Don’t Stop Bewitching

Chapter One

CURT WARRICK STOOD next to his best friend since childhood, staring at the brightly colored monstrosity before them. They'd been doing so for the greater part of fifteen minutes, as they ignored the heat this time of year, each trying to soak in what they were looking at. While Curt understood it was a Volkswagen van, his mind was having a hard time wrapping itself around the idea that anyone would ever get in it, let alone pick it for a long road trip. Yet there it was, parked on Main Street, in front of Hunted Treasures Antiques & Artifacts Shop. "I'm not sure it's road worthy."

Hugh Lupine, Curt's best friend and fellow shifter, crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm positive it's not road worthy. No way are we getting in that. It's a death trap. I'm not biting the big one by way of flower power. I've got a baby due soon. I plan to be alive for its arrival. I changed my mind about the charter jet. Make the call, Warrick."

"Your wish is my command." Nodding, Curt withdrew his cell phone from his back pocket and ignored the sweat beading on his spine from the heat. As a shifter male, his core body temperature ran hotter than a human's. The addition of humid summer weather didn't help matters any.

Curt dropped his phone before he actually made any call or booked anything, and the phone just missed landing in a puddle, left over from the storms that had passed through overnight. With a groan, he retrieved it.

He'd done very well for himself and invested wisely. Having a private jet ready for them to depart on within the next two hours wasn't a hardship by any means. He'd done so numerous times before. When he'd learned of some prime commercial property that might be up for grabs in the town where they were headed to, he'd looked into and had nearly booked a jet then and there. He was now regretting his choice to wait.

"Don't book a plane, Curt. It will be fun for you guys to have a road trip. It will give you so many great memories together. Plus, when you get down there, you can check on Sig and see how he's doing. And I think the van is pretty," said Penelope, Hugh's wife.

She was wearing a pair of leggings with small wolf heads all over them, a bright blue maternity shirt with the same wolf-head print all over it, and a hat (that was for winter but it was hotter than heck out) that looked like someone knitted wolf ears on it with a pair of dangly earrings that were little red and white lighthouses. Curt wasn't so sure they should let her have a vote on anything, let alone the vehicle that would need to take them over a thousand miles.

When Penelope's paternal grandfather, Wilber Messing, announced he needed to travel to Hedgewitch Cove, Louisiana, to deliver a special package (which totally meant supernatural artifacts), one that couldn't be sent by normal means, Penelope and her new best friend Kelsey had gotten it in their heads that the trip should include a number of men. Not just Wilber. The girls firmly believed it would be a manly road trip, full of fun and comradery.

It was as if the women didn't know a single one of the men they'd wrangled into going.

The varying personalities they'd assembled would clash within a mile from town. If that. Making it over a thousand miles together would never work. They'd be lucky to make it down Main Street before someone ended up killing someone else. Curt's money was on Wilber killing Hugh. Wilber might have been up there in years, but the man was a natural-born hunter and spry. It was in his blood to eliminate supernaturals.

Curt hoped that was true or they'd all be listed as missing persons very soon.

Showing up in Hedgewitch Cove minus a few passengers was a real concern when everyone involved in the road trip was either a card-carrying member of the supernatural club or a born hunter. The two were already oil and water. Hunters weren't technically classified as supernaturals even though they were. They'd refused to allow themselves to be listed in the books on the paranormal as supernaturals. They were elitists who fancied themselves a cut above all those they were born to police and, like their name suggested, hunt.

They'd had a number of names over the centuries—slayers, hunters, exorcists, etc. Under it all they were a bunch of people who looked down their noses at the supernatural. Depending on the hunter, they might or might not simply kill every supernatural they encountered.

Hunters had been known for doing just that.

Wilber swore he'd turned over a new leaf after the death of his son, Penelope's father, at the hands of hunters who didn't much care for the fact that Penelope's mother had befriended supernaturals and championed their cause.

Curt could only hope Wilber was telling the truth about his killing days being long behind him. Especially if they were all riding in the same van from Maine to Louisiana. Curt had never been to Hedgewitch Cove before and knew very little about the town, other than it was like Everlasting—a safe haven for supernaturals. He'd been told it was just outside of New Orleans and he'd been there plenty of times. There was always a good time to be had in the French Quarter. He just wasn't so sure getting there would be very fun. Not with his travel buddies.

So far, Penelope and Kelsey had managed to rope Curt, Hugh, Wilber, Jake, and Leo in their boys-trip plan. None of the men were willing participants. That didn't seem to matter much to the women.

The only one of the group the women hadn't asked was Petey Williams. The yet-to-be-determined-crazy older wolf-shifter had just declared himself part of the gang and then informed everyone that he had the perfect ride. Which led to their current predicament.

Petey's perfect ride was more like a perfect nightmare. The van was held together by peace sign stickers, painted flowers, dirt, rust, and the will of the gods (not necessarily in that order). A strong wind could take it out. That or a car wash, maybe even just a heavy rain. It was a moving eyesore and didn't look safe to drive or ride in.

"She's cherry, isn't she?" asked the older man, grinning from ear to ear. His eyes twinkled with merriment and it was easy to see Petey truly thought he was contributing to the trip. It was hard to be annoyed with him. His help always came from a good place, despite it more often than not leaving nothing but chaos in its wake.

