Voodoo and Fate

by Tamsin Baker

  She shuddered and let go of Tania’s hands as Marty’s mother handed her a hot cup of tea. “Thank you, Sharon.”

  “Will Marty be okay?”

  “Yes, I think so. The poison in his system was pretty toxic, and a whole lot of hatred had been fused into the amulet, but Tania helped a lot with that. Cancelling it out. Her love, her child’s love, it all helped.”

  Sharon walked slowly around the table, sitting down next to Tania and cupping her face.

  “My son’s mate. Part of me thought I’d never live to see the day.”

  Tania gazed into the older woman’s face and then they embraced, both of them with a sigh that echoed through the whole house.

  Her eyes went out of focus and she swayed on her seat.

  “Is there anywhere I can lie down, Sharon? I’m not feeling the best.”

  In fact, she needed a couple of moments peace. Her brain felt like it was swinging around a pole and pounding into the pavement, over and over again, it seemed.

  “Of course. Kody’s house is just next door. Would you like to go there?”

  She nodded, too exhausted to feign embarrassment. His mother obviously knew what they were to each other.

  Sharon took her hand and led her next door. Chanti fell onto the bed she was directed to.

  Her dreams, dark and haunting, rising up to meet her.

  Chapter 6.

  Chanti woke when cold hands touched her skin.

  She turned to see Kody standing over her, and her racing heart stumbled to a slower pace.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “It’s okay, I just… was dreaming.”

  She didn’t want to sit up so she pulled him down onto the bed with her, his freezing nakedness a relief against her sweaty skin.

  All those deaths, the evil, the black. Her throat was still tight and sore from her silent screams.

  “Woah. You’re trembling. What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head, unable to explain except for choking out, “Bad dreams.”

  Kody turned her in his arms and held her tight, offering her his shoulder, literally, to cry on.

  She gripped tight to his chest, letting her tears flow and her body shake with the stress. It was beautifully cathartic to be able to cling to Kody and let everything go.

  He didn’t say anything. Only stroked her hair and held her as she released the tension from the day. So many things had changed in so little time.

  What would her life be like now? Would she still have a home and a business to go back to?

  “I’m so scared.”

  “Scared of what?” He asked, kissing the top of her head as he rhythmically stroked down her spine.

  “Of what’s going to happen now. How will I go back to New Orleans now?”

  He rocked her with his arms and she let out a long sigh. Now that she’d said it, she wasn’t sure that really was the problem. What was there to go back for? Yes, she loved her home, but what life would she have against those that wanted to hurt her?

  “We’ll find a way. And no matter what. You have a home here with me and the pack. You saved their Alpha. You’re one of us now.”

  Chanti lifted her head and stared at Kody’s face, shadowed in the darkness of the room.

  “Thank you.”

  He kissed her lips gently, his smile visible even in the dark.

  “Sleep, beautiful girl. You’re safe with me.”

  She let the night take her, the body of her huge werewolf keeping her safe from the nightmares.

  ****

  When the sun rose the next morning, Kody woke to the sexy body of his mate pressed against him, and a huge erection fit to split her dress apart.

  “Good morning.” Her sweet voice rolled through him as she stretched her back like a sensuous cat and bumped her bum into his pelvis.

  A groan vibrated through him.

  “God… don’t do that. Or I’ll take you here and now.”

  “Fine with me.”

  Oh really?

  He rolled on top of her and pulled her dress up with one hand, staring down into her beautiful eyes.

  He dropped his body and let their lips meet, the taste of her so sweet on his lips that he dipped his tongue in further. Again and again, until his head was spinning from intoxication.

  When he pulled away she pushed him and they rolled, her landing on top of him with a cheeky grin.

  Chanti grabbed the cotton dress she still wore and pulled it up and over her head, dropping it off the side of the bed.

  Kody sat up and reached behind her, unclipping her black bra and pulling it away from her body.

  Her full breasts bounced out of their confines and he ran his hands lovingly over the soft flesh.

  “Tell me about the mating. How do we do it?”

  She ran her hands up and down his chest, her gaze averted as she watched her fingers make a path over his pecs.

  He swallowed hard before he answered. This was one of those moments he was going to have to remember for the rest of his life.

  “We make love, and during climax, I bite you. On the shoulder, here.” He reached up and ran and finger over the flesh between her right shoulder and neck. Close to her pulse point.

  Her eyes lifted and she stared at him. “Will it hurt?”

  “I honestly don’t know. No one has ever told me, but I hope not.”

  And he didn’t know, which gave him pause. Maybe they should wait until he spoke to his mother, or someone else from the pack.

  A huge smile spread over her face. “Let’s do it then.”

  “Really?” He couldn’t believe she was agreeing to mate with him already. He’d assumed, with Chanti being who she was, that she’d want to wait. Think about her decision.

  “Yes. I want to begin my life with you.”

  He opened his mouth to ask her another question, then slammed it shut. Why wasn’t he jumping her this very second?

  “Come here.”

  He grabbed her and pulled her down to him, wrapping his arms around her back and enjoying the hot press of her breasts to his chest.

