by Unknown
She met his eyes, willing him to trust her.
“If they find out about Jo, and they will, they’ll go after her first. Lana too, if possible.” Gen bit her lip. “Has Daniel found his mate yet?”
Lana opened her mouth but jumped when Chris pinched her side.
Interesting.
“What?” Daniel was eyeing Lana with suspicion and a little panic.
“Nothing.”
No one seemed fooled by Lana’s wide-eyed look, least of all Daniel. “If you know something I don’t now is the time to tell me.”
“I don’t know. I have suspicions.”
From the way Daniel groaned Jo had the feeling that Lana’s suspicions were as good as knowledge. Not every witch had instincts strong enough to be taken for gospel, but from the way the Beckett brothers were reacting Lana’s were. “Who?”
Lana zipped her lip.
Daniel whimpered, looking tortured. “Oh hell. Not her.”
Jo blinked. Her who?
“Kerry?” Zach’s shoulders shook, jarring Jo. “You’re fucking kidding me!”
“That woman is not my mate!”
Lana winked again at Jo. “Prove it.”
The men in the room went silent.
Daniel’s whole body was stiff with outrage. “I don’t have to prove anything!”
Lana shook her head, her smile smug. “Nope. You don’t.”
Jo could feel some undercurrents between the Becketts and Lana, but without their inside knowledge she had no idea which way those currents were running, or even why.
“There’s absolutely no need to prove myself right, because that woman is not my mate.”
Gareth turned his back on the group and poured himself a cup of coffee. Jo could see his shoulders were rigid. She didn’t know if he was pissed or laughing.
Daniel snorted. “Fine. Once we deal with the fucking Godwins I’ll cast the spell. Happy?”
Lana shrugged. “Whatever, dude.”
Daniel stomped out of the kitchen, his face stormy. “I’m going for a goddamn run. Anyone want to join me?”
“I do.” Chris kissed the top of Lana’s head and headed toward the back patio where Daniel was already beginning to strip.
Jo caught a glimpse of Daniel’s dimpled ass as he shoved his jeans down his legs. “Damn. They really are all gorgeous.” Zach whirled her around and took her mouth, kissing her with lazy arrogance. By the time he was done her mind was whirling and her nipples were so hard they ached. “Mmm.”
“Want to see my wolf?”
Jo opened her eyes. How in hell could he make that sound so damn sexy? “Yup.”
His blue eyes twinkled at her. “Are you done caffeinating?”
“Nope.”
She heard a soft giggle behind her and knew it was Gen.
“Hell. If you’re going, I’m going too. Hide her virgin eyes for a couple minutes more, ’kay?” Jo heard the sliding glass door open and knew Gareth had left the room. It looked like all four Beckett brothers would be running, leaving the women behind.
Good. She had a few things to discuss with the ladies that weren’t meant for male ears.
“Wow,” Gen breathed.
She had the feeling she knew what Gen was staring at. “Good?”
“The best.”
Zach frowned at Gen, who blushed and looked away. He opened his mouth to say something but Jo slapped his ass, distracting him. “Your turn, handsome.”
The look he shot her let her know she wasn’t off the hook. That was fine. She’d let him know what was going on without either Gen or Gareth around. She had the feeling Zach would be both amused and horrified at Gen’s news that she was destined to belong to Gareth.
“Okay, beautiful. Follow me.” Zach pulled her out the sliding glass door and began to disrobe. She looked at Gen and Lana and twirled her finger at them. Both women obligingly turned their backs while her mate disrobed.
When Zach was naked Jo wolf whistled at him, delighted when he blushed. “Nice view.” They both ignored the three wolves behind him gagging on the lawn. “Ready to show me your wolf?”
Zach grinned. His image blurred until a black wolf stood before her. Zach’s pale blue eyes were startling in that dark face.
“Oh, Zach.” He was beautiful. She got down on the ground and reached for him, eager to touch all that soft fur. “You’re wondrous.”
Once again she ignored the wolves behind him. His idiot brothers were lying on their backs, legs up in the air. Their tongues were lolling out of their mouths as they played dead.
