by Mel Favreaux
The alpha raised his chin with a cocky expression. She felt the Silver Wolf bristle a moment, and then shot back a ‘Just you wait’ one in return.
Unable to contain herself any longer, she drew near him, touching her nose to his, needing to feel him even though it was excruciating. Closing her eyes, she nuzzled her head against his shoulder a moment.
The knowledge of the new language surprised Casey. A tilt of the head. A perk of the ear. A cast of the eyes and a shift of the shoulders all spoke to her. She discovered comprehension in it, so much simpler than the spoken word.
Wandering through the forest, Casey couldn’t help but chide herself for her fears of the change. It was painful, yes, but she’d expected to become a roaring beast with an uncontrollable bloodlust or thirst to kill. In this animal, she found a kindred spirit that was as curious of her human side as she was of her wolf. There was no hint of the rage she’d felt earlier in the day.
Standing beside him, she looked down at the great snow covered valley below. The moon was high above them casting blue shadows over everything. Casey’s heart ached at the beautiful scene below. She wanted her camera, but knew pictures would do it no justice because she was seeing it through the eyes of a wolf.
The alpha turned to her and seemed to smile.
For hours they ran and investigated the frozen forest in a way she had never dreamed. Casey found herself picking up the spores of different animals and discovered the playful side of her wolf while chasing a raccoon. Not to hunt, but for the sheer thrill of the aggravation of it. It chattered in annoyance, climbed a branch out of her reach and tossed down twigs.
The alpha guided her in another direction, showing her new sights, scents, and sounds.
The boundless energy and excitment Casey felt began to wane and she grew tired. The familiar scent of their camp filled her nose. She sighed with relief, wanting nothing more than to climb into the tent and rest.
Pushing the tent flap back with her nose, she made her way to the air mattress with the heavy warmth of the sleeping bag and bevy of blankets. Barely noticing the alpha curling up behind her, she fell into deep sleep.
* * * *
Casey groaned and her eyes opened. The sun was bright in the morning sky. She was sore from head to toe and utterly exhausted.
“I didn’t expect you to wake for hours yet,” Braedyn whispered behind her.
Grunting softly, she rolled over to look at him.
“Was it as bad as you’d feared?”
“No.” Her voice was hoarse. The screams and the howls from her horrific transformation had caused a sore throat. “Aside from the pain, it was absolutely amazing. When did I change back?”
He smiled. “Once you fell asleep.”
“I felt nothing from it.”
“You were too exhausted to notice. It takes a little practice to command the shift. Eventually the moon won’t be the controlling factor, and you’ll be able to change at will.”
Casey flexed her hands and rubbed them together. Yes, she was sore. Her skin was tender, but she craved to be held in his arms again. Reaching over, she stroked his rough cheek and smiled, tracing the grin she found there. He rose up slowly and leaned over her. Closing her eyes she felt his kiss, butterfly soft and full of tender emotion. It warmed her soul. She scooted to him, ignoring the flash of discomfort when she touched him.
Taking a deep breath, Braedyn laid his hand on her side and closed his eyes. She felt her body relax while he helped her with the pain like before. Sighing, she sagged against him in relief and buried her face in his shoulder, taking comfort from his scent and proximity.
He stroked her hair. “Are you feeling all right?”
“I’m still tired,” she murmured into his shoulder. Putting her arms around him, she enjoyed the feel of him but was afraid he would think she was clingy.
“We wolves love to touch, carress, and hold one another. Don’t think you will bother me or seem needy when you feel the desire to do so.” She could hear the smile in his voice.
With a small laugh, she raised her head from his shoulder. “Can you read my mind often?”
He grinned. “I don’t have to. I can read your body language.”
“Oh.” Casey nodded, looking in his eyes. Cocking a brow, she grinned. “And what is my body telling you now?”
Laughing, he shook his head and stroked her cheek. “That you are far too tired and need more rest.”
“Liar.” She grinned, and he kissed her.
