and a dirty look about them that spoke of their wild heritage. She tried not to cringe, but struggled when a large man came too close. “What do you have there, Kobes?” the older man grabbed for her and Kody pulled her behind him, a nasty growl rolling out of his mouth. “Back off, Cooper. She’s my mate.” “Your mate?” The man fell back and away, his hands coming up as though he were giving up. “Since when do wolves mate with witches?” “I’m not a witch.” She glared at him and the man gaped at her. Kody growled once more and dragged her down the muddy drive, walking right up to a larger, more well-kept home. There were wild flowers planted in front of the house and a bright red door that had been carefully painted by someone. Kody didn’t knock, pushing open the door and pulling her inside. Once the door shut she pulled out of his grip. Her conscious brain knew that he was just trying to protect her, but as she unlocked her gripping jaw, she acknowledged that she also didn’t like being manhandled. “This way.”

Chanti followed when Kody moved along the hall and ducked into the first room. When she stepped into the bedroom, the smell of something acidic assailed her as she blinked. “He’s dying.” Five heads turned towards her and Chanti knew she must have spoken aloud, rather than in her head as she had intended. “Yes. He is.” An older woman answered, standing up slowly, straight and tall like a proud oak. “And who are you?” The suspicion on the air made Chanti wrinkle her nose, a sneeze forthcoming. “Hang on.. ah…choo.” Chanti blew out the toxic air, her body unable to handle this environment for long. She’d have to change the energy, or get out. Fast. “Sorry.” Kody stepped up next to her, guiding her forward with an arm around her waist. “Mum. This is Chantelle Dubois. She helped us escape.” Marty groaned from the bed and she moved forward. Tania sat by the bed, still pale and sick. “Kody, can you get Tania some water and something to eat? Preferably high in sugar. She needs to get her energy back up.” She didn’t turn around but she heard him leave, the temperature in the room dropping lower as her body mourned the loss of her mate. She shook her head at herself. Ridiculous. Focus. “May I?” The older man by his bedside stood up. He must have been a relative of Marty and Kody’s. He had the same shaped eyes and mouth.

Marty’s mother however, stayed close, touching him. “I don’t know why he isn’t healing. Normally once you shift into wolf form, most of your healing is complete. He…” She gestured to her son and her voice broke. Poor woman. No parent should ever outlive their children. “I know you won’t want to hear this, but he’s been poisoned by black magic. Voodoo I do not use or like.” The woman’s eye brows rose high on her forehead and then narrowed to a point. “You? You’re a Voodoo witch?” “I’m a practitioner. A healer. Voodoo is a faith, not what the movies have made it out to be. I can help, I think. Would you allow me to?” The older woman’s wrinkles increased as she frowned hard, her brown eyes shimmering with tears until she blinked them away. She nodded once. Chanti stepped closer, then sat in the chair facing him. Marty lay on the bed, his face pale and still. “A lot of his injuries have healed.” She ran her hands over his face, feeling for the energy pulses, his life force. “He was beaten and bloodied, so swollen we couldn’t see his eyes before. This is much better.” She waved at his face as she moved down his throat, feeling the knots and fever in his skin. “He collapsed just outside the town. His uncle carried him back, and now… he won’t wake up.” His mother’s voice trembled as she spoke. Chanti closed her eyes, putting both hands up and hovering over Marty’s body. She moved them over his vital organs. Testing, Feeling. Searching for anything that would tell her what she could do to help him. What had Tania’s parents done to him? Tania! Chanti’s eyes popped open and she reached her arm out to the woman who’d started all of this.

“Tania, come here.” Tania fell forward onto her knees, crawling over to Marty’s bedside and laying her hands on her lover’s thigh. “Please, Chanti. Please help him. I‘ll do anything.” She focused hard on the girl in front of her. If Tania lied, she’d know. “What did they give him, Tania? Do you know?” She shook her head. Her sad brown eyes speaking volumes of her pain. “They were trying to hurt me, too. I… I don’t know why my baby is still alive.” Tears welled and flowed down her cheeks as one of her hands dropped to cradle her belly. “Because I protected you, I protected you both. And if I was powerful enough for that, I will be powerful enough for this.” Chanti wasn’t sure if she was speaking to Tania or herself, but either way, it was true. Tania’s eyes went wide. “Oh, thank you. Thank you.” Chanti raised an eyebrow at the same girl who only yesterday had asked for an abortion. “Really?” Tania’s pale face flushed pink, her eyes going downcast. “I should never have… I don’t want that anymore.” Kody stepped back into the room and handed Tania a bottle of water and a bowl of ice cream. “Eat quickly. I’m going to need your help for this.” She needed to get a better look at Marty and they’d obviously dressed him once he returned. She opened his shirt and pushed it back. “Oh… my God.” Around his neck lay an Ouanga. “Dammit.”

She grabbed for the poisonous amulet, her hands burning as she tugged and pulled. “Get me some scissors, a knife. Anything. This needs to get off him.” An Ouanga was a mix of bone, holy water, holy bread, and most importantly, the toxic roots of the figuier maudit tree. To make the charm one had to invoke the help of Jesus Christ and the Gods. Tania’s parents must have really wanted him to suffer. “Here.” Marty’s uncle handed her a knife and she gently put it to Marty’s throat, twisting and pulling the amulet away, tossing it to the dirt. He needed a poison cleansing, massive healing, and perhaps a magic she did not possess. “Well, first I need water. Lots of it. We need to bathe his skin. Rid his body of all pollutants. And then I need to make an herbal drink.” “And then?” His mother asked, gripping Marty’s hand. “And then we pray.” “Pray? To whom?” Chanti put her hands in a prayer position. Palms together. “To everyone who may help us. Jehovah, Loa, Fate herself, if need be.” His mother nodded and walked out of the room, presumably for the water Chanti needed. She turned to Kody, who looked ready for action, his eyes bright and fixated on her. “What do you need from me?” “I need to go and gather some herbs from the woods. Do you have a doctor or healer that I can consult with?” He nodded. “Yes, I can get him for you. His name is Daniel. Is there anything else?” “Yes, I need you to undress your brother completely while I go get what I need, then we need to treat him.”

“I’ll find Daniel for you and then we’ll get started.” Chanti gave him what smile she could muster with all her energy being drawn to Marty and he pressed a quick kiss to her lips. When he pulled away, a cool breeze blew renewed air into her lungs. She sighed, grateful for his presence. “I’ll go get Daniel.” **** Kody found Daniel in his small home that he used as a small clinic. “Just give Chanti anything she needs. We need to help my brother.” “Kody, I can help. You know I can.” “This is Voodoo magic, Daniel. Black magic. We need her help, so please.” He delivered Daniel to Chanti and together they went back to Daniel’s house, obviously in search of something. He was proud that his mate would be the one to save his brother. That she was so intelligent and kind, courageous and strong. But he wished it wasn’t needed at all. He let out a long sigh and stepped into the house Time to get his brother ready for his cleansing. Tania was sitting next to his bed and Kody stared at her for a minute. Why would fate do this to them? Give both Marty and he mates not of the pack. But instead, of a people who hated them? There had to be a reason for it. There had to be. “Should we keep him lying down or sit him up do you think?” Tania swallowed hard, pain etched into her pretty features. “Ah, I think lying down would be best, but the bed is going to be drenched if he’s washed properly.” He shrugged. Nothing mattered past his brother being better. “Perhaps we could put him in the bath then?”

Tania’s brows furrowed, but then she nodded. “That may work. Can you lift him?” Kody grinned at the woman who would be his sister-in-law. “I caught him as he fell out a two storey window. Pulling him into the next room should be fine.” He moved over to his brother and surveyed the man he needed to move. As he’d lost most his clothes after shifting, Marty only wore a pair of jeans and the shirt Chanti had opened. “Help me pull his jeans off if you can.” Tania and he lifted Marty up, undoing and pulling down his jeans, then sitting him up to tug off the shirt. “He looks so terrible.” Tania’s eyes had filled with tears and her hands had dropped to cup her huge belly. “Damn, you’re getting big fast.” Even faster than their normal wolf mothers. She looked down at her bulge, her hands cupping the swell and making circles on the flesh. “I know. I don’t understand this at all.” “A normal wolf gestation is only two lunar months.” Tania nodded. “And as it’s been a month and the next full moon is next week…” Her voice trailed off as her throat worked hard. “I didn’t know this would happen.” “Hey. It’s going to be okay. Fate chose you for Marty, and for this pack. We will protect you. Have faith.” That seemed to have some effect, as Tania tossed back her hair and stood straighter. “All right. Shall we move him now?” His brother’s head was lolling around, his skin now streaked with black and green lines. “Yes. Let’s go.” Marty was lighter than he remembered, which was not a good sign.

Kody carried him into the bathroom naked and laid him down carefully into the porcelain tub. “Should we start washing him?” He asked Tania, wishing Chanti was here to help. “Yes.” Tania knelt down next to the bath, reaching over and turned on the taps. Marty groaned as the water, obviously cold, splashed on his pale legs. Kody’s heart lifted. His brother wasn’t dead yet. Tania turned the hot and cold, checking the temperature until Marty seemed to relax into the tub. Black water swirled around him as the water began to fill the bath. “Pull out the plug, just keep washing it away. I’ll get some more cloths.” Kody grabbed some face washers from the closet and came back in, watching Tania gently washing Marty’s pale face, the dark circles beneath his eyes getting blacker as the day wore on. “Is there anything else you know to do that we should be doing?” She shook her head. “No… I don’t think so. I’d rather wait for Chanti.” Kody noted her colour and went out to the kitchen, fetching her more ice cream and bringing it back in. “Here. Eat some more. You’re still not looking good.” She accepted the bowl and sat back on the closed toilet lid. “Thank you, Kody. For everything.” He shrugged and used the cloth to wash his brother’s shoulders and arms. The water rolling off his skin was still a murky green. The poison still quite obviously in his body. “I’d do anything for my brother, Tania.” “And Chanti?” Tania asked, a small smile lighting up her face. He chuckled. “Well… you noticed that huh?” “Hard to miss.”

