Praise for the writing of Camille Anthony

  

  

 Werewulf Journals 1: Wild in the City

  

  

 This short novel was riveting -- I started it about 10 p.m. one night, thinking I would read a few pages before going to bed. I kept saying to myself, “Just a few more pages...” until I finished it and discovered it was midnight! Thank goodness this seems to be the first in a series. Keep writing, Camille!

 -- Jean, Fallen Angel Reviews

  

 This reviewer was very impressed. Werewulf Journals 1: Wild in the City is not a welcomed addition to my book collection, it is a MUST HAVE addition!!! I look forward to the next installment of this series.

 -- Faith Jacobs, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

  

 I found the characters in this story to be fantastic. The humor itself will have you in stitches. The love story opens doors to the imagination in most usual ways.The love scenes between Hunter and Melody gives true meaning to the title Wild in the City. Enjoy!

 -- Diane Tugman , The Romance Studio

  

 Ms. Anthony blows the “norm” out of the water with this story and I’m curious to see where she takes it. Kudos, Ms. Anthony, for the unusual twist you give this story!

 -- Pam L., A Romance Review

  

 Ms. Anthony throws the predictable shifter story in the dust and gives the reader a unique, fascinating and satisfyingly erotic read. This is definitely a keeper.

 -- Jennifer Brooks, Coffee Time Romance

  

  

  

 Werewulf Journals 1: Wild in the Cityis now available from Loose Id.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 WEREWULF JOURNALS:

 WEDDINGS, BELLS, AND A BROWNIE

  

  

  

  

 Camille Anthony

  

  

  

  

  

  



 www.loose-id.com

  

  

  

 Warning

  

 This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

 * * * * *

 This book is rated:

  



  

 For substantial explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable (sex with shapeshifters in shifted form).

  

 Werewulf Journals: Weddings, Bells, and a Brownie

 Camille Anthony

  

 This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  

  

 Published by

 Loose Id LLC

 1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-29

 Carson City NV 89701-1215

 www.loose-id.com

  

  

 Copyright © December 2005 by Camille Anthony

 All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

  

  

 ISBN 1-59632-204-7

 Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket , and MS Reader

  

  

 Printed in the United States of America


  
Editor: Maryam Salim

 Cover Artist: April Martinez

  

  

  

  

  

 www.loose-id.com

 Prologue

  

 “Hunter, stop your arguing. No one just walks into a church and waltzes out with two-ton bells without someone seeing them. The bells are missing. Therefore, it’s a paranormal crime and falls under your jurisdiction. The NHP team is assigned this case, and that’s my final word.”

 “We non-human protectors didn’t sign on to ‘deal’ with these petty crimes, Morrison, and you know that.”

 “I don’t give a flying fuck. For your information, this crime isn’t petty. It’s demoralizing to a lot of people because those bells are an integral part of their worship services. Besides, the department pays all of you a disgustingly high salary. You better believe you’ll earn every penny.”

 “We do -- in hazard pay.” Hunter McCallum glared at the commissioner, wondering if his present resentment stemmed from being saddled with this latest case or from their ongoing feud. “What did you do before you had the NHP to handle your department’s workload, Kevin?”

 Morrison crossed his arms and glared back. “We humans humped our asses just likeevery other normal policeman before us. We didn’t have any paranormal superpowers to help us solve crime or bring in the bad guys. We did it with good old-fashioned brains, sweat, and footwork.”

 “That’s what this is really all about, isn’t it, Kev ?Jealous?”

 The commissioner’s mouth twisted. His light brown complexion darkened with the flush of heated anger as he slid the file on the missing church bells across the table to Hunter. “Hardly, but speaking of footwork, here’s another case for you -- a kidnapping.” He waved another manila folder in Hunter’s face,then pushed it over. “Four floors up, doors locked. Kid’s in the nursery. Mother in the kitchen -- never heard anyone come in. Window’s open, baby’s gone. There’ve been two more snatches since this one was called in.”

 “Gee, Kev , you have anyone question Mary Poppins ? She seems to fit the MO on this one.”

 Lips curled in disdain, Hunter took the files off the table and crammed them under his arm. By the Moon, he could already hear the guys complaining. Even Indigo would have a few choice words confronted with cases like these.

 “I don’t need your sass. Just solve the cases.”

 A frustrated sigh lifted Hunter’s shoulders. “Most of the team is on loan hunting that rogue were-polar bear in Alaska, and I have a wedding to prepare for, you know?”

 “Postpone it.”

 Hunter’s eyes rounded as his jaw dropped. “ Postponeit?” Thinking of what Melody would do to his balls if he stupidly suggested postponing her wedding chilled him. “You must be fucking insane.”

 Morrison’s eyebrows rose. “The wedding isn’t until New Year’s Eve. You have time to complete these assignments and do whatever pre-nuptial chores the little woman has mapped out for you.”

 “What’s the matter, Social Climbing Ken? Smarting ’cause you’re gonna miss the San Franciscan social event of the year?” Hunter made no effort to hide his smirk. “Hey, dude, look on the bright side -- at least you don’t have to dress up in a tuxedo and waddle around like a penguin ...”

 * * * * *

 Ariclestapped the massive bell with a small, lead hammer. The deep, true tone reverberated in the room, the golden echoes splashing gently against the far walls in fainter and then fainter volume. The last low note lingered softly on the air, humming in a deep bass that shook bones and sinew.

 “This one ... this is the most important one. We’ll take it last -- it’ll be easier that way.”

 “Taking them won’t be the problem, Aricles .”

 The vampire’s body emerged from the shadows. Sauntering into the middle of the room, hands stuffed in the pockets of his greatcoat, he glanced up at his youthful team member. “Putting them back unobserved, without alerting the other team members, will be the greater challenge.”

 The Greek demi -god turned and bent a long, considering look on his cohort. “Are you in or out?”

 “Oh, definitely in.I love a good challenge.”

 * * * * *

 From the darkness, discerning brown eyes observed the tableau by the Dumpster, mouth tight with compassionate pity. Sliding deeper in the shadows, she frowned as this little family’s tragic story unfolded before her.

 The young mother stared down into the face of the sleeping infant, loathing and hatred stamped on her features.

 “ Abomination!”Hushed and vehement, her hissed cry sounded clearly in the ears of the one keeping vigil.

 “By rights, I should strangle or drown you now -- it would be the kindest thing ...”

 The anger in her voice woke the baby and it mewled, its little mouth working. A thin, hungry wail shattered the near silence of the deserted back street, and the woman jerked about, body taut, eyes glowing and muscles tight in readiness.

 Finding no threat, she returned her attention to the infant in her arms. “ I dare not take you with me!You’ve already stolen months from my life, trapping me in this grotesque form.”

 Taking a last, furtive look around, the woman -- barely older than a girl -- lifted the heavy lid and tossed the baby into the bin. The small bit of abandoned flesh screamed in startled reaction to the cold and the abrupt landing. The harried mother slammed the lid down on the baby’s cries, backing away from the trash receptacle with cautious haste.

 The guardian nodded sagely, not surprised when the young woman dropped to all fours and quickly morphed into a lovely silver-haired wolf. As the animal trotted away without a backward glance, the watcher came out of the shadows and scurried over to the bin.

 A wave of her small hand and the space before her sparkled with tiny motes of light glittering on the night air. A pattern of power danced over the Dumpster as the lid lifted and the silent baby floated upward, hovering on nothingness.

 Arms stretched to receive him from theair, the petite being crooned a lullaby, coaxing a tentative smile from the infant. The baby peered up into the wizened face of his savior and gurgled a tentative greeting.

 “Little wulf , you will do well,” the being promised, cuddling the baby close to her generous breast. “First, we must find you something to eat, and second, a place to abide ...”

 A lump of coal, dense black and just the size of the newborn, occupied the space in the Dumpster where the baby had lain.

 Chapter One

  

 “What do you mean, you don’t own a tux?”

 “Just what I said, sweetness.I don’t own one. Never have.” Hunter didn’t look up from sorting through the receipts for the last two jobs the NHP team had completed. “Which you would have known if you’d ever taken more than a quick glance at my side of the closet,” he tacked on after a lengthy pause.

 His offhand response raised Melody’s already hot temper to the boiling point. She cut the flame off under the steaks browning for dinner and set the skillet at the back of the stove. Turning, she leaned against the counter with her arms crossed over her chest.

 “First, I don’t have anything on your side of the closet and your clothes don’t fit me, so why would I look there? And secondly, just what were you going to do two weeks from now?”

 Her eyebrows twitched together in an angry scowl when he squirmed. Knowledge of her mate had her narrowing her eyes in suspicion. Half teasing, she said, “You’d better not be thinking of showing up for our wedding in jeans and your biker jacket ...”

 His shamefaced expression said it all.

 Her hands dropped to her sides before fisting at her hips.“Don’t dare try it, Hunter McCallum!”

 “Hey, I’ve got more sense than that.” He pushed his chair out from the table and twisted sideways to face her. “I wasn’t going to wear the biker jacket, but I have plenty of coats less casual than a tuxedo.”

 He paused for her response, but she managed to hold her peace. He tried wheedling.

 “Come on, Melody -- why should I shell out for something I’m only gonna need once? Believe you me -- I don’t ever plan to go through something like this again.”

 “And that’s why they have places that rent tuxedos, you mutt!”

 Heaving a gusty sigh, she forced back frustrated tears. Lately, her man’s ... mannish ways kept getting on her nerves and driving her nuts. How did he expect her to plan this wedding without his cooperation? Left up to Hunter, their wedding would probably never take place. Melody suspected he would be howlingly happy if she dropped all the preparation and called it a done deal, but she needed this ceremony.

 Fucking in front of a cheering crowd might have cemented their relationship for Hunter, but she still didn’t feel married . Mated, yes -- they were definitely an item for life, but in the eyes of her friends and loved ones, she was a fallen woman living in sin.

 Why is it so hard for Hunter to understand how I feel?

 Melody didn’t want Blair’s baby brother or sister to carry the stigma of being illegitimate, but even more, she didn’t want Hunter to appear at a disadvantage to her friends. She didn’t want her late husband’s congregation judging Hunter’s level of commitment inferior to Roland’s.

 Those people, in all their humanness, had been the only ones to embrace and befriend her during the worst period of her life. They’d shared their meager resources with her, comforted and encouraged her. They were her friends and the closest thing to family she had. She needed them to like Hunter ... and vice versa.

 “You have to wear a tux, Hunter and a rental will only cost you a couple hundred dollars.” She waited for the explosion. It wasn’t long in coming.

 Looking affronted, Hunter snapped, “A couple of --! What kind of sense does that make, Mel?”

 She clicked her tongue at him. “You have gobs of money. You’re always egging me on to buy whatever I want. I can’t believe you’re too tight to rent a tux for your own wedding.”

 Hunter frowned. “It’s not that I’m tight, sweet bitch. I like pampering you, but that other would be a waste. No way am I shelling out hundreds of bucks for a monkey suit I’d only wear a few hours before having to return it. That’s not logical.”

 Melody showed all her teeth in a decidedly feral smile of her own. “I’m so glad you agree with me, honey,” she crooned, gliding over and sidling onto his lap, “because I’ve already arranged with Rosa to watch Blair while we go shopping. It’s much more sensible to buy your own so you can have it on hand for other occasions!”

 “Aw, Mel, what are you planning in that devious mind of yours? You aren’t thinking of making me go to parties and crap, are you? You know I hate socializing.”

 As he spoke, Hunter’s hands automatically curled around her thickening waist, securing her close to him. He rubbed the bulge that sheltered their growing baby, gently and carefully, so tender with her she could feel his love radiating through her skin.

 “Don’t worry, honey, I’m not interested in turning you into a party animal. I like my wulf wild and undomesticated.”

 “Thank god for that!” His hands tightened at Melody’s waist.

 Anger replaced with rising ardor, Mel cuddled up to her mate and began dropping kisses down the side of his strong neck and across the broad shoulder closest to her. She reveled in the sexy rumbling growls her actions elicited from him.

 Responding to her aggressive advances with his usual alacrity, Hunter slipped his hands under her blouse and caressed her back. Deftly unsnapping her bra, his fingers swept the cloth out of the way so he could cup and squeeze her breasts. He splayed his fingers to catch and tug at her nipples while his teeth scraped across the sensitive area of her neck bearing his mark.

 She moaned at the intense rivers of arousal flooding her as his breath flowed over her scar. Shivering, Melody scrunched up her shoulders, nudging his mouth away from her throat.“Tickles!”

 Gathering her scattered wits, she reluctantly eased away from his caresses. Regretfully moving his hands away from her swollen, achy nipples, she reminded him, “We don’t have time for this ... we have to go shopping.”

 “Good god, woman, I’m trying to seduce you and all you can think about is getting that tux. I’m glad you’re on my side because you are one tenacious bitch. You’re stubborn enough to wear a groove in stone, you know that?”

 Hunter’s gruff words, imbued with pride and love, caused Melody to shimmy her hips on his lap, moved as always by the verbal affirmation of his love for her. He constantly gave her that needed reassurance. It was one more thing she loved about him.

