by Mel Favreaux
“And if it’s broken?”
Shaking his head, he frowned. “You don’t give people enough credit sometimes.” Because of what she’d experienced with her former clan, he understood why Amber had such a difficult time trusting anyone. No one should have to endure what she had, especially from those who called themselves family.
Amber gave him a look of indifference and shrugged. “I’m only trying to think of all the possible outcomes here.”
“You worry too much.”
“As the alpha, you should have taken care of Tala years ago. Instead you let her carry the grudge of your father's death alone. That’s the reason you’re here instead of at home. Now, you’re nursing a woman who paid the consequences for your father's rage by being chased down and changed against her will. It’s one thing for a human who knows about us and asks for it. Then another entirely for a rogue to go out and do this, thinking they’ve completed a kill. You knew this was coming, Braedyn.”
He glared at his friend a moment and sighed. Deep down, he had known eventually Tala would go after Casey, but he was too soft-hearted to order her death or be the one to murder his own blood. “I couldn’t kill my sister no more than Elan could. And I couldn’t give you the order to have it carried out because Tala was my family.”
“So instead, you stay behind and try to fix it.” Amber shook her head and a smile curved the edges of her mouth. “You have to admit it’s a little ironic.”
“How so?” He furrowed his brows, looking at her.
“That she would turn out to be your mate.”
“That decision isn’t final yet.” He shrugged his heavy shoulders. “I can’t force her to love me.”
“No, but you have loved her for a very long time. It’s the reason you’ve never chosen any of the females in the pack. Even when your pack joined with others.” She cocked an attractive brow at him, grinning. “You’ve never wanted anyone else.”
He allowed himself a small smile. “You’re right.” Nodding his head, Braedyn gave her a pat on the back. “Thank you for coming all this way to bring news.”
“I figured you would like a heads up in case you got some visitors.” She glanced back at the tent and ran her hands through her hair. “If she is the one Tamara dreamed of, you’ll need to get her to the Run as soon as possible so we can protect her.”
“We’ll see.” He kept his thoughts firmly in check. So far he’d been the only one to witness Casey’s change or her coloring. Amber knew this but couldn’t help pressing the subject once more before leaving.
With a respectful nod, she stepped back, looked away from him, flashed the clothing from her body, and returned to the form of the tigress. Gracefully, she loped her way back toward Walker’s Run.
Taking a deep breath, he sat down on the log and poked at the fire. He wanted nothing more than to crawl back into the sleeping bag and hold Casey’s warm body to his. She needed rest, but he knew her father was coming. It was very unlikely they’d make it through the afternoon without the untimely visit. No matter the terrain, two experienced Black Ops Marines were on their way.
Running his hands through his hair, he turned and ducked back through the opening of the tent. He found Casey sitting, huddled under her father’s wool blanket.
“How long have you been awake?” he asked, noticing there was no drowsy look in her eyes. Her jaw was firmly set and her shoulders tensed.
“Since you left the sleeping bag.” She shifted a little and looked up at him.
“How much did you hear?”
“Nearly everything.” She looked in his eyes. “A woman came searching for you in the middle of a forest, during a blizzard, and my dad and brother are on their way. Quite possibly I’m going to be more trouble to you than I’m worth.”
Braedyn furrowed his brows and sat down next her her. “How can you say that?”
“‘The silver coated one will be highly sought after?’ Something about some Harlan guy? A woman came looking for you in the forest in the middle of a blizzard, that means something.” She clenched the blanket even tighter.
Jealousy flashed in her eyes and Braedyn sighed when he saw how tight Casey’s grip was on her lifeline. “Did you also hear what else she said?” Touching her hand, he tried to soften her grip.
* * * *
Casey looked down at his hand stroking hers, trying to be angry. To push him away. But she couldn’t, not after what she’d inadvertently eavesdropped on. “I heard what she said about you being an alpha who refused to take a mate.” Her heart thudded in her chest, hearing from someone else what she'd seen and sensed in him only made it that much more real. He had loved her for a very long time.
Love...what did it mean? Casey knew she loved her father and brother and would put her life on the line for them. But what more was there? The sharing of their bodies as they’d already done? She couldn’t understand how he was so sure they were life mates. He’d waited all this time for her. What if she disappointed him?
“What are you afraid of?”
She shook her head. “Everything. I'm afraid I’m not what you were expecting. That I'll disappoint you. I've not been good at relationships, because the only men I knew I could count on in my life were my father and brother.”
“You can't disappoint me...”
“How can you love someone you don't know?” she asked looking up into his eyes.