“She’s my mate. My perfect half. After all this I’m looking forward to getting to know her better.” Tania smiled again. “Chanti’s awesome. I’ve always respected her stand on her Voodoo practices.” “How’s that?” “Through the ages Voodoo has been used to cure ailments, grant desires, and confound or destroy one’s enemies. But Chanti has always refused to hurt others. Even when prominent, wealthy New Orleans citizens have asked her. No matter the payment, Chanti has always used her skills to heal people.” “Unlike your parents.” Tania looked down and away, scarlet heat flushing her cheeks. “Yes. They… they’re not like Chanti.” Kody went back to focusing on his brother, the angry swirl of hate moving through his gut. If his brother died there would be hell to pay. And New Orleans would not be safe from their pack anymore. “You know we aren’t the animals your parents say we are.” “I know.” He wanted to say so much more, but left it at that. No matter what now, Tania would bare a half werewolf babe. And she was the mate to their Alpha. Her life was inextricably linked to their pack. “Kody?” Chanti’s voice called through the house. “In here. The bathroom.” He answered. The door opened and his beautiful mate walked in, her long hair now down in dark rivulets around her shoulders. “This was a great idea. Keep doing what you’re doing and I’ll mix up the drink.” Her hands were full of herbs and twigs and even a small bottle of what he assumed was holy water.

“All right.” Chanti disappeared again, and Kody kept the water running. His mother came into the room with some food for both of them, laying plates of sandwiches down on the sink. “This is not the way I expected to see my first grandchild born. My son leaving us, and a grandson to replace him.” His mother’s voice was harsh as she stared at Tania. Kody made a loud disapproving noise in his throat as Tania shrunk back against the wall. Her arms going protectively around her belly. “Don’t talk like that mum. Tania is Marty’s mate.” “What? He didn’t tell us that.” “He told me. In New Orleans. He was the idiot that waited a month to go in and find her. This isn’t her fault. So back off from all the doomsday speak and focus on getting this family back on it’s feet.” His mothers dark eyes shone with unshed tears as she reached a hand out to Tania. “I didn’t realise. I’m sorry. Come, I have some better clothes you can wear.” Tania’s long cotton dress was covered in blood and dirt, her belly bulging against the fabric. Tania got to her feet and lifted her chin. “Thank you.” She didn’t take his mother’s hand, but she walked out of the room, leaving him and his brother alone. Marty’s breathing was stilted, his skin sallow and lax on his bones. “Don’t you dare give up, you bloody idiot. I’m not taking over the pack on my own. You can fucking forget about that!” A strange noise puffed out of Marty’s mouth, almost like a laugh. “You’re still in there, aren’t you? Don’t give up. Your baby will be born next week, probably with the full moon since it’ll be an Alpha. Chanti’s making you some medicine now, so start fighting, brother.”

“I’m here.” Chanti’s voice made him jump as she stepped closer, kneeling and moving to the head of the bath. “Drink this.” She lifted a glass to Marty’s lips and tipped some of the brown liquid into his mouth. It dribbled down the side of his face, but she kept tipping, massaging his throat when he gargled and gasped. “You need as much as you can, Marty. Please just drink.” She kept on encouraging him to drink, the liquid disappearing from the glass before his eyes. When it was empty, Chanti filled the glass with water and began chanting as she poured the contents over his skin, the green water bubbling and hissing as it hit Marty’s body. She took off a necklace she wore and then leaned forward, tying the leather around his brother’s neck, the metal pendant settling on his chest. She kept singing softly through out, words he didn’t understand. “He needs more water. Let’s fill this tub up and start praying.” She grabbed the plug, put it behind his brother’s back and the water began to rise. “Get Tania. I need her.” Kody got up and walked out of the room, following the female voices that led him to his mother’s sewing room. Tania stood in front of the mirror in a beautiful rose pink dress that tied beneath her breasts to accentuate her shape. “Tania. Chanti needs you.” The smile froze on her face and she followed him out of the room and back to the bathroom. The bath was full of water now and Marty’s eyelids were flickering.

“His colour is improving, but he won’t wake up. So we need to pray. Tania. Get in the bath with him, sit behind him and wrap your arms around him.” Tania didn’t hesitate and got in the bath, pushing Marty’s naked body up to sit while she shoved her bulky frame in behind him. He moaned as he lay his head against her shoulder. “Tania, pray with me.” “We pray to Ezulia for help. Goddess of love and creation. She who heals with cold water, where she resides. Please help us.” The women combined hands, lowered their heads and chanted. Over and over again, their eyes flickering as the water began to roll and weave. Waves being created by their words and their bodies. Washing over Marty, over and over again until finally there was a huge crescendo of sound. And then there was silence. Kody waited, his heart thundering in his chest as he waited to see what would happen next. Marty began to moan and thrash in the water and Tania held him tight, Chanti leaning over to grab hold of his arms. “What’s happening to him?” His mother’s scared voice sounded behind him. He had no idea. Suddenly Marty lurched up and Chanti jumped up, directing his head forward with her hands. He began to vomit. Black, thick, bug invested spew. Kody looked away, not sure what to do. “Pull the plug out, Tania.” Chanti was saying, so Kody sucked in some air and turned back around. “How can I help?” He asked as his brother continued to empty his body of its contents.

Hopefully there would be some of Marty left after this. “Run the water. Flush everything away.” The bath had a shower head attached at the top as well, so Kody reached up for it, flicking on the water and using the detachable hose to wash away the stink. Tania was trying to get up, her pretty pink dress now covered in the vile stuff. “Here.” He reached out for Tania’s hand and helped her up. She stood, her eyes glued to his brother, still in the bath. “Did it work Chanti? Did it work?” He was wondering the same thing. He let Tania go and focused back on his brother, using the hose to rinse his chest, his legs. Marty had begun to gag, but nothing was coming out now. Chanti rubbed his back and reached for the hose. He gave it to her and watched as she washed Marty’s hair back from his face and the black water away. “Let’s get him out and walking around.” Excuse me? “You want him walking around?” He was barely conscious and she wanted him to do what? “Yes. I want him to get rid of every bit of poison, if he can. But he may keep throwing up, so make sure you take him somewhere where that is possible.” Kody nodded and grabbed for the black towelling robe his mum was handing him. “Come on, Marty. Stand up.” He grabbed his brother under the arm pits and hauled him up. Marty’s eyes were half open now and the black smudges beneath, gone.

Damn, he looks better. Half dead, but still… better. Marty jerked and Kody pushed his head towards the bath, were he threw up even more of the blackness. “Is he going to stop soon?” Chanti’s eyes were half closed herself as she rested against the basin. “Yes, I hope so. It’ll be a close call, but I think we’ve done enough.” Did performing such a ritual take something out of Chanti? She looked exhausted. “Are you okay?” “Yes. Don’t worry about me. Just go. Get him out into the fresh air.” Kody didn’t argue with her. Doing so, both now and he could see in the future, was going to be futile. He wrapped the bathrobe around his brother and half carried him outside. The moment they got through the door, Marty lurched to the side, throwing up on the grass outside their parents’ house. “Take him into the forest.” His mother yelled and Kody grimaced. His mum loved her garden. If Marty lived to hear about it, he’d pay for that later. “Come on.” They staggered a few more feet and Kody patted his brother on the back, the cool northerly breeze making his hair prickle on his skin. Perfect. “Breathe, Marty. Come on. You wanna shift again?” He hadn’t thought to ask Chanti about that, but he hoped it would be fine. “Just give… me… a... minute.” His brother got out, his voice croaky and weak, but there. He was back. Chanti had saved him!

Relief and gratitude filled his soul, and Kody sent up a prayer of thanks. “No problem. We’ve got time.” He bashed Marty on the back again and his brother coughed and hacked, but little more came out. Then his brother took a deep breath and threw back his head, his spine straightening to his full height. “Yes. I think shifting would be a good idea.” His brother dropped to the ground and began to change. Kody followed suit. He wasn’t letting Marty out of his sight for even a minute. They ran off into the woods together, his brother getting faster with each step they took. Kody threw back his head and howled in celebration. His brother was back, and their pack would stay strong. **** “Where do you think they’ll go?” Chanti asked Kody’s mum, whose name was Sharon she’d learned. She was still staring out the window, watching the two wolves bound off into the dark. “Just into the bayou, probably. It is safe there and the boys know it very well. Chantelle, come, sit. You’re still not looking very well.” She followed the woman’s instructions with gratitude. She felt like shit. Quite literally. “Thank you.” She sunk into the chair, her legs still unsteady and her head pounding like someone was playing football with her skull. That had been the most intense experience of her life. She’d never sensed evil like it before. “Was it really terrible for you, Chanti? I’m so sorry I couldn’t help you more.”

She reached for Tania’s hand. The poor girl had helped all she could. When they’d both stepped into that dark place, she’d felt Tania withdraw. “You were protecting your baby, and so you should.” “But I could feel… that…” “Darkness. I know. And it was somewhere I’ve never been, and don’t really want to go again.” She shuddered and let go of Tania’s hands as Marty’s mother handed her a hot cup of tea. “Thank you, Sharon.” “Will Marty be okay?” “Yes, I think so. The poison in his system was pretty toxic, and a whole lot of hatred had been fused into the amulet, but Tania helped a lot with that. Cancelling it out. Her love, her child’s love, it all helped.” Sharon walked slowly around the table, sitting down next to Tania and cupping her face. “My son’s mate. Part of me thought I’d never live to see the day.” Tania gazed into the older woman’s face and then they embraced, both of them with a sigh that echoed through the whole house. Her eyes went out of focus and she swayed on her seat. “Is there anywhere I can lie down, Sharon? I’m not feeling the best.” In fact, she needed a couple of moments peace. Her brain felt like it was swinging around a pole and pounding into the pavement, over and over again, it seemed. “Of course. Kody’s house is just next door. Would you like to go there?” She nodded, too exhausted to feign embarrassment. His mother obviously knew what they were to each other. Sharon took her hand and led her next door. Chanti fell onto the bed she was directed to. Her dreams, dark and haunting, rising up to meet her.

Chapter 6.

