Mate Magic (2 page)

Chapter 1

2 months later

What the hell was she thinking? Bailey was walking down a wedding aisle. Oh, she wasn’t the one getting married; it was her friend, Tara. Well, she wasn’t sure Tara would be put into the friend category, their relationship was…strained. About two months ago Dante challenged the leader of their pack in Sacramento. They were wolf shifters and their old Alpha, Allen, may he rot in hell, had stolen Dante’s newborn twins from Tara’s pack in American Canyon. Let’s just say the shit had hit the fan and Allen was defeated by Dante, Bailey’s twin, who took over control of the pack, as pack Alpha.

This was the first time
Bailey had been out since the hostile takeover. She was responsible for taking care of Dante’s twins, Abby and Brady, while they were stolen until Dante got there to save the day. It turns out Bailey’s mother was a bitch, responsible for the kidnapping, and Allen ended up almost killing Bailey. Bailey was protecting Abby and Brady when Allen slit her throat and stabbed her in the back puncturing her lung. She was in the hospital for a month, after that she really had no desire to leave her house.

So, why then, was she currently walking down the aisle as
Tara’s maid of honor wearing a floor length Silver gown with a blue sash at the waist and a wrap to cover her horrible scar. She didn’t want to be here, around people, let alone standing in front of them all, showing her vulnerability. She frequently had panic attacks, feeling like she couldn’t get in enough air. It happened at least once a day and she couldn’t control it, no one knew of course because she didn’t want to be a burden.

Bailey
got all the way down the aisle before even noticing anyone. She looked over at her brother and he was scowling at another grooms man, who was cute, handsome even. As she was checking him out he looked in her direction and sniffed the air, he had a dreamy expression on his face. She quickly averted her eyes to see a smiling Tara walking down the aisle.

Good,
Bailey thought. The sooner this thing gets started, the sooner it’s over. She didn’t plan on going to the reception; pictures then leave for home was her plan. Tara met Decker, her mate and soon to be husband, winked and handed her bouquet over to Bailey. She turned to Decker and it went silent.

Decker turned so he and
Tara were facing the crowd of friends and family. Bailey heard Decker’s deep baritone voice booming over the crowd. “Tara and I would like to give special thanks to a very special woman here tonight. A woman who is loyal, supportive and all around amazing. A lot of you might not know, Bailey, because she is from the Sacramento Pack; she put herself in harm’s way, several times to keep little Abby and Brady safe. There are no words to describe our love and deep appreciation of Bailey.” He’d started to openly cry in front of the crowd. Decker turned and pulled Bailey into a soft and gentle hug.

Oh God, please, no more
she thought. She wanted to shift and run. Bailey closed her eyes and hoped no one noticed her discomfort. She silently prayed that she would stay standing and not freak out in front of these people. Dante was here and he would protect her.

Suddenly,
Bailey heard Tara’s nervous voice begin to address the crowd.
Oh God, no more
. “I am the first to admit that the old Sacramento pack was broken but under Dante’s leadership they are now thriving.” Tara turned to give Dante a slight bow which he returned. “Even with the threat of death, Bailey stood in the way of danger to protect cubs that were not of her womb or pack. I consider her a sister and will forever be in debt to her. She gave us a truly wonderful gift, our family’s health and safety. When we could not protect and care for them, she was there. We love you, Bailey.” Bailey couldn’t prevent her shock and hoped no one saw the tortured look on her face. The crowd all got to their feet and went down on one knee in front of Bailey who’d been pushed to the front of the crowd.

Bailey
’s breathing began to quicken and her scent of anxiety was obvious to Paul, who wished he could go comfort her. He took a step toward her before even realizing what he was doing. It was enough for her brother Dante to notice and he shot Paul a don’t-even-think-it look and growled low in his throat.

The entire wedding party looked over at Dante who was staring
Paul down. Paul smiled and shot a shy look to Bailey who flushed and turned her gaze to her feet. After a pregnant pause the wedding continued.

Decker and
Tara’s first kiss after becoming man and wife was a scorcher. Decker picked up a surprised Tara and ran her back down the aisle and into the house.
Finally, picture time and then I can leave.
She was so proud of herself for making it through the entire ceremony that she was planning on treating herself to a big brownie with vanilla ice cream tonight for dinner.

Bailey
walked into the reception room because the bride and groom were conveniently missing. Dammit, now she would have to wait longer. Oh well, might as well have a cocktail to settle her nerves.