His salt-and-pepper hair poked out from under his black knit cap that he was rarely without regardless the time of year. He was in a gray T-shirt with holes in it, that had a logo for his bait and tackle shop and a pair of yellow rain pants over his jeans. He had better clothing. Both Curt and Hugh always made sure the man had whatever he needed. The problem with Petey was, he didn't need much. He liked living simply and wasn't materialistic in the least. Petey was an old-school fisherman and it showed, from the weathered lines on his face and his permanently tanned skin to the fishing boots he seemed to always be in.

That being said, the guy would do anything for anyone. He had that big of a heart.

Curt didn't relish the thought of hurting the man's feelings, but he disliked the idea even more that his end would come within the hippie van. Supernatural didn't mean he couldn't die. It just meant he was harder to kill.

"Petey, I don't know about this," said Curt, wanting to soften the blow.

Hugh cast the fisherman a sideways glance. "This thing is a rolling piece of strawberry shortcake."

Curt snorted. Hugh wasn't one to pull punches.

The wolf-shifter had been subjected to a potion that left him saying off-the-wall things in place of curse words. That had been back in October and Hugh had gone from being able to weave a string of curses together that would shock anyone, to calling people baked goods and other silly names. His mate preferred that to Hugh's foul mouth, so Hugh stuck with it, even after the potion had worn off. That was a testament to just how much Hugh loved his wife, Penelope.

Hugh came in at six and a half feet tall (an inch taller than Curt) and was hardly a small guy. He also leaked alpha male as he walked.

Curt snickered. "Strawberry shortcake. Ooo, hardcore. What's next? Peach cobbler?"

Hugh shoved him, making Curt lose his balance. His best friend grabbed him and steadied him before pulling him into a manly hug.

Hugh was not a hugger.

The man was as far from a hugger as you could get.

Yet, he held Curt to him in a tight embrace.

Curt's eyes widened as he stood clamped against the wolf-shifter. "Uh, Hugh? You been hitting Petey's stash?"

Petey snorted. "He always throws away my good stuff, so I hide it."

Hugh stepped back fast, held out his arms, and stared at them as if they weren't attached to him and weren't his own. "What the blueberry pancakes was that about? They just hugged you."

"They?" echoed Curt.

Hugh nodded, appearing stunned. "It wasn't me. I didn't do that."

"Yes, you did. I was on the other end of the hug. Trust me, it was you. Also, I'd like it noted that your new aftershave smells nice."

Hugh's nostrils flared. "I did not hug you. My arms did."

"That made less sense than your baking curses," said Curt.

Hugh grunted. "But it's true."

Curt watched his friend. "Dude, admit it. You're into me. I'm alluring like that. It's why you wore the new aftershave, isn't it? You wanted me to notice you."

With a growl, Hugh narrowed his gaze on Curt. "Warrick, don't make me eat you."

"You could try. You forget, I'm a lion-shifter. I'm capable of giving as good as I get. Don't let the designer clothing fool you. I can throw down with the best of them," said Curt with a wink. While he tended to joke off nearly everything, his words were not a lie. He was a powerful lion-shifter, born from a line of pure-bloods. While he was as alpha as Hugh, he didn't walk around wearing it on his sleeve for all to see. There was no need to. But should the need ever arise, he'd accept the challenge. "Want to hug some more?"

"I'm going to throttle you!" Hugh's arms flew out again, this time looking like he really wasn't in control of them. "What the…?"

Petey hooked his thumbs behind his white and blue polka dot suspenders, which were currently holding up his bright yellow rain pants. "I knew you wouldn't be able to resist the peanut butter cookies I left out on your kitchen table. You've always had a sweet tooth, Lupine."

Hugh paled, his arms still held out wide, as if he was waiting for an embrace. "Tell me you didn't slip a Polly potion in something I ate."

Curt failed to hide his laugh. The only thing that would have made the moment better was if their other best friend, Sigmund Bails, were present to witness it. As it stood, Sig was down in Hedgewitch Cove—their destination.

Hugh had already fallen victim to potions in baked goods and drinks more than once. Aunt Polly, a witch with a big heart and a colorful approach to life, seemed to take great pleasure in using the wolf as a test subject. He'd once gotten fleas from one of her potions. She'd also been the one behind the potion that had left Hugh saying cute things in place of curse words for the month of October. It had been Polly's way of assuring she won the pool the town had going.

Had Polly not taken matters into her own hands, Hugh would have lost the friendly wager he and Curt had going. As it stood, Hugh won with flying colors, not to mention flying baked good rants. It had given Curt so much amusement that it had been worth losing the bet and having to donate five thousand dollars to the middle school fund. Besides, the money had gone to a good cause, so it was worth it in the end.

Apparently, Curt was in for more fun at Hugh's expense. That was really the best kind of fun to be had. A long road trip in a van from hippie-hell was totally worth it.

"You slipped me more Polly potion?" asked Hugh, shock and horror reflected on his face.

Petey whistled low and did his best to appear as if he wasn't the guilty party. "Not exactly. She's out in Lucky Valley, you know. Well, some folks call it Unlucky Valley, but I suppose that's neither here nor there." He bit his lower lip slightly. "We sort of had to make our own potion this time. It's to help your temperament for the long road trip. It's supposed to make you feel love and happiness and all the stuff opposite how you'd normally feel on a road trip with the guys. Tried some myself first just to be sure it wouldn't kill you. Works like a charm. Made me so happy I couldn't stop singing for two days."