Chanti woke when cold hands touched her skin. She turned to see Kody standing over her, and her racing heart stumbled to a slower pace. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” “It’s okay, I just… was dreaming.” She didn’t want to sit up so she pulled him down onto the bed with her, his freezing nakedness a relief against her sweaty skin. All those deaths, the evil, the black. Her throat was still tight and sore from her silent screams. “Woah. You’re trembling. What’s wrong?” She shook her head, unable to explain except for choking out, “Bad dreams.” Kody turned her in his arms and held her tight, offering her his shoulder, literally, to cry on. She gripped tight to his chest, letting her tears flow and her body shake with the stress. It was beautifully cathartic to be able to cling to Kody and let everything go. He didn’t say anything. Only stroked her hair and held her as she released the tension from the day. So many things had changed in so little time. What would her life be like now? Would she still have a home and a business to go back to? “I’m so scared.” “Scared of what?” He asked, kissing the top of her head as he rhythmically stroked down her spine. “Of what’s going to happen now. How will I go back to New Orleans now?”

He rocked her with his arms and she let out a long sigh. Now that she’d said it, she wasn’t sure that really was the problem. What was there to go back for? Yes, she loved her home, but what life would she have against those that wanted to hurt her? “We’ll find a way. And no matter what. You have a home here with me and the pack. You saved their Alpha. You’re one of us now.” Chanti lifted her head and stared at Kody’s face, shadowed in the darkness of the room. “Thank you.” He kissed her lips gently, his smile visible even in the dark. “Sleep, beautiful girl. You’re safe with me.” She let the night take her, the body of her huge werewolf keeping her safe from the nightmares. **** When the sun rose the next morning, Kody woke to the sexy body of his mate pressed against him, and a huge erection fit to split her dress apart. “Good morning.” Her sweet voice rolled through him as she stretched her back like a sensuous cat and bumped her bum into his pelvis. A groan vibrated through him. “God… don’t do that. Or I’ll take you here and now.” “Fine with me.” Oh really? He rolled on top of her and pulled her dress up with one hand, staring down into her beautiful eyes. He dropped his body and let their lips meet, the taste of her so sweet on his lips that he dipped his tongue in further. Again and again, until his head was spinning from intoxication. When he pulled away she pushed him and they rolled, her landing on top of him with a cheeky grin.

Chanti grabbed the cotton dress she still wore and pulled it up and over her head, dropping it off the side of the bed. Kody sat up and reached behind her, unclipping her black bra and pulling it away from her body. Her full breasts bounced out of their confines and he ran his hands lovingly over the soft flesh. “Tell me about the mating. How do we do it?” She ran her hands up and down his chest, her gaze averted as she watched her fingers make a path over his pecs. He swallowed hard before he answered. This was one of those moments he was going to have to remember for the rest of his life. “We make love, and during climax, I bite you. On the shoulder, here.” He reached up and ran and finger over the flesh between her right shoulder and neck. Close to her pulse point. Her eyes lifted and she stared at him. “Will it hurt?” “I honestly don’t know. No one has ever told me, but I hope not.” And he didn’t know, which gave him pause. Maybe they should wait until he spoke to his mother, or someone else from the pack. A huge smile spread over her face. “Let’s do it then.” “Really?” He couldn’t believe she was agreeing to mate with him already. He’d assumed, with Chanti being who she was, that she’d want to wait. Think about her decision. “Yes. I want to begin my life with you.” He opened his mouth to ask her another question, then slammed it shut. Why wasn’t he jumping her this very second? “Come here.” He grabbed her and pulled her down to him, wrapping his arms around her back and enjoying the hot press of her breasts to his chest. Beautiful…

He rolled them and got back on top of her, slicing her underwear off with a claw. She pulled him down for another kiss and wrapped her legs back around his waist. Already? He was ready, his cock persistently pressing against her core. He unlocked her legs and twisted to the side, sliding his fingers down to the crease between her legs. She moaned and arched into his caress as he dropped his head and suckled her nipples. “Oh, Kody… Ah…” He used his thumb to flick her clit from side to side, then slid his middle finger inside her. She cried out and grabbed for his head. He went back up to her mouth, kissing her deeply as he added a second finger. Pumping her pussy as she got slicker and hotter. She reached down between them and wrapped her palm around his cock. His body bucked for attention. She moaned as he began to rock into her fist, needing the touch and connection. Her pussy clenched and contracted around his fingers, and his cock throbbed, jealous for the first time in its life. “Please Kody.” Chanti panted as she arched up to him. He jumped on top of her, lined up his cock and slid to the hilt in one full thrust. “Oh, fuck!” Chanti screamed out and Kody felt his teeth lengthen and shift. It was time.

He lifted her thigh up to get deeper and she thrashed beneath him like a wild woman. “Kody! Damn… please…” He drew away and slammed back in, hard. Over and over again, until his blood was boiling, and his mate was crying out with every thrust of his body into hers. The heat flooded his back and sweat broke out all over his skin. His balls drew up painfully tight against his body and he knew he wouldn’t last much longer. Chanti panted and cried, keening as she arched up into him. There was a moment’s silence as their bodies strained together, and then he started to cum. She began to shake, convulsing and squeezing him while he pulsed hot cum into her. He opened his mouth and dropped down, clamping down his jaw onto the flesh between Chanti’s shoulder and neck. White lights flashed in his head and heat seared his soul, ripping it apart so that they could bind together. He could feel Chanti convulsing beneath him, but could barely think as the heat rose and then finally faded away. He unlocked his jaw and rolled onto his back, pulling her with him and tucking her into his chest. Not wanting to be apart from her for one moment. Their breathing finally slowed, as did the pounding of his heart. “Wow.” Chanti giggled and kissed his chest. “I agree, now excuse me while I pass out again.” Kody chuckled and kissed the top of her head, his whole world shifting on its axis. In the very best way possible.

****

Chanti finally awoke and rolled out of bed, reaching for the clothes strewn all over the floor. She’d need to buy some new underwear. Kody kept shredding everything she wore. “So, what’s the plan for today?” Kody asked her from the doorway. “Ah,” So many things to do, but which ones did she have control over? “First, of course, is to go visit Marty and Tania, see how they’re both doing. Then, I… honestly don’t know.” A hot tightening in her throat warned her of tears and she sniffed, pushing the stress away. Obviously sensing her distress Kody smiled and pulled on a tank top. “Well, let’s go see my brother then.” Kody took her hand and together they walked next door, into the house that still smelled a little like death. “Can you open all the windows and doors?” Kody wrinkled his nose. “Absolutely.” There didn’t appear to be anyone home, but as one of the doors swung open, Chanti jumped. “Marty!” He looked amazingly better. His eyes were clear, his skin a normal shade. He was even walking straight, his full height dominating the room. “Good morning.” He smiled, his face happy and relaxed. Then Tania waddled out behind him, her face pink and her eyes dancing. Ah. So you guys had a morning very similar to ours “Hi, Chanti.” Tania’s belly had swelled even further in the night.

Chanti reached out for the babe, running her hands over the bulge. “Woah. Your son is going to be so strong.” As usual with her premonitions, she had no idea where the words came from. “It’s a boy?” Tania’s voice lit up with surprise and happiness. Marty came over and ran his hand over his child. Chanti stepped away, her body tingling with another premonition. This one, not so happy. She wasn’t sure Tania would survive the birth of this werewolf baby. Her future was murky to say the least. “I’m sorry, if you didn’t want to know…” “Are you always right?” Marty asked. She nodded, unable to say anymore. She needed something to eat. “Can we have some breakfast? I’m still feeling pretty weak from yesterday.” Marty’s mouth tipped up at the sides in amusement. “You and me both.” They sat down at the kitchen table and Kody pushed his brother into a chair, turning on the stove and hunting through the fridge. He threw some bacon and eggs, tomatoes and sausages, into frying pans and the smell of oily meat filled the air. A man who can cook? Awesome. Chanti stood up and with some direction from Marty, found the plates, knives, and forks. Setting the table just as Kody turned around with plate loads of food. Her stomach grumbled and her mouth filled with saliva. “Thanks so much.” They all dug in, too hungry for more words. If she’d been able to hold intelligent conversation while eating, she would have.

They ate every last morsel, and Chanti groaned as she sat back, her tank officially replenished. That felt incredibly good. “Yum.” Kody grinned at her, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “I agree. Needed that after yesterday.” Chanti nodded, turning towards Marty. “How are you feeling today?” He shrugged, chugging down a glass of juice in a few swallows. “Pretty much back to normal, I think. My body feels a big sluggish, like a hangover or something… and, here, I think this is yours.” He reached around his neck and pulled off her necklace. She’d forgotten she’d taken that off. It had been years since she hadn’t worn it. Maybe that was why she was feeling so flat today. So drained. “Oh, thanks.” She put the protection amulet back around her neck, sighing as the warmth nestled between her breasts. Marty cleared his throat and leaned forward. “Ah, I think it is I who need to thank you. You saved my life. I am forever indebted to you.” “We all are. The whole pack.” Kody said. “Me, too.” Tania chimed in. Chanti held up her hands, warding off the unwanted thanks. She didn’t see her helping them as a choice, but a calling. It was what she was meant to do, and she was glad for the chance to have a purpose in life. “None of you owe me anything. I was very happy to help. It was Voodoo that hurt you, and it was my responsibility to do what I could to undo it.” Tania reached out and touched her hand, squeezing tight. This time Chanti experienced a wave of darker dread moving through her and she shivered.