Bailey
was sipping her Sangria when Decker and Tara were announced together, faces flushed after what everyone assumed was a very vigorous round of wedding sex. Picture time, Bailey estimated another thirty minutes before she could leave.

The pictures were almost over when
Bailey tried to sneak out. “Hi, I’m Paul. Do you remember me?”

Bailey
turned and saw the sexy wolf in the tux that her brother was glaring at. She was embarrassed that she stood staring. “I’m Bailey…but you probably knew that. I remember you were there when Tara and Decker came to get the pups.” It happened faster than it normally did. She began to panic and her breathing increased as well as her heart rate. “I’m sorry but I have to be going.”

Bailey
turned to run out on the wedding reception, and everyone there, when she felt a hand clamp down on her upper arm at the same time her brother growled. She ripped her arm from Paul and ran, and ran, and ran.

Bailey
was running into the woods with her glass of sangria when she turned her head to make sure no one was following her. She suddenly slammed into something hard and tall, must have been a tree. Boy was she glad no one was here to see that. She was still breathless but managed to laugh while sitting on her butt in the dirt.

Bailey
felt a hand on her head and was startled when she realized she wasn’t alone. “You okay ma’am? You hit pretty hard, is someone chasing you?”

Bailey
looked up at a familiar face. “How did you get here so fast? And you changed your clothes?” She began to back up in a crab walk so she could distance herself from this man. He could be dangerous and she was in unfamiliar pack territory. She could smell he was a wolf shifter, but his scent was not familiar.

He laughed and she froze.
“You must think I’m Paul, happens all the time.” He reached out a hand to pull her to her feet. “I’m Blake Nunn, his brother. I got the cool name.” He smiled down at her still holding out a hand.

She backed up a touch more and then stood on her own still breathing hard.
She attempted to slow her breathing and control her nervousness, she felt like a coward. “I’m Bailey but I have to go. It was nice to meet you.” She turned to run.

“Hey
Bailey, you’re going the wrong way. The reception is that way.” He pointed the opposite direction.

She was hesitant when she said, “I know thanks,” and kept walking.
She had to control her breathing. Her vision began to blur and she walked faster, she needed to get far away from everyone.

Bailey
tripped and went down on her knees, vision still blurry. As she fell forward into unconsciousness, she felt someone catch her and say. “You okay lady?”

*****

Blake was holding a beautiful unconscious shifter in his arms, and had no idea what to do. He watched her chest rise and fall, admittedly too fast but her lips weren’t blue so she must okay. Next he pushed her wrap aside to check the pulse at her neck and sucked in a shocked, and appalled, breath. This beautiful young shifter had a scar along her neck and down to her collarbone, by his estimation it was only a couple months old. He ran the tip of his finger along the scar and up to her neck to feel her pulse, fast but strong. He was out of things to check and unsure of what to do. Should he call 911 or maybe Jake to help him decide what to do? She knew Paul so maybe he should call him, yeah.

Blake
took out his phone and dialed Paul. “Hey Bro, have you lost part of the bridal party? There is a young shifter woman who’s currently passed out in my arms and in need of…something.”

Paul
growled, “Where are you?”

Blake
began to become suspicious. “What’s going on Bro? You seem…upset. She’s okay, just passed out. We’re in the forest near the creek…”

Abruptly the woman sat up and her forehead hit
Blake in the chin. “Godammit.” She clutched her head as she shot him an irate look, “Why are you touching me? Where are we?” She scooted as far away as she could from him.

Blake
scrutinized her, “You were at a wedding but tried to run away.”

“Why did you stop me?
Who are you?”

“You’re kidding right?
I’m Blake Nunn, we just met. I’ve called Paul, my brother to come and help you.”

She groaned.
“Why? Can’t you just leave me alone? Freakin’ American Canyon Pack is crazy.” She suddenly felt cold, exposed and realized her scar was not covered.

“We’re crazy?
You’re the one that ran away from a wedding, alone and then passed out. I was trying to help.” Blake looked frustrated.

Bailey
wanted to go home and forget this day had ever happened. “Thank you for your assistance, have a good day.” Bailey stood and forced her change, then ran.

Chapter 2

Paul stood on the edge of the clearing watching the interaction between his brother and the woman he couldn’t stop thinking about. She appeared fearful and he could see the scar on her neck and wondered if she knew she had exposed it. All of the times he’d seen her since the incident, she’d made a point to cover it. His heart went out to her.