“You know, now that Zach has found his mate, maybe someone should call his mom. Let her know.” Lana stepped out of the house in time to watch four furry butts disappear into the woods. “Works every time.”
A flash of brilliant red off to the right caught her attention, but before she could zero in on it, whatever it was had disappeared.
Must have been a cardinal. Still, Jo couldn’t suppress the feeling that something had been watching her.
“Are they that afraid of their mother?” Gen’s soft voice brought her back to the present.
“You have no idea.”
Jo stood up and brushed her hands on her jeans. “I have got to meet Mama Beckett.”
“Mm-hmm.” Lana led the way back into the house. “Ladies, we need to talk.”
Jo settled down and prepared to fill the women in on what she knew.
Chapter Thirteen
“So.” Zach lay on his stomach next to the stream and watched the clouds scuttle by in the clear water. He’d been waiting for Gareth to begin picking his brain as soon as he led them to this spot. They were still on Chris’s land, and therefore within the boundaries of his protections, but far enough away that the ladies would have to work to find them. “I’ve got a problem.” He rolled over and sat cross-legged. “I had a vision during the ritual last night.”
Chris, Daniel and Gareth joined him, forming a circle. “We’ve got your back, bro.” Gareth clapped his shoulder hard enough to nearly knock him over.
Daniel nodded. “Whatever you need.”
Chris grinned. “Becketts stick together.”
Zach was counting on it. He needed his brothers more than ever. “Here’s what I saw. I’m in wolf form, staring at a fire. In front of the fire is a dark altar. Jo is strapped to that altar in enchanted chains, naked.”
“Not good.” Daniel’s eyes glowed. “We need to protect her.”
“We need to protect all our mates.” Chris frowned. “What else did you see?”
“The altar was blood stained.”
“Meaning they’ve done this before.” Gareth twitched, like he wished he were pacing, but held his place. “And what do you mean all our mates? I’m not mated yet, thank the Lady.”
Chris and Zach exchanged a look. Gareth had looked pissed when Gen saw Daniel’s ass. He’d been furious in that hallway when Gen hadn’t been able to take her eyes off Zach’s naked body. He might not know it yet, but Zach was willing to bet good money the blonde warlock would be joining their family. He still wasn’t certain how he felt about that, but Jo trusted her, and that was good enough for him.
“Jo struggles, a knife is lifted, I’m about to run to the rescue when the man’s hood falls away. It’s Davis Godwin.”
“Fuck me.” Gareth did stand and pace. “That asshole needs a spiritual enema.”
“Was anyone else there?” Chris chucked a stick into the water, disturbing the serene reflection.
“I’m not sure. My wolf was focused on Jo and what was about to happen to her. Which is one of the reasons I need you three and Gen.”
“I’m still not sure of her.” Gareth rubbed his nose. “She’s a Godwin. How do we know she’ll be able to do what’s necessary?”
“We don’t, but Jo trusts her, and I have the feeling Lana does too.” Chris nodded, confirming Zach’s guess. “So we let her in, but not too far in.” And keep an eye on her for Gareth’s sake.
“And my supposed mate
?” Daniel smirked.
“Do the ritual, bro. Prove Lana wrong.” Gareth smirked back. “By the way, how often has Lana been proven wrong?”
Daniel collapsed on the grass with a groan. “Anyone but her. Please, Lady?”
Zach listened to the weird echo of his own words and almost laughed. “You’re screwed.”
Daniel lifted his hand just far enough to give Zach the finger.
“Mates later, Godwins now. What do you propose we do?”
Zach looked around and realized his brothers were looking to him to take the lead on this one. “I need to take care of it.”
One by one they blinked at him. “That’s it?” Daniel’s eyebrows rose. “That’s your grand plan?”
Zach dug his good hand into the ground and allowed the energy of the earth to seep into him. His bad hand hadn’t completely healed, but at least he could move it much more easily now.
He thought about going after Davis Godwin and saving his mate. He knew from the widening of Daniel’s eyes that he was glowing again. “Yup.”
