ALTERED MAGIC

  FATED TO THE WOLF BOOK TWO

  HEATHER RENEE

  Altered Magic © Copyright 2022 by Heather Renee

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, alive or dead, is purely coincidental.

  For more information on reproducing sections of this book or sales of this book, email heatherreneeauthor@yahoo.com.

  ISBN: 979-8821925435

  Development Editing: Amy McNulty

  Line Editing and Proofing: Jamie from Holmes Edits

  Cover: Covers by Juan

  Character Art Images: Samaiya Art

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Stay in Touch

  About the Author

  Also by Heather Renee

  1

  ANDIE

  If someone had told me a few months ago that I’d be sitting on a balcony trying to create magic with my hands while watching a pack of wolves shift from human to animal, I’d have told them they were out of their minds. Yet, there I was under the new moon at Holden’s pack, trying to tap into the energy from my Aunt Junie.

  Only, the power I was given wasn’t doing what I, or even Beatrix, had expected.

  It had been just over four weeks since Moira had attacked Spell House. Thanks to those events, I’d missed the first new moon during which Foster had run with Holden’s pack, and I was thankful not to be missing another.

  For the first week after our night in the cabin, I’d attempted to keep Foster at a distance and slow things down a little, but once I realized I was only causing myself misery, we’d spent nearly every moment together. Other than when I was working on connecting with Aunt Junie’s magic and when he was helping at the pack.

  Foster had fought his connection to these wolves, but I watched him from the balcony, gearing up for the monthly run, and it warmed a piece of my heart I hadn’t known existed. I locked gazes with him as he prepared to transform into his wolf alongside the other. His eyes glowed a deep blue, sending shivers down my spine.

  “Intense, isn’t it?” Gemma asked. She was a shifter in Holden’s pack who’d stayed behind, thanks to her protruding stomach and maybe a little out of guilt that I couldn’t join the pack for the run.

  I nodded in response, unable to take my eyes off Foster. He stood there, staring at me while I watched him. I thought I’d feel awkward. Instead, my core tightened, my heartbeat increased, and I leaned forward.

  His blue eyes brightened as he prepared to shift, and he ran a hand through his shoulder-length dark russet hair. I watched his broad chest expand and tattooed arms ripple while the transformation magic slowly seeped from his skin.

  A shimmer of light covered his body, and he lowered his head, breaking our stare. A second later, he no longer stood on two feet. His wolf appeared. Tall, wide, covered in ebony fur, and with vibrant eyes.

  He howled, and the sound pierced my heart. The bond I hadn’t thought I could feel was finally alive, and it didn’t care that there wasn’t a wolf inside me. Foster’s wolf had claimed me, and the way he watched me had my heart swelling.

  Gemma fanned herself and chuckled. “Girl, you’ve fallen so hard. I love it.”

  I finally turned toward her, giving her my full attention once Foster’s wolf trotted to join the pack. Her light-brown eyes were focused on me while she played with the end of her blonde braid. Her green sweater hugged her expanding belly, and her hands rubbed over the top.

  She gasped, then groaned. “Easy, boy. Momma isn’t ready to get up again.”

  I laughed. “The baby wants you to move around?”

  She wiggled in her seat. “No idea, but his super kicks make me want to pee every five minutes. I’m ready for this pup to be on the outside.”

  I’d never been around pregnant people before, so I had no clue how she could be feeling. Though, staring at her stomach and hearing her moans, I felt sympathy for her growing inside me.

  “I didn’t stay to talk about me, though. How are you handling everything? The pack has of course talked about you, but I’d rather hear details about you from you.” Her thin lips offered me a smile, but there was a tugging sensation inside me that had me turning away from her before I could answer.

  My eyes once again landed on the pack down below. Holden was the only member who hadn’t shifted. His auburn hair was highlighted under the sliver of moonlight that peeked out, and his normally light-green eyes were brighter than normal. I assumed the new moon was making the pack extra charged with energy.

  The alpha’s hands were moving, and he faced the wolves, so I assumed he was giving a speech. When he stopped moving, every shifter howled in unison, then Holden finally shifted into his light-grey wolf.

  Foster’s wolf looked back at me again. I gripped the sides of my chair, and my body trembled when he bowed his head toward me and took off to follow the rest of the pack into the trees.

  “Not much of a talker, are ya?” Gemma asked, swinging her legs off the lounge chair. “I can leave you alone if you’d rather.”

  I frowned and turned toward her again. “I’m sorry. This bond is new. I’ve only known Foster a month, but ever since the attack, each day, the connection to him grows stronger. I didn’t think it was possible to feel so much so quickly, but he makes it hard to even consider fighting my feelings.”

  With a groan, she settled herself back onto the cushions. “You know the best way to take the edge off the bond is to accept it fully, right?” Her tone was filled with glee, and she waggled her brows.