His brother had been trying to get her to relax but she suddenly stiffened, thanked
Blake for his assistance, shifted and ran. She was breathtaking in her human form and her wolf was a wonderful grey that was so light she appeared silver. Paul could see that the scar that marred her beautiful skin remained with her in shifted form.

Blake
was shaking his head when Paul revealed himself. “What took you so long?”

Paul
walked up to Blake and punched him in the stomach. Upon hearing his brothers grunt of pain and wheezing breaths he said, “Did you have to touch her?”

Blake
scrutinized Paul. “Are you kidding me? Your friend passed out so I tried to help and you hit me? I’m telling ma.”

Paul
couldn’t stay here. He was worried about Bailey and pissed that Blake smelled like her. Paul warned, “Stay away from Bailey” as he quickly shifted and chased after her scent.

“No problem, brother, nice to see you too.”

*****

Paul
followed Bailey in his wolf form. He knew to stay far enough away so that she couldn’t scent him. He watched her chase down a bunny for her meal and clean her paws when she was done. He saw her lying out in the sun and rolling in the grass. She looked so at ease being by herself, so innocent.

Bailey
heard several twigs snap, something was brushing over the grass coming towards her. She placed her belly down on the ground and waited for whatever was out there to reveal itself. Bailey smelled a familiar scent, of sweet clean lemongrass before another wolf came into her line of site. Shit, the one person she‘d been trying to avoid for months.

Paul
approached Bailey gradually watching to see if she was uncomfortable. They had no way to communicate because they were in shifted form so Paul proceeded with extreme caution. He moved to her un-scarred side and rubbed his muzzle against her neck. Bailey remained motionless while Paul took in her scent and marked her with his. He was scenting her neck when he got a sudden desire to nip her. He opened his mouth and let his fangs put pressure on her scruff. Bailey stiffened and tried to pull away but Paul held her in place.

At
Bailey’s growl he released her, but stayed close by, snuggling up to her side. He was content to simply lay next to her being warmed by the sun.

What was she doing letting this strange wolf burrow under the shield she’d erected to protect herself?
He was annoying and pushy, but he smelled so…refreshing. He smelled innocent and honest, pure. Yeah right, he was probably some pervert that enjoyed cuddling before eating his prey. She wasn’t some meek bunny; she was going to make it known.

Bailey
rubbed her muzzle down Paul’s side and back up until she was at his scruff. She licked him, and felt his shiver, before opening her mouth wide and biting down hard. She tasted blood; it was the sweetest thing she had tasted in a long time. Paul made a joyful noise. She thought she was going to surprise him with a bite of pain, but was pleasantly surprised that their connection was passionate and electric, odd.

She decided this was exactly where she wanted to be.
No expectations, no rules, no pressure. Bailey was glad that Paul was with her, she felt safe and content. Unfortunately, the feeling wouldn’t last.

Bailey
felt her brother attempt to connect with her, she opened her mind to him and she felt his shock and anxiety. Something was wrong. Bailey jumped up and began to run towards the wedding reception. She needed to see what was upsetting Dante.

Bailey
could feel Paul at her back and instead of feeling anxious she felt protected. She arrived on the back porch of the home the wedding was at and she saw Dante fighting with their mother. Her mother was being held by her new friend Blake. Great, this was going to be one of those days…

Dante saw
Bailey approach in wolf form and cocked his head in question. Bailey shifted back to her human form and walked boldly up to her family, noticing Blake’s eyes widen and then quickly look away from her naked body. He was probably appalled by her scars. “Mother, what do you want?”

The prim and proper
Victoria’s eyes strayed boldly to Bailey’s scarred imperfect form. “For God’s sake child, cover yourself.”

“Why would I want to do that? You made me this way so you can just deal with it. Once again, what do you want?”

Victoria
took in a deep breath and sighed, “I don’t want to be a lone wolf. I belong in a pack.”

Bailey
heard Dante growl and looked past her to someone, satin wrapped around her body. She saw Paul who answered her brother’s growl with his own as he held Bailey’s dress over her. Apparently, he thought she was unsightly too, great for a girl’s ego.

Dante spoke.
“Mother, you have been banished from our pack. If you don’t want to be a lone wolf, you need to find a pack that will accept you. We do not.”

Victoria
looked outraged for a moment before she clutched her chest and appeared to be having a difficult time breathing. It didn’t look like a panic attack; Bailey was fairly familiar with those symptoms. A few moments later her mother’s eyes rolled back in her head and she went down.

