JULIA returned to consciousness slowly, her mind still wrapped in a delectable dream. One she wasn't all that keen on releasing.

She was on her bed in the hotel. It was night and the windows were open, letting in the glow of moonlight and the balmy New Orleans breeze. Beneath her lay a man with bronze skin and hungry, gold cat eyes. His long black hair kissed his broad shoulders and chest, both of which were beaded with sweat. As she rode him, he growled at her, his hands gripping her hips.

Beside the bed, watching, his expression strangled and confused, was Gary. Blond, buttoned-up, cheater, liar and all around heel, Gary. He kept whispering the words, "You're supposed to be at the hospital, Julia," over and over, but Julia barely spared him a glance. She was close, so close. The one beneath her, the one inside her, the one who growled and snarled at her as he made her come again, was the only thing that mattered.

"You belong to me!"

Julia collapsed onto his chest, his possessive roar echoing in her ears as his hot seed filled her sex.

"Julia?" A voice, female and insistent, was trying to reach her, break in to her wonderful dream.

"Julia?" the voice said again. "Her breathing's worrying me, Raphael. And she looks flushed."

Julia felt something cold on her face and gasped. Body on fire, limbs shaking, her eyes flickered open. It took her several seconds to focus, but when she did fear gripped her. The dream was gone, and the woman who sat beside her, on what Julia could only guess was a hospital bed, was a complete stranger.

"I'm Ashe." Long black hair framed a beautiful, concerned face. "Please don't be scared."

"What's going on?" Julia demanded, trying to sit up, but failing immediately. "Did I pass out?"

The woman glanced behind her and Julia followed her line of vision. A man stood several feet away. He was tall and imposing and reminded her of someone. Why couldn't she remember?

"The effects will wear off," Ashe said, her gaze returning to Julia's. "It just takes a little while."

The effects? The effects of what?

Her heart started to pound.

"Do you remember anything?" Ashe asked gently. "Where you were before you... Who you were with?"

Julia's hands gripped the sheet that covered her. Did she remember? God, she hated this. Her mind felt blank. Fuzzy as hell, but blank. "I was at the hospital," she said, struggling to see past the white noise in her brain. "I delivered a baby. Garth. It was a really difficult delivery, but everything turned out well." She squinted. "It was my last day, and I was going back to my hotel. I was walking down Gravier when I thought someone was..."

She jerked her head up, her gaze crashing into Ashe's. "Oh my god. The guy..."

The woman inched forward on the bed, her eyes heavy with concern. "Please. I need you to stay calm."

Shit. Her heart was now slamming painfully against her ribs. Calm was the last thing she felt. "Did you see that guy? The one who followed me? Did he bring me here? He has black, long hair and golden eyes..." Her head began to pound and she winced. "That sounds impossible, I know. Was I drugged?"

"No." The woman cursed, and once again glanced over her shoulder. "Listen, I'll tell you. Everything. But I need you to promise me you won't freak out until after I'm done."

How could she promise that? How could she promise anything to a stranger? Someone who might know the man who took her, who brought her here. But desperation to know the truth, get any kind of information, had her agreeing. "Okay."

"Have you ever heard of the Pantera?"

Julia frowned, struggling with the fog weighing down her mind. "No."

"They're a group of...people who live deep in the bayou," Ashe explained, her expression uneasy. "They're rumored to have magical powers and an ability to shape-shift."

Julia's head continued to pound, competing for the highest decibel level with her heart. Maybe she was still lost in a dream. Maybe she was in her hotel room. "I don't know," she managed, her mouth irritatingly dry. "I may have heard some crazy legend about cat people or something. But what does that have to do with me? With that guy who followed me? Who grabbed me and-" Her chest tightened as she recalled the feel of his body against her own. "This isn't my hospital, is it?"

"Ma chere," called the man at the door, his gaze on Ashe. "Maybe I should talk with her...explain what has happened..."

"No," Ashe insisted, her worried gaze locked with Julia's. "She's here because of me. She needs to know the truth before anything else." The woman gave Julia a small smile. "The Pantera, the cat people you've heard about, are not a legend. They live in the bayou, in a secret, sacred place called the Wildlands. They are shape shifters."

Had she hit her head? Had the gorgeous man dropped her? Was he even real? Or was she imagining him? "I don't believe you. I don't believe any of this." She tried to sit up again, and this time, her brain didn't balk, didn't feel like it wanted to explode. God, she needed to get out of here, back to what she knew to be real.

"You're in the medical facility in the Wildlands," Ashe continued quickly. "You were brought here. For me. To help me."