 “Of course I do, and of course I’m tenacious,” she whispered, leaning over and stretching to reach his lips. “I held on to you, didn’t I?”

 His hands clamped down on her as he opened his lips to accept the bold foray of her tongue. “Never let me go,” he begged, just before entangling their mouths in a scorching kiss.

 Eons later, Melody drew breath and leaned back. “Let you go? Are you crazy?” She stroked his beloved face with one hand while shaking her head. “For the life of me, I can’t understand why you keep insisting I’m some kind of femme fatale, when there’s only one man for me --” She tightened her knees around his hips. “-- though he’s not quite where I want him right now.”

 “Oh, you’re a femme fatale, all right,” Hunter teased, dropping pecking kisses over her face. “You’ve proven fatal to my ability to feel arousal for anyone else. You’re the only woman I want. That doesn’t change the fact that you are a sexy, abundant queen who can have any male breathing.” His voice deepened, darkened with pain as he half-whispered, “You could have had Chase. I never would have made it home in time if you hadn’t chosen to diligently fight him off for so long.”

 Determined to make sure her man knew how she felt once and for all, Melody twisted her arms around Hunter’s neck and pulled his head down into a hot, lip-mashing, tongue-spearing kiss that had her toes flexing. She hoped Hunter was getting the message. A second later, she realized something of Hunter’s was flexing, too, rising and thickening to rub along the open crease of her vagina. She scooted up until her stomach brushed his rock-hard abs. His shaking hands went to her bottom, cupping and kneading her round-cheeked ass.

 Melody felt his thigh muscles clenching under her, felt his hands gripping her ass as she began rocking her hips, riding his trapped hard-on, using the massive bar to massage her swollen labia and throbbing clit through her clothes. It felt so good, so right -- he felt so good and right to her ... for her!

 Swallowing down rising lust, Melody pulled back and disengaged her lips from the sweet haven of her mate’s working mouth. She captured his face between her palms and forced him to look into her eyes.

 “Hunter McCallum, I love only you.” She wrinkled her nose before rubbing it against his. “Chase is a pale, blond imitation of you, but I want the real thing,” she insisted. “Why drink Pepsi when I can have Coke?”

 Still holding his gaze, she dropped one hand to his waistband and undid the button there, grabbed the zipper tab and slid it down. Reaching into his jeans, she carefully freed his cock.

 “ Mmm!Just look at this baby,” she hummed, licking her lips and sliding her fisted hand up and down the chunky organ. She swiped her thumb across the seeping glans, spreading the drop of pearly moisture over the empurpled head. “I can’t see settling for that mangy Chase when I already have the best wulf  -- and the best cock -- in the world.”

 Hunter tipped the chair back, shifting her on his thighs so she dipped closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on top of her head. “I love you, too, Melody McCallum, enough to go through this human ceremony you want so badly.” A deep sigh lifted his chest under her cheek. “Only for you would I wear a tux.”

 Melody hid her smile against the thick muscles of his chest. “Sure, you’ll wear a tux, now that I have your cock in my hand, but will you act out a scene with me?” She looked up at him, letting him see the playful lust burning inside her.

 Hunter held her at arms’ length and searched her open face. His eyes twinkled at her hopeful expression. “Why do I get the impression you want to play Little Red Riding Hood to my wulf again?”

 She squirmed on his knees, feeling her pulse jump. “I don’t know ... maybe because lately, that’s all I seem to think about? God , Hunter, that first time was so hot , but you’ve never played that scene with me again, you rat! I get sopping wet whenever I think about you chasing me down and --” She waggled her eyebrows at him. “-- having your beastly way with me. Do me again, Hunter! Pretty please with sugar on top ...?”

 His sexy, growled laugh stroked things low in her belly.

 “I’ll make you a bargain, sweetness. I’ll play wulf if you’ll play slave girl. And no stopping in the middle, giving me the neck thing and refusing to do what I command, either.”

 She pouted. “I only did that once, and you know it.”

 “Doesn’t matter, sweet bitch,” he pointed out. “I demand total obedience.”

 Melody screwed up her mouth and held her nose with the hand not occupied with her man’s body. “ Eww, Hunt, licking your boots ...? No way, I ain’t gonna do it. Now, if you wanted me to lick your toes, or anything else on your luscious body ...” Her hand tightened on his cock as she eyed him up and down, visually catalogued all the parts she wanted to get her mouth on.

 “They were clean!” He sounded like a little boy protesting bath time.

 She grimaced, shaking her head. “You could never get those boots clean enough. They don’t call them shit-kickers for nothing!”

 Hunter scowled. “Hey, let’s just call off the whole thing.” He eased her off his lap and tucked his cock back inside his jeans, zipping up before scooting his chair back to the table. With jerky motions, he gathered and stacked the scattered papers into loose piles before him. “I have important work to do, anyway.”

 “Oh, yeah, sure you do ... like ignoring that huge hard-on bulging behind the zipper of your jeans,” Melody sneered.

 Hunter did a good job pretending to ignore her comments, head bent low over the table as he faked studying the paperwork he’d collected.

 She stared at him, suspicious of his abrupt actions. Giving up this easily wasn’t Hunter’s style and she knew it. Leaning over his back, she glanced past his shoulder and recognized the receipts and paperwork from the troll job. Bittersweet nostalgia swept over her as she recalled the night she and Rosa had transformed a desperately lonely troll into a confident kick-ass female.

 Melody bit back a chuckle. Tracy -- Oscar, as she’d requested they call her -- had already kicked Hunter’s ass, but that was another story.

 Hand drifting to her growing belly where her baby lay, Melody wondered how Oscar and her new mate were doing and if they had started on their own tam -- baby troll -- yet.

 “What do you think about the name Tamara if we have a girl or Tamlin if it’s a boy?”

 Hunter glanced up and met her eyes. “You’re thinking about your troll, aren’t you?” he asked, a soft smile lifting the corners of his mouth. “You two really became friends that night.”

 Melody nodded, too choked up to speak. She’d been highly emotional while pregnant with Blair and this time was proving to be no different.

 “The bitch always has the last word in the naming of pups, but I don’t have any objection to those names. Either way, the nickname is going to end up being Tam or baby. You realize you’re naming your child Baby McCallum.”

 She thought about that. “ Uhm, maybe we’ll use those as second names.”

 “Good thinking,” Hunter murmured, turning his attention back to the papers. “Now, back to my important work ...”

 “Important, my butt,” she scoffed. “That’s only billing.”

 “Billing is important, woman.” He looked up, turning on his puppy-dog-eyes expression. “If you had any compassion, you’d take this job off my hands.”

 “Humph! Forget it, Hunter. I didn’t join the NHP team to be stuck with your paperwork.”

 He flashed his best boyish grin. “Think about it this way: You’re supposed to be my helpmeet. Why don’t you help me meet my deadline by doing this damned financial stuff for me?”

 “Helpmeet is a human phrase and we’re not humanly married, yet. Besides, I happen to know you’re a whiz at this ‘financial stuff,’ as you put it. You’re just lazy.”

 “Whatever you say, Little Red,” Hunter murmured, head bent low over the spreadsheets.

 Knowing he was manipulating her, Melody still found herself rifling through the thick sheaf of papers. “If I do them, you know what I’ll want in payment.”

 Hunter leaned back in his chair and widened his legs. “So, we’re back to negotiating the chase scene?”

 She raised her eyebrows at him. “It doesn’t sound like you ever left off.”

 He said nothing. Glancing at her from under thick eyelashes, he not so subtly rubbed his thumb along the thick outline of his hard cock.

 Feeling hungry, Melody couldn’t resist visually following the track of his thumb down that long, long length of rigid, jean-covered penis. Her mouth watered as she envisioned it pumping in and out of her mouth before surging into “Vanessa’s” hot, clasping grip.

 She licked her lips. “You are so not playing fair!”

 His dark chuckle made her nipples sit up and beg for attention. With another knowing laugh, his gaze dipped from her prominent tips down to her pelvis. His nostrils widened as he drank in the aroma of her arousal. “All’s fair in wulves and slave girls, sweetness.” He tipped his chin in Vanessa’s direction. “I can smell your interest in ol ’ Buford.”

 “Okay, I’ll lick your damned boots, but just the tops, you damned Simon Legree .” Melody capitulated, her face twisted into a disgusted scowl. “I swear I’ll heave if you make me lick the bottoms. That can’t be good for our baby.”

 Grinning like a loon, Hunter straightened on his chair. Hands busy at the button of his jeans, he gave her a triumphant look. “We’ll play my scene first, to make sure you don’t wimp out on me like you did the last time.”

 He eased his zipper down along his rigid cock “I’ll forget about you licking my boots this time. Something’s come up that needs your tongue’s attention more urgently! If you hurry, you can take care of it before we leave to go shopping.”

 Going to her knees between his spread knees, Melody licked her lips in greedy anticipation. Hunter’s cocksicle was her favorite treat. Smiling up at him, she tugged his jeans further out of the way. Gripping the base of his cock in one hand, she dipped her head and licked over the tip of the velvety smooth glans. She pulled back and glanced up, hand smoothing up and down his rearing length. “I am your humble slave, Master. Allow me the honor of performing whatever task my Lord desires ...”

 Chapter Two

  

 “You do realize you can’t get away with this?”

 Ariclesstared down at Gregori Vlasavic from his perch next to the gigantic bell, his ice-blue pupils sheeting over with frost. He raised a perfectly arched eyebrow and lifted his chiseled chin -- which had been sculpted by enraptured artists many times over the centuries, as the watching vampire well knew.

 “I am a god. I can get away with anything.”

 Gregori’scrack of derisive laughter echoed eerily in the vast chamber. “You’re only a demi -god ... a halfling . And alone, you won’t get away with this asinine project.”

 “Then why are you helping me?” Aricles took another careful measurement and jotted it down on his PDA.

 Gregorisighed dramatically, just as carefully hiding his teasing grin. “Because I am good enough at subterfuge that with my assistance, your escaping notice just might be possible. Besides, I like Melody and wish her wedding day to be perfect. If she weren’t so firmly attached to Hunter, I’d have made a play for that luscious woman ages ago.”

 This time it was Aricles who laughed -- a laugh as perfect as the rest of him. “McCallum would rip your symbiote out of your chest and strangle it in its own blood.”

 Gregoripretended a shiver. “Your words paint a graphic picture ... and alas, a true one, which is why the delectable soon-to-be Mrs. McCallum is safe from my amorous advances.” He cocked his head and eyed the trim man standing confidently on a one-inch board stretched between space and two wooden girders.

 Six feet, seven inches tall, Kyrios Aricles was the epitome of manly beauty. Inky black curls tumbled across a broad, high forehead. Slashing brows shaded crystalline blue eyes that could range from bright interest to arctic anger. A faultless, classic nose separated defined cheekbones, giving his face a long, patrician cast.

 Aricles’ features were so beautiful they chilled the observer. One knew, looking at him, that no human ever bore such a countenance; flawlessness distilled and pressed down, compacted into features that reflected a glory too bright to gaze upon. His lush mouth, perhaps, was the one thing that saved his face from inhumanity. Curved and full, his lips were pure sexual perfection. And that top lip ... Cupid never carried such a bow.

 Gregori, bi-sexually oriented and unashamed of it, appreciated the masculine beauty of the Hellenic demi -god. In his day, he’d cavorted with the best and the worst of them. Dionysius, for one, put on a hell of a romp when he was feeling hisgrapes ...

 He smiled, deciding to yank Ari’s chain a bit.

 “Melody may be lost to me, but you, Ari , are available and pretty enough to spark even my symbiote’s jaded interest.”

 Without looking down, Aricles tightened that lush, decadent mouth and shook his head. “Forget it, Vlasavic . I don’t do men. And don’t call me Ari .”

 Gregori, who’d already known that about him, raised mocking eyebrows. “What? A Greek demi -god not party to the ‘Greek Persuasion?’ Surely you jest!”

 Ariclesturned from measuring the bell and looked down at Gregori , the celestial blue of his irises swirling with disturbing clouds of turbulence. “When I was young and too powerless to stop them, some of the elder gods, and others, helped themselves to my body whenever it pleased them. It pleased them a lot.”

 He turned back to his PDA and his calculations. “I don’t do men, and I no longer have to allow them to do me.” His words, precise and clipped, chilled with their forbidding coating of ice.

 The effect bounced off the ancient vampire like so much dust. He gave a dismissing shrug.

 “Sounds like you had the wrong partners, Kyrios Aricles . You don’t know what you’re missing.” Gregori shook off a guilty feeling about his playful suggestion. Though Aricles was a stuck-up prick most of the time, standoffish and always insisting people address him formally, he was a member of the NHP and, as such, a brother of sorts. Gregori actually liked the prickly Greek.

 “I bet there’s quite a story behind that vehement refusal. You must tell it to me some day. In the meantime, let’s move on to the next bell ...”

 Chapter Three

  

 “Stop crying. It’s not as if I’m going to die.”

 The little, brown, rotund woman patted her weeping friend. “At least, not the way ye mean and certainly not now. Not for a long time, in fact.”