Blake
was still holding her so he guided her to the ground. “I’m sick of swooning women!” He looked pointedly at Paul and Bailey.

Bailey
went down on her knees and checked her mother’s pulse-gone. Shit, she yelled at Dante, “Go get Shana and the AED (automatic external defibrillator). Hurry up.” Bailey could hear Paul behind her calling emergency personnel.

Bailey
had some training. She pulled her fisted hand above her head and slammed it into her mother’s chest-nothing. She raised her fist to do it again when Paul grabbed her arm. Bailey turned on Paul, “Get off me so I can save this bitch.”

Paul
sent her a questioning look when she pulled her hand away from him and pushed him back on his ass. She raised her fist and slammed it back down on her mother’s chest-nothing. “Dammit old lady.” Bailey ripped the front of her shirt open and started CPR. She dry heaved as she felt her mother’s ribs crack under the force of her compressions.

Bailey
pounded at a furious rate and heard Paul behind her. “Do you want me to take over?” She didn’t answer, “Bailey, do you need me to take over?”

Bailey
was sweating and breathing hard but she managed to shake her head. Dante ran back carrying a red box. Bailey yelled, “Open it and turn it on. Take out the pads and put ‘em on ma.”

Dante’s hands were shaking and he dropped the pads twice before
Bailey stopped her CPR and took his place at the AED. She pushed the power button, ripped open the pads and slammed them on her mother’s chest and then plugged it. Bailey pressed the analyze button and yelled. “Step back.”

Dante stepped over to her side.
“You smell like…him,” nodding to Paul.

“Not now, stupid.”

The automated voice said, “Analyzing rhythm…Shock advised…step away from the patient.”

Bailey scooted back and pressed the shock button and watched her mother’s body convulse. As soon as the shock was done Bailey began CPR again. She was getting tired, her arms feeling like Jello when she felt a hand push her away and saw Paul start compressions on her mother while telling her, “Cover up.”

Bailey
picked up her fallen bridesmaids dress and held it to the front of her body, ensuring her scar was covered. She took over breathing while Paul did compressions until she saw the paramedics run around the corner. They began to take over the treatment of her mother. She saw Victoria’s eyes flutter and she wondered if her mother would survive.

Bailey
went to her mother and whispered in her ear. “Thank you for giving me the skill to save you, however, I should have let you die like you were willing to do to me and your innocent grandkids. You may have forgotten but I never will.” Bailey turned and walked away.

Bailey
knew Dante had heard her and followed her but she wasn’t in the mood to talk right now. She was running on adrenalin and had no more energy for fighting or even talking. She turned, “I’m serious Dante; I don’t want to do this with you right now.”

Dante stepped out from behind a tree.
“What is going on Bailey? You seem upset, tense. Is it that stupid sheriff?”

“Are you kidding me?
I just did CPR on our mother and I was naked. I can’t believe you’re doing this right now. Nothing is going on with me and sheriff Nunn. In fact I want to go home, now.”

Dante looked shaken.
“If that’s what you want, we’ll go right away.”

“Will you please tell me what’s going on with you, I feel like you’re hiding something from me.”
Bailey knew that he was hiding something from her, ever since she woke up in the hospital. She couldn’t remember much of what happened.

“I just want to take care of you
Bailey. You’re my sister and I’m your Alpha now, I want you to know I’m here if you need me.”

Bailey
felt provoked at his innocent statement. “Yeah, thank for all of your love and protection Dante but where were you two months ago or even before that? I tried to convince you to take over the pack long before your children were taken. You left me to be sacrificed when you could have prevented it.”

Dante suddenly understood her recent distance from him.
“You blame me for what happened? I admit I should have been there for you but-”

She cut him off, “No Dante, I’m sorry I don’t blame you.
I’ve just had a really hard day. I’d like to be alone.”

“
Bailey, I’m so sorry. Please let’s just talk about things. I know I’ve done wrong but…”

She couldn’t take it anymore, “No, stop!
I don’t want to talk to you or hear your excuses. It’s not your fault; I should have left a long time ago.”

“Leave?
I forbid you to leave. You’re my sister and you’re fragile. I want to protect you!” He growled the last.

“I’m pretty sure I’ve proven I can take care of myself.
Here is your notice, as Alpha, that I will be looking for a new pack. I can’t stay in Sacramento.” She turned dismissing him and walked towards her car.