“I have never felt this way around another woman in my life. My brother can see it. Amber, my trusted advisor, who was the one out there this morning; she could even tell. I usually have a pretty tight reign on my emotions. Wolves by nature are incredibly territorial, but I will be honest in saying I’d tear any male apart who laid a hand on you. Including any human men, aside from your father and brother, of course.” His fingers gently stroked across the back of her hand, belying his violent promise.
Releasing the blanket, she curled her fingers into his. She realized in touching him, her fear of hurting him was causing him pain. It was necessary to just let go and give herself over completely. The grief her mother had caused her father when she’d left him so long ago to take care of two young children, alone, was still a part of her. It was in her blood. Casey was terrified she could do the same to someone else. Looking down at his large hand cradling hers, she frowned.
“I’m scared of hurting you,” Casey admitted raising her eyes to his. “I’m terrified of becoming my mother.”
“We choose who we are. You can’t run away from your fears. You have to stand up and face them. I want nothing more than what you’re willing to give. But I can’t tell you I won’t do everything I can to show you my feelings.” His expression became serious. “My concern is the reaction of your father and brother.”
She laughed and shook her head. “How am I going to explain everything? I can’t. I guess the only thing I can do is introduce you as my new boyfriend, which is something I’ve never done. I haven’t brought anyone home since I was a teenager. And if they show up and see us together...”
Braedyn laughed and brushed some of her hair away from her forehead. “You’re an adult. I’m sure they both knew one day you’d find someone.”
She smiled. “Yes, but they are going to wonder why I am hiding out in a snow storm with him rather than bringing him to meet them. Explaining an engagement is going to be difficult. But I did offer for them to come and meet me out here.” She stroked his cheek and looked in his eyes. She did feel for him, a great deal more than anticipated. More so than any man she’d been with. The possibility of hurting such a good man and causing the same pain her mother had to her father, weighed heavy on her mind.
He took her hand from his cheek and kissed her palm. “We’ll do what we have to in order to smooth things over as best we can. Eventually we’ll tell them the truth.”
Casey’s eyes widened. “You mean of what I am now?”
“I figured you would since you’re so close to them...” His brows furrowed. “You don’t want them to know?”
<
br /> “Not until I have everything under control.” She shook her head, feeling her heart pound again at the thought. “I want to know all about who and what I am before I try explaining it to my father.” A yawn crept up on her. Casey tried to fight her exhaustion.
“You’re still tired. You need to rest.”
She could see the concern in his eyes and nodded, allowing him to lay her back, cover her. Braedyn placed a gentle kiss on her lips. She placed her hands on his face and kissed him again.
“I have to dress that deer we took down last night if you’re going to get enough energy in for tonights last shift.”
“The sun has barely come up yet, lie back down with me for just a little while longer. Please?” She didn't want to be alone and slept better than ever when he lay next to her, holding her in his strong arms. “I rest better when you’re with me.”
The corner of his mouth lifted at her statement. “Sleep only, nothing more.”
She smiled. “I didn’t say anything about more, did I?” Though that would have been fine with her, Casey had to agree, she was exhausted.
* * * *
Braedyn willed the clothing from his body and climbed into the sleeping bag next to her. He had to fight to control himself when she curled her warm, naked body against his, lying her head on his chest.
He ran his fingers through her silvery blond hair, feeling her body relax. This was a comfort he had never known. It made him weak in ways that were unfamiliar, yet so much stronger in others.
These things raced through his mind, and Braedyn thought sleep would never claim him again. He needed to get her through the last transformation of this lunar cycle, deal with her father and brother, and then his pack once he got home. Only one out of the three was he looking forward to. Then there was Tamara's dream of the silver coated wolf being sought after. His Casey. He swallowed the lump that rose in his throat at the thought of her being in danger.
Amber’s comment of his uncle made the fine hairs on the back of his neck bristle, and he tried to clamp down the anger. He knew Harlan would be the one to put her in danger. Braedyn took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to block it all out. Seeking the solace of her touch, he laid his cheek against the top of her head.
Casey snuggled closer, sliding her hands up to his shoulders. “Go to sleep,” she whispered.
“I'm trying.” He ground his teeth when her warm breasts slid against his chest. She lifted her head to look in his eyes. “And when you touch me like that, it makes it...hard.”
She grinned and cocked her brow. “There's more on your mind than my body.”
“Right now, it's the only thing on my mind.” She shifted against him, and he sighed. “I won't be able to sleep if you keep touching me like that.”
“It’s not my intention to get you all worked up, but I don't think either of us will sleep like this,” Casey murmured, placing a gentle kiss on his collar bone.
Closing his eyes, a shiver worked its way through him, as her hand drifted down his chest, to stop at his hip. He groaned when he felt, more than heard, her soft giggle. “No, I don't think we'll be able to sleep like this.”
