Colt had been true to his word. Roxie woke up, wrapped in his arms as he spooned her from behind. She was sore and yet completely content and relaxed. She could not imagine life ever being more perfect.

As much as she wanted to stay in bed with him forever, she needed to find something to eat. Her stomach was so loud, it woke her from her exhausted sleep. So, she quietly got dressed and made her way down into the kitchen.

Serre was the Peltier brother who was standing guard at the door between the kitchen and the house. He was surprised to see her come out.

Roxie blushed and looked down. "I am not trying to cause trouble. I promise. I am just looking to get something to eat."

He sniffed around her. "There is something different about you." He scowled. Roxie blushed even more.

But, then she realized that she could smell him. Her eyes grew wide and she leaned toward him to inhale his scent.

She leaned back quickly. "Oh, that is weird." Then she could smell the bear who was washing dishes. He stopped to glare at her. But, she knew he was a bear. Not just because he was obviously one of Dev's quad brothers. But, she could really smell him and knew that he was a bear. She tilted her head and looked around. The other two in the kitchen were human.

"What in the hell is wrong with you?" Serre growled.

Another of the Peltier brothers walked in. "Hey Serre, go get some sleep. Thanks for covering for me for a while." Then he stopped and looked at Roxie.

Roxie was feeling very uncomfortable. Now she had three bears staring at her. She had been getting used to Colt, but these were different bears. And they were not too happy to see her.

"Nevermind. I will eat later." She moved to go back to the house. But, Serre stopped her.

"Now calm down Serre. She is Colt's woman. If she just came from his room, then I am sure that he wants her back in his room." The other man said. "It is nice to meet you Roxie. I am Cody. Kyle and I are the youngest in the family, twins."

She nodded her head nervously. "Nice to meet you." She was trying hard not to panic. For Colt's sake, she really wanted to try.

But, Serre did not move. "There is something different about her."

Roxie had enough of his condescending attitude and demanding interrogation of why she was different. Her anger took over. "Yeah, of course there is something different about me. Hours of amazing hot sex tends to do that to a woman. Now are you going to let me get something for Colt and I to eat before we continue with the sexcapade or should I just call him down here so you can get your rocks off investigating every ounce of my life in a more public setting?"

That succeeded in getting both of the other brothers to laugh.

The dishwasher shook his head. "What do you want to eat? I will get it and bring it up to you, just to make sure that I don't have to watch any of that. Ever." He growled.

Serre's jaw went slack but he simply nodded his head. "The fact that you just got Remi to offer to bring you food is a miracle girl. I suggest that you tell him what you want before he changes his mind."

"Protein. I don't care what. Just protein. Eggs, beef, chicken, cheese… I am easy going."

Then Serre opened the door and escorted her back to Colt's room before he left for his own.

Colt was still asleep when she entered his room again. He was so relaxed. So, at peace. It took her a minute to calm down after her run in with Serre. But, even in his sleep, Colt soothed her. So, she picked up her bag and dug out her sketch pads and pencils. She sat against the wall sketching her handsome bear as he slept. She was working on his Sentinel markings when she heard a knock at the door.

"Thank you Remi." She whispered as she took the plates from him. He started to turn away. "Hold on a sec."

Roxie quietly went into the room to set down the plates of food and then stepped back into the hall and closed the door most of the way. She went over and gave the bear a hug.

Remi glared at her. "What was that for?"

She looked up. "I." She took a deep breath. "I know that not many of you know why I was such a bitch when I first arrived here and everyone hates me for it and everything that has happened with Colt. The truth is that my life was apparently more screwed up than I had realized. And I took my anger out on everyone here. It wasn't right. Colt has helped me to see that. I am really, really new to all of this bear stuff. As in, my magic was bound and I never met another Were-anything until a few nights ago. This morning is the first time that I could actually smell that you and Serre and Cody were bears. I didn't mean to be offensive."

She took another breath. "Anyway, I just wanted you all to know. I am weird. I know that. But, I am trying to learn and not revert to my panic and anger. I will make mistakes. But, I am sorry for screwing things up. And, could you please tell Serre what I said? He seems to actually hate me."

"I heard you." She heard Serre's voice behind her. She turned to see him leaning against a door down the hall.

"It was nice to meet you Roxie." Remi said and then he left, grumbling the whole way, in French.

Roxie looked back at Serre. "I am sorry."

"Just don't play with Colt's heart. He's a part of our family. And I don't want to see him hurt." Then Serre opened the door that he was leaning on and went inside.

Roxie jumped as she felt Colt's arms wrap around her. Then she settled into his warmth. He whispered into her ear. "That took a lot of courage and strength."

Then, he pulled her back into his room.

They cuddled as they ate their meal. Then, they went back to bed to sleep for the few hours that remained of the day.

