My Magic Mate

by Caryn Moya Block

  “Meadow, may I present, Garrett Amhurst the second, our father,” Garrett said.

  “Father, please,” the older man said, holding his arms open to his daughter.

  Meadow took two steps into his arms, and the man hugged her. “I’m so sorry I lost you, Meadow. I never gave up hope of finding you again. Please forgive me.”

  “I didn’t know you existed, so I didn’t know what I was missing. I’m so glad to meet you,” Meadow said, a little breathless. She stepped out of her father’s arms and reached for Brencis’ hand. “This is my fiancé, Brencis Solovyov.”

  “Nice to meet you, Sir,” Brencis said, shaking the man’s hand. “This is my cousin and Alpha, Grigori Solovyov, and his mate, Melisande,” he continued.

  After the two men settled in chairs, Brencis returned to stand behind Meadow.

  “We have so much to talk about,” Meadow’s father said. “And I want to learn all about you. Tell me, when are you getting married?”

  “As soon as possible, Sir. But I believe these things take some time,” Brencis said.

  “Ah, yes. It would make me very happy to have you use the chapel near my estate,” Meadow’s father said. “All the Amhursts have married there. Let me check with the reverend, and we can get you put on the calendar.” Brencis felt so relieved he wasn’t sure he could keep standing. Meadow’s family wasn’t going to stop the wedding.

  “Thank you. We’d like that. You don’t mind Brencis being a lycan?” Meadow asked, reaching up to pat Brencis’ hand on her shoulder.

  “Meadow, the House of Amhurst is of the Earth.”

  “I don’t understand,” Meadow said.

  “Here, let me show you,” Meadow’s father said.

  They all looked on in amazement when her father seemed to implode, and a gray wolf stood looking at her.

  “You can change shape?” Meadow asked in awe.

  “It’s not exactly like a lycan,” Garrett said. “We don’t become a wolf. We just look like one. That might be how Brencis ended up with blood from the House of Avery. They also shape-shift.”

  Meadow’s father seemed to implode again, as if his shape folded into itself, and then burst out as another shape—his human form.

  “We also don’t need to take off our clothes to shift. It is part illusion and part matter forming,” her father said. “We don’t get lycan strength or heightened senses. We can’t heal like a lycan. But we can enjoy the feeling of running like a wolf or flying like a bird. I’ll teach you.”

  “That would be wonderful,” Meadow said her tone full of excitement.

  Rosie pushed a tea cart into the room. “I thought you might like some refreshments,” she said.

  “That would be lovely,” Garrett said, rising from his chair.

  §

  “I’m so happy, Brencis. Everything is working out so nicely,” Meadow said, swinging their linked hands as they walked in the woods behind the house. “Tolya and Angeline are going to be Guardians. My family is happy about the wedding, and to run like a wolf sounds like so much fun.”

  Brencis was quite shocked, as well. Did one of his ancestors fool the pack into thinking she was a lycan? That couldn’t be right, since a witch smelled different than a lycan. Shaking his head, he smiled at Meadow’s obvious joy. The meeting with her father had been a success. Amhurst II had suggested that with practice Brencis might do magic. But every time he came into contact with magic, he received a bad reaction. As far as he was concerned, magic was not for him.

  Before meeting Meadow, Brencis wasn’t aware witches existed. He must be feeling what Melisande felt when she learned of lycans. It was mind boggling.

  They still needed to meet with the council about Brencis being a part of the House of Avery. Now if only that meeting would go as well.

  “Brencis,” Seth called, running up. “Grigori got a call from Valerii. He’s in Paris with Joe, and I don’t think they’re coming back.”

  “What? That can’t be right,” Brencis said, running his hand through his hair. Would he lose his best friend? He hadn’t thought much about what was going on with Valerii and little Joe. Some friend he turned out to be.

  “What’s that mark on your wrist? Oh, no. Not you, too,” Meadow said, seeing the sword tattoo of the Guardians on Seth’s wrist.

  “This? It happened when I shook hands with your father,” Seth said, twisting his wrist to admire the design. “It didn’t hurt, just sort of appeared. Lycans generally can’t have tattoos. They heal when we shift. I like it.”

  “Meadow, I need to go see what Grigori knows about all this,” Brencis said. “Will you come in?” Seth, one of the Guardians? Valerii in Paris and not coming home? What was going on?

  “It’s such a lovely day, Brencis.”

  “Seth, stay with Meadow so she won’t be alone. I’ll be back as quickly as I can, lyubov moya.”