Curt laughed so hard he teared up. "That explains the forty-eight hours' worth of songs from the Wizard of Oz soundtrack you subjected us all to the other day down at the marina."

Petey smiled wider. "Penelope got me the soundtrack from the Broadway show Wicked. Wait until you hear my rendition of 'Defying Gravity.'"

"Did you know about this?" demanded Hugh as he faced his wife.

Penelope smiled and then hugged him. "Of course I did. I baked the cookies, remember? I'm happy it worked. Kelsey and I weren't so sure it would since we mixed the potion ourselves. Sure, we had a list of ingredients to go off of, but Aunt Polly's penmanship left a little something to be desired. And since she's out of town, we couldn't ask her about it. Looks like we were right to go with the dried bat wing and not the dirty bath water, Petey. Good call."

"When you weren't looking, I put some of my leftover bathwater in the mix just in case the recipe said that and not bat wings. Figured it was best to cover all our bases." Petey waggled his bushy brows. "And to be extra sure it worked, I used the same water to bathe in all last week. It was good and dirty. No room for error."

Curt scrunched up his face in disgust, happy he hadn't given in to the temptation of eating one of the cookies. They'd looked delicious when he'd been in Hugh's house earlier.

"To be clear," said Hugh, grunting as he finally got his arms lowered. They shot back up again, and it was evident he was not pleased. "My wife, her friend, and a guy I see as a father figure decided to possibly poison me to make me nicer on a road trip? And now I can't control the urge to hug people?"

Penelope and Petey shared a look before nodding.

"Yes," said Penelope, hugging her husband more. "That's exactly what we did. But like Petey said, he tested it first so it's hardly fair to call it poisoning you. He lived. He hasn't been any more huggy than normal. That is a you thing."

"You're not the best traveler," added Petey, tugging at his suspenders more. "There was that time on the train when you wanted to eat the conductor. Then the other time when you took me to the Big Apple and you really did try to eat the cab driver."

Curt remembered the day well. He, Sigmund, Hugh, and Petey had gone to New York City and one of the cab drivers had been a were-bird. The man would not stop taunting Hugh, clearly not a fan of wolf-shifters. It took both Curt and Sig to pull their friend away from the cab driver before any real damage could be done. Petey had threatened to defeather the man but had let the matter drop when told to.

Hugh got his arms down and they stayed that way. He then lifted each one slowly and wiggled his fingers as if he wasn't sure he was in full control once more.

Petey continued. "And then there was that time we were driving down to Florida with Buster and you—"

Hugh put up a hand, stopping Petey. "I get it. Fine. I'm not the best traveler."

"Not the best?" questioned Penelope. "Sweetie, you're difficult on most days. From what I've been told you're nearly impossible to deal with on road trips. Grandpa promised to be on his best behavior and this will ensure you are too."

Hugh grunted. "I told you I would be."

"And five minutes later you were goading Grandpa," she reminded him.

Curt had been there during it all and already knew Wilber and Hugh couldn't be together more than five minutes before one was at the other.

Penelope sighed. "I love you both. I want you to learn to get along. The constant bickering has gone on too long. You're going to be a father before you know it. It's time you start acting like an adult. This will help."

"Did you make Wilber eat Petey's dirty bathwater too?" asked Hugh, sounding a lot more like a child than a grown alpha male. None of it boded well in the making-him-an-adult angle.

Penelope bit her lower lip and blushed. "We tried, but Grandpa didn't fall for the cookies. You did."

Curt bent, laughing too hard to bother hiding it. When he reached the point of snorting, Hugh cuffed him on the back of the ear. Standing straight, Curt glanced at Penelope. "I think he needs another cookie."

Hugh growled.

Curt merely laughed more and dodged another cuff to the ear. "Hey, it could have been worse."

"How so?"

"You could be singing about heading off the see the wizard while trying to hug me." Curt grinned. "You'd look great in a tutu as part of the Lollipop Guild."

Hugh tipped his head. "You're thinking of the Lullaby League."

Curt wiped his hand over his mouth and snorted. "The fact you know the difference is very telling."

"My mate likes the movie and has made me sit through it more than once in the last few months," said Hugh.

Curt nodded. "Sure she has."

"Please note the cookie didn't take my urge to end you," warned Hugh with a very wolfish growl.

Penelope pushed on the man's chest. "Stop. You'd never really hurt him. You love him like a brother."

"Want me to write a song about it?" asked Petey, grinning wide. "I've been working on some original material. You could express your love for Curt in a ballad, or I could do something you could dance ballet to since you're into that and all."

Curt couldn't breathe as he laughed even harder.

"I am not into…never mind." Hugh looked at Curt and grinned mischievously. "Hey, Warrick. How about a friendly wager?"

Penelope groaned. "Not again."

Petey rocked more on the balls of his feet. "The last one ended well for Hugh. He won, plus he got himself a wife and a little one on the way. Maybe Curt will win this one and get himself a family too. You know matings normally happen in groupings. If I was younger, I'd be worried it was gonna happen to me."

Curt moved back so fast that he tripped over his own two feet and would have fallen had someone not caught his arm and yanked him upright. He glanced up to find Deputy Jake Majoy standing there, a puzzled look on the man's face. He had on a black jacket with the word "Sheriff " written across the front breast pocket in bright yellow. The centaur had been born to help police supernaturals. It was in his blood. So much so he apparently dressed the part even when not on duty.