“Yes,” he conceeded. “And a poor one at that. Now rest, my silver one. I’ll be here when you wake.”
Casey smiled at his endearment and snuggled against him, seeking his warmth; but more than anything else, the comfort he provided. Closing her eyes, she drifted off to sleep once more.
* * * *
The scent of food cooking roused Casey from sleep. She rolled over, yawned, and stretched. She’d slept hard, and her eyes felt grainy. Sitting up, she reached for her clothes, and then realized with dismay, she’d torn hers last night during her change. Only five outfits had been brought for the camping excursion. Two were beyond filthy, and two had been destroyed. Pulling out her last outfit, Casey sighed. Dressing to avoid the chill as much as possible, she made her way to the fire to warm up.
Braedyn was seated on the log, turning some kind of large bird over the fire.
She slipped her arms around his shoulders and placed a kiss on his neck, just below his ear. “It smells terrific.”
He smiled and turned to look at her. “I was getting tired of rabbit.”
Mulling that over a moment, she nodded. “I wouldn’t mind some deer. I haven’t had venison other than in jerky form in quite some time.”
“That does sound good.”
Casey slid onto the log next to him and looked up at the sky. “I need to take off my clothes before the change tonight. This is my last outfit since I tore two up yesterday.” She grinned over at him.
“I forgot to mention that you’d need to disrobe for the shift.”
“How did you dress so quickly the other night?”
His eyes twinkled and Braedyn laughed. “Magic. I willed clothing onto my body.”
She raised her brows. “Will I be able to do that?”
“Eventually.” He turned the bird again.
Watching the fire lick at it, turning the skin golden brown, Casey felt her stomach growl fiercely.
“It’s just about ready.”
Her mouth watered, watching him pull it from the fire. With a large knife, he cut it right down the center. She licked her lips.
Braedyn set the plate between them. Frowning, she kept picking at the bird even though it burned her fingers. Her stomach was in knots. The hunger was so strong, she was willing to scorch her mouth to stop the pain.
“Are you excited about tonight?”
“I’m nowhere near as scared as I was last night. I expected to become this awful slavering beast and was surprised it wasn’t like that at all.” Staring down at the smoking bird, Casey wished it would cool faster. The awful urge to just bury her face in it, devouring it whole, washed over her.
“Fear makes it worse which is why I tried to comfort you as best I could. If you’re scared and have no idea what’s happening, the rage will come upon you. You were lucky your wolf awakened in you early, and you knew what was going to happen. The wolf and you had already started bonding prior to your change.”
“Your brother said that was unusual?” She turned her attention from the bird back to him.
Braedyn nodded. “Yes, but not unheard of.”
Taking a deep breath, she tried to pry another piece from the bird and burned her finger again. A low growl came from her. Her stomach knotted with hunger.
He leaned over and tore the bird apart for her so it would cool.
Casey tried to swallow the deep emotions that suddenly tore through her. “Thank you,” she whispered, looking up at him. “For everything.”
“I’ve done no
thing I didn’t want to.” Leaning over, he kissed her and brushed a strand of silvery blond hair from her cheek.
She smiled and picked up a morsel which had cooled enough. The flavor filled her mouth. “Mm...”
Soon the bird was nothing more than a picked over carcass left on their plate. She wiped her mouth on her sleeve and looked up at the sky. The time was nearing. The thrumming had begun in her bones again. The wolf inside, woke and flexed, coming to the forefront to sniff at the air.
“You’re not still hungry, are you?”
She shook her head. “Why?”
“Because if you were, the wolf would be compelled to hunt.”
Casey shivered, but more from the cold than the thought of hunting. She’d hunted with a bow and rifle many times before. Hunting as a wolf, though, required skills Casey knew she didn’t possess. The thought of blood in her mouth would have sickened her at one point, but she found the wolf drooling.
The vibration turned to a low hum and she closed her eyes a moment. When she opened them, the wolf looked through them, too. Turning to Braedyn, she smiled.
