Free Natural Magick by Kathi S. Barton

kid, shit, he had even made little Brent cry. But the little bugger had stood up to him, told him that he should go get her and make it right. Brent had even punched him a couple of times. That made him smile despite being worried about what punishment he would have to endure from his master. Dominic took a deep, calming breath and then left the sublevels to face the music.
    “ Sire? I know what I did was wrong. I don’t know what came over me. Well, I do, and I think I’m probably wrong about that anyway. I just thought that I had her scent, you know... But I was wrong. Women don’t smell like that to their mates, that couldn’t be right. So I’ve decided that I jumped to conclusions and she isn’t my mate. She can’t be my mate and smell like a spice like nutmeg. But now that I think on it, though, it suits her. She’s a vicious little thing, and once her temper went off...Christ, she has a hell of a temper. That smell had to come from the pantry. It was all over her. That’s why it was so strong; she was working in there, Duncan said. The smell of nutmeg and cinnamon was wafting from there…” Dominic stopped talking. He had run down actually. He looked up sharply when he realized that Aaron was laughing at him. That set his temper soaring again and he glared at the older vampire. That didn’t do anything but make Aaron laugh harder.
    “ So, what is this smell that came from the pantry that was all over her? Nutmeg, you say? Yeah, I can see that. And like you, I could see nutmeg as something I would associate with her since I heard that she took Mel on just today. Pissed the queen right off too. Yeah, I think you’re right. She isn’t your mate. Tell me something, though, is she pretty? I’ve always thought she was quite beautiful myself.” Dominic didn’t like where this was going. “You know Bradley, the wolf alpha, is looking for a few women to turn for his pack. Sounds like she could hold her own as a bitch.”
    No way, Dominic thought. No way was she going to be turned for someone else. When Aaron pulled out his cell and mumbled about pack phone numbers, Dominic flashed across the room and had Aaron pinned against the wall before he thought of what the consequences would be.
    “ She’ll not be turned for anyone but me,” he snarled. “You will not call the alpha, do you hear me?” He heard a low growl and it was seconds before he realized that it came from him.
    “ So, she’s not your mate, huh?”
    Dominic realized that his fangs had dropped and he had almost unleashed his beast, his eyes turning to the red haze of anger. He knew because he was seeing things in a red haze. “Fuck you.” He dropped Aaron to the floor none too gently and stormed to the kitchen and away from the truth. Aaron’s laughter followed him all the way into the darkened room.
    The entire house was dark during the daylight hours. Aaron had had window shades put on the outside of the house as soon as he had moved in. The solid steel shades would come down and seal against the house as soon as the sun rose, acting as a block against the dangerous rays and a safety measure for the inhabitants while they slept. If anyone wanted some light, as Sara sometimes did, there was a beautifully maintained solarium on the south side of the house.
    ~~~
    As soon as Pete finished the line Robin Williams said in Mrs. Doubtfire, she dropped her shield. Her magic enveloped Sara in warmth and comfort. Pete took Sara’s pain away and held it to her. Doing that, Pete felt Sara relax. As Pete laid her hand over Sara’s swollen belly, she felt the power race down her arm and light emanated from the tips of her fingers.
    Pete knew she was taking a big chance, opening herself up literally like this, but she also knew there was no way she could let the babies die. It just saddened her that she would need to move again and not see these two grow up. But she could not let the others find her. Not now, not ever.
    “ I need to move into you now.