 “Bu-but there’s al-always been a b-brownie in our family,” the woman choked out between sobs, “ever since Great-Gramps c-came from the old country.”

 “Sure and yer right, me colleen.I recall that journey well -- cold it was, and wearisome.” A sigh lifted the petite, but rounded chest. “I’ve been gone a long time, and lately I’ve been feeling a great hankering to set foot on the old sod once more before I fade.”

 Renewed sobs from her former charge had her quickly adding, “Now stop that, Myra! Ye ken I’ll not fade as long as ye live and remember me.”

 “I’ll never forget you, Nanna ! I love you!”

 “Ach, and I love ye, too, colleen, but I still hafta go. Yer crying ain’t changing the truth of it.”

 Myra sniffled and swiped at her nose with a soggy Kleenex. “But who will be here for the future generations? Who will watch the children’s cradles during the night?”

 The pudgy little woman’s brown eyes twinkled. “Now, colleen, ye ken yer son is jolly.”

 Myra stiffened. “You mean gay.”

 “Aye.He’s gay and jolly with it, even though ye and yer man dinna like it. Wishful thinking aside, there’ll be no bairns from his loins, and we both ken that fact.” She doled out another commiserating pat on the arm. “There’s nothing left for me here and I’d best be going afore I lose me glimmer.”

 “But Nanna , where will you go?”

 “ Dinna fash yerself, colleen.The whole wide world is me oyster and I’ll see a bit of it afore I return to the homeland.” Her brows furrowed as she gazed into the middle distance. “There’s something tugging at me heart, some trouble I ken out in the dark alleyways of this fearsome city ...”

 Myra gasped. “ Nanna, what on earth are you thinking of? The alleys and slums are no place for a proper house brownie!”

 “It’s no place for hapless bairns , either,” the brownie snapped.

 That dried Myra’s tears. “There’s a baby involved?”

 “More than one of the precious babes is hurting, dearie . Be glad ye canna feel the anguish of the little ones; hear the cries of the abandoned. I hear their cries every day, every night ...”

 “Oh, Nanna !”Myra clasped her hands at her chest. “That’s terrible. I want to help!”

 “Truly?”

 “Yes. Please let me help you. It’ll give me something to do now that Darryl has moved in with his ... er  ... significant other and Patrick is gone on his business trip.”

 The silver eyes of the brownie glinted in the dark. “Yer wanting to help puts a different face on things, darling. Come to the guestroom. I have something to showye . There be bairns here, again after all, me colleen.”

 Chapter Four

  

 “Here, try this one on and stop all that whining.” Melody handed Hunter a silver tux in the Oriental style. He shook his head no, face screwed up in a fierce grimace.

 “No way am I putting that on. I’d look like a Bruce Lee wanna- be on steroids!” A plaintive note crept into his voice. “When are we going home? We’ve been at this all afternoon.”

 “You exaggerate. We’ve only been at this for a little over an hour. It took Rosa and me two weeks to find our wedding dresses!”

 Hunter shuddered. “Gracious Moon! Don’t tell me about it. The very thought makes me break out in hives.”

 Melody laughed and held up a severely cut, black-on-black satin tuxedo in the classic line, spreading it across Hunter’s broad chest. “This one looks nice. Try it on. Fort said much the same thing. At least you didn’t scream about the cost like he did.”

 Mumbling something that sounded like, “I’m not that dumb!” under his breath, Hunter obediently slipped his arms into the jacket.

 Mel narrowed her eyes and glared at Hunter. “Look at it this way ... you got two weddings for the price of one. That first ceremony didn’t cost you anything. Pops paid all the expenses for that one.”

 Hunter looked up from settling the tux about him. “Babe, I never say a word about what you spend because I want you to have whatever you need. The money’s there. It’s yours to use as you want. Draw it all out of the bank and throw it to the poor if you choose. It would take you a long time to deplete what we have.”

 Melody melted. She didn’t love Hunter for his money, but there was just something special about a man who opened his wallet so freely. Yet what she loved most about her man was that he opened his heart just as readily ... and only to her. For her sake, he had accepted her son and now loved him as his own.

 Her vision blurred as tears welled in her eyes. “If I were to tell you how much I love you right this moment, you’d think it’s because of what you said about the money. So I’ll just wait until we get home to show you how much you moved me just now.”

 “No way, sweetness!”Hunter stepped into her personal space and wrapped her up in a bear hug. “I’m a show-and-tell kind of guy ... and immature as hell. I’m still into instant gratification. I want to hear about this love, and see how moved you are, this instant. Are you wet?”

 “Hunter!” Melody hissed under her breath, struggling to get loose. “There are people watching us ... and listening!”

 He only tightened his grip and hauled her closer to his chest. Her feet dangled in the air as one of his hands foraged under her dress. “Our pack mating showed you how little I care about having an audience. When my bitch makes a statement like the one you just made, she deserves a reward. Now kiss me!”

 How could she resist? She loved a forceful man. Grabbing the hair at the nape of his neck, Melody dragged Hunter’s head down and opened her lips under his aggressive mouth.

 The store, along with the few male clients flipping idly through the inventory, as well as all Melody’s inhibitions, faded away under the heat generated by his loving kiss. Lost in his taste, she couldn’t have cared less about what the men might be thinking as they watched the tall, brawny white man trying to devour the chunky black woman from the lips down.

 Melody groaned and shifted, trying to get closer than skin-to-skin. Hunter’s hand on her butt mashed Buford between them. Her toes curled, and Vanessa wept for joy. Her anaconda rose to full fucking mode -- long, hard, and thick. She released Hunter’s mouth long enough to say, “Buford feels like he wants to play. Let’s go find a hotel room ...”

 “Fuck that!” Hunter groaned, rubbing his hard-on against her belly. “I can’t wait.Where’s the pants to this outfit?”

 “Hanging on the rack.”Melody leaned back and eyed her man, a worried thought niggling her. “Hunter, what are you thinking?”

 “I’m thinking there’s a room right here big enough to fuck in.”

 “Are you insane? We can’t do that!”

 Hunter grinned, showing all his teeth. Some of them had elongated. “You think not?” He chuckled. “Watch me! Grab those pants, sweetness ...”

 Shell-shocked, she bent over and snatched his size off the bar, barely keeping her balance as he impatiently waited for her to finish. Keeping her in his arms, Hunter strode to the check-out counter.

 “I want to try these pants on.” He slapped a large bill down on the counter.“In private. Turn the camera off.”

 “Sir?”The man looked down at the denomination of the bill and his eyes widened. The money disappeared. “Oh, yes , sir! Right away , sir! Room number six is at the far end of the corridor.”

 Hunter’s lips curled up. “Thanks, man. Keep the change.”

 Melody buried her face in his neck, too embarrassed to look up as Hunter strode down the hall to the small changing rooms.

 “Get the door.”

 The terse command brought her head up. As she’d suspected from the gruffness of his voice, Hunter’s eyes had gone incandescent. The sight made her womb clench with excitement. A heated rush of fluid gushed between her legs.

 She reached to open the door and saw her hand was shivering. “Your eyes have changed.”

 He began shedding his clothes.“Strip.”

 Melody wrapped her arms around her torso. “Hell, Hunter, I’m not getting naked in a men’s store changing room.”

 “My eyes are gone so you know just how excited I am. If you don’t take them off, I’ll rip your clothes. What will you wear out of here?”

 “Well, since you put it so romantically ...” Melody tugged her dress up and over her head, feigning reluctance. Truthfully, she loved it when Hunter lost control. When his inner beast rode him hard, he, in turn, rode her harder. “You’re on the edge, aren’t you?”

 He smiled at her, showing fangs.“Teetering there, baby.You falling over with me?”

 Feeling giddy, Melody laughed.“Hell, yeah.”

 Hunter frowned at her. “Why are you wearing panties?”

 “Huh?” She paused in the middle of unhooking her bra.

 “You’re wearing panties, again. What’s the use when you know I’m just going to rip them off?”

 “Screw that crap, Hunt. You keep me so horny I have to wear panties to catch the overflow. It’s not comfortable walking around with girl-cum sliding past your knees, you know.”

 His frown deepened. “That’s my fault, then. You’re a highly sexed bitch in her prime and you require loving on a regular basis. I’ll have to make sure I take care of your needs more often.”

 That boggled her mind. More often ... than what we already do? I’ll be bowlegged!

 Naked, Melody walked into Hunter’s open arms. “How about we take care of your needs right now?”

 “Your needs ... my needs: same thing,” Hunter growled, bending to take her mouth. His hands slipped down her back and around to her front; the fingers of one hand tangling in her pubic hair, sliding in the slippery juice coating her thighs. “Oh, hell, baby, you’re sopping wet.”

 “For you,” she panted, trying to climb his body. “Only for you ...”

 It was true. After their pack mating, Melody had asked Hunter and Andrea for ten minutes alone with Chase. She’d needed to prove to herself that he could no longer make her needy, make her want him as he had that afternoon in the condo. They’d given their permission and in an attempt to make amends for his earlier behavior, Chase had agreed to her demands.

 Ten minutes later, Melody had emerged from the bedroom, triumphant, convinced of her total immunity to Chase’s seduction. Now mated, her hormones had settled down and she was no longer pumping out what Chase had once called “fuck-me pheromones.”

 Since then, she’d felt more secure and comfortable, more able to respond to Hunter’s sexy overtures with total abandon -- like now.

 Mouth open to draw in needed air, Melody’s hand fumbled at Hunter’s waist, frantic on his zipper, desperate to get at his cock. She glanced up with a frustrated moan. “I could use a little help, here. Please ...?”

 Hunter’s hands came down and lifted her up. “Let me take care of that, sweet bitch. I want you too much. If you put your hands on me, I’ll be finished before we get started.”

 “You’re the one holding us up,” Mel groused. “I’m firing on all jets.”

 Hunter laughed. “That’s what I like about you, sweetness ...” He unsnapped his pants and pushed the zipper carefully past his burgeoning erection. “You’re always ready for me.”

 Buford sprang out, flushed and thick. Melody licked her lips as she salivated over the luscious sight of her mate’s rampant cock. Her palms pressed into the abundant mounds of her breasts, her fingers tugged at her stiff turgid crests. “Today I’m ahead of you!”

 Melody fidgeted as Hunter sat on the bench stretching from wall to wall in the narrow, changing room. He spread his legs and patted his thighs, wordlessly urging her to impale herself on his upstanding cock.

 Insides melting in anticipation of all that masculine heat and focused power reaming her hungry core, she almost wept at the promise of the pleasure awaiting her. Swallowing thickly, she moved forward, all her attention trained on that long bar of jutting flesh.

 She was hungry ... so hungry, starving for him. Though they’d made love before heading for the mall to shop, Melody’s need and desire was so strong, so intense, it felt as if she had been deprived of Hunter’s body for a year. Her stomach muscles screamed with tension, her womb clenched and rhythmically contracted on emptiness. Her hands came up to cradle her belly as she eagerly rushed over to straddle his lap.

 “Hunter, I hurt for you!”

 “I know, baby,” he crooned, hands coming to rest at her waist, holding her before him. “Let me take care of you.”

 Two fingers held her labia open as Hunter guided his cock to her wet entrance. She moaned with a mixture of pain and relief as he slowly pushed his way in, wedging the broad head of his penis past the tight elastic opening of her vagina.

 “Sink down, love.”

 She obeyed with alacrity, eager to feel his entire length spreading and filling her, hissing as his thick cock surged deep and sure. “Oh, God, oh, God, Hunter  ...”

 He leaned back until his head rested against the wall. “By the Moon, sweet bitch, you feel so good wrapped around me ... so good! ”

 Eyes squeezed close, mouth tight with strain, Hunter buried his fingers in the full round globes of her bottom and fucked her deeply, keeping the rhythm slow and steady.

 She wanted him to move faster, harder, and urged him pick up speed by jouncing on his lap. His hands came up and held her still, held her down as he continued to shaft her in an almost languid fashion.

 After the futile attempt to force her will on her stubborn lover, Melody gave in and focused her attention on the heated glide of Hunter’s cock. He sank into her depths over and over again, going deep, pulling her down onto his upright shaft as he speared up into her wet, clinging folds.

 Struggling to keep from shouting, Melody tipped her head back and moaned at the tidal waves of sensation splashing through her with each powerful surge of his hips. One hand released its grip on her ass to administer a sharp slap and she jumped, electrified by the sting of pain. The added stimulus had her cream welling and overflowing, bathing Hunter’s cock with her intimate fluids.

 Lifting her arms and circling his neck, Mel leaned in and up to meet Hunter’s lips, her large breasts rubbing against the washboard hardness of his chest.

 Another slap landed and the sharp sound echoed in the small room. Melody’s ample flesh bounced under the impact. She felt the vibrations clear to her clit. “Oh, God, Hunt! I need you deep and hard. Please, darling, fuck me hard.”

 “You’ll scream ...” he warned, staring down into her eyes, his own gleaming with the otherworldly glow of imminent change. “Best take it slow and easy.”