Tania continued. “I am so grateful for your help. You didn’t have to. Noone has to help. And you did.” Kody reached over and grabbed her other hand, so she pulled away gently from Tania and put both hands in Kody’s. Warmth and strength re-filled her and she sighed in relief. She was home with Kody, and perhaps they should share their good news with his brother. “Yeah, well, Tania. I have a vested interest in the pack, too.” “Huh?” Kody laughed and put an arm around her. “Chanti’s my mate, and we completed the mating last night.” Chanti beamed up at Kody and pulled her dress to the side so they could see the healing bite. It had hurt much less than she had expected. Instead, she had experienced the most amazing orgasm of her life. “You’re what?” Tania and Marty both jumped, and they laughed. “Yep, there must be something in the water around here.” She turned her head as Kody pressed his lips to hers. Marty cleared his throat. “You mean there’s something in the Fate’s. It can’t be a coincidence that Tania and you are meant to be part of our pack.” She thought so, too. And although part of her had expected to feel different after mating with Kody, she didn’t. She felt settled, and happy. Was that how it was meant to be? Kody said she’d be strong, like him. So when did her superhuman strength kick in? Kody grinned back at his brother and shrugged. “Yeah, true.” She swallowed hard, mentally debating the wisdom of telling Tania and the group what she saw in Tania’s future

“When do you think that baby will come, Tania? You’re getting bigger by the hour.” “I know.” She ran her hands lovingly over the huge bump. And to think only a few days ago she’d asked to get rid of it. “The normal gestation for a werewolf is two lunar months they said, and I conceived this baby, what was it? Five weeks ago?” “Yeah, but..” Marty interrupted, “being an Alpha born, our babies tend to be born on the full moon, which is next week.” “And, ah… are the labours hard for your kind?” Chanti asked, picking at a piece of bacon rind she’d left on the plate. “No, not at all.” She lifted her head and stared at Tania, who still looked pale, despite Marty’s recovery. Tania cocked her head, staring at her with searching eyes. “What’s wrong, Chanti?” “Oh. Nothing.” Despite everything she’d been taught, and all the secrets she’d kept over the years, her face still gave her away too often. “Is something going to happen to me, Chanti? What aren’t you saying?” She glanced away and Marty reached over and grabbed her arm. Her head turned back around as a growl and a snap echoed in the room. Kody was gnashing his teeth at his brother, having dislodged Marty’s hand from her arm. That was good to know. That Kody would protect her from anyone. Even his own family. The men continued to snarl at each other and she took a deep breath. There was no way around this. She’d need to be prepared, and so would they. “I ah… I’m not sure how the birth is going to go, Tania.”

She bit her lip as she looked at the young girl, who now had wide, scared looking eyes. “What are you talking about?” Marty demanded, wrapping an arm around his mate’s shoulders. “I ah…. Excuse me…” Her stomach rolled with nausea, too much food. She was going to throw up. She ran for the bathroom, losing her beautiful breakfast and too many calories to count. Ugh. Gross. She washed out her mouth with water, and then ventured back into the kitchen, still feeling sick, but under control. Tania raised an eyebrow. “What?” Tania smirked at her. “You pregnant, too?” “No. Of course not.” They’d only made love twice. Unprotected. Oh crap. “But it’s only been a few days since the first time.” Tania settled back in her chair, rubbing her big belly. “That’s how fast it settles in. Remember, nine months worth in a matter of weeks.” Her eyes found Kody’s. Oh no. Not now. “Um… we’ll deal with that later. You’re more important at the moment.” She took her seat and straightened her spine, trying hard not to focus on the fact that nausea was rolling in her belly and struggling with the fear that there was a child, at this very minute, growing exponentially inside of her.

“What’s going to happen?” Tania asked, lifting her chin up into the air. A proud and strong woman, even in the face of death. “I’m not sure.” Tania rolled her eyes and looked away. Obviously, she didn’t believe her. “I’m serious. It’s, cloudy. Your labour is going to be hard, life threatening. Your baby will be healthy and strong, but I just can’t see what happens to you. I’m sorry.” Tania looked up at Marty, who now stood next to her. His hand on her shoulder. His jaw clenched and hard. “Maybe you should book into the private hospital in New Orleans. They can handle any bleeding… or…” “No. That is not our way.” Chanti frowned at Marty’s tone and stood up. Facing off against the Alpha leader of the werewolf pack. “She could die, Marty. The doctors at the hospital could save her.” But even as she said it, she saw Tania’s parents, red fire… “No. I take it back. I’m sorry. That’s not an option either.” “Then what do we, Chanti?” Tania’s small voice asked. She closed her eyes and felt out the different options. New Orleans, her parents, Chanti’s own home, the shop, the bayou… There was only one path that held light at the end of the tunnel. And that was Marty’s home. The bayou. And Chanti must be there to guide the babe into the world. “I can only see one birth where there’s a chance Tania survives, and it’s here. With me, and perhaps any other healers you have. Like Daniel.” A brighter light shone in her mind as she envisioned Daniel helping her. Her eyes popped open. “Yes, that is the only way. Can you do that, Tania?”

Tania nodded, gripping Marty’s hand where it held her shoulder. “Yes. Of course I can.” “All right. We’re in for a big week of planning then. Not to mention, I need to go back to my shop for some supplies.” “I’ll take you.” Kody said beside her. His strength, as always, a constant in her life that she could always count on. “Thank you.” She stared hard at her mate, absorbing the beautiful energy he sent her way. This week was already one of the most intense of her life, and she had the feeling it was also going to be the hardest.

The week passed quickly and somehow, without much drama. Kody took her into New Orleans one night and they managed to steal away with some of her most valuable family possessions and some medicines from her shop. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but a fight was the least of it. There had been nothing. Well… nothing except goats blood poured onto her stoop. Both at her shop and her family home. Despite the fact her residencies had very strong protection spells on them, she’d climbed in a side window, unable to cross over such a horrible omen. Mary and her husband knew she’d helped Tania escape and there would be hell to pay for that choice. Despite the severity of the punishment that she knew would be coming, it was something she wasn’t going to worry about until after the full moon. Tania and her baby were the only things Chanti were focused on, and they took all of her energy. Getting them through the birth and out again, in one piece was her only focus. The only interesting thing that had happened to her in these last days had been an increase in her awareness of everything happening around

her. Kody had told her she’d grow strong like him, and although she still couldn’t lift anything substantial on her own, she was feeling better. Stronger. In her mind. Which gave her some optimism for the week to come. It was late in the afternoon on Wednesday when the hairs on Chanti’s body began standing on end. She could see the full moon rising in the distance and a shudder racked her frame. “It’s coming tonight, isn’t it, Chanti?” Tania’s voice trembled as she sat down beside her. Chanti was grinding up herbs and ingredients for more potions. Blood tonics, salves, and protection amulet ingredients. She’d been cooking and mixing and sewing all week. “Yes. Are you ready?” She asked the beautiful girl beside her, putting strength into her voice. Tania nodded once, her hugely swollen belly rolling and dancing in front of their eyes. “He will be here soon.” Chanti ran her palm over Tania’s son, the flesh contorting and moving beneath her hand. “You’re so beautiful.” Tania smiled, the very picture of a Madonna in her element. “Are you pregnant too, Chanti? Do you know yet?” “I’m not sure.” She lied. She was very sure, but she wasn’t sharing that information today. “I haven’t missed a period yet, but I’ve been sick most days.” “Then you’re pregnant. These werewolf pregnancies are quite different.” Tania said with confidence. Then suddenly she gasped and her voice hitched, then she hissed out her breath and slid her hands around her belly. “Woah, he’s kicking a lot today.” Chanti just nodded and kept up her preparations. She couldn’t think too much of the lives that tonight would literally be in her hands. Over the week she’d made amulets and necklaces for everyone in the pack. Men, women, children. There was a storm coming, a fight. She

wasn’t sure when or who would bring it. But what she did know was she would protect these people with everything she had. She stopped mixing and looked at the woman beside her. There was so much she wanted to say, but how to summarise it all? “You need to keep your mind focused tonight, Tania. Okay? I know you are young, and you will be scared. But this is your destiny, there is no other reason that this has happened to you. Don’t give up, never give up. Do you understand?” Tania nodded, fear clear in her bright eyes. “I mean it, Tania. Hold onto anything that is a strong anchor for you. Your love for your son, your bond with Marty. Your need to be there for your child as he grows. Anger at your parents, anything. Pick one thing. One thing that’s worth fighting for, worth living for, and imprint it into this.” She handed the braided charm she had made to Tania. The girl took it with trembling fingers. “Thank you. I… I’m not sure which one to choose.” “You don’t have to tell me. Just take the bracelet, meditate on it, and when you have chosen, put it on. And remember, it doesn’t have to be what you think it should be. You don’t have to be selfless, or a martyr. Hatred can sometimes work just as well as love, better even. Look inside yourself and find a reason to still be alive tomorrow. And you will be.” Tania took a deep breath in through her nose, her eyes clearing like the clouds parting on a summers days. Yes. She’d got it. “Thank you. I’ll see you after dinner.” Chanti let her go and continued to grind and make pastes and drinks. Tania was going to bleed, she knew that. She’d made blood building tonics, and special bandages to aid with clotting. She wasn’t sure what she was going to be up against, but she had an arsenal.

After a lovely dinner in Kody’s house, cooked by her lovely mate, they went to bed. Affection amongst the wolves was a high priority and Kody often whisked her away to cuddle or make love. Life was truly a dream at the moment. As they lay in bed, facing each other and stroking each other’s skin, Kody starting talking to her. “Do you think tonight will go as you’ve forseen?” They’d discussed her visions a lot during the week and she still wasn’t sure which ones would come to fruition or not. She’d had so many, and seen so many things happen to the baby and Tania. It was hard to see the right road to take. “I honestly don’t know, but all day I’ve had the strangest feeling something is coming. More than just what’s going on with Tania and Marty. Maybe her parents have organised an assault? Maybe some of the black arts practitioners are going to attack? You’ll be ready won’t you, Kody?” Her mate nodded. “Yes. We already increased the guards, and maybe I should speak to the women about removing the children from the bayou for a week.” A strange coolness passed over her and she let the words, sent from another place, flow through her. “Whatever’s going to happen, it’s going to be tonight. The blood lines will mingle forever, or both will fall.” She shook herself hard as the premonition poured out of her. “Oh damn. I think you need to go speak to everyone now. It’s all happening tonight.” Fuck. If it wasn’t enough fighting to keep Tania alive, she had to deal with the whole pack being in danger as well. “Kody! Chantelle!” Marty’s urgent voice echoed through their small house.