  Charlie had told me the same thing, but even though I no longer had any doubts about the bond with Foster, there was still something missing—a part of me that was not quite right.

  Still, I returned her smile. “Oh, I’m well aware. Things are just complicated.”

  I wasn’t sure I could accept Foster without knowing who I was. I needed to know more for myself before we took things further.

  Physically, I was more than ready. Foster tempted me with every light touch and darkening look he gave me, but he deserved more than my physical attraction and still-slightly-muddled heart after all he’d been through. When we finally bonded, I didn’t want there to be any lingering doubts inside me. Not even ones that had nothing to do with the man eager to claim me.

  “Like I mentioned before,” Gemma said, “the pack has been talking about the two of you. A witch bonded to a wolf isn’t common, but we’re all hoping you two can work things out. I know you have your coven, but there are things they might not understand about your connection to Foster. I hope you know you can count on the pack as well, including me.” She reached a hand for me, and I easily accepted her gesture.

  Her words loosened a knot in my chest. My time at the pack was special. I’d thought after the attack that I was going to lose that, but Beatrix had been making great strides in becoming more reasonable. Without telling me, she and a dozen coven members had come to the pack and created a shield over the main areas that would keep me and the wolves nearly as safe as if I were with the witches.

  Gemma and I sat in comfortable silence until she sneezed and squealed, wrapping her hands around her stomach. “Uh-oh.”

  My eyes widened. “Please, don’t tell me your water just broke.”

  She blushed. “No, but I do need a change of clothes. Hazards of being nine months pregnant.”

  I closed my eyes and sent up a silent thanks that I wasn’t going to be left trying to deliver a wolf baby on my own. That wasn’t anywhere near the list of things I wanted to do in my lifetime. My stomach and gore of any kind were not friends.

  Gemma struggled to stand, so I moved and wrapped my arm around her waist. Her hands gripped my shoulder, and together, we got her on two feet.

  “Let’s get you to your house,” I said when I saw the wet spot on the blue chair cushions. I hadn’t thought much about one day having my own babies, and this was pushing those potential thoughts further into the recesses of my mind.

  My light-pink hair tickled her face, and she fought a giggle. “I’m loving this color and your fair skin. It’s not fair that you’re so pretty and fit and…sigh. Being nine months pregnant sucks some days.”

  I openly appraised her. “Um, do you see your sun-kissed skin and how it shines over my paleness? Or how you look maybe twenty-five, but you’re actually in your forties? Plus, your hair glows like the stars above. Probably thanks to all those ex
tra vitamins you’re taking because you’re pregnant.”

  Gemma blushed and grinned widely. “You’re a sweetheart, and not only for your words, but for helping me.” She paused, then laughed. “And for not making me feel like a child for peeing my pants.”

  I squeezed her hand. “You’re creating life. If anyone shames you for the hazards that come with that, tell me and I’ll send Foster’s wolf after them.”

  She groaned while laughing. “Oh, please don’t make jokes. I don’t think I can handle two accidents in the same night.”

  I grinned. “I mean, it wasn’t really a joke, but you got it.”

  We made our way back into the house, and the scent of pine filled my senses. The sense of calm the smell provided almost seemed like magic taking away my worries.

  “I have an ATV outside,” she said. “If you’re comfortable driving that, then getting me home will be a whole lot easier. You can bring it back here to wait for Foster, and then Joey can use it when they’re back.”

  I grimaced. “I’m sorry. I’m horrible at conversation, and I feel like I should know this already, but is Joey your husband?”

  Her smile widened. “He’s my mate.”

  I gave my head a shake. “Right. Mate. Some of the human terms are hard to let go.”

  She nudged me softly while we carefully made our way down the stairs. “Understandable. You’ve only been here a month and you seem to be handling everything well, considering.”

  “That’s in large part due to Beatrix using magic that allowed me to remember my early childhood with unreal clarity. Plus, the bond with Foster helps keep me calm. I’ve always been one to trust my instincts, and when something gives me the warm and fuzzies, I don’t tend to run away.”

  Gemma winked at me. “Is that what the kids are calling it now? ‘The warm and fuzzies’?” I choked on nothing, and she patted my back. “I’m kidding, Andie. Seems like neither of us is very good at conversation.”

  The fact that she didn’t stop grinning prevented me from being utterly embarrassed, but still, I wasn’t used to having these talks with people. Though, I had a feeling Charlie was going to stop taking things easy on me soon enough.

  Gemma looked over at me while I got the front door opened. “You know, after over four decades on this Earth, I’ve lost a lot of my filter. The more years that pass, the more I realize that if I can’t share what’s on my mind with a person without feeling bad, then they’re not good company to keep. I hope I get to chat with you again.”