Gareth shrugged. “All righty then.”
Silence.
Daniel sighed. “Do you think they’ve eaten all the burgers?”
“Don’t you think we should have saved them some food?” Gen stared at the empty wrappers with growing chagrin. She let out a delicate burp and covered her mouth with her fingers.
“Oh please.” Lana waved her hand. “They’re out there chasing Bambi. They’ll be fine.” She pointed toward Jo’s onion rings. “Are you going to eat those?”
Jo pushed them over. “Do you have a hollow leg?”
Lana shook her head. “Nope. Just starving.” She tore into the onion rings with greedy glee. “Yum.”
Jo decided to tease the other woman. “So if you get pregnant, will you birth children or puppies?”
Lana choked.
“Johra.” Gen pounded Lana’s back so hard her head nearly hit the table. “She’s not going to give birth to puppies.” She rubbed Lana’s back, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “She’s going to give birth to Becketts.”
Jo nodded solemnly. “Good point.”
“Thanks a lot,” Lana croaked. She reached for her soda and took a good long swallow. “You people suck.” She pointed at Jo. “Besides, you’ll be having little Becketts too, you know.”
“Goddess help me.”
Gen sighed. “I wish.”
Jo met Lana’s surprised look. “Gen had a vision. She’s meant to be Gareth’s mate, but he’s going to reject her because she’s a Godwin.”
Lana sat back and drawled, “Really?”
“Oh dear.” Gen looked petrified. “What are you thinking?”
“That we have two brothers who haven’t cast the Beckett mate spell yet, but we already know the outcome.” Lana rubbed her hands together. “We could have fun with this.”
“Remember, if the spell isn’t completed they die. Horribly.” And Zach would be crushed if he lost one of his brothers. Jo would have to ensure that didn’t happen.
Gen shivered. “Indeed. The last thing I want is for Gareth to suffer.”
“We’ll make sure he doesn’t.” Lana patted Gen’s hand.
“No matter what, if it comes down to it, we’ll put him out of his misery.” Jo grinned at Gen’s horrified gasp. “Oh please. Don’t be stupid. We’ll lock you naked in the room with him.”
“That would do it.” Jo had no doubt about that. She’d seen the way Gareth stared at Gen when she wasn’t looking. The man wanted so badly to play big bad wolf to the blonde’s little red riding hood. The only thing holding him back was her last name.
Lana chuckled. “No doubt in my mind. Just make sure you squeak and run. Wolves love to play chase.”
“And if you tell him you accept him, the wolf will override the man. You’ll be mated before you can blink.” She was living proof if the way Zach had pounced on her was anything to go by.
“Will it hurt?”
Jo handed over the last of the cookies to Gen, who groaned but nibbled anyway. “Will what hurt?”
“The…mating.”
Jo’s jaw dropped. “No way.”
“What?” Lana stared at Gen’s increasingly red face. “Oh my Lord. How old are you?”
Gen mumbled something under her breath and hid her face in her hands.
“Come again?”
“Twenty-two, all right? I’m the baby of my family.” Gen’s forehead hit the table. “I’m doomed.”
“Twenty-two?” That was it? She’d thought Gen was much older than that.
“You mean you’ve never…?” Lana made some crude gestures with her hands.
“Lana!” Jo slapped the other woman’s hands down. Poor Gen groaned again.
“I thought they were a myth!”
Jo rolled her eyes. “Yes, Virginia, twenty-two year old virgins do exist.”
Lana patted Gen’s downed head. “Oh, honey. We need to talk.”
Something occurred to Jo. “You’re not a virgin because you’re an Own, are you?”
Gen shook her head. “Let’s just say that boys weren’t knocking down my door.”
It was Jo’s turn to choke. The warlock was stunning. “Why not?”
“Big brothers. Mean ones. Three of them.”
“Oh.”
“Speaking of which, how did you survive as an Own in that family?” Lana stared at the empty wrappers and made a face.