Kody and her looked at each other in understanding and rolled away from each other to get up. Luckily, they were clothed for once and jumped up off the bed, just as Marty came rushing in through the door. “You’re here! Good. Tania needs you. The baby’s coming.” Chanti grabbed the bags she had ready and stared at Kody. “You need to warn the pack.” “I will. You deal with my sister and my nephew.” Kody pulled her in hard against his body, kissing her deeply and fast. His taste exploded through her senses, knocking what fear she was feeling to the side. When he pulled back she stumbled a little and he grabbed her. “Look after yourself, Chanti. And our bub.” He lay a hand against her slightly rounded belly. She swallowed hard and nodded once. It had been an unspoken agreement between them not to mention her possible pregnancy until a safe time. But as he stared at her, she knew how scared he was. “I will. Make sure you’re still alive in the morning, Kody. I’m not doing this on my own.” He grinned and winked at her as though he didn’t have a care in the world. Cheeky devil. “Deal.” He turned and ran out of the room with Marty.

Chapter 7. Chanti checked her bag once more for all the medicines she’d created for Tania. Then, taking a heavy, deep breath, she walked out of their house and went straight to Marty’s house next door. As she strolled down the dirt road which was the main street in their little chanty town, she remarked on how happy she was. It was amazing how quickly she’d adapted to life out here. She would never have thought she could do without all the conveniences of New Orleans, and maybe long term she would miss it. But for the moment, she was incredibly happy helping people who needed her, and being loved by a man who was perfect for her. Kody seemed to adore her. And that was an incredible thing. A lot of the men she’d dated in the past had been intimidated by her power, or her abilities. And within the Voodoo religion, she was considered a priestess of sorts, and that came with it an untouchable quality that she had often wished was not there. Especially during those many, many cold winter nights. Kody said he loved her and for the first time in her life, she actually believed him when he said it. He admired her ability to heal and help people, and couldn’t get enough of touching her and kissing her. He was strong and powerful, and yet, didn’t try to dominate or control her. It was a dream come true in lots of ways. She heard a deep, guttural moan as she pushed through the door on Marty’s house, and paused. Tonight was more important than she was allowing herself to admit. What had her prophecy meant? Who would fall? What was meant to combine and mingle? Whose bloodlines? Did it mean that the strength of the pack was determined by Tania’s baby? A child whose bloodlines had already mixed those of a Voodoo mother and a werewolf father? She honestly didn’t know, but her mission tonight was to keep Tania alive.

She pulled herself together and moved through the small, neat little house and found Tania and Marty’s mother, Sharon, in the bedroom. Tania was pacing and Sharon sat on the bed, her already prematurely aged face looking ancient with stress. “How’s everything going, Tania?” She asked, placing her bags down on the dresser. Tania gave her a sarcastic look, rolling her eyes while sweat beaded on her forehead. “This is harder than I thought it would be already.” Chanti smiled as the adrenaline kicked in and everything around her slowed down. She opened her bag and took out a natural pain killer she’d concocted. It would help Tania get through this. “I’ve made you something to help with the pain. I’ll go mix it with some water and bring it to you.” “Oh, thank you.” Tania smiled, her face relaxing. Chanti ducked out of the room and mixed the powder with some water. Sometimes her patients just needed to know that someone was there to help. That they could trust something outside of their own body which was betraying them by giving them a huge amount of pain. And that was one of her main weapons. Hope. It trumped most things. Although this root mixture would help the physical pain. There was a calming agent mixed in, too. “Here you go.” She handed the glass to Tania, who downed the contents in a few gulps. She grimaced as she handed the glass back. “That’s terrible.” Chanti laughed. “Since when is our medicine nice tasting?” Tania grinned back. “Ah, never.” She grimaced as another pain hit, holding her breath. “Just keep breathing, Tania. You’re doing beautifully. You need to envision what’s happening in your body. The cervix is opening up to let

your baby out, so each contraction that comes through, visualise the tissues, and relax into it. The herbs will help you.” Tania nodded and Chanti went to fetch her another glass of water. Tania was still too pale, her skin damp and cold to the touch. Despite everything the werewolves and Kody believed in Fate, Chanti wasn’t sure Tania was strong enough to get through this. But only time would tell if she was wrong. **** “We need to get the children out of town. Put them in a few cars and drive them to Crangie.” Crangie was the next town over, about an hour south. Marty frowned, his lips thinning into compressed lines. “What are you talking about, Kody?” “Chanti’s had a premonition, and there’s going to be a fight tonight. She thinks the Voodoo community and the witches might be coming for us.” Marty’s eyes narrowed, cynicism etched into his face. “How would she know this?” “She’d a Voodoo priestess, Marty. Why wouldn’t she? And don’t give me that look.” Marty should be looking worried, not pondering Chanti’s motives in telling them this. “Chanti has done nothing but earn our trust. You owe her, big time. And if she’s right about this, we’ll owe her again.” He stared hard at his brother. It was difficult not to point out the fact that Marty was the reason they were all in danger. Marty had managed his mate badly, gotten caught, and almost died. Marty didn’t say anything more and Kody began to feel frustrated. “Oh come on, it’s one night. If she’s wrong, we bring them back in the morning.” There were only eleven children under sixteen in the town. It wasn’t a big deal.

“Okay. Get one of the Davidson brothers to round them up, and take the minivan.” “Good. And you need to get the men up and aware. There could be people coming.” “But… what about Tania? I need to be here for her.” “Tania needs Chanti, and she has mum, too. You have a pack to protect, Marty.” He shouldn’t have to remind his brother of that, but Kody tried not to be too critical of him. He didn’t really understand how his brother was feeling. To know that your mate was in labour, your son would be here by morning. With or without your mate’s life intact. “But why would they choose to attack on a night like this? We are at our most powerful on the full moon.” He hadn’t thought about that. And he didn’t have an answer. “Marty, we’re wasting time. I couldn’t even begin to understand the workings of those people who tried to kill you and Tania. So, please, just get moving. I’ll meet you at the edge of the forest in half an hour.” He slapped his brother on the back and went in search of Terry Davidson. He was their teacher and a great guy. He’d grab the kids and take them out of the town until the coast was clear. He was older, and wouldn’t be much help in a fight. When he found Terry and explained, he was quick to organise the minivan and grab all the already sleeping children. Terry told him that he had family in a town two hours away and said he’d bring them back the next night. Which was probably better than trying to find somewhere to sleep in Crangie. “Thanks, Terry.”

Terry headed off and Kody turned back towards the woods, the light of the full moon calling to him. Her power was beautiful, the strength she brought to their pack a magnificent gift. His skin tingled as his wolf prowled inside him, knowing that soon he would be called to take over Kody’s body. To stretch his legs and enjoy the freedom that came with the one night of the month they had no choice but to surrender to their animals. Maybe that was why the New Orleans people would come tonight? Maybe they believed the full moon would make them less lucid, and they’d go running into the woods, leaving Tania and the other women alone. Not likely. It was pretty obvious the New Orleans people didn’t understand how shifting worked, and the fact that they had full control of their wolves. He could see his brother in the distance, standing by the woods edge, a strange red/orange glow framing him. Oh fuck. “Marty! Fire!” He started running and he heard his brother growl, the shift overcoming him as he bounded towards the edge of their town. Marty had shifted by the time Kody got to him, the massive black wolf standing guard as the people of New Orleans ran towards them. Fiery torches in hand. Kody threw back his head and howled, calling to the other men in the pack. Marty joined him and Kody felt the other wolves in the pack running up behind them. Surround the town. Don’t let them near Marty’s home. They want Tania. And Chanti. He sent out the message to the dozen or so wolves that had joined them on the hill and they took off in opposite directions. The men charged and a gun shot rang out.

Oh fuck. They’re shooting to kill. Take them down. Marty stumbled and Kody ran to his brother. You okay? Yeah. Flesh wound. Let’s go. Kody pushed aside any human feelings he had and ran at the men shooting at them. A bullet zinged past his head, he dove and weaved around the trees. He rolled and kept running. He could see one of the men up ahead. He had a bald head and dark skin. Kody jumped and flew through the air. Fire seared his shoulder as another shot filled the air, but he landed on target. Teeth bared, he ripped through the man’s throat. Hot, metallic blood spurting between his lips. He growled and bit down once more, the man making one more strange gurgling sound before his body went floppy. He dropped the body, again, pushing the humanity inside his mind to the background. It was screaming at him for the bloody murder. Although, if he’s shooting at me. Isn’t that self-defence? Shut up. Focus. Marty? Where are you? Marty? When his brother didn’t reply, Kody started running back towards the town. No matter what, the most important thing was to keep their people safe. He saw a huge black wolf flying through the air, his face covered in red blood. Marty ripped through the hunter he’d been aiming for and the noise began to fade. Less gun shots, and then even less. It became almost too quiet. Eerily so. Marty was panting over the man’s dead body when there was a high pitched scream.

A female scream. Damn. No! Marty and Kody began running back to Marty’s house. They saw three dead wolves on the way and Kody cringed, tears imminent for his fallen family. But they kept running. As the house came into view, surrounded by strangers, cold dread iced its way through Kody’s gut. God. No. What do we do? Kill them all. Was Marty’s reply. His brother by his side, Kody charged. Running full tilt at his brother’s house. He had to get to Chanti. His mate was inside and she was probably hurt. Or worse. The people ahead of him weren’t paying attention to them. They had their heads bowed and their lips were muttering something incoherent. Heat seared his chest like someone had lit it on fire and he stumbled, falling to the ground. His brother flew off into a nearby home and Kody pulled himself along the dirt. What had happened? Where was everyone? A big, black man walked up next to him and Kody bared his teeth, growling as menacingly as he could. The man lifted a large silver dagger and Kody’s heart pounded hard against his ribs. His human brain screamed at him to move, but he couldn’t even get up. His legs were weighted down and he could barely feel them. What sorcery was this? The huge man above him grunted and the knife came down with a flash of light.

Straight into his heart. **** Chanti’s whole body seized up with pain and she dropped to her knees on the floor. Noooooo! Her mind screamed out. But at what? What had happened? “Chanti. What’s wrong?” Sharon asked as she mopped Tania’s brow. Chanti gasped for air, he whole rib cage feeling as though it was in a vice. Being squeezed tighter… and tighter. Something terrible had happened. “I don’t know… I don’t know…” Tania grunted and groaned, her panting getting faster and faster. “Help her, or I swear to God I’ll…” Mary, Tania’s mother, along with at least three other members of the sanction were in the room, and crowding her. Chanti pushed herself to her feet and glared at the old black witch. “Or. You’ll. What?” She was pretty sure Kody had just been hurt, badly. The rest of the town was dying as they spoke and Tania was minutes away from birthing a child that could kill her. At this rate, he probably would kill her. There was blood everywhere. “Just. Please.” So much of Chanti wanted to just step away and let her mother fix everything. But that would mean letting Tania die. And if she knew anything about what would happen tonight, it was that she was meant to be here. “Get me Marty. And Kody.” “Who? And why?”

