by Lynn Lorenz
On the third, he struck pay dirt. “Got it.”
“Good. Dig it up and put it in the sack.” She held the pillowcase open.
Ted stared as Scott brought up the stiff, maggot-covered carcass of a cat on the blade of the shovel, or at least it looked like it was once a cat. Ted nearly puked and grabbed the tail of his shirt to hold over his nose. It had been a few years since he’d been at a crime scene.
“Merde, Maman, this stinks.” Scott cursed a little more, then dumped it in the sack. She closed it, spun it around to close it off, and then knotted it like she did this all the time. The smell lessened.
“Now, underneath, find the pouch.”
Ted leaned over to look in the hole. “A pouch?”
“That’s the gris-gris. Scott’s hair and a few things of his.”
“What things?” Scott frowned. “And where the hell did you get my hair?”
“Your brush, last time I visited you.”
Scott leaned on the shovel. “You took my hair, what? Six months ago? You’ve been planning this since then?”
“Hell, boy, you weren’t doing a damn thing about finding a mate; someone had to do something,” she snarled at him.
Ted snickered. “It’s almost as bad as if she’d pimped you out on Match.com.”
“You, shut up.” Scott pointed at Ted.
“And it worked.” She cackled. “About time, too. I used up the last of your hair on this one.”
“How many of these did you do?” Ted shone the light around the clearing. It raked over a mound, then another, and another.
“Four months. Each time on the full moon, right at midnight.”
“Just like my dreams,” Ted whispered, then stared at the old lady. “Holy shit.”
“Now, this isn’t the place for swearing.”
“No, Mom,” Scott didn’t hold back on sarcasm, “It’s the place for voodoo and dead cats.”
“Hush.” She waved at him. “Keep digging.”
He dug once more and found the fabric pouch. “Here it is.”
“Good. Give it to me. We have to open it up and burn what’s in it.”
“Good grief.” Scott exhaled. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“I can’t believe I’m in the middle of a swamp with a werewolf and his voodoo mama,” Ted added. Scott shot him a look, and Ted grinned back.
She took the pouch off the shovel, opened it, and brought it over to the candle. After dumping it on the ground, she picked through it.
“Swore I had some nail clippings,” she muttered.
“Eww.” Ted groaned. “Toes or fingers?”
“What does it matter,” Scott barked. “Look, let’s get this over with. It’s nearly midnight.”
Ted rolled his eyes, and Scott’s mom winked at him.
“Here they are.” She hunkered over the little pile of debris. “Toes.” She held up a big long one.
“Mom!” Scott choked.
Ted snorted trying to hold back his laughter. God, this would be funny if it wasn’t so damned crazy.
She separated the heap into smaller piles and then got out her rosary and kneeled in front of the little makeshift altar.
“Hail Mary,” she started praying. Ted didn’t know whether to join her or not. She didn’t say, and Scott just stood there watching, so he did the same.
She finished the prayer, then picked up a pile of stuff in her fingers and sprinkled it over the candle. The flame flared as hair ignited and burned in a flash, filling the air with an acrid odor that made Ted’s nose itch.
He held his breath.
She added something else, and the candle fluttered again.
When the last of the piles had been burned, she blew out the candle and sat back on her heels. Ted exhaled.
“Damn, my feet are swollen.”
“Is that it?” Scott asked.
“No, we have to get rid of the dead cat.”
“How do we do that?” Ted asked. She’d put out the candle. What other weird ceremony would this be?
“Like this.” She got to her feet, picked up the pillowcase, untied it, and holding on to the ends of it, flung it toward the water. Ted followed with the flashlight as the corpse flew out, arcing through the air. It landed with a huge splash in the dark water.
Ted exhaled. So much for ceremonies.
In the darkness, from farther in the swamp, larger splashes echoed.
“Gators,” she explained. “They feed on dead animals.”
“Perfect. Just perfect.” Ted sighed. Could this get any stranger? No, wait, he didn’t want to know, because, with his luck, it would.
Chapter Twenty
They followed the path back to his mother’s house where the black cat waited for them on the porch railing. Despite her denials, it wasn’t her cat, it sure looked that way to Scott.
“Shoo!” She waved at the animal, but it just stared at her as she clomped up the steps and across the porch.
It hopped down and slipped between her legs just as she opened the door and stepped back. Her foot came down on its paw. A screech broke the silence of the night, and she cursed as she stumbled backward, arms pinwheeling in the air.
Scott rushed up and steadied her before she fell off the porch. “Maman, I think that cat is trying to kill you.” He gave it a hard stare, but it merely sat and licked the wounded paw, claws splayed open.
“Count yourself lucky I’m out of the spell business, cat.” She sniffed and opened her door. “You boys coming in for some coffee?”
“No, I think Ted needs to get back, and I need to go home and get some sleep.” Scott came down off the porch and walked to the truck. The last thing he wanted was for his mama to get to like Ted. His wolf was bad enough.
Ted had gone around to the passenger side and opened the door. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Dupree. I’d like to say it was very nice but very strange is the best I can do right now.”