  “There’s no hurry, Brencis. I’ll come in as soon as Rosie calls for dinner,” Meadow said, smiling at Seth before giving Brencis a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’m sorry about your foster sister, Seth. You must be disappointed to know she’s gone.”

  “Rosie said we can go and visit her. I knew Valerii would take care of her. She has family in Paris, an aunt and uncle.”

  “Why did she run away in the first place?” Meadow asked.

  “I don’t know. I don’t think she told any of us, not even Rosie.”

  “I wonder what her family will think of a Siberian werewolf in Paris?”

  Epilogue

  Meadow put the last white flower in her hair, and then studied her wedding dress in the mirror. Today was February 1st, Imbolc, the day the maiden is celebrated as the bride and a perfect day for a wedding. The promise of spring and new beginnings was celebrated by each house of the witches. Meadow had celebrated with her father and his family coven, meeting all of her cousins before preparing for her own wedding.

  Brencis, still reacting badly to magic, stayed with his pack. His new cousin Mabel Avery, leader of the Guardians, had promised to make sure he arrived at the church on time. She threatened to send Garrett and the Guardians after him if he wasn’t there.

  Life was settling down into a routine, with Tolya and Angeline helping to run Magic Herbs when they weren’t busy training or going on missions with the Guardians. Young Seth was thrilled with his new position on the team, though Garrett and the others were careful not to leave him alone on missions.

  Melisande had delivered a beautiful baby boy named Nikolai. The Siberian pack healer, Laurel, and her mate, Anton, came to England for the delivery. Laurel was going to stay to take some medical classes at Oxford before returning to Siberia in the summer.

  The only ones not here for the special event were Valerii and Josephine. They were still trying to get the pack in Paris organized. Brencis was worried about his friends, so Meadow had planned a honeymoon trip to see them as her wedding gift surprise to Brencis.

  “Meadow, stop daydreaming and let’s go. Daddy is waiting downstairs,” Chelsea, Meadow’s teenage half-sister, said while rushing into the room. Daddy, she had a Daddy.

  “Look at the magical confetti we made to give to the guests,” her twin Eileen said, rushing in with net bundles in her hand. “After the ceremony, everyone will throw this on you for good luck as you leave.”

  “That’s wonderful girls, and you look so pretty in your spring-green dresses,” Meadow said, her heart warming at knowing she was part of a loving family.

  Grabbing bouquets off the table, the three of them rushed downstairs to find Meadow’s father. He was standing at the front door, looking stately in his morning suit and top hat.

  “There you are. We better go before your intended thinks you aren’t going to show. Into the carriage ladies,” he said, ushering them outside.

  Meadow climbed into the flower-decked carriage and blinked away tears of happiness. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would have such a day. The carriage was pulled down the lane and around to the small chapel whe
re all Meadow’s Amhurst ancestors had married. Angeline stood waiting by the door, looking lovely in a lavender gown.

  Chelsea and Eileen jumped out, handing Angeline her bouquet.

  “Meadow, let me assist you with your train,” Angeline said, helping Meadow as she exited the carriage. “Brencis is looking a little worried. You’re late.”

  “He wasn’t really worried, was he?” Meadow asked.

  “Let him fret a bit. It’s good for him,” Meadow’s father said, patting her hand as he took her arm.

  As Angeline walked around and fluffed out the train of the wedding dress, she winked at Meadow. Then, it was finally time.

  §

  Brencis stood at the front of the church with Grigori, Tolya, and Garrett. The hall was full of both witches and lycans, here to share in the festivities. Melisande sat near the front with baby Nikolai on her lap, wiping her eyes and shrugging her shoulders at Grigori when he looked worriedly in her direction.

  Then, the bridal march began, and Meadow and her father appeared at the back of the hall. Brencis felt a familiar shortness of breath and tightening in his chest as he watched. Meadow looked like a fairy princess with her white dress and white-blond hair adorned with white flowers. The amethyst necklace and earrings he had given her for an early wedding gift adorned her lovely white skin and made her eyes shine.

  The world shrunk to just the two of them as Meadow’s father placed Meadow’s hand in Brencis’. The ceremony was a whirlwind blur, and the next thing Brencis knew, the reverend was saying, “You may kiss your bride.” The crowd cheered, and it was time to walk down the aisle as man and wife. Confetti filled the air and floated down on them.