“Tania and my mates. I had a vision yesterday and they are involved somehow. The blood lines… I’m not sure. But I need them.” Tania’s mothers face screwed up into an ugly twist. “I don’t even know what they look like.” I doubt that very much. “Take Sharon and go now. We need them.” Tania let out an unearthly cry and her mother jumped. Despite everything she knew, and how terrible a person she was. It was obvious the ties to her child ran deep. Chanti turned towards Marty’s mother. “No matter what. Dead or alive. Bring them back. Take some of the men in case they need to be carried.” Sharon, her lips turned down and a streak of bright red blood covering her cheek, nodded. “All right. Let’s go.” Tania’s mother walked out of the room, past the Voodoo pack with her head held high. “Gah! Help me, please.” Tania screamed, writhing on the bed as her child tried to enter the world. Concentrate. Chanti turned back to her patient and tried to focus. She could literally feel the adrenaline in her system. Keeping her standing, her muscles cramping and her heart pounding. She took a few fortifying breaths. Now that Mary and some of the others had left, she could breathe again. She lifted up Tania’s blood soaked dress and peering at the entrance to her womb. “I can see the baby’s head Tania. You’re going to need to push. Slowly, carefully.” Or you’ll rip yourself apart. She would have loved the help Daniel offered, but the Voodoo bastards had put a knife to his throat and evacuated him from the room. The fact

that he was another healer was probably the only reason he was still alive. “I can’t, Chanti. I can’t.” Tania was lying flat on the bed, and her legs were shaking with the strain. “Come on, sweetheart. You need to sit up, or stand. Can you do that?” Nothing. “Tania?” Nothing. Oh no. No, no, no, no, no. “Tania!” Chanti raced around the bed and jumped onto the bed, pulling Tania up, lifting her limp head. “Come on, Tania! You’re going to die if you don’t get this baby out. Don’t you understand?” The door swung open and Sharon walked in, tears streaming down her weathered face. “Here they are.” Marty’s bloodied human body was practically thrown onto the floor. “Is he alive?” She asked, her heart breaking for the family before her. Barely begun, and yet all three of them on the verge of death. Marty coughed and spluttered, rolling from side to side on the floor. “Marty! You need to get up. Help me with, Tania. Please. Sharon. Hurry!” Sharon reached down and helped her son up to his feet. The Alpha of their small pack. A barely conscious man. His eyes cleared, horror filling his face. “Tania?” “Get up here. Behind her. Wake her up. Make her fight.” She motioned to Sharon and Marty to come closer, to push Tania up.

“Get her to stand if you can.” “Tania, Tania. Please wake up. You need to get the baby out. Please Tania. Don’t give up.” She gripped the bracelet she’d given to Tania, hoping to call to it, to activate whatever was needed. Nothing happened. “You need to do something, Marty. Bite her or something, I don’t know. What do you werewolves do?” She went back to the place between Tania’s thighs, the baby’s head bulging like a purple melon. “Push Tania, come on. Get your baby out.” A heavy thump behind her made her freeze, a cold dread climbing up her spine like a ghost’s hand. She turned around very slowly, and before her lay her worst fears. A grey wolf. Her grey wolf. Unmoving. Dead. On the floor. “Kody.” She stared at the dark man standing over her mate, a blood covered small sword in his hand. Anger swirled inside her like never before. A terrible volcano of hate and blackness consuming her mind. “No.” She stepped around her mate and without thought on what she did, or how she did it, she swung both hands out and back together, hitting the man on both sides of his neck. He sunk to his knees and another man rushed her. She whirled and screamed, pushing out her palms and feeling, for the first time the true extent of her magic. She wasn’t just a Voodoo practitioner, she was so much more. Maybe she was a witch, maybe something else. But at that moment she could feel the power of the Werewolves, of her ancestors. Her mate was dead and she had inherited all of his power.

And in this moment, she knew they all deserved to die. “Argh!” She screamed out and flashes of light bolted out of her palms, exploding into the four people around her. They all fell to the floor like their air had been let out. Dead? Knocked out? She didn’t care. She squatted down and put both hands on Kody. Closing her eyes and tears flowing inside her soul. There was no pulse, no rhythmic breath. Power bubbled inside her, the protection amulet on her neck burning and pulsing. She took it off and lay it down onto Kody’s blood soaked fur. She searched for the source and pressed her fingers into the large wound. She reached over to her bag and pulled out a poultice and a knife. When had she put that in there? She looked down at her own forearm and ran the knife over her skin, pressing down hard. The pain didn’t register as she saw her blood run onto the poultice like she was watching it happen to someone else. When it was soaked she pressed it against Kody’s wound, her heart pumping madly in her chest. “Chanti! Chanti! Help us!” The screams of Sharon and Marty burst through the cloud of silence enveloping her and she turned back. This baby needs to come out now. “Marty. Wake her up. Now.” Marty growled, baring his teeth as he sunk them into Tania’s shoulder. She gasped and moaned, pushing up and away from the intense pain. Her eyelids fluttered and Chanti saw her chance. She reached inside Tania’s body, putting her fingers around the head of the baby.

“Tania. I don’t know what you chose to give you strength, but you need it now. Marty’s here, your babe is stuck. Please Tania. Push.” Tania struggled to sit up further, and Sharon and Marty helped her. Marty ran his tongue over the bite sealing it shut. That’s pretty amazing. Tania groaned and grunted, her huge body heaving as she pushed down. The baby’s head bulged. “I can see it. Keep going Tania.” The baby’s head pushed forth, coming into her hands, there was a twist and a scream as Tania worked to get her baby born. The baby’s shoulders slid forth and then the baby slithered out like a dolphin. Wet, and covered in blood. “It’s a boy.” He was slippery and purple. Chanti placed him down on the blanket she had, wrapping him up and putting a tie on the cord. The placenta wriggled out, all red and pulsing. And just as relief surged in Chanti’s heart, Tania really began to bleed. The trickling turned into a gush and she heard Marty start to scream. “No. No. No.” The baby mewled and cried, wriggling in all of his purpley red glory. Thank god for that. He’s alive. She handed the baby to it’s grandmother and pushed Sharon to leave.

Chapter 8. Sweat ran down Chanti’s face. What the fuck could she do? There were dead or unconscious people everywhere! A vision of werewolf teeth and blood emerged from a hidden area inside her brain. Marty’s saliva! It healed his bite! Could it do that for all wounds? Marty was sobbing and shaking Tania as she lay in his arms. “Marty! Can you heal her? With your..” She motioned to her mouth. “You know. Seal her wounds like you did with the bite?” Marty looked up, dark smudges beneath his eyes. “Ah… yes. She’s my mate so…” She grabbed his arm and tugged. “Come on then. The baby tore her apart. See if you can close up her wounds.” She remembered her own foretelling words ‘Whatever’s going to happen, it’s going to be tonight. The blood lines will mingle forever, or both will fall.’ Blood, too. “Marty. Can you cut your arm or something, mingle some of your blood with hers too, okay?” He nodded as he lay Tania down carefully, moving to the space between her legs. Their baby mingled their blood together already, so hopefully they didn’t need anymore, but may as well cover the bases. Marty partially shifted, his face turning werewolf like as he began to clean his mates body. Chanti turned towards her own mate, kneeling down beside him. She pulled back the poultice she’d applied to his chest and gasped. Her heart ached in her chest as renewed hope fluttered through. The gaping wound was gone. She’d healed him, he’d healed himself. There was still life in him.

She lay her hand down on his blood soaked chest. Was that a heart beat? She rushed to twist around and lay her head against his chest. Her stomach dropped. Nothing. But she could hear something! An echo. Maybe? Was she imagining it? It didn’t matter. She pushed herself up and grabbed for her bag. She glanced over to Tania and saw the bleeding had stopped and Marty was pulling her to sitting. Her head lolling around and her complexion as white as cream. But she was alive. Just. “Here. Make her drink this.” She threw Marty a bottle of blood tonic and went back to searching. What do I use? What do I use? May as well throw everything at him. She pulled out every amulet and health charm she had and placed them down on him. She sprinkled healing potions and herbs on his body. All over. His matted dark hair, his long limbs. It was strange trying to heal a wolf, but she could still see him. Her Kody. Nothing happened. She put her head down and prayed. Jesus, please help the man I love. Loa, please help him. He is a good man. She opened her eyes and wanted to slam her fist into the ground. Why the hell wasn’t this working?

Because bringing people back from the dead is only for those practising the black arts. “No. No!” She was not losing this fight. Blood. She needed more of her blood. The baby. No… she couldn’t kill her child. Kody would never forgive her. But maybe, just a little of her blood closer to the baby. She grabbed the knife and lifted her top. Her hand didn’t even tremble as she slid the knife across her lower abdomen, where a c-section would open her if she needed one. Pain broke through her threshold as the adrenaline that had been keeping her going all day began to run out. She gasped as tears ran. Bright red blood spilled forth and she cupped her hand, gathering the blood there. Kody had other injuries, his shoulder had been blasted apart. She moved her hand across and pressed her blood to his. Then she shuffled down to gather more and spread it over every injury he had, her stomach dropping each time she took some of her life form and passed it to her mate. Her eyes were drooping and sweat covered her now shaking body. She didn’t care. Anything, if it would save him. When she was done, she grabbed a poultice and applied it to her own body. Before her eyes the wounds began to heal and she put both palms together and linked her fingers in a prayer position, but she wasn’t praying anymore. Time to fight.