 “No!” Melody licked his skin at the bend of shoulder and neck, her blunt teeth worrying his flesh, caressing him as he’d taught her. “You’re my mate,” she goaded, knowing she pushed him beyond his limit, knowing she ignited his territorial instincts. “Fuck me like the Alpha you are. Make me scream and show these puny males I belong to you!”

 An instant later, she had what she asked for. With a roar of possession, Hunter’s body bulked with muscle. Fur flowed down Hunter’s shoulders, enveloping his flesh. The cock tunneling in her lengthened and thickened until its size strained her specially bioengineered sex.

 His thrusts gained in strength and speed until he was slamming into her stretched pussy, lifting her body with the power of his driving lunges. Sharp teeth played at her nipples, nipping and teasing with the threat of a more painful bite.

 Her dark tips tightened and firmed, beaded under the sweltering heat of his breath. She lifted her torso toward his mouth and fangs, offering him her neck and breasts, anything he wanted.

 Voice gone in the extremity of mid-change, Hunter resorted to mind-speak. Oh, love, you taste so delicious! Ride me now. Ride me hard. Never let me go!

 Hold me, Hunter. Make me forget where we are. Send the world away.

 I can’t hold out long, my mate. This is going to be a fast, rough ride!

 Yes! Oh, thank God ... yes!

 Ten minutes later, Hunter tossed the pants and jacket of the tuxedo onto the desk. “Thanks for the use of the room.”

 The attendant glanced up with a sly grin. “Thank you , sir. Will you be taking these?”

 Huntergrinned right back, tucking a blushing Melody under his shoulder. “ Naw, I think I’ll need to try a few more suits before I can come to a final decision.” He glanced down at his mate, and his grin widened. “My wife is too tired to wait for me to try on any more now, so we’re leaving. We’ll be back later. Make sure our room is ready.” He slid an obscenely large bill across the counter, where it disappeared beneath the quick palm of the young cashier.

 “Yes, sir!No problem, sir. I’ll put an out of order sign on the door, but you can ignore it and just go right on in.” The boy leaned forward and whispered, “Just in case you wanted to know ... you could hardly hear anything from out here.”

 Hunter laughed as he picked up a groaning, hot-cheeked Melody and headed out of the store.

 Chapter Five

  

 “Why this particular sound system, Ari ?Couldn’t we just buy one of our own? I don’t lack money, you know, and wouldn’t mind putting out for the present.”

 “ Gregori, this sound system is already set up to work with a loud speaker. Now, I could, given time, figure out how to rig that on a new machine. But why should I when I can just borrow this one? And why buy a new one when I never plan to use it again?”

 He turned and reached for a new marker.“Right speaker in.”

 Gregoriscribbled the words down and passed up the Post-It sticker.

 Ariattached it and called off the next instruction.“Main power cord.”

 “Well, come to think of it, why shouldn’t we ... er  ... borrow from the mosque? There’s nothing like getting everyone mad at us. We’ve stolen from every Catholic church in the city and a few of every other denomination. No one can call us prejudiced.”


 “ Gregori,shut up and pass the next sticker.”

 The vampire hissed. “Tell me again why I chose to work with you?”

 The Greek god looked down and smiled. “You’re in lust with me and trying to soften me up for your bed.”

 Vlasavicblinked. “Oh, yeah, now I remember.”

 Chapter Six

  

 “... In the news today, three more babies have mysteriously disappeared from their homes in what is shaping up to be the most bizarre case of serial infant snatching this city’s law enforcement agencies have ever faced. Join us as we go live to Will Dorden as he questions the parents ...”

 Rosa crossed herself as a woman appeared on the screen, sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath. I just want my baby back! I’ll do anything, anything! ” Another woman stared at the camera, face blank with shock, with self-guilt. It’s my fault. I should have been more patient, spent more time with my baby .”

 Rosa felt dreadful for the mothers whose children were missing. There was nothing more horrendous than not knowing where your child was, wondering every day whether or not they were safe.

 Dressed only in a thin nightgown, she puttered about the kitchen putting on the coffee and squeezing fresh orange juice.

 A few minutes later, Rosa glanced up with a smile as Andrea danced into the kitchen, ears covered by oversized headphones. Music blared from the MP3 player clipped at her waist and Rosa wondered why she bothered with the earphones. She could hear the music just fine from across the room.

 “ Drea, turn that down! You’ll wreck your hearing.”

 Andrea pranced over to the cupboard and removed a bowl and glass, obviously oblivious to Rosa’s demand. Dancing to the refrigerator, she took out milk and orange juice and, executing a series of sweeping turns, placed them on the table.

 “Andrea Montalvo !” Rosa shouted,fists balled at her hips. She stomped into her daughter’s line of sight.

 The teen pulled one pad away from her head. “Good morning. You say something, Mom? I didn’t hear you.”

 “No wonder,” Rosa muttered, snatching the headset off her daughter’s head.

 “Hey!”

 “I’ve warned you before ... if you don’t turn this darned thing down I will confiscate it. Mija , I’ve told you about having it on so loud you can’t hear anything else. Do you know how dangerous that is? What if you went to cross the street and didn’t hear a car coming?” She waggled her fingers, demanding the player.

 With a pout, the girl unhooked the device and handed it over. Her shoulders slumped and then firmed as she unconsciously echoed her mother’s stance. Hands on hips, she blurted, “Mom, get real! There’s no way a car is gonna hit me. From the moment I leave out this door till the time I return home, I’m shadowed better than President Bush. Like those two wulf goons Chase sent to watch over me are gonna let me so much as trip and skin my knee.”

 Rosa took a step back, taken aback at the scope of her daughter’s knowledge. She and Fortrayn had decided to keep certain things -- such as ever-present bodyguards -- concealed from her. Then again, Drea always seemed to know what was going on around her ... sometimes better than her mother! “I didn’t know you knew about the bodyguards.”

 Andrea snorted. “They’re pretty hard to miss. Especially when one of them messed up and let me catch him peering through the classroom window. Imagine my surprise when I ran to report a Peeping Tom and the teacher says, “Oh, that’s just your bodyguard. He’s been okayed by the principal.”

 Grabbing the box of Honey-Nut Cheerios, Andrea upended the box over her cereal bowl. Her young face twisted into a fierce scowl when only a trickle of cereal fell out. Growling, she threw the box down on the table and turned on her mother.

 “ Mom!I can’t believe you let Daddy Fort eat my Cheerios again! You know I only eat these, but he’ll eat anything. He takes my cereal then when that’s gone, he just switches over and eats up all the rest. That is so not fair!”

 Rosa eyed the empty box and then her daughter’s angry face with an expression used by all mothers when faced with a rebellious teen. Without saying a word, she crossed her arms and pursed her lips, mouth set in a tight moue.

 Grumbling under her breath, Andrea huffed. Snatching up the box, she mangled it before tossing it in the trash.

 “Watch your tone!” Rosa snapped. “For your information, it wasn’t Fort this time. I watched Blair while Hunter and Melody went shopping for a tuxedo day before yesterday. He wanted some finger-food. I didn’t realize he ate so much. That boy has a growing appetite to go along with his stretching body. I swear he’s shot up an inch in the last week!”

 Andrea’s frown didn’t lighten. “Aunt Melody should have sent something with him, then. How come he always comes over here and eats up my stuff?”

 Rosa stared at her daughter in disbelief. “What in the world is wrong with you? I’ve never seen you this disgruntled and mean.”

 “She’s waving the flag.”

 Andrea’s skin heated and flushed hot peach. “Daddy Fort, you’re not supposed to mention that!”

 Fortrayn kissed his mate good morning before turning to address his teenaged stepdaughter. “First of all, I can smell your menses all over the den. And second, the only reason your butt isn’t grounded for a week is because I know you must be PMS- ing.” His brows drew together as his voice lowered and deepened. “PMS or not, you don’t growl at your mother in that surly tone of voice.Ever.”

 He pointed to the table. “Sit down, keep a civil tongue in your mouth, and eat your breakfast. Oh, and apologize to your mother.”

 “What am I supposed to eat? There’s hardly enough left to choke a gnat.”

 Fort shrugged, unconcerned. “If you don’t have enough cold cereal, make oatmeal.”

 Andrea snapped her mouth shut, stomped over to the table, and slammed down into her chair. Muttering under her breath, she splashed milk over her meager cereal and began shoveling spoonfuls in her mouth.

 Fort cupped his ear. “What did you say? I didn’t quite catch that.”

 She didn’t respond.

 His voice hardened. “Youngling, one day you may well be the mate of a rich and powerful alpha wulf , but today you’re nothing but a rude crumb-snatcher who’s forgotten that she tucks her feet beneath my table by my grace. If you push me on the issue of respect, you will be extremely sorry. Apologize ... now! ”

 The spoon clattered in the bowl as the teen balled her fists on the table and struggled to swallow the last barely chewed mouthful of soggy cereal.“Yes, sir.”

 Head humbly bowed, Andrea heaved a heavy, put-upon sigh as she grudgingly turned to face her mother. Eyes swimming with tears, she murmured, “I’m sorry, Mom. Please forgive me.”

 Rosa went and draped her arm over her baby’s drooping shoulders. Giving Andrea a commiserating pat while exchanging a parental glance with her mate, she soothed the dejected teenager. “Of course I forgive you, mijita . And I accept your apology. You still gonna be my flower girl?” Rosa’s quiet question shattered the angry atmosphere.

 Andrea’s head jerked up. Her slim, whipcord body quickly followed. “Of course I am,” she cried, flinging her arms around her mom. “I wouldn’t miss being in your and Aunt Melody’s weddings for the world!”

 “Whew, that’s a relief!” Rosa pretended to recover from a swoon. “With all that anger flying about, I thought you might take it into your head to withdraw and leave me high and dry. Can’t have a wedding without a flower girl, you know.”

 Andrea’s eye brows flew up and disappeared under the jagged fringe of her bangs. “C’mon, Mom, sure you could. All you really need in a wedding is the bride and doom.”

 “Hey!” Fort grumbled, pouring himself a cup of coffee, “I resemble that comment!”

 His stepdaughter stuck her tongue out at him. “Yeah, I know.”

 “You’re both wrong.” Rosa touched her daughter’s cheek in passing. “I couldn’t possibly have this wedding without my precious flower. And as for you, mister ...” She came to a stop in front of her mate. “I want the human world to know you belong to me. I want a ring on your finger telling these San Francisco bitches you are permanently off the market.”

 Smiling, she took his cup and set it on the counter before going up on her tiptoes to mash her breasts against the rock solid sheet of muscle that masqueraded as his chest. Throwing her arms around his neck, she reached up and hugged him hard. “I’d put a ring through your nose, if I could.”

 “It’s already there, just invisible. Now kiss me and stop fretting.”

 She did. Fort met her more than halfway, taking aggressive control of their exchange. Forgetful of her daughter standing watching, Rosa mewled and tried to wrap her leg about Fort’s hip. He helped her, sliding a hand up the back of her thigh and lifting her pelvis into his groin. His cock hit all the right places even through her clothing, lighting up her insides.

 “Oh, yuck, I think I’m gonna hurl my cereal,” Andrea wailed, averting her eyes and making the sign of the cross with her two forefingers. “Get back! Back , foul fiends! Back into the pit of sappy married sloppiness. Dang, Mom, his tongue was so far down your throat he was wagging your tonsils. Ya’ll need to take that to the bedroom. I’m too young to have to watch this traumatizing stuff.”

 Fort’s head lazily lifted from Rosa’s mouth and he mock glared at Andrea over his mate’s head. “Enough comments from the peanut gallery. Wait a few years. Once you and Chase are mated, we’ll talk about throats and what gets wagged. For now, go get ready for school. I’ll drive you this morning. There’s something about these kidnappings that bothers me on an instinctual level. I don’t want to take a chance with your safety.”

 Teasing and menstrual moods over with, Drea nodded her head as she dumped her bowl in the sink. “Thanks, Daddy Fort, but you know whoever’s doing the snatching has only taken infants up to two years old. I’m way safe.”

 “They’ve only taken toddlers ... so far . Let’s do it this way in case they decide today is a good day to branch out.”

 Andrea shrugged. “Have it your way, paranoid papa.”

 “I usuallydo, terrible teen.”

 Rosa laughed at both of them. “You two need to stop trying to cap each other. Sheesh , playing the dozens is so out of date!”

 “He started it!” Andrea accused, backing out the kitchen and snatching an apple from the bowl on the corner counter.

 “Did not ... justfinished it!” Fort retorted just before she slipped out the door.

 “You had to have the last word, huh?” Rosa tugged Fortrayn down by the grip on his collar. “Give me that facile tongue, you dog.”

 “ Wulf, baby ... and don’t you forget it.”

 Rosa let out a startled yelp when Fortrayn planted both hands at her waist and hoisted her up onto the counter. Flipping her gown over her knees, he spread her legs and stepped into the resultant space. The grin on his face told Rosa he was planning something outrageous.

 “Ooh! What have we here ...?” A broad finger explored the damp entry to her vagina. Pushing in, he rimmed the sensitive opening before rubbing her slick moisture over her clit. “You want my tongue, baby? I’m about to give it to you ... right here .” He pressed his finger deep.