"You look like you're going to be sick, Warrick," said Jake before handing Curt something. "Here. You dropped this."

Curt stared down into Jake's hand at a half-dollar-sized gold coin with a lion's head on it. "That's not mine."

Jake stared at him. "Uh, yeah it is. I think it fell out of your pocket just now when you were looking as if you might run or pass out."

Petey chortled. "Talk of mating freaks the boy out."

Curt took the coin from Jake's hand and studied it a moment before shrugging. "This isn't mine."

"We could argue about it all day, but I'm telling you, it fell out of your pocket," said Jake.

Curt slid the coin into his front pocket and let the matter drop. He'd give the gold piece to Wilber later. It was probably one of the man's antiques that had found its way out and to the ground in front of his shop.

"This is so exciting. The boys will have a ton of fun," said Jake's wife, Kelsey. She was next to him, one hand on her swollen stomach, smiling as she gave Penelope a wave.

"Boys?" questioned Jake.

Kelsey patted her husband's arm. "Yes. Boys. I've seen you all in action before. Remember?"

Petey went straight for Kelsey and hugged her.

She returned the embrace. "Are you all set for the trip?"

"I am. Got Sunshine. She's something. A true beauty." Petey thumbed towards the van.

Kelsey looked at it and clapped with excitement. "I love it! She's everything you said she was."

"And more," added Curt in a hushed tone, earning him nods from Hugh and Jake. "Jake, ask Hugh about his love of tutus, but be mindful of random bouts of hugging."

"Don't make me shove my sunflower up your whoops-a-daisy," said Hugh as his arms shot out again. His jaw set in frustration. He sent a scathing look in Petey's direction.

The older man didn't seem to mind in the least.

Kelsey laughed. "It worked! Yay! We did it."

She high-fived Penelope.

Jake stared around at the group. "Did what? And why does Hugh look like he wants to hug Warrick?"

"They poisoned me," returned Hugh.

Penelope grunted. "Did not."

"You fed me Petey's dirty bathwater," argued Hugh. "That qualifies as poisoning me."

Jake rubbed his temple. "Just when I think this town couldn't possibly get any weirder."

"Nah," said Petey with a shake of his head. "Everlasting isn't that bad. We're going to Hedgewitch Cove. I used to live there. It's way weirder than this. In fact, it makes Everlasting look downright normal."

"You lived in Hedgewitch Cove?" asked Hugh, surprise in his voice. "How did I not know this?"

Curt hadn't known that fact either.

"Oh yes. Petey was there for its start. Lived there for a decent amount of time." Kelsey looped her arm through Petey's. The two had become close quickly. Kelsey had arrived in Everlasting around a month after Penelope and the two had connected instantly, both bonding quickly with the old fisherman.

Kelsey and Petey had a special relationship. He took on a very protective, fatherly role with her. Kelsey seemed happy with it all and filled a void the older gentleman had.

Petey touched Kelsey's swollen stomach and bent, putting his mouth near the woman's stomach. "How are you doing today, little one?"

Kelsey rubbed her lower back. "Active. I feel like the baby is running a marathon nonstop in there."

Jake grinned and kissed his wife's cheek. "I should stay home. What if you need me?"

"I'll be fine," said Kelsey, giving him a stern look.

Petey laughed. "She's sick of you hovering. Same as Penelope with Hugh."

"My wife could go into labor any minute," said Hugh. "I'm staying."

Penelope pointed at him. "You already tried that one. Dr. Prescott already told you that it's more than common for hunter pregnancies to be slightly longer than a normal supernatural's and the baby is showing no signs of coming soon."

Kelsey put her hand out to Penelope and the two moved closer together. "I, for one, need a break from the men."

"Totally," said Penelope with a smile. "Mine is nesting."

"He's what?" asked Curt, wondering what in the world his best friend had in common with a bird.

Petey whistled and shook his head. "The boy already has the nursery all fixed up and ready to go. He's babyproofed the entire house to the point Penelope is ready to poison him for real. Took her thirty minutes to get into the refrigerator for a snack the other day. If there is one thing you do not do, it's come between a pregnant woman and food."

Hugh slumped his shoulders. "I took the child lock off the top of the fridge. Can I please stay home? I'll behave myself. I promise."

Curt snorted. "Remember when you used to be alpha?"

Hugh lunged, and Curt dodged his friend's attempt at getting him.

Curt stepped back and tossed his hands up. "Stop. I don't want to be hugged again."

Hugh groaned.

The women laughed.

Curt glanced at Jake. "Excited to have some male bonding time with your brother-in-law?"

Jake wasn't quick enough to school his expression. From the look of it, the last thing he wanted to do was spend time with Kelsey's brother, Leo, who was apparently running late. Leo had been working on the docks for the last few months, keeping to himself mostly, but lingering around town, no doubt to be close to his sister.

While Leo and Jake didn't see eye to eye, he and Wilber seemed to get along just fine. It didn't surprise Curt that Leo and Wilber had hit it off. Probably had something to do with the fact they were both hunters. Though Leo's line of hunters had magic as well.

All that meant was they were better at standing against supernaturals.

That didn't give Curt any warm or fuzzy feelings considering he, himself, was a supernatural.

Hugh faced Petey. "How is it Kelsey knows you lived in Hedgewitch Cove and I don't? I've known you all my life. You practically live with me."