  My gaze fixed on Gemma and my shoulders relaxed. “Thanks, Gemma. That means a lot, and I hope so, too.”

  “Now, come on. Let’s get back to my house and I’ll share my brownies with you,” she replied excitedly.

  A pregnant woman sharing her sweets with a new friend? I was suddenly feeling pretty damned special.

  I didn’t head back to the pack house for another hour. Gemma assured me that the run would last closer to two hours, but I didn’t want Foster to return and not know where I’d gone.

  Driving the ATV through the trees was interesting. There were little dirt roads and wooden signs nailed to the trees that I was thankful for at least twice when I realized I had taken a wrong turn.

  By the time I got back, the two hours were almost up, so instead of waiting inside the house, I headed toward the yard where they’d taken off from. The stars burned brightly above me, and the sudden urge to lay on the grass and stare up at the sky came over me.

  Once I was settled, my eyes focused on the moon. It reminded me of a partial eclipse. Most of the surface was dark, but there was the thinnest sliver of light that still stood out amongst the surrounding darkness.

  I closed my eyes and crossed my hands over my stomach, soaking in the peace and energy of the Earth. Shivers traveled over my body, and I took a deep inhale, then slowly exhaled. Warmth filled me, reviving my energy, and a sense of peace settled in my core.

  Minutes ticked by while I listened to the sounds of the night. Even the howls I could hear in the distance further relaxed me, and I was nearly asleep when a snarl jerked me out of my tranquility.

  My hands began glowing such a dark pink that, for a moment, they almost appeared purple instead. I got to my feet, searching for whatever had made the noise. When I heard it a second time, the growl echoed from behind me.

  Slowly, I turned around with my arms out. There was a russet wolf pacing and snapping his jaws in my direction. He was smaller than Foster’s wolf, but no less intimidating with dark eyes and saliva dripping from his jowls.

  “Did something happen?” I asked, hoping whoever it was would shift back to human.

  The eyes on the animal turned black, and his snarl deepened while he took several paces forward.

  I began to walk backward but tripped over my untied shoe. “Mother shitter.”

  Come on, magic. Don’t fail me now, I thought while I scrambled to get up and put my full concentration into creating an orb I’d only managed to manifest a few times in the last several weeks.

  More wolves sounded off from the trees, closer this time than before. Still, I didn’t think they were close enough to make me feel safe. Especially when I considered the possibility that they might not be coming to help me.

  Back on two feet, my palms pushed together, and I imagined the orb I wanted to create. One that would stun or knock out the beast getting nearer.

  With bated breath, I pulled my hands apart. There was a two-inch ball of light purple magic swirling between my fingers and heating my skin. It wasn’t as big as I’d been hoping for, but this was better than nothing.

  The wolf stepped forward and I raised my hand. “I don’t know why you’re angry, but I highly recommend not coming any closer.”

  My chest was pounding, my knees shaking, and my spine was rigid, but if this wolf wanted to attack me, then I wasn’t going down without a fight.

  The shifter leapt into the air, and I shoved my hands up. I pushed the ball of magic I’d managed to create against the wolf’s chest, and he let out a sharp yelp before crumpling to the ground.

  The claws on his back legs scraped my arm on his way down. When I glanced over, I expected there to be deep gouges based on how badly my forearm was burning, but I only saw surface scratches on my skin. I blinked, trying to understand where the pain was coming from. When I refocused on the marks, black ooze was seeping from the wound.

  “What the hell?” I muttered, slowly lowering myself to the ground and battling a wave of nausea.

  The wolf was twitching beside me on the grass. At least my little ball of energy had packed a punch.

  I leaned forward until I was resting on my hands and knees. With my palms pressed against the earth, I could feel a vibration on the surface, but I couldn’t find it within myself to look over and see who was coming.

  I took steady breaths in and out while trying to call my magic forward again. My arm was numb, and the ooze was dripping toward my hand. Everywhere it touched left scorching trails of red on my skin.

  “Andie.” Foster’s voice boomed one second, and, in the next, he grabbed the still-incapacitated wolf who’d attacked me by the legs and threw him a good twenty feet away.

  I groaned and started to fall over, but Foster caught me. “What happened?” he asked, his voice only slightly calmer than before.

  “I don’t know. My arm burns, though. I think that wolf had poison on his claws.” I winced, trying to pull my arm up so he could see.

  Foster gently looked me over, and then a rumble from his chest echoed around us. “I’m going to kill him.”

  He stood and took a step back, but Holden was already dragging the wolf by his neck toward the pack house.

  “Give him to me, Holden,” Foster demanded.

  Holden stopped and sighed. “No. Whatever happened, this wolf wasn’t in control of himself. Something, or someone, managed to disconnect him from my pack and I’m going to find out how that happened. If you can’t accept that, then you’re not welcome here any longer.”