 Heat poured through Rosa, melting her core. She clamped her thighs around Fortrayn’s hand, trapping him between her legs and inside her sweltering pussy.

 “Ah, you just bathed my finger; so I take it you liked that suggestion?”

 Rosa pushed on his shoulders and spread her legs wider. “Stop teasing me. I’ll take a rain check on that promise. Andrea will be back in a minute. It doesn’t take her long to dress. I don’t want her seeing our playtime.”

 Fortrayn pulled back and looked down at her, brows drawing together in a frown. “What’s wrong with our play? There is nothing dishonorable in mates enjoying sex with each other.”

 Rosa placed a finger against her mate’s lips. “No, there isn’t. But she’s a young, impressionable teenager who’s slated to become the mate of a mature and sophisticated wulf . You can get pretty worked up when we’re having sex, darling. While I love you like that, she might get scared. Chase won’t thank us for giving her complexes.”

 With a wicked chuckle, Fortrayn picked Rosa up and draped her legs about his torso. Walking to the door, he hollered down the hallway. “Andrea, I’m going to do that nasty, trauma-inducing married stuff to your mother in the dining room, so stay out!”

 “Yuck! Thanks for the warning.”

 “Fort!”Rosa slapped at his shoulders, face turning hot at his frank words. “That wasn’t what I meant and you know it.”

 “Maybe not, sweetcakes , but I’m about to fuck my bitch. In my den, not your daughter or Lachlan himself dictates where and how I take you.”

 In the dining room, he kicked the door shut and slid her against his body, letting her nipples scrape the hard wall of his chest. “I want you.Now.”

 Rosa squirmed, her pussy welling with liquid. “I love it when you go all masterful on me!”

 He slipped his hand beneath her gown and palmed her vagina. “I love it when you’re wet and ready for me.”

 “I am!”

 “Not wet enough.” He lifted her to the table, pushing back the cloth to settle her bare bottom on the dark cherry wood. “But you will be,” he promised, tipping her back and lowering his mouth to her swollen labia. His talented tongue swiped her from anus to clit in a broad, rough sweep that had her crying out and lifting up to meet his mouth.

 Balling one fist in her mouth to keep her shouts in, she buried the other in the thick fall of his hair, urging his mouth to a harder, deeper tasting.

 “ Madre de Dios , mi corazón  ...give me some teeth!”

 He growled with lust and gave her fang, scraping his canines up and down the sensitive flesh between her legs. Holding her in place with one arm flung across her belly, he reached up to tweak a nipple between thumb and forefinger, never ceasing his greedy lapping of her saturated pussy.

 “ Mmmmm ...!” she crooned, twisting under his loving ministrations. “ Ahhh ... aye ... ooh, Fort, fuck me with your tongue ... make me come, mijo ! ”

 He tore his mouth away, chin and lower jaw shining with her juices. “Not like this, babe, not this time.”

 He rose up over her, eyes gleaming and claws extended. Ripping her nightgown off, he dragged her hips to the edge of the table and deftly flipped her over. Shifting into fur form, he clamped his fangs into the bend of her shoulder, holding her in place as he maneuvered his hindquarters into the delta of her thighs. Rearing back, he sent his cock spearing into her tight sheath. This time you come on my cock, with me buried deep insideyou ...

 Fort!

 Yes, my bitch. Feel me fucking you so deep and hard!

 Oh, my gods, yeah ... yeah! Ooh, you feel so damned good inside me!

 Mine! Mine! Mine!Fort chanted in her mind, powering his cock into her as if trying to drill to the center of her being.

 The pleasure was too rich, too overwhelming. Rosa rested her head on the table and simply gave in to the inundating river of sensations flooding her. Tears of ecstasy poured from her eyes as her mate’s wedge-shaped cock sank deeper and farther than Fortrayn could reach while in skin form.

 Taking his fangs out of her neck, Fortrayn reared up behind her. Forelegs clamping about her waist, he increased the speed and depth of his thrusts until he was hammering her unmercifully.

 I’m going to knot you.

 Do it!she ordered, flinging her hips back at him as he pounded into her, stretching the walls of her pussy until she burned with the delicious friction. Fill me up with your cum!

 She couldn’t stop her thoughts from dwelling on the futility of his knotting her. Their species were too far apart. Much as she dreamed of it, longed for it, she would never be able to give him a child.

 Fort caught the wayward thoughts and slowed his thrusts until he was barely moving within her. By the Moon ... I love you, Rosa -- not your ability to give me children!

 One day, you might think differently.

 Never! You’re my forever fling, my joy and my mate. I’ll never want another. You are enough forme ...

 Oh, Fort, you make me fall in love with you all over again when you say such sweet things.

 Good! Now shut up and fuck!

 Twisting her head and shooting her bossy mate a naughty grin, Rosa tightened the intimate muscles in her sheath. The startled howl Fort gave was music to her soul. She smirked in vindication. He wasn’t the only one dealing out pleasure, here.

 I’m coming, Rosa ... come with me!

 She felt the swelling of his cock inside her, the huge knot pressing and reshaping the walls of her sex. She mewled through the stretching, raising her hips to accept everything he had to offer.

 It hurts so good, Fort.

 I can’t hold on! I can’t ... oh,hell ...!

 Rosa screamed, tipped over into her own conflagration as she felt the hot rush of his semen gushing into her, scalding her womb with wulven cum.

 Panting and growling, Fort pushed up inside her, pressing his flanks tight against her buttocks as spurt after spurt exploded from his jerking cock. Finally spent, he rested on her back, his weight a welcome cloak against the chill of reality.

  

 Drowsily luxuriating in the orgasmic tremors still rippling through her body, Rosa gradually drifted off to sleep, wrapped around her lover and a cloud of euphoria.

 She came to while Fort was cleaning her of their mingled juices, his tongue quick and thorough on her tender flesh. There was healing in his saliva and Rosa spread her legs in a languid sprawl, making room for him to reach every inch of her sore pussy.

 A banging on the door jerked her out of her lazy state.

 “Hey! Remember me? Gotta go to school, here! Sometime this year, if possible ...!”

 Fortrayn lifted his head from between his mate’s legs. “Watch your mouth, imp. We’re coming.”

 “Yeah, I know  ... but hurry it up.” A giggle accompanied Andrea’s risqué play on words.

 Rosa chuckled at Fortrayn’s disgruntled expression. “Sometimes, she reminds me of you.”

 “Yeah?Well, Hunter would have slapped me around for that discourtesy, but I know how to get her goat.” Raising his voice, he yelled at the closed door, “You just talked yourself out of a car until you’re eighteen!”

 “No fair!”

 “Bring your mother a robe, and I might reconsider.”

 “Why does she need a ...” Silence reigned as she put two and two together.“Oh ... yuck! ”

  

 “You really think these kidnappings could be more than simple baby snatchings?” Rosa smoothed the eyebrow closest to her, settling the ruffled hair as she waited for Andrea to return with the requested robe.

 “I don’t know how to explain it other than I smell something ... otherworldly about them. My hackles are up, and believe me, when the wulf scents a mystery, there’s usually one there.”

 Fear sluiced through her, icing her blood. “You think they have something to do with Andrea being breed? Maybe someone looking for breed children?”

 “I don’t know!” Fortrayn ran agitated fingers through his hair. “But until we figure it out, she goes nowhere without an escort.”

 “I love you for caring for my daughter as if she was your own.”

 “She is mine. She’s pack and of my den.” Fort smiled. “Besides, much as she can be a pill, I love her, too. I will protect her with my life.”

 “Oh, Fort, you are muy hombre! ” She cuddled closer and kissed him. When their lips released, she mouthed another heartfelt thank you. “You took care of the situation this morning better than I could have.”

 “You’re too close. She knows which of your buttons to push.”

 He was probably right. Her daughter’s teen tantrums always got the better of her, though she knew it wasn’t good to give into Andrea like she did. The girl was already headstrong and stubborn, and growing more so daily.

 Rosa clicked her tongue. She couldn’t really blame Andrea. Most girls with a rich, sinfully sophisticated older male gifting her with attention and money would respond the same way.

 Hunter had restricted his cousin’s access to the teen breed until she matured emotionally and became of legal age. The impatient wulf chafed at Hunter’s command, but as the lesser Alpha, he had no option but to obey. Forced to court Andrea from afar, he inundated her with expensive gifts, accompanied by cards and flowers.

 Sometimes Rosa didn’t know which she wanted to do ... curse or rejoice. No mother felt comfortable knowing her baby would one day be subject to the sexual attentions of such a predatory male animal, yet any mother would be glad to know their daughter would have the world at her feet and a spouse who would never cheat on her.

 Still -- there was something about that future mate being a werewulf that caused all sorts of alarms to go off. Yes, she’d mated one, herself, and was giddy with happiness. Fortrayn was every woman’s dream man. Buff, handsome, strong -- oh, gods -- built like a truck and hung like a bull!  -- and still young enough to train. But there were cross-species issues she faced every day, living with a being that could and would change shapes at will. Issues her still innocent daughter would one day alsoface ...

 Chapter Seven

  

 Melody raised her hand and waved, catching the attention of the slim black woman walking toward her. Through narrowed eyes, she observed Alison Morrison’s confident stride, easily seeing what had captivated Hunter once-upon-a-time.

 The woman was a classic black beauty. A short cap of silky black curls hugged her head, framing the delicate bone structure and wide forehead. Curiosity gleamed in the enormous black eyes openly studying her as the fashionably dressed woman crossed the courtyard and made her way to the outdoor eating area of the little bistro Melody had chosen for their meeting place.

 Alison’s poise and beauty didn’t set off any alarms in Melody. She felt totally secure. No woman worshipped the way Hunter did her could harbor doubts of their man’s devotion.

 She stood to greet the wife of her husband’s friend-turned-enemy. Holding out her hand, she smiled a welcome. “Alison,thanks for coming. Can I get the waiter to bring you a coffee?”

 “Herbal tea would be better, thanks,” the slim woman replied, shaking Melody’s hand with a firm grip. She set her purse down and slid onto the wrought iron chair. “I must confess I was surprised to get your phone call.” Her lips turned up in a gamin smile. “After our last meeting, I didn’t expect to hear from either of you anytime soon. It didn’t go very well, did it?”

 Melody grimaced.“My fault, entirely.”

 “Well ... I’m not too sure about that.” Alison’s dark eyes met and held Melody’s sherry-bright gaze. “I love my husband, Melody, but I am not blind where he is concerned. I’m sure Kevin had something to do with the unpleasant tone of our one meeting.”

 “I love Hunter, too, and I know him well enough to know the situation between him and your husband is hurting him. I’m hoping between the two of us, we can mitigate some of that unpleasantness.”

 Alison’s head tilted as she regarded Melody. Her open expression spoke volumes about her willingness to open negotiations. “Kevin won’t even talk to me about Hunter. He’s hiding something and I haven’t been able to ferret it out of him.” She pursed her mouth in a little confused moue. “If you knew the dynamics of our relationship, you’d understand how strange that is. Normally, Kevin can’t hold out against my questioning, but in this matter, he’s like a sealed clam -- shut down tight.”

 Melody took a deep breath. She was about to overstep her bounds and betray Hunter’s trust. No matter how many times she told herself it was for his good, she couldn’t quite believe Hunter would see her actions in the same light. “Alison, have you told the twins about seeing Hunter?”

 Averting her face, Mrs. Morrison leaned back and contemplated her crossed ankles. After a while, she lifted her head and met Melody’s earnest gaze. She took a deep breath. “No. Before you say anything, think about something ... Say you learned something that had the potential to harm your little one, Blair. Would you tell him? Or would you wait to see what might develop before going out on that limb?”

 The more she interacted with Alison, the more Melody admired her. “I’d wait,” she admitted, nodding her head in agreement with the other woman’s assessment. “All you had to go on was how angry I was the last time we met. Much as Hunter wants to reunite with your children, if I spoke against it, he would abandon the idea. As their mother, you had to consider that might happen. Why tell your children about Hunter if he might refuse to see them? Why hurt them that way?”

 Alison’s shoulders relaxed and she slumped back on her chair. “I’m glad you can see it as I did. I want and plan to tell them, but I needed some kind of sign from one of you that they wouldn’t be emotionally harmed.”

 Mel’s eyebrows rose. “Do you believe Hunter would ever harm your twins?”

 Alison shook her head, eyes intent on Melody. “I named him their godfather. He wasn’t the one I was wary of.”

 “Oh.” Melody sat back. A smile widened her full lips as she realized what Morrison’s wife was saying. “I’m a mother, too, Alison. My word ... I won’t do anything to harm your twins in any way.”

 Alison graciously inclined her head. “I’ll accept that.”

 “Great!” Melody sat forward. “I’m sure you’ve heard Hunter and I are getting married in a double ceremony on New Year’s Eve. I’d love to give him a wedding gift he’ll treasure for years. I had in mind --” She slid a thick vanilla envelop across the table, her face wreathed in a big smile. “-- inviting your family to our wedding and to the private reception following.”