Gen lifted her head. She didn’t seem to feel the big red mark across her forehead. “My mother took care of me. She cast a spell that hid my nature from the rest of the family. She never turned; she was a wizard until the day she died. The spell was strong enough that no one suspected a thing.”
Lana gasped. “That’s how The Registry didn’t pick up on what Cole and the rest of the Godwins were. It must have spilled over onto the entire bloodline.”
“What?” Jo was lost. “Okay. I’m really out of the loop here. The Godwins were listed as what? Oompa Loompas?”
“Wizards. We thought Cole had aligned himself with a warlock, not that he was one.”
“And when my father realized Cole was up for the position of King, he was beyond ecstatic. Imagine a warlock on the throne of the wizards.” Gen shuddered. “And when Cole found out who the other candidate was…” She bit her lip. “I tried to stop him.” She began to rub her wrist. “I really tried.”
Jo took hold of Gen’s hand. “Did they hurt you?”
Gen nodded, her expression closed off and serene. Jo was beginning to suspect that cool serenity was a mask for the real, very frightened woman underneath.
“We need to stop them.” Lana began gathering the trash. “So. How do we?”
“We don’t. I do.” Gen sat up straight. “I’m an Own. It’s my job to stop rogue magic users, not yours.”
“Zach will want to help. So will Chris.” Lana shoved the last of the wrappers into the trash. “Trust me, you won’t be alone on this one.”
Jo nodded. “I bet I can get some people from the Council to help. Ari will send some, and I bet Gareth could get more.”
Gen shook her head. “No. There’s a reason the Goddess created Her Own. It’s up to us to stop people like my family.” Gen took Lana’s hand. “And I don’t want to see yours hurt any more than it already has been.”
“Do you know where they are?”
She shook her head. “No.” She stood and grabbed a steak knife from the butcher block. She pricked the end of her finger, the drop of blood bright against her pale skin. “But I know how to find out.”
The women exchanged glances. “I’ll get the candles.” Lana hopped up.
Jo grinned viciously. “I’ll gather the herbs.”
Gen smiled. “Do you think Chris will mind?”
“Nah. Besides, he keeps telling me this is my home too, so guess what? I’m using my stuff.”
“In that case… I need a clear crystal for scrying.” Gen stood, the uncertain girl replaced once more by
the elegant Own. “Thank you.”
Lana hugged her. “Don’t mention it. Becketts stick together.”
Chapter Fourteen
Four wolves stopped at the edge of the woods. All four watched with wide eyes as three women danced around the table still set up from the night before. But where the white carved candle had stood was now Chris’s gazing crystal from his workroom.
Jo danced like an houri, capturing the attention of the only blue-eyed wolf in the group. Her hips swayed to a beat that only she could hear. Her face lifted to the sky, a heated, feminine smile curving her full lips.
Zach took a step closer, mesmerized by the sight of his mate dancing to the gods.
“Don’t.” Something grabbed him by the scruff and held him back. “Look closer.”
Zach did. Only then did he realize that one of the women had cast a circle. From the visible green color he had to assume it was Gen.
Gen paused in front of the altar, her body swaying, her arms outstretched, her figure lined with green living light. She reached down and picked up a knife.
Chris growled low in his throat.
Zach could almost understand his reaction. Their mates were in that circle, but something about the circle itself calmed Zach. It was clean, fresh, like springtime. New and young and full of innocent hope.
“I’m going in.”
Zach changed shape so fast his head spun. “No, Gareth. Let it be.”
Gareth rounded on him. “Your mate is in there with a Godwin. Are you going to let that go?”
“Are you?” Zach spoke with as much certainty as he could. Gareth was going to have to get past Gen’s family if he ever hoped to have his own happiness.
Gareth took a deep breath. “You trust her?”
Zach nodded. He did. “No one evil could cast a circle that pure, Gareth. Feel it. Use your senses, all of them. Tell me if you scent any wrongness.”
“Guys. Look.” Daniel pointed to where Gen hovered over the crystal, the knife digging into the flesh of her finger. “What is she doing?”