"She's a better listener," said Petey before taking Kelsey's hand and dragging her in the direction of the van. He began pointing out various painted flowers.

Jake eyed Petey. "When Kelsey told me you spent time there, I was shocked. No wonder you were all for me taking Sigmund there to help learn to control his shifter side."

At the mention of Sigmund, Curt smiled. He, Sig, and Hugh had basically been best friends since birth. Having Sigmund gone for months had been hard and odd. Curt had been used to popping over to Sig's house to hang out with him at random and used to having an ally against Hugh and his temper. Sig was always the voice of reason. Always the peacemaker amongst the group of friends. Before his entire world had turned upside down when he came into his supernatural gifts, Sig had been a pacifist.

All that had changed seemingly overnight.

Sig had come into his shifting abilities recently, when most males did so in their teens. His were-kraken side had gotten away from him, and in the end, two bad guys were left dead. Sig's guilt nearly ate him alive. He not only needed guidance on how to control his newly found shifter side, he needed time to heal mentally as well and to come to grips with the fact he'd done what needed to be done.

When Jake had first taken Sig to Louisiana, it was with the understanding Sig would be gone a month or so. That was eight months ago, and the man was showing no signs of returning.

The rare moments Curt spoke to his friend on the phone, Sig was vague about returning. It was to the point that Curt wasn't sure Sig ever planned to return to Everlasting. That wasn't okay with Curt.

Sig was part of Everlasting.

He belonged here.

Jake checked his phone before glancing up at Petey. "You could have told me you used to live in Hedgewitch Cove. I'd have had you ride down with me when I took Sig there."

Petey shrugged and rubbed his chin. "Wasn't the right time for me to go back just then. Polly and me sat down and had a little talk. She let me know the stars were aligned and that the time is now. Guess I gotta face my past at some point. No time like the present. You ever call that realtor I told you about?"

"I did." Curt nodded. "It's worth checking out the property he mentioned might be available. It's not far from the waterfront either. The price range he gave me was low."

"Is it a toxic waste facility?" asked Hugh.

"No. Well, I'm not sure. It's close to a magic shop so one can never be too sure," said Curt. Petey had shown him an old listing online that talked about the property. Since Curt was always looking for ways to diversify his income, and he was already quite successful in the restaurant business, it seemed wise to at least look at the property if they were heading there anyway. "Can't hurt to check it out while I'm there. I'm planning to toss Sig in the trunk and bring him back home with us too, so there is that. We should get a move on it. We're burning daylight."

"You don't want to get in that van any more than I do. Now you're pushing for quality guy time?" questioned Hugh.

Penelope leaned against him. "He's right. And I know you know it. You're thinking the same thing as Curt, but he's man enough to admit it out loud."

Curt grinned. "Hear that? I'm manly. I told you cat-shifters were the dominant species."

"Yeah, right." Jake shoved him playfully and then picked up a leather backpack and carried it towards the van. "All right, folks, are we doing this? Curt is right. We're wasting daylight."

Hugh pointed to Jake's bag. "Warrick, see that. He only has one small bag too. Unlike you, prima donna, who needed two large ones. Is one full of your hair products?"

Curt adjusted the collar of his shirt and waggled his brows. "Yes. The ladies like a man who takes pride in his appearance."

Petey took off his knit cap, licked his palm, and then ran it through his hair. "It's true. Ladies love us well-kept men."

Penelope laughed and came at Curt to hug him. A second before she got to him, she launched into a fit of sneezes, reminding everyone that she was allergic to cats. It was something Hugh got great joy from since it meant she was basically allergic to Curt.

Curt wrapped his arms around her. "I'll keep him out of trouble."

"Thank you," she said, kissing his cheek chastely.

"Don't be hanging on my wife," said Hugh, his voice teasing.

Curt smiled. "Pretty sure you staked your territory there. You claimed her and she's about to pop with your little one."

"Pop?" asked Penelope. "Are you saying I'm big?"

Curt stiffened. "No. I'd never say that. You're stunning. In fact, pregnancy suits you. You're even more beautiful as an expectant mother. You glow."

She snorted. "Smooth talker."

Hugh grumbled. "If he keeps smooth talking you, I'm going to…"

Curt flashed a smile. "You're going to what? Hug me some more? Call me a baked good? Threaten me with flowers?"

Hugh made a move to come at Curt.

Penelope stepped between them. "Boys."

They sighed.

Jake snorted.

Kelsey gave him a hard look.

He lowered his gaze.

"That's what I thought," said Kelsey as she moved away from them quickly, in the direction of Jake's SUV.

"Baby, what are you doing? I don't get a kiss good-bye?" asked Jake of Kelsey.

"I'm not going yet." She stepped off the edge of the sidewalk and wobbled as she lost her footing. Curt and Jake took off behind her, each reaching for her to make sure she didn't fall.

Jake nodded a thank you at Curt before staying by his mate's side as she opened the back door of his SUV. She pulled out a picnic basket and a large thermos.

"I almost forgot this stuff." She glanced down at her stomach. "My center of gravity is way off now. I trip over my own two feet all the time."

Jake eased the basket from her hands and dipped his head, giving his wife a tender kiss. "Mmm, thanks, baby. But do me a favor and be extra careful. I love you and you're carrying precious cargo."

She grinned. "Are you planning to tell me if our baby will be born able to shift partly into a horse or are you still pleading the fifth on that one, Mr. Centaur?"