She raised both arms up in the air and brought them down on his chest. Hard. Pain ricocheted up her arms. “Come on, Kody.” Bang. She hit him again. “Come back to me.” She hit him again, her head spinning with fatigue and her arms like lead weight. One more. A voice in her head whispered. She didn’t have much left in her. She raised her arms, stared straight at the ribs over the heart that she desperately wanted to beat again, and with all of her strength, she brought them down, as hard as she could. Kody jerked, a strange moan rolling from his animal throat. “Is he alive?” Marty yelled from the bed. She put her head to his chest and there it was. The sweetest sound in all the world. A steady, thumping, heart beat. “Yes!” The fur began to disappear, golden skin reappearing before her tear blurred gaze. Kody’s face transformed and there before her lay her mate. Her muscles turned to jelly and she slid to the floor beside him. She lay an arm over his chest and wept.

****

Kody had been swimming in black ink, his head barely above the water. But sunshine appeared, an arm reached out to him and pulled him to the shore.

It was his mate. Her perfect skin and rose birthmarks glinting in the sunshine. Was she an angel helping him to Heaven? Everything hurt. Nope. Not heaven. He wouldn’t hurt this much if he was away with the Gods. He opened his eyes and he wasn’t on a beach, nor was there any water anywhere to be seen. But he was alive. Chanti sobbed against him. Were they on the floor? “Chanti?” The sobbing stopped and she lifted her head, her tear streaked, exhausted face the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. “Are you back? Really back?” She climbed on top of him, her boiling hot body almost too hot to touch. But he did. Reaching up for her flaming face. “Yes. What happened?” Her face crumpled and she collapsed onto his chest, her wet tears streaming down his skin. He held her tight, wrapping his arms around her and kissing the top of her head. “It’s all right. Shhh.” He didn’t remember much. They’d been fighting the New Orleans Voodoo people, and the other… had someone stabbed him? Oh fuck. “Are Tania and the baby okay?” Chanti nodded against his chest and pushed back so that she sat next to him.

He tried to get up, but his body wouldn’t work. Damn. What had happened to him? She wrapped a hand around his arm and pulled. He gripped hard and got himself seated, his head spinning with the effort as pain exploded through his gut. Shit. He was naked, but that wasn’t unusual considering the amount of times he shifted. “Where is everyone?” “We’re over here.” Carefully, and with a prickling like pain tugging at every cell in his body, Kody turned around and pushed himself to his feet. He wavered, his knees like jelly. Chanti tucked herself under his shoulder and they limped to the couch opposite the bed. “Oof.” They landed, the exhaustion in their bodies incredibly high. What on earth had happened?” He looked over at the bed and gasped at the amount of blood. Tania was covered from the waist down. “Where’s the baby?” “I sent him off with your mum. We should go tell her everything’s okay.” Chanti pushed herself to her feet and staggered out of the room, tripping and falling against the door as she walked out. “You okay.” She didn’t answer, so Kody turned back to his brother, who was covering his dirty mate in kisses. Even Marty’s face was covered in blood.

“Is someone going to fill me in? I seem to have missed a whole chunk of time.” Marty chuckled, his eyes still on his mate. Then he turned around, his eyes sparkling with a crazy type of happiness. “You didn’t just miss time. You died, brother.” “I… what?” Impossible. “Chanti brought you back, don’t ask me how. And she helped me save Tania. And our son. She’s a pretty incredible woman you have there.” A lump lodged itself in Kody’s throat. “How?” He asked, looking towards the other Voodoo priestess in the room. Tania shrugged. “I have no idea. Your brother was busy saving me from death, but Chanti comes from some pretty incredible lines of Voodoo women. Fuck… what a day.” Kody laughed. How could he not? The whole world had turned on its axis. He looked around the room. There was people everywhere. Fallen like dead flies. “Ah, what’s with all the people?” Tania glanced over, her face creasing with worry. “They’re all friends of my parents, and that’s my mum.” She pointed to the woman in the corner. “I’m not sure what happened to them.” Marty chuckled. “It was Chanti again. Not sure what happened there, but she got pretty angry, and then they all fell. Incredible actually.” Kody shook his head in wonder. “Woah.” The door opened and Chanti stepped back in, followed by his mother, who was cradling a small whimpering bundle in her arms.

“You’re all alive. I don’t believe it…” There was tears on his stoic mother’s face as she handed the babe to it’s mother. Tania pushed aside the material covering her and offered her breast to the baby. He latched on quickly and the small cries stopped. Sharon caressed Tania’s face and then moved over to Kody, embracing him with a tight hold. “My son.. I am so thankful you came back to us.” He let his eyes close as his mother’s love washed over him. She had never been very demonstrative in her feelings. A classic Alpha mate, she was hard and strong. “I love you.” She whispered as she pulled away. Kody reached for Chanti’s hand, tugging her back down onto the couch with him. She looked like she’d flown through a hurricane. She smelled of blood and sweat, fear and exhaustion. “I owe you my life.” He said, bringing her hand to his heart. A smile trembled on her full lips. “I love you. I couldn’t let you go.” The sweetest words he’d ever heard. He pulled her in close for a kiss, her distinctive flavour lost amongst the day’s events. “Shall we go home and shower?” He suggested, needing to get clean and close to her. She nodded and stood up. As they walked past the people on the ground, Chanti stopped to check them. “Are they dead?” She shook her head. “No. Thank the heavens. I didn’t want to kill them. But they were posing a threat and I, well… I don’t really know. But they got knocked out.”

He walked ahead, keeping her behind him. How much time had gone by? Was there still a threat? “How are the other wolves? Is there still a fight going on?” She shrugged, her eyes wide and alert as they moved to the front of the house and pushed the door open. He had no idea what to expect. There was nothing unusual he could see yet. “Let’s walk down to our place, but keep your eyes open.” They crept along the road, but they didn’t see anything. Someone had come along and collected the bodies, that was obvious. It was like a ghost town. “Where is everyone?” Chanti asked. He shrugged. Not liking this at all. “Hopefully the wounded have been taken home for repairs.” He doubted that, but it was possible that the women were tending to the men. They arrived back at his home, and opened the door. Kody took one more look around, then seeing nothing, locked it behind him. “Shower time?” “Absolutely. Then you can tell me what happened.” Chanti smiled as she undressed, throwing all of her clothes straight in the bin. They climbed under the hot water and washed the stench of the fight away. Chanti regaled him of her last few hours. Saving the baby, and Tania. Blasting all those Voodoo people who’d come into their town and Marty’s house, then demanded she save Tania from death. Kody still couldn’t remember much. Running. Killing someone. It was a blur.

He gathered her close and their lips met. Her perfect scent back now that the shower had washed away the stink of battle. Of his Voodoo Queen’s win. She’d conquered them all. And with nothing more than her own two hands. “You’re pretty incredible you know that?” He said as he drew her to bed. “Me?” she made a snorting sound, but as she averted her eyes and a pink blush stained her cheeks, he could see that his compliment had pleased her. “You know, I think it had a lot to do with our mating. I have never been so powerful. I think when you died you passed on your strength to me.” He loved that idea, but hated it at the same time. “Hopefully you’ll be strong, even with me alive. I’d hope our bonding would help you. And if it did, then I am eternally grateful to my ancestors for that gift.” They lay down on the mattress, their bodies fitting together like a lock and key. He groaned as her warm body pressed against his side, her breasts squashed on his ribs that still ached. “What’s going to happen now, Chanti?” She ran a hand over his chest, her fingers dancing on his skin and running around his nipple. “I honestly don’t know.” “Do you think your prophesy has come true?” “Well… nothing fell. Except the Voodoo practitioners in Marty’s house. But they’re not dead.” “So, was the blood connected, or whatever you said needed to happen?”

“I’m not sure, but I tried. I used my blood to heal your wounds. And then there’s the baby, and Marty mingled his blood with Tania’s. So yeah, I hope its enough.” There was a strange movement at his hip and Kody looked down. “What was that?” Chanti rolled onto her side, a rather large bump between her hips that he’d somehow not noticed in the shower. “I think it’s the baby.” She cupped her hands over her stomach and a gorgeous little chuckle emerged between her full lips. “Yeah. It is.” “Show me.” He pushed her hands aside and rolled over, placing his palm over her rounded abdomen. There was a push and a roll. “Oh my God.” They had a child. “So our blood has mixed together, too?” “Yes. There will be two babies of Werewolf and Voodoo blood. It will be a new era.” “Yes. Come here…” He pulled his gorgeous woman on top of him and grabbed her face for a kiss. In a time like this, there was only one thing to do. And that was to make love to his beautiful mate, and thank the Universe that had brought her to him.

Chapter 9.

Chanti pulled an old royal purple dress on over her head and tied a silver belt high on her waist. She was getting bigger by the day. If she was right, then her baby would be here on the next full moon. She had twenty-seven days to prepare. “Ha!” She laughed out loud. Not only did she never think she would have a baby with a werewolf, she never thought she’d have less than six weeks to get used to the idea. Talk about a life full of surprises. The bedroom door banged open and Kody came in, hopefully with news from the pack. “There’s four men dead, and a lot more hurt, but Daniel’s with them. And all the children are safe thanks to you warning us so early last night. Considering the war that went on last night. I think we did okay.” Chanti blew out a long breath. Four men in a town this small was still a high percentage. If only she’s been able to do more for them last night. “All right. Well, please, you stay here and deal with the pack. I have to get home and sort out my life. I refuse to lie here in fear, waiting for them to attack again.” She had more to do than just that. But she didn’t want to tell Kody that. She was going straight to some Voodoo elders and sorting this out. She refused to live her life in fear, and not to mention the fact that she had a home and a business to run. After last night, she was no longer afraid of anyone in New Orleans. Her powers were so much stronger than they should be, or were before. Whether it was the baby, the werewolf blood, or this was who she was always meant to be, she wasn’t sure. But she no longer feared the wrath of their church, or their people.

