THE three-story Greek Revival house sat on an impressive expanse of lawn, with a small stream a few yards from the front door, and several raised Creole cottages in the distance. On her way there, walking through the Wildlands' village, with Raphael at her side and men and women shifting in and out of their puma states as they went about their day, Julia had pretty much stopped questioning her surroundings, the magic, the shifting creatures, and how such a remote spot so deep within the bayou could be the most incredible oasis she'd ever laid eyes on.

Maybe tomorrow she'd wake up to a different reality, but for now, for tonight, she was living among the Pantera.

"I thought this would suit your needs rather nicely." Miss Nathalie, the proprietor of the boarding house, stood in the doorway of the top floor bedroom, her hands on her hips as she looked around. "But I have two others downstairs that're unoccupied I could show you."

Julia smiled at the tall, pin-thin woman who appeared to be in her early sixties. "It's perfect." And it was. Spacious, yet cozy, the room sported white and pale blue wallpaper and linens, elegant handmade furniture, and a clawfoot bathtub in a small alcove that overlooked a massive oak tree. It was like something out of a magazine. "You have a beautiful home," she told her.

The woman grinned, leaning against the doorframe. "Oldest one in the Wildlands. My great, great grandparents built it...or maybe they conjured it with magic." When she laughed, her pale green eyes sparkled with gold. "Never can be sure."

"I'd believe the magic part." Julia's eyes came to rest on the bed. Queen-sized with dark wood that rose to an intricately carved canopy.

"My children did, too," Miss Nathalie remarked a bit wistfully. "They loved it here, but they're gone now. Livin' on their own. Both of 'em Suits. Diplomatic Faction, like Raphael. Not sure how that happened when their papa and I are Nurturer. But the Shaman always knows."

Julia's attention shifted back to the woman. "The Shaman?"

"Ah, yes. She's been here longer than anybody, even the elders." As her grin widened, the woman looked about twenty years old. "She's magic, she is. Predicted the placement of every Pantera cub born."

How incredible, Julia thought, and yet completely in keeping with the mystery of this secret bayou village. "So you don't decide which Faction you're going to be in, or your child's going to be in?"

"No, Gal. The magic decides. You're born to it. It's already inside you. Been a long time since we've seen the Shaman make a prediction." Her eyes suddenly brightened. "But if you stick around you might see for yourself."

She was speaking of Raphael and Ashe's child. The one Julia had been asked to help bring into the world. The more she learned about the history and complications of the Pantera race, the more interested she became, and the more pressure she felt. She wanted to help them, help Ashe, but frankly, she wasn't sure she had the skills. This child, and Ashe's pregnancy, they would be something she'd never experienced before.

"Glad you're here, Gal," Miss Nathalie said as she moved into the room and headed for the window. "Nice to have a female around."

"You don't get many female boarders?"

"Most who come here are males." She turned, pressed her back to the large pane of glass. "Mates who've been sent away by their females."

Julia laughed. "Really? Why?"

"Got mated too quick, without understanding the way a female works."

Julia felt her cheeks warm. "I see."

Miss Nathalie laughed at her expression. "No, no. Not that way, Gal. Every Pantera male is gifted when it comes to sex. Their animal takes over, knows innately how to please their partner. But with the animal comes a lack of personal skills. Some of our males, even the Nurturers, don't know how to listen, comfort, be a friend to their mates. That's where I come in. And this place. They stay, and I talk to 'em, school 'em until they're ready to go home."

"In other words," came an irritated male snarl near the bedroom door. "She has them neutered and declawed."

Julia's heart lurched into her throat and she turned to see Parish standing in the doorway. She always forgot how tall and broad he was. He looked gorgeous, freshly showered, in jeans and a black T-shirt, his expression wicked. And those eyes, they still glowed with the gold heat of his puma.

Julia couldn't tell herself it wasn't true anymore. She'd seen it with her own eyes. And damn, if it hadn't been the most glorious sight ever.

"Your time'll come, Parish Montreuil," Miss Nathalie said with a soft chuckle. "If you ever meet the right gal, that is."