 Alison’s eyes lit up. “Is it true the governor of California is coming?”

 Melody shrugged. “I had to invite him and others I don’t even know, but Hunter said they’d be insulted if I didn’t. Then Chase sent a passel of names of business people he wants to network with while he’s here. So, yeah, there will be a load of strangers at my wedding.” She huffed. “I can’t believe Hunter refused to go through with the ceremony if I didn’t invite his entire guest list.”

 “Well, it is his wedding, too,” Alison pointed out reasonably.

 “No, it’s not .” Melody bristled. “He’s had his ceremony! This one was supposed to be for Rosa and me. Now he’s turning it into a media circus, making me invite all those bigwigs.”

 Melody sat back and crossed her arms, a wicked smile widening her lips. “He’ll get his, though. With the senior Bushes coming, Rosa and I decided our dresses weren’t fancy enough, so now the guys have to spring for new, more elaborate ones. I plan on spending a bundle!”

 The two women laughed together. Melody signaled the waiter for another coffee. While she waited for him to return, they discussed the cultural programs available in San Francisco and the surrounding cities. Now that she was mated and didn’t have to worry about being jumped on by desperate wulves , Melody planned on dragging Hunter to the occasional opera as well as to concerts and plays.

 When Alison finished her second cup of herbal tea, Melody found the courage to reveal why she’d asked the other woman to meet with her. Belly aflutter with nerves, she hoped she’d read her right. If she’d misjudged her new friend, what she was about to tell Alison could spell serious trouble, if not doom for Hunter.

 “Alison, there’s something you need to know that will help you make sense of the trouble between Kevin and Hunter. Something Kevin keeps alluding to. It’s going to be hard to believe, but please don’t interrupt until I’ve finished, no matter how fantastical what I say might sound ...”

 Chapter Eight

  

 “Whatever you do, vampire, don’t let Indigo touch you.”

 Gregoristopped in front of the door to the Daly City police station and trained slumberous eyes on Aricles , the lines of his mouth soft and sensual, signs he’d fed recently and well. “Good thing you reminded me. I always give her a big kiss. I think she looks forward to it.”

 Ariclesfrowned at the sated parasite. “The commissioner is gonna shit bricks if he sees you so ...”

 The vampire smiled, showing upper and lower fangs. “Satiated? Satisfied? Full?”

 “Yes, to all three.” The Greek demi -god held the door open, and the two beings entered the building, stopping at personnel to sign in. The NHP team didn’t do anythingso mundane as punch a time clock. “You court trouble, Vlasavic .”

 “A compliment -- I thank you, Ari .”

 “Hi, fellas , long time no see. Want a cuppa ?” The buxom blonde secretary headed their way, waving a full pot of black liquid known department-wide as San Francisco sewer sludge.

 “I don’t drink ... coffee ,” the vampire hammed, giving the secretary a sultry smile and a burning, under-browed glance à la Christopher Lee.

 Ariclesbacked up a step.“ Er ... no. Just because I’m immortal doesn’t mean I’m impervious to poisons. That stuff is lethal.”

 “Well, let me know if you need anything  ... anything at all!”

 The Greek ignored the yearning look on the secretary’s face as he hurried down the corridor behind Gregori . She knew next to nothing about him, had never exchanged more than ten words with him, yet she lusted after his body with a mindless hunger.

 Why did all women see only his good looks and think of sexual conquest? Damn it, I’m more than a prettyface and thrusting cock!

 He didn’t realize he’d snarled the words out loud until Gregori gave him a companionable slap and joked, “It’s the sad fate of us beautiful superheroes everywhere, my brother. We good-looking men must suffer as the target of hungry females’ unrequited lust ...”

 A short bark of laughter escaped Aricles before he controlled his amusement. “By Chronos ’ balls, spare me the melodrama.”

 Vlasavicshrugged. “Behold, the pot calleth the kettle black.” With a mocking flourish, he opened the door marked: NHP Restricted Access, and ushered Aricles in before him.

 The NHP lounge was a welcome change from the bright florescent lights that bathed the public areas of the department. Low, muted lighting gave the room an ambience of peaceful calm that was totally deceptive.

 At the far end, Hunter McCallum occupied the raised platform, his papers spread across the podium. He looked up from addressing the group and frowned.

 “You’re late. Congratulations. In your absence, you’ve both been elected to investigate the case of the missing bells.” Hunter held up a hand. “Before you try to argue your way out of it, Indigo had a vision. She informed us you are the two most likely to solve the case ...”

 Ariclesexchanged a look with Gregori .

 Quick to pick up the non-verbal clue, Gregori groused. “Thanks for nothing, Indigo. No kiss for you, today!”

 Melody raised her hand. “Rosa and I were questioning some of the neighbors of the parents whose children were kidnapped. We found out some interesting things.”

 “You did what ...?”

 All conversations ceased. Eyes trained on Hunter, Aricles saw the fear -- quickly masked by anger -- his captain struggled to contain. Turning his head to gaze at Melody, he swallowed a smile.

 Both human women were sitting stiffly on the beige loveseat, so close they were practically in each other’s lap -- which was a feat in itself. Aricles wondered why they were so nervous, and then recalled this was their first official briefing with the team.

 “Why would you do something so asinine?” Hunter’s question emerged from between clenched teeth.

 Melody bristled. “Why shouldn’t we?”

 Hunter shrugged. “Members with more innate protection than you have take care to be safe. We use caution ... did you? Which team member went with you?”

 “Rosa.”

 “Oh, that’s all right, then. She’s been issued a badge and identification that states she’s with the police department ...”

 Melody visibly deflated. “You don’t have to be sarcastic. We get it.”

 “ Do you?Do both of you understand?” Hunter came off the platform and made his way over to stand before his mate and her sidekick.

 Ariclesfigured they were about to get the classic reaming they all had earned at one point or another. This should be fun .

 “See, I really need you to be sure on this point, because --”

 Rosa spoke up before Hunter could get started. “We’re mothers, and we know how it feels to lose a child. That’s why we wanted to work on this case. All we did wasask some questions.”

 “And what if someone was hiding something besides kidnapping -- something they were willing to kill to keep secret? Where was your back-up? Who knew your location?Who the fuck was going to ride to your rescue if needed?” He was yelling before he reached the end of that last question, eyes burning gold and fierce.

 Rosa shrank back against Melody’s side. “No one,” she admitted in a small voice.

 “No one.”His voice dripping icicles, Hunter freed Rosa from his glare and leaned over his mate. “You dared ... you dared to place yourselves in danger without a single thought to what that could have meant to others -- to me and Fortrayn, to name just two ...” His voice dropped.“To our baby.”

 He shook his head, looking over his shoulder to meet Fortrayn’s stark gaze. They shared a bleak knowledge of what could have happened to the loves of their lives. “Two mortal women, with no arsenal or power at your disposal, disobeyed every rule that creatures stronger and more capable than you take care to follow.”

 Melody squirmed under the captain’s harsh words, looking uneasy and guilty. “But, Hunter ...”

 “Don’t speak right now, Melody ... Be very still,” he whispered. “I warned you about the trouble your reckless behavior could land you in.” His lips widened in a grimace no one would mistake as a smile. “The rules and regulations governing this team were set in place to guard against situations just like this. You chose not to abide by those rules. Consider yourselves on report. Fortrayn and I will deal with your infraction at home, away from this audience.”

 He took a deep breath, settled his shoulders, and turned to the rest of the team. “I need to hear all the reports on this kidnapping case. Talon, you were supposed to check on the pattern of the snatches, the geographical locations and distances involved.”

 “ Shalaand I did that, sir.” The were-hawk and his mate unrolled a map and tacked it to the whiteboard. “Let me show you what we found ...”

 Aricleslistened with interest as the couple showed the kidnappings all occurred within a small geographical area. Centered in the densely populated area to the east of Golden Gate Park, the babies were taken from poorer neighborhoods as well as the extremely well-to-do. Melody and Rosa were able to add that those questioned claimed the babies were heard crying often, the mothers’ or care-givers’ voicesraised in anger more times than not. A picture contrary to what the news media showed began to emerge. But who was taking the infants? Where were they?

 * * * * *

 “Okay, folks, that’s it. Everyone carry on with the current line you’re investigating and keep me updated. Fortrayn, you and Rosa give Melody a ride home, please.Indigo, hang back. I’d like to speak with you privately for a moment.”

 Hunter still sounded terse and beyond upset; his wulf nature very close to ripping through the flimsy façade of his humanity. Fortrayn didn’t look much better. If Aricles knew those two men -- and he did  -- it didn’t bode well for either of their women when they got them home.

 Chapter Nine

  

 Myra patted the infant gently on his back, cooing into the boy’s scrunched up face after she burped him.

 “ Nanna, what are we going to do about the babies when Patrick gets home?”

 The compact brownie looked up from playing patty-cake with a tiny girl with big brown eyes, golden locks, and a bright smile. Her loving smile encompassed all the babies they’d rescued from abusive parents or careless caregivers. There were seven in all.

 “Oh, Myra, me colleen, I niver intended us to keep the bairns . We’ll be giving them back as soon as the mothers have learned their lessons.”

 Myra clutched the little boy to her chest in a telling reflexive grab. “Give them back?”

 Compassion and sympathy -- a brownie’s stock-in-trade -- brought tears to her eyes as she regarded her former charge. In a sense, Myra was still in her care. The human’s heart was so tender, so fragile.

 “Myra, ifyour Darryl had gone missing at this age, what would you have done?”

 She saw the moment Myra realized the inevitability of what they must do. Tears flowed down the middle-aged woman’s face. Silent sobs shook her sturdy frame.

 “Anything,” she whispered. “I’d have done anything to get him back.”

 “These mothers aren’t so verra bad, honey. I didn’t leave a lump of coal, so these sweet babes can be returned.”

 “But what if the parents forget how precious they are and mistreat them again?”

 “They won’t. They’ll niver forget. I promise.”

 Myra looked relieved. “You’ve never broken your promise to me, Nanna .” She finished burping and cuddling the toddler in her arms and laid him in his makeshift crib. Moving to the next baby, she reached to pick up the first one, the one Nanna had shown her the night she began helping gather the lost and needy ones and paused, startled by his uncanny gaze.

 He stared up out of eyes black as night, sharp and alert. His head turned as she approached and as always, he stilled, frozen in place as if he were prey and she a predator. An instant later, the tables turned and she felt like the prey.

 Myra didn’t pick him up. She never did. Only Nanna was allowed to touch him. But she leaned over the crib and crooned at him, trying to get a response. “What about this one, Nanna ?”

 The brownie moved to the other side of the crib and reached a hand down to smooth the wild tuft of hair on the baby’s head. His intelligent eyes tracked her every move. She smiled at him and he waved his fists, almost as if he greeted her.

 “This small wee wild one is going to a special couple. One who needs him as much as he’ll need them. ”

 Myra stared at her nanny in shock. “He’s not going back to his mother?”

 The brownie’s mouth hardened. “Ach, she’ll return to the scene of her crime but she’ll not ever hold this precious bundle again. I left the coal.”

 Chapter Ten

  

 On the eve of their wedding, Melody sat naked on the side of their bed, her right hand clenched nervously around the buckle of Hunter’s leather belt. Her belly tightened at the thought of what she was about to invite.

 He came in from settling Blair for the evening and paused in the doorway, glowing eyes narrowing in momentary confusion as they took in the situation in one glance.

 She could see his lingering anger from a week ago still smoldered. Something had to be done. Angry and upset as he remained, Hunter couldn’t bring himself to do what he knew he should. He loved her too much to hurt her, but she wouldn’t allow her thoughtless actions to form a festering sore on their relationship.

 Why is hindsight so clear, but I can’t see my mistakes ahead of time?

 Melody’s thoughts threatened to undermine her resolve so she turned to words. “Hunter, before you say anything, let me speak. First off, I’m sorrier than you can imagine for my behavior last week. I honestly didn’t sit down and plot how I could really piss you off by my actions. Simply, I didn’t think before I acted ... and drew Rosa right along with me.”

 Hunter nodded. He relaxed back against the door jam, his body leaning in one long flowing line except for where Buford strained in a taut ridge pressed against the stiff fabric of his jeans. “Go on.”

 Melody breathed in, filling her lungs and calling on her courage. “I know what I did was wrong. From the reactions of the other team members, I gathered if they had done something similar, they’d have received their punishment right there in the ward room.”

 Her mate inclined his head again, silently affirming her words.

 Curiosity got the better of her. “What would you have done?”

 “I’d have challenged them to a dominance fight and forced them to pledge future obedience. I’d have put some claw marks and bruises on them.”

 “Even if it had been Indigo or Shala ?”

 Hunter grunted. “Yeah, even them in that situation -- especially in that situation. We’re talking about lives being at stake.” A muscle twitched in his jaw and he paled as the words left his mouth.

 Melody knew he was seeing her and Rosa, hurt or dying, away from any source of help.

 “That’s what I thought.” She bit her lip before continuing. “I made you look bad in front of the team, weak. I know you. As mad as you were, you still would never embarrass me in front of all those strangers ... not on my first official day. But I need to be punished and they need to know it was done.”