Roxie woke up to a text from Kell. He was still worried about her. She smiled and let him know that she was still alright and asked him to bring some of her stuff to Sanctuary. Colt nuzzled at her shoulder. Colt was surprised by the level of comfort that he felt around her. It was as if they had known each other for years. Even though he was still learning the details of her, the physical comfort was so deep. It broke his heart to think that she still might choose to not finish the mating ritual. But every minute, every hour that they learned more of each other, the more he prayed that she would say yes. Not just for his libido. But, for him. For his heart.

Roxie finished the text and rolled over to look at him, letting her fingers dance along the intricate designs of his facial tattoo.

"So, I suppose that I no longer really have a reason to stay so angry at the band." He said. "You are not so hurt. And they did not scare you away completely." He took her hand and started nipping at the pads of her fingers.

She smiled, a bright smile, that was expressed in her eyes. "I like to watch you play. I would hate to be the reason that you don't."

He nodded. "Normally, we perform Thursdays through Sundays. But, with the Mardi Gras crowds, we are starting early and supposed to run through to next Sunday. Are you sure that you are alright with that?"

She pushed him back and straddled his waist. "As long as you are taking me home after every show. I think that I can manage." She kissed him.

He chuckled. "Well now, let's not start that, or we won't ever leave this room. And you have some magic to learn." He reached up and playfully smacked her on her bare ass.

She bit her lip and moaned. He arched a brow. "Note to self. Definitely have to try that one again later." He kissed her on her nose. "But, later."

She pouted as she climbed off. She looked at her clothes. "Well, I guess the walk of shame is nothing new around a bar."

He tilted his head. "Alright, first lesson in your magic. You can conjure things. Just concentrate on exactly what it is that you want and where it is that you want it."

She got a wicked grin. "I don't need magic to do that." She looked him over with hunger in her eyes.

Colt let out a full and hearty laugh. "Damn girl, you are insatiable. I love it." Then he paused and blushed. He nearly followed that up with telling her that he loves her. Keep it together man. She could still choose to leave. Clearing his throat, he said. "Focus on an outfit that you want."

She closed her eyes and held out her hand. And suddenly there was a small pile of clothing in her hands. Her face lit up into the brightest smile he had seen from her yet.

"Seriously? I could do this with anything?" She asked as she bounced in excitement.

He moaned as he watched her naked body bounce. He had to grind his teeth together to stop himself from throwing her back onto the bed.

His voice was hoarse when he spoke. "Yeah, just about anything. But, don't go crazy because this magic doesn't always make things out of the natural elements. One idiot tried to make a bunch of diamonds and sell them. It damn near exposed everyone. The Omegrion doesn't take kindly to that kind of thing."

Then she looked at Colt. "I am a squire. I get the secrecy thing." She paused. "Can I wear a robe to the shower? Or will people think that I am weird?"

"Of course you can." He kissed her cheek and let her conjure a robe and head to the shower to get cleaned up. Colt conjured some pajama pants on went to pull down a guitar while he waited for her to return. But, then he saw her sketch book on the floor and picked it up. He smiled at the sketch she had of him sleeping.

He propped the book up against his stereo while he sat in his bed with his practice guitar. He had one guitar that was set to not make much sound. It was one he used to practice his finger movements and such in his room so that he would not bother the others around him.

When Roxie returned to the room, she paused at the door and watched Colt. "I knew you did that."

"What?" He looked up.

"Practiced your guitar in bed." She smiled. "That first night, when you were playing on stage. I had a vision of sorts. Of you sitting in bed with headphones on, practicing to the music that you hear."

"Well, I feel special that you seemed to know me so well." He raked her over with a hungry look. "That is the outfit that you conjured?"

Her jeans were tighter than the first pair and she wore a black tank top that was barely more than a sports bra for the amount of cleavage and midriff that it showed.

She smiled. "Well, for the moment. I do have this burgundy sweater to wear over it." She laughed as his face relaxed. "Don't tell me you are jealous." She chided.

Colt stood up. "Baby. I am a bear. Don't ever forget that part. The animal in me can be possessive and extremely protective of my mate. My first reaction would be to rip a man to pieces if he looks at you the wrong way. I have no problems in you wearing anything that you are comfortable wearing. But, don't be surprised if I worry over the number of men I will end up killing because of more revealing choices. We can only hide so many bodies in the gumbo." Then he made her clothes all disappear.

She gaped. "What?"

He laughed. "Use your magic Roxie. Bring the clothes back and this time, do it with so that they are on your body already. And keep practicing while I get my shower." He left her there naked.

But, she was dressed again when he returned. "Tell me honestly. Did you put them on with magic? Or did you conjure them and then put them on with your hands?"

She stood up and used her magic to make her clothes disappear one piece at a time, in a seductive strip tease. Bringing the animal in him to the forefront as he drooled. Then she returned them all at one time just before she removed her panties. "Such a tease." He moaned.

"Serves you right." She said as she left the room.