Julia inched backward into the pillows. "I'm in the psyc ward, right? I had a breakdown over this shit with Gary?" She cursed again. "Seriously, I can't believe I'm this weak."

"You're not weak," Ashe said, reaching out and taking her hand. "And don't say that guy's name again. It's not worthy of crossing your lips."

"You know Gary?" Julia asked, stunned. What the hell was this? What had she got mixed up in?

"Parish told us about him. What he did to you." Her eyes narrowed. "Sounds like a real jerk."

Julia shook her head. "Who the hell is Parish?"

A low growl sounded, echoed throughout the room. Julia hunched in terror, ready to throw herself off the bed. Find escape. But the voice at the door froze her.

"I told you to stay out until we spoke with her." It was the man who'd called Ashe "ma chere".

"You spoke with her," came another male voice from outside the door. "I heard it. I refuse to walk the halls another goddamn second."

Julia's heart dropped into her stomach. She knew that voice, had just dreamt of that voice and the man who owned it. The man who had followed her from the hospital, who'd held her close and gazed down at her like he'd wanted to consume her very breath. Or was that part of her dream, too? She eased her hand from Ashe's and closed her eyes, trying to sort reality from fiction.

But that voice resumed its assault on her senses.

"How are you feeling, Julia?"

Julia couldn't help herself. She lifted her lids and her gaze shot to the man walking toward her. Holy shit. He was real. Flesh and blood, and if it were possible, even more gorgeous than she remembered. When he'd pulled her close on Gravier Street his hair had been back off his face, but now it hung loose and wild and sexy around his beautiful, scarred face. Like before, he wore jeans, but instead of a T-shirt, he had on a black tank that revealed heavily muscled shoulders and arms.

Her mouth dropped open as she stared at him.

"I'm confused," she managed. What had happened? How had she ended up here? And where exactly was she?

His dark eyes, eyes that had once been golden, grew concerned as he approached the bed. "I'm sorry for the way I brought you here. I'm not used to asking or discussing."

That she believed. Her gaze ran up his body. He was so tall, such a fierce presence beside her bed. "What did you do to me?"

He winced, looking guilty, and his gaze cut away for a moment. "The speed at which I move was too disorienting for your mind. And my musk, the one I used to try and calm you, is more potent than most Pantera's. I should've known." His eyes slid back to connect with hers once again. "I apologize."

"Musk?" Julia felt suddenly exhausted. It was like they were all speaking another language. "What's this musk? A drug?"

"No," he said, worry etching his expression. "It's magic we can release-

"Magic." There was that word again.

"-a scent to calm or soothe or arouse. ...It's nothing permanent."

She had to be freaking dreaming.

"You will be able to get up soon, walk-"

"Walk out of here?" Julia said, her pulse jumping against her neck. "I can leave?"

His eyes shuttered. "I would not like that."

"Okay. Go." Ashe pointed at Parish, then glanced over her shoulder at the other male. "Leave. Both of you."

Parish growled, and the sound penetrated Julia's skin and vibrated through her. She practically moaned. "God, what was that?"

"It's Parish being rude and insensitive," Ashe said, her tone nearly lethal now. She glared at the man. "You're scaring her, confusing her. I will explain things, woman to woman."

"You heard my female," said the other man, who continued to remain near the door. "Let's go, Parish."

Parish's gaze moved down Julia's body, then back to her face. His nostrils flared. "Fine," he muttered. "But I'll be back."

He turned and stormed out. The other man gave Ashe a quick, tight smile before turning and walking...

Julia gasped, her blood suddenly fire hot in her veins. Impossible. She blinked, then stared hard at the empty doorway. The man was now gone, but she swore...No. She shook her head. It was the drugs or the head injury or the story Ashe had just told her. She did not just see the back end of a large cat where the man had been.

Or a long golden tail.

She let her head fall back against the pillows and closed her eyes, tried to calm her breathing. After a moment, when she felt in control, she opened them and focused on the nearly empty room. It seemed darker now, colder. Julia frowned at her odd reaction. She should be able to breathe easier with him gone, shouldn't she?

Still seated beside the bed, Ashe gave her an understanding, tight-lipped smile. "I know it's overwhelming. They tend to be pretty protective. And possessive. Parish seems to think he's responsible for you after how he handled things. But don't worry, Raphael will take care of that."

"Raphael?" Unbearable confusion tested the last of Julia's patience. She fixed her gaze on Ashe and repeated her question. "Who is Raphael?"

"My mate." She smiled, her eyes softening. "First, let me say that I know exactly how you're feeling. It's confusing and impossible sounding." She laughed. "I'm pretty sure my face had that exact same expression when I found out."