“It’s time, my Silver wolf.” He patted her hand. “If you wish to save your clothing, you may want to strip.”
She stood and removed the clothes which had only just gotten warm. From the corner of her eye, she saw Braedyn watching her intently. A muscle in his jaw twitched. His hands flexed. With a smirk she noticed the battle within him to remain where he was.
Once disrobed, Casey stepped near the fire. The night was freezing. Turning back, she saw the look in his eyes. His nostrils flared with an expression that was now familiar to her. She blushed. “Don’t look at me like that.”
His gaze flicked up to hers and he grinned. “You can’t blame me. If you were to stay naked in my presence, I’d be happy to admit we’d never leave the warmth of a bed.”
Her blush deepened. “I can’t fault you, but I am at an extreme disadvantage here. I’m freezing my nipples off while you’re staring at me like that. It’s not right.”
He laughed, leaned forward, and began untying his boots. “If it will make you feel better, I will join you.”
Casey watched him remove his clothing, piece by piece in a teasing manner. The vibration and humming in her body grew more intense. The cold air on her skin in contrast to the fire building within was almost more than she could stand.
Braedyn shook his hair out. Backlit by the fire, he was one gorgeous man. The epitome of the American Indian in all his glory: broad shouldered, heavily muscled, narrow waist. He made an imposing figure, but she knew the gentleness inside him.
The awful pain began in her feet and hands. She groaned, praying that tonight’s change wouldn’t be as horrendous as the night before. Falling to her knees, she curled her arms into her chest and groaned. The agony traveled through her. Tears froze on her cheeks. She heard bones crack and the cartilage reform. Choking back a sob that turned into a keening wail, Casey rocked forward, shoving her palms to the ground. A howl burst forth and the wolf took control.
Her eyes fell closed. She lay there, and the agony slowly ebbed away.
The alpha snuffled near her ear. Gathering her feet, she stood. Her legs were weak at first, but with a few steps, she felt stronger than ever. She shook herself and turned to him. He stared at her a moment and then with a cock of his head, announced they should begin their night.
It was exhilarating, the cold wind whipping past as they ran hard and fast, diving into snow drifts, prowling the night. Not to hunt, but to learn. He taught her about stalking her prey and when to pounce. Yet another poor raccoon was rousted and ran until it chattered up a tree casting threats down upon them. They chased a few deer. Casey felt the Silver Wolf’s mouth water from the earlier mentioned comment.
The alpha discouraged her from hunting just yet, there were a few more things he wanted to teach her before they would. Casey was in total awe, realizing she could urge the wolf in other directions, learning that neither was in complete control of the other. Or at least, the wolf allowed Casey the opportunity to lead once in a while.
It was amazing how much her sight, taste, hearing, and sense of smell had amplified since the attack. She was already learning distance and direction purely from scenting. Picking up the scent of an owl, Casey determined he was less than a hundred yards away, halfway up the enormous evergreen. The owl hooted once she spotted him on the branch.
Once more the night was over soon. She was completely exhausted when they made their way back to camp. Nearly too tired to think, Casey couldn’t help the excited flutter when she realized they would do it all over again the next night.
Exhausted, Casey nosed her way into the tent. She barely had the strength required to make it to the air mattress before collapsing.
Chapter Ten
Looking over at Casey, Braedyn sighed. She was asleep on her stomach, arms stretched up beneath her pillow, snoring. He had run her harder than the night before. His heart swelled with pride, remembering the excitement in her eyes while she learned. Her wolf made it easier to teach since they had already begun to connect.
Never had he met another Were who could communicate within themselves so early. Even he’d had a difficult time in the beginning, fighting against his wolf for control.
Casey just amazed him more and more.
Unable to resist, he stroked her cheek, using his ability to help eliminate her pain. His gentle touch didn’t wake her. She continued to snore.
His brows rose when he caught the scent of the one person he’d come to think was his closest and most trusted friend. He eased out of the sleeping bag, trying not to wake Casey.