Parish didn't answer her. He was too busy looking at Julia. His gaze raked down her body, a combination of desire, concern and anger shadowing his expression. "Raphael will feel my fangs for this."

"What are you going on about, Hunter?" Miss Nathalie asked, her teasing, motherly tone dissolving as she sensed his ire.

"Looking after Dr. Cabot here. Guarding her." His eyes cut to Miss Nathalie. "She was moved from Medical without my knowledge or my consent."

"Raphael brought me here," Julia said, not understanding his fierceness. "He didn't say anything about me having a guard."

Parish's gaze ripped back to her and he growled softly. "Well, you do. And it's me."

Julia's heart leapt in her chest and she felt slightly breathless. The way this man looked at her, with the animal behind his eyes, was as worrisome as it was erotic.

"Oh my." Her expression brimming with humor, Miss Nathalie turned to Julia, her eyebrows raised. "What do you say to this, Miss Julia? Shall I kick this self-important feline out of my house, or do you want to accept his care?"

"She has no choice," Parish said quickly, moving into the room, toward her.

No choice? Oh, he wasn't going to take it there, was he? He might be the sexiest, most gorgeous man she'd ever known, but no one was going to run Julia Cabot's life but her. Not anymore. Not even in this amazing place where magic actually existed. She glared at him as he approached, and spoke slowly and clearly. "I will always have a choice, Parish Montreuil. Got it?"

Dark brows lifted over blazing gold eyes.

Miss Nathalie chuckled. "I like this human gal."

Parish looked stunned, as though he wasn't used to being scolded or contradicted. He moved past her, his gaze going from the tub to the bed. "You need someone to protect you, Dr. Cabot. A human living among the Pantera, it's asking for trouble."

"Maybe I like trouble," Julia found herself saying. Maybe I'm even asking for it.

Parish turned to face her. At first his expression was tight, and Julia thought he was gearing up for another verbal argument. But after moment, his face broke into a broad smile, then he started to laugh. "I think I might like this human gal too, Natty."

"Peas in a pot, I never thought I'd see this day," Miss Nathalie uttered, shaking her head. "Cave-dwelling, arsenic-spewing Parish Montreuil, laughing his fool head off."

"I'll be staying for supper, Natty," Parish said, though his eyes remained fixed on Julia. "So make sure it's a good one."

"It's Miss Nathalie to you, and you'll eat whatever I put in front of you. And you'll like it."

He growled playfully low in his throat, and Julia felt the sound all the way to her toes.

"Growl like that at me again, Feline, and I'll have you peeling potatoes with your canines."

"Can't." Parish reached out suddenly, and took Julia's hand. "I'm taking Miss Julia for a walk." He purposefully gentled his tone. "If she accepts my care, that is."

His hand felt strong and callused in hers, and she had the strangest desire to tighten her grip on him. The warmth of him seeped through the skin of her palm and into her blood. She had to force herself to breathe as she looked up at him. "She accepts. For now."

Miss Nathalie snorted. "Well, be back before the sun goes down." She was on her way out the door when she added, "Supper's at six-thirty sharp."

The minute she was gone, Parish rounded on Julia, pulled her close until they were just a foot apart. His dark eyes flashed with gold as he gazed down at her. "Don't do that to me again, Doc."

Breathing still felt awkward. "What?"

"Leave. Without telling me first."

Heat was pouring off his body. "I didn't. Raphael came-"

"I know," he said quickly. "But I'm asking you, wait for me next time."

The strength and intensity of his gaze was affecting her brain, how it processed. "You were worried?"

His nostrils flared and he growled at her softly. "Out of my mind. Until Ashe told me where you were."

"I'm sorry."

"No." He squeezed her hand. "You have nothing to be sorry about. I know I'm overbearing and blunt and a scarred-up wreck of a male, but I have to protect you." He looked like he wanted to say more, but held himself back.

"Because of the baby," Julia prompted, her breathing still uneven and shallow as she stared up at him.

"It should be because of the baby."

"But it's not."

He shook his head, his gaze fierce with wanting.