  Beautiful…

  He rolled them and got back on top of her, slicing her underwear off with a claw.

  She pulled him down for another kiss and wrapped her legs back around his waist.

  Already?

  He was ready, his cock persistently pressing against her core.

  He unlocked her legs and twisted to the side, sliding his fingers down to the crease between her legs.

  She moaned and arched into his caress as he dropped his head and suckled her nipples.

  “Oh, Kody… Ah…”

  He used his thumb to flick her clit from side to side, then slid his middle finger inside her.

  She cried out and grabbed for his head.

  He went back up to her mouth, kissing her deeply as he added a second finger. Pumping her pussy as she got slicker and hotter.

  She reached down between them and wrapped her palm around his cock.

  His body bucked for attention.

  She moaned as he began to rock into her fist, needing the touch and connection.

  Her pussy clenched and contracted around his fingers, and his cock throbbed, jealous for the first time in its life.

  “Please Kody.” Chanti panted as she arched up to him.

  He jumped on top of her, lined up his cock and slid to the hilt in one full thrust.

  “Oh, fuck!” Chanti screamed out and Kody felt his teeth lengthen and shift.

  It was time.

  He lifted her thigh up to get deeper and she thrashed beneath him like a wild woman.

  “Kody! Damn… please…”

  He drew away and slammed back in, hard. Over and over again, until his blood was boiling, and his mate was crying out with every thrust of his body into hers.

  The heat flooded his back and sweat broke out all over his skin. His balls drew up painfully tight against his body and he knew he wouldn’t last much longer.
>
  Chanti panted and cried, keening as she arched up into him.

  There was a moment’s silence as their bodies strained together, and then he started to cum.

  She began to shake, convulsing and squeezing him while he pulsed hot cum into her.

  He opened his mouth and dropped down, clamping down his jaw onto the flesh between Chanti’s shoulder and neck.

  White lights flashed in his head and heat seared his soul, ripping it apart so that they could bind together.

  He could feel Chanti convulsing beneath him, but could barely think as the heat rose and then finally faded away.

  He unlocked his jaw and rolled onto his back, pulling her with him and tucking her into his chest. Not wanting to be apart from her for one moment.

  Their breathing finally slowed, as did the pounding of his heart.

  “Wow.”

  Chanti giggled and kissed his chest.

  “I agree, now excuse me while I pass out again.”

  Kody chuckled and kissed the top of her head, his whole world shifting on its axis. In the very best way possible.

  ****

  Chanti finally awoke and rolled out of bed, reaching for the clothes strewn all over the floor. She’d need to buy some new underwear. Kody kept shredding everything she wore.

  “So, what’s the plan for today?” Kody asked her from the doorway.

  “Ah,” So many things to do, but which ones did she have control over? “First, of course, is to go visit Marty and Tania, see how they’re both doing. Then, I… honestly don’t know.”

  A hot tightening in her throat warned her of tears and she sniffed, pushing the stress away.

  Obviously sensing her distress Kody smiled and pulled on a tank top.

  “Well, let’s go see my brother then.”

  Kody took her hand and together they walked next door, into the house that still smelled a little like death.

  “Can you open all the windows and doors?”

  Kody wrinkled his nose. “Absolutely.”

  There didn’t appear to be anyone home, but as one of the doors swung open, Chanti jumped.

  “Marty!”

  He looked amazingly better. His eyes were clear, his skin a normal shade. He was even walking straight, his full height dominating the room.

  “Good morning.” He smiled, his face happy and relaxed.

  Then Tania waddled out behind him, her face pink and her eyes dancing.

  Ah. So you guys had a morning very similar to ours

  “Hi, Chanti.”

  Tania’s belly had swelled even further in the night.

  Chanti reached out for the babe, running her hands over the bulge.

  “Woah. Your son is going to be so strong.”

  As usual with her premonitions, she had no idea where the words came from.

  “It’s a boy?” Tania’s voice lit up with surprise and happiness.

  Marty came over and ran his hand over his child.

  Chanti stepped away, her body tingling with another premonition. This one, not so happy.

  She wasn’t sure Tania would survive the birth of this werewolf baby. Her future was murky to say the least.

  “I’m sorry, if you didn’t want to know…”

  “Are you always right?” Marty asked.

  She nodded, unable to say anymore. She needed something to eat.

  “Can we have some breakfast? I’m still feeling pretty weak from yesterday.”

  Marty’s mouth tipped up at the sides in amusement. “You and me both.”

  They sat down at the kitchen table and Kody pushed his brother into a chair, turning on the stove and hunting through the fridge.

  He threw some bacon and eggs, tomatoes and sausages, into frying pans and the smell of oily meat filled the air.

  A man who can cook? Awesome.

  Chanti stood up and with some direction from Marty, found the plates, knives, and forks. Setting the table just as Kody turned around with plate loads of food.

  Her stomach grumbled and her mouth filled with saliva.

  “Thanks so much.”

  They all dug in, too hungry for more words. If she’d been able to hold intelligent conversation while eating, she would have.

  They ate every last morsel, and Chanti groaned as she sat back, her tank officially replenished. That felt incredibly good.