Manifesting warm clothing on his skin, he stepped out of the tent. A white Siberian tiger stalked around the fire, eyed him for a moment, and shifted into a petite young woman with long, dark, curly hair, and big brown eyes. He tossed a few large logs into the smoking embers and stoked the flames back to life. She smiled, clothing appeared onto her taut and tiny frame before she slowly made her way over to the fire.
“Morning Braedyn.” She looked up at him.
“Good morning, Amber. I assume you’ve brought news?” He took a deep breath of the crisp morning air.
“Yes.” She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her coat and moved closer to the warmth. “Her father set off into the forest this morning before Jazzy was able to get to the station. They are trying to stop him as we speak, but he's a retired Black Ops Marine...and so is the brother.”
Braedyn looked into the fire. “I’d hoped for one last night, to get through the moon phase.” He rubbed his hands together and shook his head.
“There’s something more,” she added, turning her gaze to the fire. “Tamara had a dream night before last.”
Braedyn furrowed his brow. She was the pack clairvoyant. A human wife of one of the Werewolves in the pack. “Of what?”
“Of a silver coated female.”
He rocked back onto his heels. “What did the dream entail?”
“Tamara said the silver coated wolf was unique in comparison to all other Weres. She would be highly sought after. Quite possibly the return of the Mother of all Weres: the Silver Wolf.” The Tigress looked at him and squinted her eyes. “Is your friend the Silver Wolf?”
He looked closely at Amber for a moment, wondering whether or not to share the information. Braedyn was good at hiding his emotions around other Weres, making it hard for them to read, even his own family. Once he had more time to think everything over and understand it himself, he would share the news with her.
“I smell her scent on you. Have you finally found your mate?” his friend asked. He was relieved that she was wise enough to change tactics when he didn’t reply.
Braedyn felt his cheeks redden.
The corner of her mouth lifted. “I thought as much.”
Clearing his throat, he shuffled his feet. “We’re discussing a hand-fasting.”
She cocked her brow and smirked at him. “Really?”
/>
He shrugged and ran a hand through his hair. “She doesn’t know me. I don’t want to push her into marriage.”
Amber nodded and grinned. “And a hand-fasting would guarantee that no other male could step in to tempt her while she made her decision.” She sighed when Braedyn looked back towards the tent. “Your mother is excited to meet her since Elan sang praises of her beauty.”
“She’s doing well, then?” He smiled at the mention of his mother.
“For the time being. Her age, Braedyn,” Amber said tucking a long, curly strand of dark hair behind her ear. It was something neither of them wanted to consider. “You know your mother means a great deal to me, too. I had a hard time fitting in, and you both made sure I felt welcome. You made Walker’s Run my home. My own mother didn’t give a damn about me.” She stared into the flames alongside him.
He was silent a moment, struggling with his fierce Alpha nature to protect those he held dear. “Amber, all I can ask of you, is to keep her safe in my absence. Elan is too busy making it look like he'd make a good Alpha one day.” He took a deep breath and turned to her. “You are the only person I know without a doubt I can lay full trust in and know you won’t let me down without one hell of a fight.”
Her eyes took on a fierce look. “I will always look out for your mother.” She bit her bottom lip, pausing before speaking again. “If your friend is the one in Tamara’s dreams, news will reach Harlan.”
Braedyn stiffened at the mention of his uncle’s name. “If it gets to that, we’ll deal with that old bastard when the time comes.”
“In the meantime, what do we do about her father and brother?”
“I can only ask the elements and God to be on our side for one more day.” He glanced back toward the tent.
“And if not?”
“We’ll have to spring our engagement on them early.” He raised his brows and shrugged with a wry grin. “They’re her family, Amber. They mean everything to her. Just because Casey is a werewolf doesn't mean she won’t have a life any longer. We've been one of those packs that allows contact with family, invites them into our lives. All we ask for is secrecy in return.”