"Found out what?" Julia ground out. "That you were being drugged? That you were living in a dream state?

Ashe shook her head, her eyes bright. "That magic truly does exist. That the man I fell in love with is a puma shifter." She bit her bottom lip. "And that the baby I'm carrying is half human, half Pantera."

"What?" Julia said on a gasp, her gaze slipping down to the woman's flat belly.

"I'm only six weeks along." Ashe grabbed Julia's hand again, her eyes imploring. "I'm scared. I have no idea what to expect. No clue as to how long I'll be pregnant, what the gestational period of a puma/human hybrid will be." She swallowed. "I want this baby to be okay. And having a human doctor..." She shook her head. "I can't believe Parish just took you without telling you anything."

Parish. Just hearing his name made her skin tighten. This was madness. A puma/human hybrid. Christ. This woman didn't need an OB, she needed a shrink. And I need to get the hell out of here before I'm sucked in further.

"I know. I know where your head's at." Ashe leaned toward her. "And I don't blame you. I'm just asking for some time."

"Time for what?"

Ashe licked her lips. "To prove it to you. To show you. Them."

Pale gold fur, a set of feline hips and a long, thick tail moved slowly through Julia's mind. She gritted her teeth against the vision. She couldn't believe Ashe, she refused to. But if she wanted to get out of here, maybe she needed to play their game for a little while.

Julia held the woman's gaze and sighed. "If all this is true, and I'm not saying it is, wouldn't it be better to have a doctor who's a..." Shit, she could barely get the word out because it was so ludicrous. "Shifter?"

"There are plenty of those here. But they've only dealt with puma births. Plus, they haven't delivered a child in over fifty years."

Puma. Births. And yet, her damn doctor's curiosity had her asking, "Why not?"

"The female Pantera either couldn't get pregnant or were unable to carry the babies to full-term. It's a horrific situation. They even tried to impregnate humans, willing test subjects, but nothing happened."

"Until you," Julia said softly, eyeing her sharply.

Ashe nodded.

This poor woman needed help. Serious, professional help. Julia was going to do her best to find a way out of here. Maybe she could convince Ashe to go with her.

"Listen, Ashe," she said in a gentle voice. "I know some really incredible doctors back in the city-"

Squeezing her hand tightly, Ashe implored her, "Please don't say no. Don't say anything. Not yet." Ashe released her hand after one final squeeze and quickly got to her feet. "I'll leave you alone. Let you try and sort this out. It took me a while...Hell, I think I'm still reeling from the truth. But know this: you'll have whatever you need and want here. A home, salary, protection, freedom." She smiled down at Julia with the most stable, yet concerned expression. "If you decide to leave, though, no one's going to hold you here against your will-not even Parish."

Was it true? She could go if she wanted? Julia lifted a brow. "I don't know about that. Parish seems pretty intent on me staying." And god, I think I like that part of this dream.

Ashe shrugged. "He's a Hunter. He's wild, untamed, used to taking what he wants. And he doesn't have the best manners. But he's also honorable."

Honorable. She hadn't met an honorable man in a long time.

Ashe was almost at the door when she glanced back. "Like you, I don't have much back home. Nothing I want to run to, anyway. My family is Raphael and...well," she touched her belly again. "Little No-Name here." She smiled. "It would be great to have a friend as well as a doctor."

Julia stared at the woman, watched her leave the room, and as soon as the door closed she pivoted to sit on the edge of the bed. Her head felt light, but okay. She had to find a way out, a way home. To the hotel and the jobless, family-less life. She couldn't stay here. Right? With the crazy lady and shape-shifting Pantera? With the gorgeous, golden-eyed male who looked at her with unmasked desire and hope?

It was reality vs. fantasy. And as a doctor, a scientist, she was nothing if she couldn't choose fact over fiction.

A shaft of light spilled into the room then, snaking across her legs and coating the metal door beyond. Completely taken by its brilliant, pale glow, Julia pushed to her feet and followed its origin. The long picture window was closed, but when she arrived at the glass and looked out over the unfamiliar setting, she gasped in amazement.

* * *

Parish opened the door and entered with the silent predatory grace he was known for as leader of the Hunters. His gaze went first to the bed, then shifted to the window where she stood looking out over the courtyard. He wondered how long she'd been standing there; poised at the glass, her arms spread, her hands curled around the edges of the sill. His gaze moved deliberately, covetously down her body. The sun was bathing her in its warm light, allowing him to see through her white T-shirt to the curves beneath. Deadly, brain-altering curves. His mouth filled with saliva and his cat scratched to get out, run at her and pounce.