“Not to worry, Ted. Everything happens the way it should.” And with that, she went inside and closed the door. Scott didn’t see if the cat made it in or not, but he’d put money on it that it had.
He got in, started up the truck, and turned it around. They rode to the highway in silence. He figured there wasn’t much to say.
Earlier, he’d been a jerk, accusing Ted of being a dirty cop. From everything he’d seen, which admittedly wasn’t much, Ted was a good guy. He’d felt awful listening to Ted’s account of that night, and wondered how he’d feel if the same thing had happened to him. Would he have taken the blame?
He wasn’t sure if he would have given up his career.
They passed the town and turned into Bayou End. The parking lot was full, the front porch light on, but most of the windows in the house were dark.
“Is someone up to let you in?” Scott asked as he parked in front of the big house.
“No. But Marie told me where she keeps the key, so I can get in. They lock the doors at midnight.”
“I’m surprised they lock the door at all.”
“I take it there’s not much crime around here.” Ted smiled.
“Not if you don’t count the shit my own pack members get up to.” He chuckled. “Lately they’ve been going nuts. It’s called a mating moon, and the guys who don’t have mates get a little stir-crazy.”
“You mean horny, don’t you?” Ted leered at him.
“Well, yeah.”
“Does that happen every month, the mating moon?”
“No, it coincides with the equinox, in the spring and the fall.”
“Wow.” Ted nodded. “What about the guys with mates?”
“Well, I suppose their wives are a little extra tired around this time, if you know what I mean.”
“Right.” Ted laughed, then sobered. “What about you? Is this affecting you too? Is this why you kissed me? Why you let me—you know?”
“Yeah, it’s been hard these last few months, what with Maman’s spell, and my age.” Scott shrugged.
“You
r age? What’s that got to do with it?”
“I’m thirty-five this year. That’s much older than a were usually is when he takes a mate. It usually happens around thirty.”
“So, you’ve been putting it off for five years? Damn, it’s a wonder you haven’t exploded. Have you…well, you know, fucked anyone in that time?”
“Sure.” Scott snorted. “I’ve had girlfriends, but none of them were my mate.”
“Just me.” Ted smiled.
Scott looked away. “Yeah. But we both know why that was and why it can’t work.”
“Right. The spell. And now? Is it really broken?”
Scott turned to Ted, his mind and heart determined to make it so. “Yeah. Nothing.” He shrugged.
Ted sat there for a moment, then nodded. “Me too. Nothing.” He opened the door and got out. “I’d love to say it’s been a slice, but I’m ready to get off this ride.”
“And I’d like to say, see you around, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. Good-bye, Ted.” Scott gave him a salute.
“Good-bye, wolfman.” Ted waved back and headed up the stairs onto the porch. He swatted down, lifted the edge of the welcome mat, and stood. After unlocking the door, then returning the key to the mat, he stepped inside, not even looking back.
Scott shifted the truck into gear and drove away.
Deep inside, his wolf whined.
“It’s for the best.”
»»•««
Ted entered his room and left the light off. He rushed to the window and looked down, but all he could see were the taillights of Scott’s truck fading in the dark.
His gaze ran over the cars in the parking lot. All accounted for. Good. The chances of Kirsten going out in the three hours or so he’d been gone were slim, but he’d check with Marie in the morning and see if she knew.
Turning away from the window, he told himself he’d narrowly dodged a bullet. He’d like to believe the attraction between Scott and him had been more than just a crazy spell, or the pull of the moon. He’d like to believe Scott had seen something in him that he could care about, but that was a very dangerous idea and not to be entertained at all.
He undressed and got into bed. He was free now. He could enjoy the rest of his workshop, finish his surveillance job, and go back home where he belonged.
Life as usual.
He rolled over, clutching a pillow to his chest. Tonight had been the weirdest night of his life. The swamp, the gators, the voodoo, even that damned cat, were all something right out of a bad movie.
At least he got out alive, right?
“Right,” he whispered. “Alive and unscathed.”
Even as he closed his eyes, he prayed it was really over and done with, because he was bound to be on the losing end of the situation.
Scott Dupree wouldn’t have stood up for him against his town or his pack, no matter how much his wolf wanted Ted. Scott, the man, was in control, and he was straight as they came.
And face it; no way did Ted deserve a guy like him.
Scott was meant for better things.
»»•««
Scott lay in bed running his list of things to do through his head. He needed to get a handle on the men of the pack, get them under control without bringing the glaring light of the media down on them.
Once his pack duties were taken care of, he could concentrate on his own needs and at the top of that list, right below getting laid, was finding his real mate.
He should make himself more available to the right type of mate. A woman. His mother was right; he’d blocked himself off from his duty as alpha and pack leader, hiding behind his newly elected position as sheriff.
This weekend, he’d drive into Lafayette and go bar hopping, see what he could find. None of the available women in St. Jerome were right for him, or he’d have known it by now. His mate would have to come from outside their community.
He really didn’t like the idea of dating. Hated it, actually. Getting all dressed up, trying to find the right woman, and playing the usual games.