Julia's skin prickled and her mouth felt suddenly dry. No one had ever looked at her like this. No one had ever said such words as their eyes filled with deep, vulnerable need. And yet, even with her newfound belief in magic and honorable, sexy, shape-shifting males, the fear of failure, of getting hurt, of what had happened with Gary-with all the Garys in her past-clung tightly to her heart.

"You've got to understand something," she began, "I'm just getting out of a relationship. I don't want to-"

"That wasn't a relationship, Julia." His thumb rubbed her palm gently, but his expression was resolute. "That was a lie told by an arrogant, self-centered piece of shit who had no idea what he had. What he was blessed with." As his gaze roamed her face, his eyes turned completely gold. "If I was lucky enough to be claimed by you, I'd never give you cause to wonder."

Tears formed in Julia's throat. His words, his gaze...the blatant sincerity behind both...this man had the power to change her, her heart and her soul, if she would ever allow it.

"Come, Miss Julia," Parish said, turning and leading her toward the door. "You think what you saw today at midday meal and out your window was beautiful, you haven't seen anything yet."

* * *

She felt like heaven on his back.

The weight of her, the way her thighs gripped the sides of his body. And her hands, fisting the fur at his nape as he ran the familiar course, weaving in and out of trees with the warm bayou air against his face.

Damn, he could get used to this.

Several feet from the bluff, his puma came to a halt. For one exceptional moment, he looked out over his sacred space and purred as Julia leaned down, wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed. He'd never brought anyone here. It was the secret hideout he and Keira had spent hours playing in as cubs, then the home Parish had created after she'd left. No...after she'd been murdered. A mile from anything Pantera, anything that wanted to talk, lecture or demand, the caves had been his solace. While the scent of the bayou, the sharpness of the rocks, and even the intensity of the heat had become his family. He'd never needed more than that to feel whole, never craved more.

Until now.

Until her.

Parish allowed Julia a moment to slide off his back, then quickly shifted and walked to the very edge of the bluff. As was his daily custom, he took a visual inventory of each curve of rugged hillside and the caves above, the heavy vegetation that hung from the rocks and dipped gently into the warm water of the bayou pool below. He sensed nothing unusual or threatening, and his muscles relaxed.

"Incredible," Julia said behind him, her tone awestruck.

Glancing over his shoulder, Parish eyed her with just a hint of playful arrogance. "Me or the landscape?"

She smiled. "You within the landscape."

"Thank you for that." He smiled back and reached for her hand. When she instantly curled her fingers around his, his cat purred. Her touch did what nothing else could: comforted him, made him feel something remarkably close to happiness.

Keeping her protectively at his side, Parish led her down the incline to the grassy bank near the pool. The scent of bayou coated the insides of his nostrils, and he breathed it deeper into his lungs.

"I'm not sure of the reason," he said. "But the water here is incredibly warm."

"And clear."

"And remarkably free of critters."

She laughed. "Do you bathe in it?"

He turned. "I do."

Her eyes flashed with sensual interest. "I thought cats weren't supposed to like the water."

"I'm not your typical cat."

"Really?"

He nodded.

"Prove it."

His eyebrows lifted. "You want me to go in the water? Bathe in your presence?"

She pretended to think for a moment, then she smiled. "Yes, I believe I do."

He chuckled. "Fine, but you're going with me."

"What?" A choked giggle erupted from her as he slid one arm around her back and another under her knees. "No. Wait."

He lifted her up and started walking into the water. "Don't struggle, Doc. I might drop you."

"Okay, okay," she said, laughing, kicking her feet. "You called my bluff."

"Never dare a Pantera." He waded farther in.

"Come on, bring me back."

"You want me wet and I want you-"

"Parish!" she cried out in shock.

He stopped, the water swirling around his waist, his entire body tense as he gazed down at her. "What did you call me?"

"Parish," she said, this time with a wave of heat attached to each syllable. She bit her bottom lip, suppressing a giggle.

He lowered his head and lapped at that bottom lip with his tongue. "Oh, Doc," he uttered. "I warned you what would happen the next time you said my name like that."