 “You want me to spank you?For real? ” He looked shocked, eyebrows bunched into a fierce frown.

 She couldn’t help the nervous giggle that escaped. “No. But I don’t want to be put off the team and I don’t want to challenge you for dominance.”

 Rising, Melody went to Hunter and took his hand, led him back to their bed. She maneuvered his body, urged him down on the mattress, and handed him the belt. “I don’t want to begin our married life with anything between us that might separate us.”

 She knew from the rumbling growl she’d said the wrong thing.

 Melody yelped when Hunter’s hands closed over her arms, yanking her against him. He’d stood faster than sight and now hulked over her, glaring down into her surprised face. “Your words tell me you still don’t get it. We are true-bond mated. Melody, you are my soul  ... my beating heart. You keep me alive and sane. I wouldn’t survive your death.”

 He sucked in a sharp breath, and then let it out slowly as he fought to calm himself. “So I’ll beat this sweet ass of yours,” he growled, palming her full cheeks, “because the one thing I won’t tolerate or allow is you putting yourself in danger.”

 He sat down and hauled her over his lap, doubling the belt around his hand. Then he froze. “Damn it, Mel, you’re pregnant.”

 She twisted to look up at him, hoping he would see the love shining in her eyes. “Our pup is located nowhere near my ass, Hunter. He or she won’t feel a thing. Do what you have to and I’ll try not to cry as long as possible,” she promised, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “I gotta have something to show the ladies tomorrow as proof.”

 Smoothing one hand over her plump ass, Hunter cleared his throat and croaked, “Okay. Thanks.”

 They both knew the spanking was finished as soon as she shed one tear.

 She lasted five swats.

 * * * * *

 “Good morning, honey. You came in late last night.”

 “Yeah, I did. You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to wake you.”

 Alison poured Kevin a cup of coffee and set it down in front of him. She pushed the newspaper aside and slid onto his lap, snaking her arms around his neck and leaning in for a sultry kiss. “Thank you for thinking about me, but next timewake me up. I had something ... special planned for our evening.”

 Kevin Morrison felt a jolt that had nothing to do with the caffeine in his untasted coffee. It was ever new and occurred each time Alison placed her hands on him.

 He loved her down to the depths of his soul, had ever since his first glimpse of her, holding onto Hunter’s arm as she crossed a puddle of muddy spill off from the Alameda wash.

 He’d tried to be noble, to resist the temptation of her. After all, she was his partner’s girlfriend and therefore off limits. Hunter was like a brother, closer than his own emotionally distant family. There was no way he’d try to horn in on his buddy’s good fortune.

 But every night, in his lonely bed, he’d burned for her, his cock hard as asphalt, his ball sac tight and taut as the latex stretched over a Playboy bunny’s full breasts. What he felt was more than lust, deeper than desire ... and it kept growing.

 The day Hunter told him they’d broken up was the turning point in his life. Scared of seeming callous, he’d confessed his love for Alison. He’d been overjoyed when his partner had told him the field was clear. For the first time in his playboy career, he hadn’t gone for the touchdown.

 Shocked and delirious that Alison seemed to return his love, they’d burned through the fastest engagement in history to marry three weeks later. Kevin had been so in love he couldn’t see straight. At least, until a year later, when he’d gone down to kiss his newborn twins goodnight and overheard Alison and Hunter’s revealing conversation. Then everything had becomeclear ...

 A sobbing Alison was in Hunter’s arms, crying as if her heart was broken.

 “I thought I could be satisfied with what I have, but I’m not! I want more!”

 “It’s not possible, Alison. It’s too late.” Hunter’s damned hands rubbed up and down her back.

 “I know, but oh, Hunter, what shall I do?”

 “Tell Kevin. He’s your mate and he loves you. He’ll understand.”

 “I can’t tell him. We must never tell him. Promise me!”

 At least he’d hesitated before finally nodding. “I promise, but this is wrong. He has a right to know.”

 She’d laid her head on his shoulder. “Oh, Hunter, thank God for you and the twins.”

 You and the twins ... you and the twins ... The twins ... they had to be Hunter’s, not his ... Damn Hunter. Damn him tohell ...

 “...  wannago?”

 Kevin shook himself. “I’m sorry, dear, what did you say?”

 Alison pulled back and eyed her husband with a worried gaze. “Honey, you’re pretty distracted today. What’s wrong?”

 “Not enough rest last night, I guess. I always sleep badly when I don’t get my evening kiss.”

 She cradled his face in the palms of her hands. Serious and focused, she gazed into his eyes. “Next time, wake me up.”

 He kissed her. “I will. I promise. Now, what did you ask me?”

 “We received an invitation to Hunter’s wedding this afternoon, and to the private reception following.”

 He stiffened beneath her. “Hunter didn’t issue that. He took too much pleasure taunting me with the fact that I’d miss it. The damned cur called me Social Climbing Ken!”

 Alison brought her hand up to cover her smile. She didn’t fool him. “That wasn’t nice of him. But the invitation came from Melody in the hopes that you and Hunter could reconcile your differences and return to being friends.” She waited a space. “I had your tux cleaned and prepared. I want the twins to go, Kevin. I want us all to go.”

 He couldn’t help the venom in his voice as he retorted, “Of course you want the twins to go. They can’t miss their real daddy’s wedding, can they?”

 Alison froze. A second later she was standing on her feet, halfway across the kitchen. Her face pale and pinched, she stared at him in shock. Her voice shook as she whispered, “ What did you say?”

 Kevin stood, too, heart thundering now that he’d blurted out what he’d promised himself never to throw up in her face. He stretched an arm out to her and cringed when she moved out of his reach.

 “It’s all right, honey. I forgave you a long time ago. I’ve raised the twins as if they were mine, and I love them with all my heart. That’s one of the reasons I moved us away from Hunter. He’d already stolen your love from me. I didn’t want him to steal away the twins, too.”

 Alison’s mouth worked soundlessly. Several times, it looked like she would speak, but each time only a croak emerged. Finally, she got out, “Melody was right. You are a damned low-life asshole  ...”

 “Alison!”

 “... and stupid, to boot!”She whirled on him, eyes blazing and hands flying. Through her tears, she screamed at him as she landed blow after blow on his face and shoulders, on the hands that flew up on instinct. “Melody told me everything. Everything! You idiot! You damn coward! How dare you accuse and try me without a trial, without giving me the chance to defend myself!”

 “I forgave you!”

 “You condemned me,” she spat. “Keep your forgiveness. I never did anything that required it!”

 Anger at her unreasonableness stiffened his resolve. “I overheard you one night, at the twins’ bedside. You told him you weren’t satisfied with what you had. He replied it was too late. You cried.”

 Alison stilled, hung in his arms. He tightened his grip and pulled her against his chest. Her precious weight sagged against him.

 “I had endometriosis, Kevin. There was a forty-sixty chance of having children if I waited and had treatments to clear my uterus. I was too scared to take that chance, because all you’d talked about was how many children you wanted. I was frightened, afraid you’d reject me if you knew I might not be able to have those children with you. So I gambled and lost. After the twins’ birth, while you were passed out in a faint, the doctor performed a hysterectomy to save my life. I swore Hunter to secrecy, and since you never went to the doctor’s with me, it was easy to keep it from you.”

 Kevin’s heart tightened in his chest as if an iron fist had clenched about it. The pain in her voice was real, and after all these years, he hurt for her. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why wouldn’t you share your pain with me?”

 “You were busy climbing the departmental ladder, trying to catch Hunter. You were hardly ever home those days. Postpartum depression had me thinking strange thoughts and harboring all sorts of fears.” She sighed and pushed away from him. She put space between them, not only with her body but with the bitterness in her voice as she asked, “Can you believe I thought I’d lose you?”

 “You wouldn’t have,” he murmured, wanting to take her in his arms, knowing she wouldn’t allow it. “I love you more than life. Because they’re yours, I love the twins as well.”

 “That’s right. You’ve spent years blaming Hunter for something he never did, blaming me. Did it make you feel bigger to think how gracious and merciful you were to tolerate my shortcomings? Well, guess what, sport? We never even made love. We tried once, but Hunter was too big and he hurt me. He stopped immediately, and we spent the rest of the night cuddled together, talking. We decided to remain friends ... long before I met you.”

 “What?”

 “You heard me.”

 “But, that would mean ...” The twins are mine!

 “The twins are yours. Hunter is a wulf , Kevin. His ancestors came from another planet. Humans and wulves are biologically incompatible. Even if we had made love, the twins couldn’t possibly be Hunter’s.”

 It was all he could think of at first, but the glory bursting inside him dimmed as the scorn in her voice scoured his soul. He rushed to stammer an apology. “I’m so sorry, Alison ... I don’t know what to say. I misjudged you ...”

 She halted his flow of words by holding up a hand and shaking her head. “Don’t. I’m not in the mood to hear it, and I might say something I’ll regret. I’m going back to bed. Have a nice day.”

 She went down the hall, moving heavily, slowly, like a tired old woman -- head bent and shoulders slumped. He watched her until his tears distorted his vision and her figure dissolved in a wash of salty moisture.

 How could I have been so blind?Oh, God, he’d been more than blind ... he’d been criminal in his actions!

 Stunned and overwhelmed, Kevin Morrison sank onto the kitchen chair and stared into space.

 Fifteen years ... of bitterness and envy, of watching his children excel and knowing they got their charm and strength from their real father ... fifteen years of wishing they were his in reality.

 Kevin closed his eyes and groaned. He’d spent fifteen years trying to forget that day when he’d deliberately left Hunter to face the three lurking men in that alley. He’d seen them out the corner of his eye just before he’d revved the engine and sped away. Somewhere deep inside, he had hoped they’d do what he couldn’t -- kill the beast that had stolen his hope of family. He’d run away that day. He’d never stopped running.

 Squaring his shoulders, Kevin took a deep breath. He’d wronged everyone ... his wife, his friend, and his children. A wrong of such magnitude couldn’t be forgiven, but what little honor he had left demanded he make amends. He would start by talking with thetwins ...

 Chapter Eleven

  

 “Hand me that last lead line and I’ll connect the sound system.”

 Gregoripassed the required cord up to Aricles . “I’m stunned we finished in time. And stunned we haven’t gotten caught.”

 The Greek laughed at the vampire’s disgruntled tones. “What luck Indigo had that vision, huh?”

 “Are you kidding?” Gregori couldn’t believe Aricles hadn’t caught on. “She had a vision, all right. She knew exactly what we are doing. That’s why she said what she did.”

 Ariclestilted his head; his hands busy at the console.“Doesn’t matter. I always intended to confess to Hunter and the team once we returned the mosque’s sound system and the churches’ bells. There, we’re all in place and ready to go.”

 Gregoricame to attention.“If you’re going to confess anyway, why all the secrecy?”

 “This is our wedding present to Melody and Hunter. What good is a present if it’s not a surprise?”

 “Oh. Good point.”

 Chapter Twelve

  

 “All right, me colleen ... We’ll attach the last letter and magick these sweet bairns back to their families. We’ll see if the New Year brings new changes to the parents’behavior ...

  

 This precious bundle comes to you with warning good and true.

 When next we snatch this child away, ’tis coal we’ll leave with you.

  

 Myra read the note the brownie had dictated before handing it over. She watched through tears as her old nanny breathed on the paper, leaving behind her sparkling mark. The intricate pattern radiated heat and light, shimmered clear and cold as stardust. Perhaps that’s what it was.

 “What about this last baby, Nanna  ... the quiet one?”

 “Ach, he’s not quiet, colleen.Himself is crying all the time, lonely for his forever family. Dinna fash yerself over this wee one, for he’s taken care of.”

 “But what of me, Nanna ?What of me ...”

 The brownie smiled and petted her former charge. “Myra, me darling, ye have grown into a braw, fine woman. There’s blessings before ye, if ye but open yer heart to see them. I believe you can do that.”

 Chapter Thirteen

  

 “Don’t send me any more money.”

 Chase glanced down at Andrea through the concealing lens of his sunglasses.“Why not? I thought all young ladies liked money.”

 Andrea shrugged. “Sure I like it, but Mom only lets me have a little bit. The rest she socks away in a savings account for me. What good is getting a present if you can’t do what you want with it?”

 Chase looked at his present, dressed in a slim cream sheath that made her look older than her years. Her scent -- a blend of innocence and seduction -- had him hard and yearning, his arousal so advanced he was forced to hide his glowing eyes behind dark glasses. He shifted, moving his leg to lessen the jut of his cock. He didn’t want her to notice his helpless reaction to her. She might be his mate, but she was still too young for him to approach her as such.

 “Your birthday is coming soon.”

 “Yeah, it’s on March 15.”

 “The Ides of March ... that’s a very auspicious date.May I attend your Quinceañera ?”

 Andrea shrugged. “Sure. Mom is already driving me nuts planning it.”

 Her gamin face took on a sly expression and Chase bit back a laugh. He knew his mercenary little fiancée had just thought up something. “What would you like me to bring you?”

 She flashed her dimples at him. “I want a new car.”

 He lifted an eyebrow. “I don’t know about that ...”