“Are Tania’s parents and the other people still knocked out in the other house?” Kody shook his head. “No. Marty said when they woke up this morning, everyone was gone. He should have tied them up, or something, but with the baby, and Tania still being so weak, it was the last thing he was thinking of last night.” Kody tugged off his old shirt and began to dress in clothes that Chanti distinguished as town clothes. “What are you doing?” “I’m going with you. If you think for one minute I’m letting you go alone, you’ve got rocks in your head.” He grinned as he tucked in his shirt, and slicked his long hair back. “But what about the pack, making sure everyone’s okay here?” “They’re fine. Marty’s out there with Tania, her baby strapped to her chest in some sort of wrap thing.” Chanti tried not to giggle at the image her mate painted, but failed when she saw the bewildered look on Kody’s face. If the Fates had been correct, and she saw no indications that it had been wrong so far, then Tania would grow into an incredible leader. Being out there, with her baby strapped on while she sorted out her pack was completely fitting. “That’s great. Well, let’s go then.” A werewolf protector probably wasn’t a bad thing, and she knew they’d be stronger together, rather than apart. They got in Kody’s truck and headed off to New Orleans, the silence in the car a comfortable one as they drove the fifteen minutes or so to the borders. “Where are we going first?” She needed to go to her house to pick up some things, but she could do that anytime. She had everything she needed for her own protection, she

had nothing stronger at the shop. So there was only one other place she had to go. “To Tania’s parents house. There’s no need to go to the church, or any other group yet, I don’t think. Tania’s parents are as powerful and influential as they come, so if we can convince them to stop the attacks, then that should be enough. Nobody else will come after us after that.” She planned to do a lot more than just convince them to back off, and if the legends were true, then she would succeed. The hit New Orleans and Kody slowed the car down, weaving through the small streets and parking around the corner from the huge white mansion. “What if they capture us, like they did with Marty?” She gave her mate a smile and unlatched her seat belt. “They would not be who they are if they did not have protection spells all over their house. Are you wearing the amulet I made for you?” He nodded, briefly touching the centre of his chest where her amulet obviously lay. “Good. Then you’ll be fine. Just make sure, like last time, all your thoughts are on protecting me, nothing about harming them. And we’ll both be fine.” His mouth thinned and his lips drew downwards into a frown. She cupped his face in her hands and put as much warmth into her face as she could. “It’ll be fine. Okay?” Kody seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then nodded and together, they got out of the car. “Let’s go.” Chanti touched a hand to her own amulet and focused on her memories of her grandmother. A woman who had passed on too early in Chanti’s life, but who’s power still flowed through her. They walked across the quiet street and went straight up to the door.

She could sense her mate’s hesitation and then she remembered the dolls. “Don’t forget, I wove a spell over Mary and her husband. Their powers have been weakened. They would struggle to do any real harm to us, and I guarantee they will not.” And speaking of which, she still had the dolls in her bag. She lifted her hand and banged on the door. It opened soon after and she greeted the old butler with a smile. “Good morning. Can you tell Mary and James that we are here please?” She stepped into the house without being invited to do so, and the old man scuttled off. She looked around the house, searching for the strong magic she’d sensed last time. It wasn’t there. Something was different. “Come this way please.” The butler called from the ground floor hallway. She gave Kody a wink and stepped along the marble floors, down the corridor and into a large living room. A fire blazed in the fire place and Mary stood by her husband, who sat on one of the expensive couches. Nobody spoke as they walked into the room and stood a few feet from Mary and James. James had an angry grimace on his face, but Mary looked like she was bursting to say something. Chanti turned to Mary and cocked an eyebrow. “Yes, Mary?” “Is my daughter still alive?” She inclined her head and smiled. “She is. As is her son.”

The relief on Mary’s face was priceless and at odds with the snarl of disgust from James. Chanti turned her attention to Tania’s father. “What’s wrong, Mr. Thomas? Not happy about your grandson being the new Alpha line of the New Orleans pack?” The angry look in his eyes said it all. And she was enjoying this tension a little too much. Odd for her. “Please sit, Kody.” She said to her mate with a sweet tone. He did as she asked, mirroring the pose of the couple opposite them. “Shall we continue with the niceties or get down to business?” “I will get you thrown out of the church, and New Orleans. You know that, don’t you? You disgusting slut!” Kody’s fist shot out so fast she didn’t have time to stop him, nor would she have wanted to, if she had. The crack that echoed in the room was huge and James’s head went flying back against the couch. Chanti grabbed Kody and pulled him back, worried for the powers that may come down and bite him for doing such a thing. James Thomas was as close to a Voodoo King as they had in New Orleans. Fear began to skittle along her veins and she pushed it away. She was so much more than that, and as she stared at Kody, who was still healthy and breathing hard from anger, she knew they were safe. “Don’t waste your strength on him, Kody, it’s a waste.” “How dare you!” Mary screeched as she inspected her husband’s now swollen face. “You’re lucky Kody is so controlled, Thomas. He could have ripped your head from your shoulders.” She smirked at the older man and stared him down. He grabbed a tissue and spat blood into it.

“He shouldn’t be able to do that here.” “Then you need to start examining your Voodoo, James. Because he just did.” These two had done something very bad to the pack, and she hoped the Voodoo Gods would punish them. “Okay, back to why we came. I have a deal for you. Stay away from the bayou. If any of you ever come to hurt one of our people again, I will personally organise a raid on your house. And I guarantee, no amount of supposed power you think you have will stop me.” Mary sunk down onto the couch next to James, fear clear in her old eyes. “But, my daughter.” “You can come visit her anytime, Mary. I said, to harm us. You know the rules. If you come in peace, you’ll be fine.” She glanced at Kody. “But they’re animals.” Chanti rolled her eyes. “They’re powerful, majestic shape shifters, who are God’s creatures. I suggest you start spreading the new gospel. Both of you. No one is to harm our pack, or they will pay. I will be holding onto my shop and my house, and I want one of you to go over and take the curse off my properties.” Mary and James exchanged glances and Mary turned back to her. “I can do that.” “Good. There is also the matter of introducing the wolves back into New Orleans.” “Never.” James spat. Chanti waved her hand in the air. “If you don’t have the power to overcome decades of bias, then I will go to church myself.” James huffed a bit at the insult but said nothing else. “All right, now. I will be contacting some of our people to organise some trading. The housing in our town is horrendous and we need help building something new.”

“No way.” James ground out between his teeth. Chanti grinned. Unfazed. “It’s either that, or I move everyone back to New Orleans.” She looked down at Kody, who was staying strong and silent. “Maybe that would be better, Kody. What do you think? Buy up some houses in a part of town that’s not too busy?” “No!” She swallowed the laugh that rose and pinned the Thomas’ with a hard stare. “I suggest you make a decision, or I’ll make it for you. Either you help us build the town up so it’s a fit place to live for your grandson, or I will sell my shop and my grandmother’s home, and buy up half of Boady.” Boady was a very cheap part of town that would be easy for her to buy into. Her shop and her home would fetch an amazing price to anyone who knew what they were buying. There were quite a few factions of Voodoo in New Orleans, and a lot of money would be paid for the protection her home afforded. Mary whispered fiercely in her husband’s ear and Chanti let herself sit down on the couch arm, leaning against her mate. Her babe twisted and turned inside her belly and she smiled, happiness filling her up. She would make a better life for her child. She will be happy, and kind. Chanti had to look away as tears tingled in her eyes. A daughter. She’d have to tell Kody when they left. The Thomas’ stopped whispering and James stood up. Kody jumped up beside her and Chanti looped her arm with her mate and stayed seated, unphased by the venom she could feel rolling off James. He couldn’t hurt her. “I will speak to some contractors. But they will expect to be paid.”

Chanti pushed herself to her feet. “I’m sure we can work something out.” She had savings, and Voodoo, to barter. Not to mention, she had a town full of hard working, strong men. “Thank you, James. Mary, I shall see you soon.” She inclined her head and moved to walk out of the room. Kody was at her back and something made her stop. She turned around and saw James chanting, his eyes closed. I don’t think so. Chanti reached into her bag and grabbed one of the Voodoo dolls that represented the couple. She didn’t wait to check who was who, she just let her power guide her. She got hold of a limb and bent it back, squeezing hard. James dropped to his knees, his eyes flying open in pain. She let go. Sending up an apology to the Gods. She hated using her powers for anything evil, and hoped they would forgive her. “James. I’ve warned you once, and I won’t do it again. If you try anything to hurt us, any of us. You will pay the price.” The older man nodded once, grabbing onto the couch to pull himself up. “Let’s go, Kody.” They walked out of the house and Chanti took deep breaths in the clean air. Despite their power being drained, the home still reeked of evil. Kody grabbed her up in his arms and whooped loudly as he walked across the street, gently depositing her back into his car. “You. Are. Incredible. What on Earth did you do to them?” She laughed as her mate jumped in the car, and started the engine. “Let’s go home. I don’t feel like staying in New Orleans anymore.”

She needed some clothes and things, but she’d come back in a few days, when her soul was rested. Despite her confidence that everything would be okay, that had taken a lot out of her. Kody turned the car around and they headed back to the bayou. “Chanti. Please, tell me. What happened?” She grinned at him. “You heard. I just offered them a solution to the peace we all need.” “Yeah, but you made them agree to help us.” “No, I gave them a choice. One that will work for all of us.” It would mean jobs for the younger men, and better homes. A proper school and doctor’s surgery maybe. She sat back against the car seat and let her hands fold over her daughter, growing inside her belly. Safe. “Why couldn’t they harm us? What if someone else comes after you, Chanti? I don’t want you hurt.” She shrugged and let her smile shine. “They couldn’t do anything to me because I am protected, I always have been. By my blood, my grandmother, my birthmarks. I don’t really understand all the reasons, but no one is going to hurt me, or our daughter.” “Our what?” She laughed, and pulled one of his hands over to her belly, putting it to rest on the bump grooving and moving with the music on the radio. “Our daughter. I just had a vision. And she is going to be beautiful.” He chuckled, the sound soothing to Chanti’s soul. “Of course, she will be. You’re her mother.” Chanti looked towards the sunshine streaming in the window, calling her home. “I love you.”

Her heart sung as he repeated her words and she let her eyes close. It was going to be a hard road, but with grit and determination they would bring peace back to the people of New Orleans. Together.

THE END

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Bio: Tamsin Baker loves everything erotic. Her books can be long, short and everything in between, but they’ll all be fast paced with snappy dialogue and lots of sex. No Tamsin Baker book is the same except there won’t be a lot of angst in as she wants her books to be everything that a fictional world can be- full of happy ever afters, dirty words and sweet love. ‘Love is love’ and she tries to show that in a range of sub genre’s, from m/m contemporary to paranormal ménage. She has a need to shock people and bring up embarrassing topics at the most inappropriate times.

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