"Fifth," said Jake with a grin. "I'm going to miss you. I don't want to be gone from you."

"Jake, I know the only reason you haven't babyproofed the house yet is because you heard Penelope and me making fun of Hugh for going overboard. You're just as bad as him. I know you're excited about being a father but, honey, you're driving me ten kinds of crazy. I want to relax and not have you running around the house, worrying over every tiny detail. I swear you've timed the trip to the hospital more than once this week alone."

"Seven minutes from your place," said Hugh with a nod. "Eleven from ours."

Jake pointed to him. "On Sundays, when church is letting out, you have to add at least six minutes to each."

Hugh's eyes widened. "Noted."

Chapter Two

CURT RUBBED his temple as he soaked in the sight of his friends being reduced to timing hospital routes. "I'm so glad I'm not mated."

"Keep it up," said Penelope. "Kelsey and I were dusting down the basement of the antiques shop and we might have been discussing you by the crystal ball collection."

Hunted Treasures Antiques & Artifacts Shop was basically a front for a giant collection of supernatural artifacts that Wilber tended to, keeping them safe and out of the hands of madmen. He'd spent the last several months grooming his granddaughter to take over the family business. Kelsey also worked at the shop.

Curt had been in the basement of the shop a number of times. It was massive, extending under Main Street. It was packed full of the weird and the wacky. He couldn't be certain, but he was pretty sure everything in the basement was dangerous on some level.

Jake shook his head. "Warrick, if I was you, I'd demand to know what the crystal balls showed them when they were talking about you. I would not leave that up to chance."

Kelsey patted Jake's arm. "I still remember when it showed me you. Okay, it showed me a centaur but still. It showed me my mate. Penelope and I were talking about Curt near it, wondering when he'd meet his mate, and well, it sort of kicked on."

Curt felt the blood drain from his face. He was not ready to be tied down. "Tell me it didn't show you anyone for me."

The girls shared a look before Kelsey stepped closer to him. "Oddly, it showed us a map of the state of Mississippi."

"Why on earth would it show you Mississippi?" asked Curt.

The way Penelope looked at Kelsey let Curt know the two knew far more than they were letting on. He began to ease back from them slowly. They were up to something.

Hugh moaned. "You're acting like you're going to catch something."

"Monogamy," said Jake with a snort. "Looks like he's terrified at the idea of settling down."

Nodding, Curt stared wide-eyed at his friends. "I'm happy for you guys. I am, but that life isn't for me. I have no desire to be mated. I'm so not a family man. And I'd make a horrible father. I'm selfish. Ask anyone. They'll tell you. I'm a free spirit."

"I'm with Warrick," said Petey. "We're farts in a windstorm. We go where the wind takes us. You can't hold us down."

Curt groaned, not loving being compared to gas.

Petey waved a hand behind him, near his backside. "Speaking of farts in windstorms."

Hugh shook his head and eased his wife closer to him. He palmed her stomach. "Seriously, Penelope, I'm not comfortable going away with how far along you are in the pregnancy."

"Grandpa had that fortune teller friend of his read both Kelsey and myself. You heard her. She agreed with what the doctor said. The babies have a bit yet. Relax. And please go."

Kelsey glanced at Penelope and the women sighed.

Curt lifted a hand, drawing attention to himself. "I'm guessing the womenfolk are sick of you guys hovering nonstop. You're treating them like they're made of glass now that they're expecting."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you just run to help my expecting mate too?" asked Jake.

Curt smiled. "Yes. Because I'm a gentleman, not because I think she's too delicate to handle the world. I've heard all about her ability to shoot rainbows out of her hands and liquify demons. And let's be honest, Penelope could kick the backsides of every man here if she wanted. She comes from a line of powerful hunters. She humors us."

Penelope blushed. "Kelsey comes from hunters as well."

Curt laughed. "See? They can both beat us up. And you know as well as I do that they'll call if anything changes. I'll get a plane secured if need be and get you both back to town should any little ones decide to make a liar out of the fortune teller and doctor. Feel better?"

Kelsey laughed outright. "Curt is right. We women need a break from you guys. We'll be fine here. The entire town watches out for us all. You know how they are. Plus, Jolene has already informed us that we're having dinner together nightly while you are all away."

Penelope nodded. "And Mrs. Mays will be joining us. We'll be surrounded by people."

Hugh's eyes widened. "That woman can scare the hair off a dog with her glares."

"Speaking from experience?" asked Curt.

Hugh raised a hand but this time it wasn't to hug. His hand gesture said it all.

Curt snorted.

Penelope sighed. "Do not make me force another cookie down you."

"You behave yourselves and try to have fun," said Kelsey, stepping back just as her brother pulled an old pickup truck to a stop behind Jake's SUV.

Curt had seen the truck out in front of Old Man Nelson's place. It had been on cinderblocks for ages. He was shocked to see it in running order. It was a bigger surprise to see Nelson had parted with the thing. The town council had tried on more than one occasion to talk him into removing it from his front lawn. He'd tried to have it declared a historical landmark.

That hadn't worked out.

He did trim the weeds back from it. That was as good as it had gotten, until now.

