“That doesn’t matter.”
“Of course it does,” Mal insisted harshly. “Isi is being blamed for it. The elders claim that your vision proves—”
“That damned vision,” Chayton said passionately. “It has ruined so much, so many. ‘The blood of The Shaman’s firstborn shall carry the taint of Shakpi, releasing her powers upon the lands of the Pantera.’” He stood and walked over to the screen that faced the bayou. With the sun’s retreat, the sky was giving itself over to twilight. “It doesn’t mean Isi is destined to hurt the land. The Wildlands, after all, were created by the blood of both Shakpi and Opela. The rot of the land began long before Isi’s birth.” He glanced over his shoulder. “If you and your kind want to blame the spread of poison, then you should point the finger at the elders who were too eager to use my powers to walk among the spirits.
Mal understood his passion, his fear. But right now, they needed his help. His daughter needed his help. “You believe it was your connection to the spirits that caused the damage?”
He sighed. “I fear that the connection unknowingly opened the portal that Shakpi is using to touch this world.”
Xavier cursed, stood. “Then you have to come back and close it.”
A flare of anger vibrated through Chayton, and his lean face grew tense. “No. It’s too dangerous. This swamp is protected with deep magic. If I leave, they’ll find me.”
“Who?” both Xavier and Mal said together.
“Shakpi’s followers. They’ll force me to open the portal to Shakpi’s prison completely.”
“We won’t allow them to take you,” Xavier said firmly. “Come back. Let this nightmare end for us all.”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
His resignation sent Mal into desperate mode, and she tried another tactic. “Then at least come back and see your daughters.”
His face went blank. “Daughters?”
She walked over to him, put her hand on his bare arm. “Ashe is there, too, Chayton.”
“What?” The word came out so softly it was a mere exhale.
“She’s mated to a Pantera.”
Tears pricked his dark eyes, making them glitter like polished stones. “Ashe,” he uttered. “I haven’t seen her since…” He shook his head, too emotional to continue.
“She’s pregnant.”
His eyes widened. “No.”
“Yes,” Xavier confirmed, moving to stand beside Mal, his hand reaching for hers. “The first cub in so many years. Our miracle.”
Mal squeezed her mate’s large, warm hand, but to the Shaman male, she smiled and said, “They need you, Chayton. We all need you.”
CHAPTER TEN
Night blanketed the Wildlands, and though the scent of the Dyesse Lily still clung to anything with leaves or moss, the brilliant moon overhead had returned to its natural state of white. It glowed down upon them, lighting their way as they raced, in their puma state, side by side over rocks and snaking around trees, toward town. Xavier carried Chayton on his back, while Amalie, after leaving the motorcycle in its garage near the border, had been vigilant about anything or anyone following them.
As they broke through the final barrier of brush and entered town, Xavier felt the male on his back shudder. He didn’t blame Chayton for his fears and concerns. With what awaited Xavier when Aristide left the confines of quarantine and learned of his and Amalie’s mating, he certainly understood them. But unfaced challenges had a way of growing out of control. It was always better to deal than run.
Beside him, Amalie slowed, growling as many Pantera, both in and out of shift, came out of their dwellings to watch the arrival of The Shaman. Clearly, the text he’d sent both Raphael and Parish had gone through. He wouldn’t be surprised if the elders were at the foot of the path leading to the clinic, waiting, hungry for blood and information.
But the only Pantera out in front of the clinic were Raphael, Parish and Isi’s mate, Talon. All three had tight, apprehensive expressions under the stark light of the moon, and when Xavier came to a halt in front of them, he gave a quick growl of warning. Chayton had come to help, to see his daughters. Scaring him or demanding from him before he’d even set his foot on Wildlands soil was not going to happen.
Catching his puma’s eye, Raphael gave Xavier a clipped nod of understanding, then turned to face Chayton. “It’s good to have you here.”
“I wish to see my daughters,” Chayton said, climbing off Xavier’s back.
“Of course,” Raphael said, though his tone had a trace of warning, of protective male. “Ashe is my mate.”
For a moment, Chayton didn’t speak. He glanced back at Xavier, and at Amalie, who remained in her puma form, too. He gave them a tight smile, then turned back to Raphael. “I must give you my congratulations.”
It was what the Suit had obviously needed to hear. His entire body relaxed and a broad grin broke on his features. “And to you,” he said, then gestured toward the clinic. “Come. Both your daughters are here together.”
Both, Xavier mused, watching Chayton move up the steps behind the three Pantera males. If Isi is with Ashe, then she’s out of quarantine. Which would also mean that Aristide—
A growl rent the night air. It was a growl Xavier knew well. He’d heard it beside him a thousand times. His gaze flicked up. Chayton and the three Pantera males were gone. But something else far more problematic sat outside the doors to the clinic; a massive light-brown puma, black eyes flashing fire. Amalie started forward, but Xavier hissed at her to stay back. She was Aristide’s sister, true, but she was also Xavier’s mate, and no matter what—or who—threatened their bond, Xavier would always protect what belonged to him.
In a flash of color, Xavier shifted to male form. True to his style, Aristide shifted mid-step as he moved toward his friend. They stood at about the same height, both broad shouldered, both heavily muscled, but where Xavier was dark with light eyes, Aristide was light with dark eyes.
Beside Xavier, Amalie also shifted. And she didn’t wait for either one of them to speak. “Aristide, you have no right to be pissed,” she began. “You know I’ve been in love with this male forever. No one will make me happier. No one will love me more or protect me more fiercely or—”
“It’s all right, Beautiful.” Xavier stepped in front of her, and faced Aristide. This was his fight, his best friend, his betrayal. “I love her, and I’ve mated her.”
Aristide’s black eyes locked with his, and his pale brows lifted. “You’ve mated her?”
Xavier nodded. “There won’t be an apology or a question, but there will be a promise. I’ll make her happy.”
For several long seconds, the dark-eyed male just stared at him. Then he gave a little shrug, and a broad grin split his features. “I know you will.” His grin widened further. “Brother.” Laughing, he grabbed Xavier and embraced him. “Shit, I’ve waited a long time to call you that for real.”
“You asshole,” Xavier muttered, clapping him on the back. “How long have you known there was something here?”
“For-freaking-ever, bro.”
Xavier laughed. “Then you’ll be expecting your eviction notice. She’s moving out. Or you are.”
“Finally. I’ve been waiting forever.” He pushed back, turned and gave his sister a smile. “Take the house, sis. Start a new family there.”
“Unbelievable,” Amalie said, giving her brother a fierce glare, even when he came in for a hug. “If I’d have know this, I would’ve seduced Xavier a long time ago.”
Aristide stiffened, and Amalie pulled away, her turn to laugh. She gave him a little wave. “Night-night, bro.”