  Brencis felt the first sting, and decided to ignore it, then there was a second and third and so on. What was happening? He looked down at his arm and noticed tiny burn marks on the sleeve of his jacket. Then, another piece fell on his nose and burned. He tried to put his arm up to block the confetti, but each piece that landed caused a small round burn.

  “Meadow, we need to run.”

  Meadow glanced over at him, her eyes going wide. “Oh, no. Brencis, I’m so sorry. The confetti is magical.”

  Not waiting another moment, Brencis lifted his new wife into his arms and ran from the church, using his lycan speed. Life with Meadow was always going to be a challenge. But he was keeping her forever.

  § § §

  Coming Soon

  Love in the Shadows

  Book Two of the Shadow-Walker Tribe Series.

  Derek “Red Hawk” Darkwood is known as the playboy of Isanti, Inc., his cover for spying for General Holland. So even though there is a new woman on his arm every night, the one he wants is Katherine Sloane, his brother’s administrative assistant. But five years ago she lost her husband in Afghanistan, and Derek knows she needs time to heal. Just as he is about to make his move and take the woman he wants, Derek kills his ex-girlfriend right in front of Katherine. Can Katherine love him, even though she knows he is a murderer?

  A Siberian Werewolf in Paris

  Book Five of the Siberian Volkov Pack Series

  Valerii Belikov, Siberian lycanthrope, knew that under the baseball cap and grubby jeans “Little Joe MacDonald” was actually Josephine. He didn’t know why she was hiding, but when the mating bond snapped into place after she was injured, he never expected her to run away. Josie is his mate, the one woman meant to be his, and should have known they couldn’t live apart. He could accept her hiding, but there was no way he could give her up.

  Josephine Chevalier knew this day would come. Her father’s killers had found her. To keep her pack mates in England safe, she needed to run. It was time to return to Paris where it all started five years ago. Now if only Valerii, the man she wanted above all others, would stay away. Looking down at the golden cord tying their hearts together, she realized he would come. How could she keep him safe?

  Also by Caryn Moya Block

  My Mate’s Embrace

  Anton Volkov, Siberian lycanthrope, is following the scent of Laurel Harris, who is running away from her abusive stepfather. When Anton finds her, he is surprised to realize she is his mate, the one woman meant to be his. But the Russian mafia is also on her trail. In order to rescue Laurel, Anton must first get this troubled woman to trust him. Can love heal her wounded heart?

  “The Siberian Volkov Series keeps getting better with each book. I found myself totally engrossed in this story.” Night Owl Reviews

  A Siberian Werewolf in London

  Grigori Solovyov, Siberian lycanthrope, goes to London to track down a Russian mobster who is stealing from the pack. Then, Melisande Reule walks into his hotel, bringing his wolf howling to the surface. He knows he has found his mate. But when she is targeted by a Russian assassin, Grigori must fight to keep her safe and at his side.

  “I absolutely loved this second installment in the Siberian Volkov Pack series. It had everything that made me fall in love with the first one. The story line is great.” Night Owl Reviews

  Alpha’s Mate

  A trip to Moscow brings Siberian lycanthrope, Dmitry Volkov, and his pack members out of hiding. He’s looking for answers to the pack’s breeding problems. But he never expected to find them in the delectable Violet Anderson. With rogue lycans causing problems in the pack, can he bring a fragile human woman home as his mate?

  Wildlife photographer Violet Anderson is stopping in Moscow, before she goes on assignment to shoot the elusive Russian Gray Wolf. When she meets Dmitry at a local hotspot, the sparks fly. The animal magnetism tells her she might have just met the man of her dreams. But Violet has a couple of secrets of her own, and following a wounded animal to its lair has never been a safe thing to do.

  “This is the beginning of a new werewolf series that promises to be phenomenal.” Night Owl Reviews

  About the Author

  Caryn Moya Block burst onto the paranormal romance scene with her debut e-book Alpha’s Mate in January of 2012. Since then, she published A Siberian Werewolf in London and My Mate’s Embrace. She was named one of the “Top 50 Indie Authors for April 2012,” by E-Reader Reviews and won the “Global E-book Awards for 2012” in the contemporary romance category.

  Caryn is also one of the contributors to “Interviews with Indie Authors, Top Tips from Successful Self-Published Authors” by Claire and Tim Ridgeway.

  She lives with her husband of over thirty years and has two adult sons. For more information go to: CarynMoyaBlock.com or you can write to her at: CarynMoyaBlock@gmail.com.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter F ive

  Chapter Six

  Chapter S even

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Epilogue