Her eyes flashed. "Yes, you did."

His mouth closed over hers, hard and hungry, and he groaned with the instant and incredible feel of her soft, wet lips. She could drive him insane with just her scent, her warm breath. He suckled her bottom lip, then nipped it, and when she whispered his name again and pressed herself closer, he thrust his tongue inside her hot mouth and claimed her.

Christ, how did he tell her?

How did he form the words, then release them?

How did he make her understand when he himself barely did? She didn't live in his world or understand how things were when a Pantera male claimed a female.

How could he explain to her that there was no going back? That she belonged to him now.

His hands gripped her thighs and waist as he caressed her tongue with his own, then plunged it deep inside her mouth, over and over until they were both panting. There. See how much I want you, Julia Cabot. Understand that you are mine.

Water splashed as she suddenly struggled in his arms, trying to turn, reposition herself. When she faced him, her legs wrapping around his waist and squeezing, Parish growled and caged her ass in his palms as he took her mouth again. Fuck. She was wet. And not just from the splash of the warm bayou water around them. He could feel her damp pussy through the fabric of her jeans. It ground against him, calling to his rigid cock, begging to be filled, fed. And he wanted to oblige. He wanted take her, rip her clothes from her body and sink himself balls-deep into her tight, tender flesh.

Just the thought of it made him mad with lust. He'd never wanted anything or anyone like he wanted her. The intensity of his desire almost frightened him.

He ripped his mouth from hers and nuzzled her neck, ran his sharp canines gently across her pounding pulse.

"Parish?" she uttered on a moan.

He lapped at her pulse, wondered what her blood would taste like. "Hmmmm?"

She gasped, pressed her breasts against his chest. "You said this pool was free of critters."

"Mmmmmm...Yes..."

"Then...what's that behind you?"

His mind came awake like a shock of electricity. He drew back from her neck and whirled around, coming face to face with a small alligator. The thing was only about two feet long, but it was packing a set of impressively sharp teeth. Protective of his woman, his puma rose to the surface and growled, flashing the small creature his own set of sharp and deadly hardware. The alligator instantly turned around and swam the other way.

"Damn reptile," Parish grumbled, still gripping Julia's sweet ass as he carried her to shore. His body screamed with need, his cock hard as stone and pulsing. But he wasn't risking another encounter with sharp teeth.

Other than his own.

If she was willing.

His puma purred at the thought. For a second, he wondered about taking her to the caves above, where he lived and slept. But it didn't seem right, didn't feel like the proper place to take the female he intended on claiming as his mate. Not for their first time together, anyway. He had enough cold, hard stone to deal with as it was.

At the bank, he gently eased her to her feet and tried to get his mind to focus on something else, something that would make his cock calm the hell down. But one look her way, one brief trip down her body, had the thing creaming at the tip.

Wet clothes clinging to delectable hips, round succulent breasts and erect nipples.

Fuck.

He grabbed her hand and started up the incline to the bluff. "Sun's going down. We should get back." His tone was nearly a growl. "Natty'll have my hide if I bring you home late for supper."

"Can't have that." The thread of unfulfilled desire in her tone was unmistakable.

Parish cursed inwardly. "Nope."

"You're probably hungry."

You have no idea, Doc.

"Parish?" she said as they reached the top of the hill.

"Yeah."

"Was that magic?"

His head came around, and his eyes met her hers. "What?"

She looked disheveled in the sexiest of ways: pink cheeked, and eyes wide and heavy with lust. "Not the alligator or your shift, but what happened in the pool, between us. Was that magic?"

Parish felt his heart squeeze inside his chest. "No, Doc." He drew her closer. "That was so much more." That was just the beginning.

Before he took her right there on the bluff, he shifted back into his puma, then waited for her to climb onto his back and fist his fur. He couldn't wait much longer to have her. When the moon rose and stole the bayou heat, she'd lie beneath him, and she wouldn't just be speaking his name. She'd be screaming it.

His puma roared into the coming eve and he took off into the trees.