He had to convince her to stay, but more importantly he had to convince her that he was the best male to protect her. Just the idea of Raphael assigning another male to guard her, another puma sniffing around her, looking at her with a desire only he should feel, made him insane with jealousy.

He wasn't willing to admit his claim on her out loud, but he would make damn sure the Wildlands' males felt it, sensed it, scented it, every time they got close to her.

He growled softly, and she instantly turned around. He waited for fear to ignite in her eyes, but all that appeared in her expression was relief. His heart softened, pressed against his chest as if it wanted to get to her. She didn't fear him. Unlike so many other females, she didn't fear him.

"I can't believe this place," she said, turning back to the window. "It's incredible. I thought I might be dreaming, but now I'm convinced of it."

He came to stand beside her. "You shouldn't be out of bed." His words were meant to be gentle, caring, but they came out slightly gruff as his mind conjured images of taking her back to bed himself. Maybe curling beside her and purring against her neck.

"What is it called again? This place?"

"The Wildlands."

"I've never seen anything so beautiful."

Leaning against the window, Parish stared at her. No, neither had he. Far too beautiful for the likes of a scarred Hunter with a bad attitude. And yet, he couldn't look away from her, couldn't stand the thought of her leaving the bayou. How was this possible? Taken with a human? He hated humans. They had no conscience, no honor. They destroyed the good and the innocent.

They'd destroyed her.

His gut tightened with pain as it did every time he thought of Keira. How could he even think of caring for a human? Giving his protection to one?

"It's so green." Julia glanced over at him, the smile curving her mouth echoed in her eyes. "But shades of green I've never seen before. I mean, I've been to the bayou. Several times, in fact, but I've never seen anything like this. It's paradise."

He had always thought humans were attracted to electronics, tall buildings, glass and metal. Not the wild, untamed landscape he'd been born to, protected and loved fiercely. But the fact that Julia saw it as he did pleased him.

"Do people know about it?" she asked. "Do they come here?"

"It's masked," he told her. "To keep out intruders."

"Like me." Her eyes flashed with sudden and unexpected humor.

He shook his head slowly. "Unwanted humans."

"And you are," her eyes cut to the landscape, then back at him, "what exactly?"

His brows drew together. "Ashe told you. We are Pantera."

"Cat shifters," she said.

"Puma," he corrected.

She laughed softly and shook her head, returned her gaze to the Wildlands.

"You don't believe it." He stared at her. It hadn't occurred to him she would need convincing. Not after what happened on the street in New Orleans. She couldn't have missed the rush of magic. "You must believe."

She glanced back at him. "Why? Why should this unwanted human-"

"You're different," he interrupted in a tone far too fierce for his liking. "Ashe may want you here, but I need you, Julia Cabot."

The humor in her gaze instantly retreated.

Parish turned and rubbed his forehead against the cool glass. "I don't know how to explain it. These feelings I have for you. I'm not good with words. Or making others feel at ease."

"You're doing all right," she said.

Parish turned and looked at her. She wore a confused expression and her eyes looked incredibly blue and vulnerable. The sun blazed in through the window, turning her blond hair almost white. She looked like an angel. What was he to do about this, about her? He reached out and lifted a piece of her pale hair from her cheek, rolled it gently between his fingers. "Soft."

Her eyes never left his, but her lips parted to draw in a shaky breath. Whether she accepted it or not, she was as affected by him as he was by her.

"Will you stay here, Julia?" he whispered, moving closer, his hand opening to cup her cheek. "In this paradise? This dream you're not sure is real? Help Ashe? Allow me to protect you? I would consider it a great honor."

"Parish..." she whispered.

He groaned. "Say my name like that again, Doc, and my mouth'll be on yours before you can take another breath."

Someone coughed. Someone by the door. Then a familiar female voice remarked, "You're up. And Parish is back."

Damn woman. Parish growled blackly as Julia turned away from him. Raphael's woman was really starting to get on his nerves.

In the doorway, Ashe stood beside another female, small and grinning broadly as she looked from Julia to Parish with giddy interest. Parish believed the female to be Nurturer Faction, but in that moment he couldn't care less. He wanted her gone. Ashe, too. He wanted that moment of mutual need between Julia and him back. Now.

"Seems like the musk has worn off." Ashe looked only at Julia. "I thought if you felt up to it, we might take you to lunch. There's something I want to show you."

Parish narrowed his eyes at the woman. Forget the males sniffing around his human. What he truly needed to worry about was Ashe. Only one resident of the Wildlands was going to protect Dr. Julia Cabot, and it was going to be him.