 “Aw, come on, Chase. I’ll get my permit on my birthday and I can take the test as soon as I turn fifteen and a half. I won’t drive it until I’m legal ... promise! ”

 The hopeful look in her bright brown eyes tugged at his heart. He could tell he’d never be able to deny her anything. “We’ll see.”

 “Oh, thank you, Chase!”

 She flung herself into his arms, hers going around his neck and squeezing. His hands came up to pull her away, but they changed directions when she planted a smacking kiss on his mouth. He gripped her tight, breathing gone thready , pulse erratic.

 “Oh,my gosh  --!”

 Her shocked, whispered cry as she noticed the state of his body made him cringe. Chase cursed under his breath, releasing her abruptly. He set her away out of temptation’s reach, just as Hunter came up to them, a knowing gleam in his watchful eye.

 “They’re waiting for you, Andrea. Scoot along to the war-room before your mom sends Fortrayn to collect you.”

 She nodded in response to Hunter’s order, face flushed and eyes looking anywhere but at the two wulves .

 They watched her go. When she’d turned the corner and disappeared, Chase turned to Hunter and growled, “Three years is a fucking long time!”

 Giving his cousin a commiserating slap on the shoulder, Hunter smiled. “Wait untilit’s three days ... that’s when it’ll really seem like forever.”

 Chapter Fourteen

  

 “The weddings went off without a hitch, didn’t they?”

 “They did, indeed, darling.” Hunter paused in changing his clothes to give his wife of five hours a husbandly kiss. “I must admit it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”

 “Oh, ho!Damned with faint praise.”Melody laughed, giving Hunter a big smacking kiss before turning her back to him. “Undo this thing for me, please. And you know it was better than you ever could have imagined.”

 His hands made quick work of her fastenings, and he dropped a kiss on the nape of her neck before swatting her on her bottom.“Done.”

 She danced away from him, humming the song, Tonight, I Celebrate My Love for You . The bells had pealed out the melody as they entered the church for the ceremony, just like she’d dreamed. “Oh, honey, what Aricles and Gregori did for me was so sweet! I’ll treasure the memory forever.”

 Glancing over at Hunter, Mel frowned. “Are they going to get into trouble for it? I mean ... they did return the bells and sound system, and no one saw them either time. Only we know who did it. Do we have to turn them in?”

 “On what charge?”Hunter chuckled. “None of the parties involved feel like suing ... not with the huge donations I promised to make in honor of the new Mrs. Hunter McCallum. Like the commissioner said, they only borrowed the bells and equipment.”

 Melody sat down abruptly on the side of the bed, her arms holding down the hoops of her slip that threatened to fly up about her shoulders. Tears burned in her eyes as her heart expanded. “I never would have believed Kevin Morrison would have the courage to ask your permission to give the bride away.”

 She had to pause to clear her throat. “When I gave the invitation to Alison, I only hoped he’d allow the twins to come. This was so much better.”

 Hunter came and sat beside her. Hazel eyes swimming in tears, he made no effort to hide his emotional response. Taking her hand in his, he raised it to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “My heart is full to bursting and I have only you to thank for it. You’ve given me back my friend.”

 Melody laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m just thankful you’re so forgiving. I don’t know if I could have been, under the same circumstances.”

 “Then you have no idea how much I love you.” Hunter eased Melody around to face him. “If I thought you loved another man, had given birth to his children, I would have done the same thing Kevin did. Only I would have gone one step further and killed my rival. Imagine what Kevin has lost all these years, thinking his children were fathered by someone else.”

 “I love you.” She kissed him, her lips parting beneath his, tongue flicking out to taste his dark, addictive flavor.

 “Sweetness, you have no idea how much you sustain me.” He pulled back. “But let’s hurry and get changed so we can get out of here before something comes up to interfere with our honeymoon.”

 A frantic knocking on the front door made them both exchange rueful glances.

 “Too late.”Hunter shook his head. “I’ll get the door, you keep changing.”

 Barefoot and shirtless, Hunter went up the hallway. Before he reached the door, another flurry of blows thundered on the sturdy wood.

 “Keep your shirt on! I’m coming!”

 He flung the door open to find a young wulf standing at the door, her eyes wild and frightened. With a hiss of surprise, Hunter glanced right and left, scanning for additional trouble. The bitch smelled of fear and panic, of -- he leaned closer and sniffed -- recent birth. Oh,hell ...

 “Come in.” Hunter stepped back and beckoned the bitch into the house.

 The wulf entered with head bowed.“Alpha.”

 “Talk.”

 “Alpha, I made a mistake.” The bitch swallowed hard. “I should have killed it right off, but I didn’t. When I went back, someone had taken it ...”

 “What the hell are you talking about? What’s your family name? What bitch are you out of?”

 Startled eyes stared into his before dropping in respect. “I’m Joeline , out of Geraldine, the breed bitch mated to Joel Winter.”

 Hunter placed her now. He’d known her father well once upon a time. “I know your family. Start over again. Why are you coming to me? Are you in danger?”

 Self-pity colored her next words. “I will be when the pack finds out I’ve given birth to a half-human male.”

 Hunter froze. “That’s impossible. Don’t you mean a breed?”

 She sneered. “Our scientists shouldn’t go around telling everybody it’s impossible. Because they said so, I never thought there would be a child, not with a straight dirt monkey. I tried to abort it, but it clung too tightly.”

 Fighting a growing anger, all Hunter heard was the bitch had tried to injure her pup ... several times. Babies were so few among the pack that they were almost sacred. “Where’s the infant now?”

 “I don’t know. It wasn’t in the Dumpster where I left it.”

 Anger won out. “Bitch, to give birth, you had to fuck the human in your wulf form. Such action is against our laws unless sanctioned by the pack’s Alpha Prime. Did you have Lachlan’s permission?”

 She shrank in on herself. “No. But the human fucked me , not the other way around.”

 Hunter couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Was the bitch really that stupid?Or naïve? “How old are you?”

 “Nineteen.”

 A heavy sigh lifted his chest. The bitch was a true baby, still a puppy herself. She had no business being off pack lands. He didn’t know what to do about the missing pup, but he could rectify this young bitch’s situation.

 “Return to the pack land and presentyourself to Lachlan. Tell him everything you’ve shared with me, except tell him I will attempt to find the hybrid and take it under my protection. He will tell you what to do after that.”

 The girl/woman cringed against the door. “He’ll order me killed.”

 Hunter couldn’t find it in him to sympathize with her terror. After all, she had tried to murder her own son. “He might, but I will kill you myself if you disobey my orders. I have your scent. You could never escape me.”

 The young bitch’s eyes widened and a low cry left her lips. Fumbling for the door handle, she fled into the dark, looking back only once.

 Eyes gleaming gold in the shadows, Hunter watched her leave before shutting the door and heading toward his bedroom. He pondered the chaotic hell that could rip the packs apart if word of this hybrid birth became public knowledge.

 “Who was at the door?”

 Melody had dressed in the flowing two-piece he liked so well. Hunter green velvet, heavily embroidered, and so soft it felt like fur against his face whenever he lifted the skirts to seek her hidden sweetness. She looked delicious.

 “You wouldn’t believe ... well damn! ”

 Another knock sounded at the door -- this time, accompanied by yelling.

 “ Yo, Uncle Hunt, open up!”

 “Isn’t that Fortrayn?” Melody caught Hunter’s hand and went with him toward the door. “You’d think he’d be getting busy with his own celebration rather than interrupt ours.”

 Fortrayn hadn’t waited for them to answer the door. He’d let himself in, and he wasn’t alone. Rosa stood beside him, cuddling a swaddled bundle, her face bathed in tears. They caught the tail end of his firm words to his wife.

 “... can’t keep him, Rosa, you know that.”

 “What’s going on, Fort? You know we have a flight to catch.”

 Fortrayn gave Rosa one more warning glance,then turned to address his cousin. “Hunter, we found a basket on our back porch when we returned from the reception. Actually, one of Chase’s bodyguards found it. A baby was inside with a note attached to his blanket. The note was addressed to Rosa and me.”

 “Let me see it.” Hunter held out his hand, not at all surprised when he spied the magical mark at the bottom of the sheet. His lips turned up in a wide smile. He read the note out loud.

  

 “How full your hearts, how empty your hands

 When nature fails, there magic stands.

 Two worlds collide within your den

 Methinks this babe will fit right in.

 Blessed be.”

  

 Hunter raised his head and looked at Fortrayn, who was patting his wife on the back, trying to soothe her tears. “Did you recognize the mark?”

 “No. I haven’t really looked at the note, just glanced over it. There’s something you should know about this baby, Hunter. I think he’s breed.”

 Hunter laughed, thinking about his plans to search for the child lying in Rosa’s arms. “He’s not a breed, Fortrayn, but it looks like he is yours and Rosa’s.”

 “Thank you, Hunter! Oh, thank you!”

 Hunter shook his head. “Don’t thank me, honey. This letter is signed with a brownie mark. Brownies are the patron saints of babies and helpless ones. I’ll wager our brownie had something to do with the return of the missing babies. All the parents report they received a note that mentioned coal being left the next time.”

 “If that’s so, why wasn’t this child returned to its parents?”

 Hunter felt saddened at the thought of the little tyke being threatened by his own mother. “This child was never reported missing because he was abandoned. I know for a fact the mother is not going to ever want to claim him.”

 He looked at the three people in the room with him. “What I’m about to tell you must never go beyond the four of us.” He waited for their nods before continuing. “This is a hybrid child, the result of a casual mating between a bitch wulf and a non-breed human male.”

 “That’s impossible!”

 “So the scientists say, and so I believed until today.” Hunter turned to Rosa. “You’ve always wanted to give Fortrayn a child. Like the note says, this child is a blend of two worlds and will fit into your den nicely. Will you accept him and raise him as your own?”

 “Yes! We will.” They answered together, their words sounding as solemn as the vows they’d spoken in church earlier that day.

 Melody stepped up beside them. “Hunter and I will stand as godparents to your child.”

 “Name him, Rosa,” Hunter instructed. “It’s the bitch’s place to name the offspring. Then Fortrayn will mark him and bring him into the family.”

 Rosa looked to Fortrayn. “Do you like the name Andrew -- after Andrea?”

 Fort wiped at tears and nodded his head. “It’s a good, strong name.”

 “Andrew it is,” Hunter said. “Now, do your part, Daddy.”

 Fortrayn removed his clothes and shifted into fur form while Hunter undressed the baby and laid him on the floor in front of his cousin. Approaching the watchful babe, Fort stared into the wide black eyes before lowering his muzzle and closing his jaws on a plump butt cheek and biting down.

 The resultant cry from the infant stopped short when Rosa cried out in sympathy. The baby turned his head sharply, eyes meeting hers. His little hands waved in the air, feet kicked as if he would run to her.

 Mama? Don’t hurt, Mama!

 Rosa lifted her astonished face to Hunter. “I can hear him!”

 “Of course you can. The babe’s telepathic. Now he’s been brought into you private link, he can send to you as well as receive.”

 Rosa dropped to her knees and re-diapered her new son. Finished, she hugged him tightly and promised, “I’ll never hurt you, Drew. I love you already.”

 Trust us, little one, Fort sent to the cub, your new mom and I will fight anyone who tries to hurt you or take you from us.

 Rosa and Fort passed the baby around so he could become acquainted with his new god-parents, who gave him hugs and kisses, too.

 A short while later, arms around his wife, Hunter waved goodbye to the little family. He felt pretty mellow. Their flight time had been changed to the next morning, all the cases had been solved, and a miracle of circumstances had given his cousin a son. Even better, he’d regained Kevin as a friend and had spent time with his god-children who swore they’d never forgotten him. Finally, unbeknownst to Melody, he’d arranged a special treat of outdoor Red Riding Hood play for her once they arrived in Drestovia , the small European country ruled by Prince Wagner Rupert Rickard Orloffberg , overlord of the local wulf pack there.

 Melody turned in Hunter’s embrace and gazed up at him. In that uncanny wifely way she had, she echoed his recent thoughts. “We’ve had two weddings, a gift of bells, and a baby -- compliments of our local brownie -- all in one day -- how could anyone top that?”

 Bending down, Hunter whispered in his wife’s ear. Her mouth fell open then closed with a snap, cheeks flushing with enough heat to set off a nuclear blast. He released her and watched her fly toward their bedroom as he rocked back on his heels and let out a joyous howl. A moment later, he raced after her.

 Life was good.

  



  

  

  

  

 Camille Anthony

  

 Camille Anthony is a pseudonym for the author who lives in the beautifully wild Low Country of South Carolina. She is a transplant from Sunny California. A fertile imagination and a love of romancefuels her writing, which she has been doing since grade school. Her favorite stories are those of strong, honorable people -- whatever the race, or planet of origin -- who are driven by love and lust to find and hold that one special someone. She likes her heroines feisty, her heroes dominant and her passion red hot!

 She loves to hear from her readers. Your comments and suggestions are appreciated.

 Visit Camille on the Web at www.camilleanthony.com or e-mail her at camilleanthony@camilleanthony.com.