Curt eyed the man that matched him in height and build. Though that was where the similarities ended with him and Leopold "Leo" Gibbons. Curt liked to keep his hair cut in a shorter style and his haircuts weren't cheap. Leo looked like he hacked his shoulder-length dark hair off with a pair of dull scissors or a hunting knife once every few years. He'd seen the guy's table manners. He probably did. From the heads the man turned in town as far as the ladies, it was clear chicks seemed to dig the look.

Curt couldn't make sense of it all. It always appeared as if Leo rolled out of bed in the clothing he wore for the day, and he didn't vary from faded blue jeans and old, worn shirts. Plus, the man was never without his old army jacket, which had seen better days. Frankly, Curt didn't see what appealed to the ladies.

Jake headed back to the van, opened the side door, stood just inside, and then secured his bag to the luggage rack on top of the van. He stayed in that position and looked at his brother-in-law. "Leo, tell me you didn't steal Nelson's truck."

Leo merely grinned at the question and then went to his sister. He leaned, giving her a partial hug. It looked awkward to say the least. "Hey, Leo, want a peanut butter cookie?"

Hugh eyed the man. "Say no."

Leo appeared confused as he stayed close to his sister. "I don't know about all of us taking off and leaving you alone. What if evil witches attack again while we're gone?"

"Then I'll turn them into blue goo and Jolene will run over any I miss with her tow truck again. Worked out good the last time." Kelsey patted her brother's cheek. "Stop worrying."

"Little sister, I'm being serious. You're pregnant now. We don't know how your magic will act. It's bad enough we have to worry about your mate's inability to control the magic he got from mating with you."

Curt flashed a cocksure smile. "So, March, is what I hear true? You know, did you sneeze and have rainbow power shoot out of your hands at Sheriff Bull's squad car?"

The incident had been the talk of the town for the past two days. Apparently, when the power struck the car it made everything electric go nuts, caused the doors to open and close on their own at random, and the horn to blare nonstop. At least that was the way Curt had heard the story told.

"Oh, it's true. Jolene isn't sure she can get the thing in working order again," said Leo, answering for Jake. "You'd think with Jake being five hundred years old he'd be able to control magic when it's given to him. But no."

Jake pointed at Leo. "Keep pushing me and I'll show you what I can do."

Leo snorted. "I'm a hunter, Jake. I'll tie you to a chair in a remote cabin in the woods and make you watch the Home Shopping Network. I hear you like that."

Wilber, in an attempt to protect his granddaughter, had kidnapped Jake, tied him to a chair in a hunting cottage, turned on the Home Shopping Network, and left him there. That had been eight months ago. It was still as funny today as it was then.

Well, not to Jake.

Jake stared wide-eyed at his wife. "You told him about what Wilber did to me?"

Kelsey shook her head and laughed. "No."

"I told him. Didn't know it was a state secret or anything," said Petey with a shrug. "It's a funny story. I tell it as often as I can. Come on, how often do you hear about a super-old centaur getting bested by a hunter? Plus, the Home Shopping Network is awesome. Hugh won't let me watch it anymore. He says I buy too much stuff from it. I don't know what impulse buying is, but he says I suffer from it. Polly said there is no cream for that. Now I just get to watch The Wizard of Oz. Not that I'm complaining or anything. That green witch is good-looking."

Penelope and Kelsey laughed more.

Hugh looked tired.

Jake groaned.

And Leo just looked worried about his sister. Curt couldn't exactly blame the guy. She'd been targeted by a group of evil people-eating-witches several months back. Even in a town like Everlasting, where bodies dropped all the time, that was out there.

"I'm going to be just fine. And this trip will be good for you." Kelsey wrapped her arms around Leo tight and squeezed. "You need to learn to get along with my husband. I know you and Wilber have bonded, which is great, but you need to bond to the other men as well."

"I like Petey just fine," said Leo, leaving out Hugh, Jake, and Curt.

"Hey, girls, how about you get some cookies for Leo for the road? He might get hungry," said Hugh, smirking.

Curt laughed but tried to hide it. "I thought you were warning him off those."

"I was," said Hugh, staring Leo up and down. "That was before. Now I think he should eat a dozen."

"Why? Want to have a hug buddy?" asked Curt.

Hugh growled.

Curt licked his lower lip. "Want me to invite Buster along?"

Buster, the town were-rat, could get on Hugh's nerves faster than anyone else.

Hugh gasped. "No. I'll stop. Don't eat the cookies, Leo."

Confusion coated the hunter's face. "Okay, but why?"

Penelope and Kelsey shared a look that said they were hardly innocent.

Curt eyed the woman. "You already got him, didn't you?"

Petey snorted, nodding wildly. "We put his potion in his ketchup! That boy smothers it on everything."

Leo looked up. "Potion?"

Curt walked over to his bags and retrieved them. "Apparently, the girls were worried about everyone getting along. They, with the help of Petey, decided to take matters into their own hands. They made a get-along potion. It would appear they got you and Hugh."

"And Jake," added Kelsey before covering her mouth with her hands.

Jake tilted his head back and looked up at the sky. "You had to give me a witch as a mate, didn't you, Fate?"

Kelsey smiled. "Hey, I'm new to the witch thing. And you wouldn't have me any other way."

"True," said Jake, hopping off the side of the van. He walked to her and took her hand in his. "I'm not going to ask what you did. I'm just going to tell you that I love you and I promise not to kill your brother."

"As if you could," said Leo.

Curt eyed the ladies. "I think your potion needs some work. All It's done is make Hugh look like a puppet master is controlling his arms. I don't see any sign of the rest of them wanting to hug and get along."