But being a wolf cut through a lot of that bullshit. He’d know her the minute he saw her, that much he knew. Just like when he’d first seen Ted, there would be that spark, that flash of awareness, and his wolf would call to her.
And she’d respond. Just like Ted had.
Damn his maman. She’d really interfered this time and nearly cost him everything. He knew she was only doing what she thought was best for him, but her meddling had come with a cost.
Poor Ted. He’d been dragged into this mess without any warning and dropped right into the frying pan. But despite everything, he’d handled it well, even dealt with Scott’s mom and her craziness. And Scott could tell his mother liked Ted.
It was a close call, that’s for sure.
Good thing they’d broken the spell and put his life and Ted’s life back in place.
Ted was a nice guy, and he didn’t deserve to have his emotions jerked around, not by someone who couldn’t return them. Scott had seen the hurt and devastation on Ted’s face when he’d talked about Douglas, and he didn’t want to be the one to make Ted feel that way again.
The right guy would come along for Ted, and that was how it should be.
He closed his eyes and told his wolf to stop whining. Ted would be gone in two days, and he had no plans to do anything about it.
His wolf fell silent, and for the first time that night, Scott believed the spell had truly been broken.
Chapter Twenty-One
Scott’s pack was going crazy. That was the only explanation he could come up with.
“Did anyone else see them?” he asked Mike. His best friend sat in the chair on the other side of Scott’s desk and shook his head.
“No one. My car was the only one out that late at night, fortunately. I nearly shit a brick when I caught them in the headlights.”
“Damn. They were crossing the road? Could you tell who it was?” Scott couldn’t believe any of them would take such a stupid risk.
“No, it was too dark, and my lights only hit them for a second. But if something doesn’t give soon, it won’t be long before one of them is spotted chasing goddamn cars!” Mike’s voice rose in pitch. “Seriously, Scott. You need to do something. You’re alpha.”
Scott leaned back and ran a hand over his face. “Yeah, I know. But what? Lectures aren’t working, or threats. I have no idea what’s causing this behavior.”
“It’s like wolf testosterone overdose. Even I’m affected.” Mike snorted. “I been hitting on Sharie morning and night, and if I could get away at noon, I’d be on it then too.”
“At least you’re getting some.” Scott rolled his eyes.
“Hey, you know what you can do about that, don’t you?” Mike grinned at him. “Claim your mate and get some.”
“That isn’t going to happen. Ever.” Scott leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Look. It’s over. Last night we went into the swamp, and Mom reversed the spell.” He sat back. “All done.”
“Really?” Mike scowled at him. “The spell is broken. That easy?”
“Yeah. That’s all it took.” Scott gave Mike a happy smile, despite the confusion bouncing around inside him.
“Great.” Mike looked relieved.
“Yeah, great.” Scott didn’t want to think about what he felt or didn’t feel.
Mike’s gaze didn’t leave Scott’s for a minute. “So, what are you going to do about this?”
“I’m not sure. Call another pack meeting for tonight.”
Mike stood. “Right. Maybe once the full-moon cycle is over, things will calm down.”
“We can only hope. But for now, I’m ordering everyone to stay home.”
Mike gave him a nod and left.
Scott picked up his cell phone, dialed the pack’s number, and texted a message that went out to all the members. ROUX 8PM 2NITE
He slumped back in his chair and bit his lip. Whatever was taking over his pack might just be the thing that ex
posed them all to the world.
As alpha, it was his job to do whatever it took to stop that, no matter what. Scott knew he was up to the job, but the “no matter what” part of it scared him like nothing before.
»»•««
Something had been weighing on Ted’s mind, and he’d only barely listened to Darcy’s lecture that morning. Kirsten’s language when she’d spoken about her husband bothered him. It smacked of the familiar, and Ted couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that Judge Charbonnet might just be a werewolf.
If that was the case, and Kirsten was the judge’s mate, then there was nothing he could or should do about it. From what Scott had told him, they belonged together as mates and to try to end that would prove disastrous for both Kirsten and the judge.
The judge he didn’t give a shit about, but he cared what happened to Kirsten.
If only he had more information, but talking to Scott at this point wasn’t a good idea. At all. He’d woken that morning hard, thinking about the handsome sheriff, but forced it out of his mind with a cold shower.
The spell had been broken, and nothing other than lust held them together now. Thank God. Lust he knew how to handle. That mate crap? That just scared the shit out of him.
He might not talk to Scott, but he sure as hell could talk to Kirsten. After they’d had lunch, he’d decided to have that chat at their next painting location, a dirt road off the highway that ran along part of the bayou.
After finding a spot next to her as they set up their easels that afternoon, he began chatting, hoping to bring the conversation around to her darling husband.
“So, he’s really cool with you doing this? Must be very confident of you.” Ted laughed as he sketched.
She laughed. “We’re rock solid, Ted. I’m as sure of him as he is of me.”
Ted stopped and stared at her. “Seriously. ’Cause you are H.A.W.T. and he’s, what? Twenty-five years older than you? If you were mine, I wouldn’t ever let you off my leash.”
She made a face. “Thanks, I think. But I don’t even think about the age difference; it’s not an issue with us.”