  “Yum.”

  Kody grinned at her, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

  “I agree. Needed that after yesterday.”

  Chanti nodded, turning towards Marty. “How are you feeling today?”

  He shrugged, chugging down a glass of juice in a few swallows.

  “Pretty much back to normal, I think. My body feels a big sluggish, like a hangover or something… and, here, I think this is yours.”

  He reached around his neck and pulled off her necklace. She’d forgotten she’d taken that off. It had been years since she hadn’t worn it.

  Maybe that was why she was feeling so flat today. So drained.

  “Oh, thanks.”

  She put the protection amulet back around her neck, sighing as the warmth nestled between her breasts.

  Marty cleared his throat and leaned forward. “Ah, I think it is I who need to thank you. You saved my life. I am forever indebted to you.”

  “We all are. The whole pack.” Kody said.

  “Me, too.” Tania chimed in.

  Chanti held up her hands, warding off the unwanted thanks. She didn’t see her helping them as a choice, but a calling. It was what she was meant to do, and she was glad for the chance to have a purpose in life.

  “None of you owe me anything. I was very happy to help. It was Voodoo that hurt you, and it was my responsibility to do what I could to undo it.”

  Tania reached out and touched her hand, squeezing tight. This time Chanti experienced a wave of darker dread moving through her and she shivered.

  Tania continued. “I am so grateful for your help. You didn’t have to. No-one has to help. And you did.”

  Kody reached over and grabbed her other hand, so she pulled away gently from Tania and put both hands in Kody’s.

  Warmth and strength re-filled her and she sighed in relief. She was home with Kody, and perhaps they should share their good news with his brother.

  “Yeah, well, Tania. I have a vested interest in the pack, too.”

  “Huh?”

  Kody laughed and put an arm around her. “Chanti’s my mate, and we completed the mating last night.”

  Chanti beamed up at Kody and pulled her dress to the side so they could see the healing bite.

  It had hurt much less than she had expected. Instead, she had experienced the most amazing orgasm of her life.

  “You’re what?”

  Tania and Marty both jumped, and they laughed.

  “Yep, there must be something in the water around here.”

  She turned her head as Kody pressed his lips to hers.

  Marty cleared his throat. “You mean there’s something in the Fate’s. It can’t be a coincidence that Tania and you are meant to be part of our pack.”

  She thought so, too. And although part of her had expected to feel different after mating with Kody, she didn’t. She felt settled, and happy. Was that how it was meant to be? Kody said she’d be strong, like him. So when did her superhuman strength kick in?

  Kody grinned back at his brother and shrugged. “Yeah, true.”

  She swallowed hard, mentally debating the wisdom of telling Tania and the group what she saw in Tania’s future

  “When do you think that baby will come, Tania? You’re getting bigger by the hour.”

  “I know.” She ran her hands lovingly over the huge bump.

  And to think only a few days ago she’d asked to get rid of it.

  “The normal gestation for a werewolf is two lunar months they said, and I conceived this baby, what was it? Five weeks ago?”

  “Yeah, but..” Marty interrupted, “being an Alpha born, our babies tend to be bor
n on the full moon, which is next week.”

  “And, ah… are the labours hard for your kind?” Chanti asked, picking at a piece of bacon rind she’d left on the plate.

  “No, not at all.”

  She lifted her head and stared at Tania, who still looked pale, despite Marty’s recovery.

  Tania cocked her head, staring at her with searching eyes. “What’s wrong, Chanti?”

  “Oh. Nothing.”

  Despite everything she’d been taught, and all the secrets she’d kept over the years, her face still gave her away too often.

  “Is something going to happen to me, Chanti? What aren’t you saying?”

  She glanced away and Marty reached over and grabbed her arm.

  Her head turned back around as a growl and a snap echoed in the room.

  Kody was gnashing his teeth at his brother, having dislodged Marty’s hand from her arm.

  That was good to know. That Kody would protect her from anyone. Even his own family.

  The men continued to snarl at each other and she took a deep breath. There was no way around this. She’d need to be prepared, and so would they.

  “I ah… I’m not sure how the birth is going to go, Tania.”

  She bit her lip as she looked at the young girl, who now had wide, scared looking eyes.

  “What are you talking about?” Marty demanded, wrapping an arm around his mate’s shoulders.

  “I ah…. Excuse me…” Her stomach rolled with nausea, too much food.

  She was going to throw up.

  She ran for the bathroom, losing her beautiful breakfast and too many calories to count.

  Ugh. Gross.

  She washed out her mouth with water, and then ventured back into the kitchen, still feeling sick, but under control.

  Tania raised an eyebrow.

  “What?”

  Tania smirked at her. “You pregnant, too?”

  “No. Of course not.”

  They’d only made love twice. Unprotected.

  Oh crap.

  “But it’s only been a few days since the first time.”

  Tania settled back in her chair, rubbing her big belly. “That’s how fast it settles in. Remember, nine months worth in a matter of weeks.”

  Her eyes found Kody’s.

  Oh no. Not now.

  “Um… we’ll deal with that later. You’re more important at the moment.”