The next Curt knew Hugh, Jake, and Leo all went to each other and did a group hug.

Curt pointed to the women. "You two are awesome!"

"Hey. It was my dirty bathwater that made the difference," added Petey, joining the group hug.

Kelsey blinked, looking shocked. "He did what? Dirty bathwater? Petey?"

Penelope blushed. "I just found out he added that to the potion."

"I had no idea he did," said Kelsey before giving Petey a thumbs-up. "Way to cover our bases."

"See. That's what I said," replied Petey proudly. "Glad it's sort of worked. We were hoping you'd just be nicer to one another. Hugging wasn't on the menu, but we'll take it as a win, for now. Who knows, maybe it will cause more feel-goods later?"

Curt looked at the alpha males all huddled together. He whipped out his cell phone and took a picture. "I really hope it does."

The men broke apart.

Jake and Leo stood there, confusion on their faces.

Hugh just looked annoyed. "Get used to it. It's a side effect of the potion apparently."

"Probably one of many," said Petey, nothing but pride in his voice. "I should warn you all that I'm a sympathetic crier. If one of you cries, I will join in."

"We are not criers," said Jake as he teared up. He gasped. "Kelsey?"

She tugged at her lower lip. "That was mentioned as a possible by-product. Sorry. Look at it this way, you're getting in touch with your feelings."

Petey teared up too and patted Jake's shoulder before pulling an old, ratty handkerchief from his pocket and thrusting it in Jake's face. "Here."

Jake pushed it away. "Thanks. I'm good."

"Suit yourself," said Petey, blowing his nose before composing himself. "We weren't sure the potion would even work."

Hugh stared at Petey. "You cooked up a potion and you weren't sure if it would work? Do I even want to know what the possible side effects of your experiment could have been?"

Petey chuckled. "Probably not. You haven't noticed any mange, have you?"

"Petey!" shouted Hugh, going at the older man.

Curt ran interference, as was often the case when it came to Hugh's temper. "Take a breather here. You're fine. Sure, you're now a hugger who may or may not break down in tears, but that's nothing really. All is fine. Well, unless you have in fact noticed issues with mange."

"Warrick," warned Hugh.

Curt laughed. "What? It's funny. Admit it. Want to hug?"

"I don't find my wife's new interest in potion making amusing."

Penelope put a hand on her hip and stared at her husband.

Curt pointed at her since Hugh was too busy glowering to notice the dirty look Penelope had set upon him. When he did, his shoulders slumped. "I love your hobby. Did I say otherwise? Silly me. I really hope you mix more potions. Can't wait to try them."

Petey leaned and put the back of his hand to the side of his mouth and did the loudest whisper known to man. "I'm not sure she buys it. It lacked a level of believability. Want me to back you up? We men gotta stick together. Two peas in a pod."

Curt sighed. If Petey was starting with the idioms already, the trip was going to be a long one. The man was a walking book of them.

"Thanks, but I think she heard you," returned Hugh, nodding in the direction of his mate.

Petey whistled, put his hands behind his back as he rocked on the balls of his feet. "Some weather we're having, huh?"

Just then Wilber Messing came out of the front door of his antiques shop. He had a wooden crate in his arms.

Hugh hurried to him and tried to take it.

"Boy, do I look like I can't handle this?" snapped the white-haired, rosy-cheeked man who was two hundred years old but didn't look to be out of his early sixties.

Hugh grumbled. "Fine. Have it your way, you old grump."

Just then Hugh's arms went out and he twisted fast, hugging Petey in place of Wilber.

Curt couldn't breathe for a moment as a bout of laughter overtook him.

"Grandpa," said Penelope. "Be nice."

Wilber rolled his eyes and thrust the crate at Hugh. "If you can find time in between holding Petey, you can carry this. Try not to drop it. You could start the apocalypse if any of the artifacts in it break. If that Destiny Vase so much as cracks, we're all screwed."

Hugh ended up having to pry Petey off him so he could take the crate.

"End of the world," said Curt with another laugh.

Wilber didn't join in.

Curt's eyes widened. "For real?"

Wilber gave him a look that said, "wouldn't you like to know."

"This is going to be great. Just great," said Curt as he followed Jake's previous steps to secure his luggage to the rack on top of the van. He put his hands out to Hugh, waiting as the wolf-shifter handed him the crate.

"Are you crazy?" shouted Wilber, causing Hugh to fumble, drop the crate, and then dive down in an attempt to break its fall.

Curt did the same, throwing himself to the ground and sliding his hands under the crate to try to stop a possible apocalypse.

The two alpha males ended up side by side, on the ground, basically holding hands under the crate, their faces pressed to the bottom portion of the van.

"Oh, look at that. They're getting along great. Potion worked like a charm," said Petey with a grin as he walked towards his pickup truck.

Curt got to his feet and helped Hugh to stand, each babying the crate and sharing a look between them.

Wilber strutted past, took the crate, and put it inside the van. "Want something done, you have to do it yourself. Shifters. Good for nothing."

Penelope cleared her throat.

Wilber sighed. "Fine. They're good for something. I can't think of anything off the top of my head right now, but I'm sure there is something. Oh I know. Their pelts make warm coats."

"They do," said Leo with a nod.

"Oh yeah. This trip is going to go over great," said Curt with a shake of his head.