Sighing, she drew away from him and rolled over, putting her back to him.
Braedyn found he missed her touch and rolled onto his side, curling up behind her, wrapping his arms around her. Nuzzling her neck, he breathed in her scent. Normally it relaxed him, but the scent of her desire made his groin tighten.
She pushed back when he pressed against her, and then shuddered when he placed a tender kiss just under her ear. He left his mouth there. Her soft moan thrilled him. With measured tenderness, he brushed a hand down her side, over her hip, and down her thigh, curling her leg back over his own, so his hands could roam more places.
Casey’s hands drifted down his arms while he nibbled his way down to her shoulder.
“This isn't fair,” she whispered turning her head to him. He laid a gentle kiss against her lips.
“It’s only not fair because I’m the one doing the touching.” He felt her wriggle her bottom against his hardening length and took a deep breath, continuing his seductive roaming.
Slipping a finger into her, he felt her body quiver. Biting back a grin, Braedyn slowly withdrew his finger, gently tracing circles around her tiny nub. Her light moans and hisses of pleasure only heightened his excitement when she writhed against him.
The slow torture continued. He delighted in hearing her gasps. When she was close to teetering over the edge, he’d withdraw. Moving upward, he teased and pinched her nipples, and then he sunk another finger into her moist depths. She stiffened against him when her orgasm took hold from his hands alone.
He lifted her thigh a little higher and entered her from behind, squeezing her breast with one hand while the other hand kept a gentle rotating pressure on her sensitive nub. She cried out immediately with another orgasm, her body shuddering against his. Braedyn could feel the constant wave of pleasure coursing through her. Her body clenched spasmodically and she gasped for breath.
“Oh God...” Casey groaned, grinding against him.
Braedyn continued his torturous pleasure. He felt another orgasm build within her. Clenching his jaw, his need rose in him. He thrust his hips into hers, growling through his release. Casey buried her face into the pillow, howling in rapture. Her body sagged against his, shaking from the tremors still wracking her.
Wrapping himself around her, he held her close and kissed her shoulder. Her hand reached back and touched his cheek. Casey’s eyes drooped and she relaxed, sleep claiming her again.
Chapter Eleven
“You’ve saved my life and for that I shall grant you one wish.” The old man looked at me and smiled, seeing the conflicting emotions on my face.”You are alone, as I am in this world, Silver One. You’ve no one left to care for or to care for you. You saved a human who had no right to your kindness, yet you’ve brought me food and shared your warmth to see me through. As a reward I shall grant you a wish.” He ran his gnarled hands through my silver fur with a tenderness I was unfamiliar with.
I thought back to the days prior when I had watched while my pack was slaughtered, skinned, and gutted. For days, I’d lain in wait and watched the group of humans go about their daily rituals, feeding their own and loving one another. Ironically, I found myself fascinated by them and less repulsed. They’d only been trying to save theirs from the cold and starvation, not realizing we were doing the same. They were ignorant in that way, but I could see a potential within them.
In my experience with human’s, none had ever talked to me the way this man did. None had ever touched me, and the pathetic, simple gesture of his fingers moving through my fur was glorious.
‘To be human,’ I thought without hesitation.
A sad smile curved the edge of his lips. “After all they’ve done to you? Are you sure this is what you wish for?”
‘Yes.’
Never did I stop to wonder how he understood me. I was a wolf, incapable of speech, yet he understood me, like I’d spoken to him in his language.
Apparently, I didn’t completely comprehend the meaning of the words “grant” or “wish” either.
Pain seared through me while his arms wrapped around my neck. He whispered foreign words into my ear. There was a heat inside I’d never felt before. I struggled to break myself of his grip, only to find the frail old man was far stronger than he appeared. My howls of torment and fear echoed around me; then I felt the cold as I had never felt it before against my...skin?
* * * *
Casey woke, alone in the tent. The dream was still with her and she had to shake her head to clear it. She felt well rested but starved, again. Pulling on her clothes, she immediately regretted leaving the warmth of the sleeping bag, but hunger took precedence over all.
Stepping out of the tent, the smell of venison cooking had her stomach growling fiercely.
Braedyn wasn't near the fire. She frowned and looked around, still unable t
o see him. By the looks of the sky, it was after noon, but the clouds spoke of another storm rolling in, so it could be earlier or later than she was reasoning it to be.
Closing her eyes, she called the wolf forth to try and scent him. He was near. Following her nose, she walked around the tent and saw him coming out of the woods with an armful of logs.
He was a handsome sight, carrying the largest bundle of firewood she'd ever seen a man carry. His long raven-black hair down over his shoulders and fierce grey eyes...she nearly lost her breath when their gaze met. Her heart stuttered, then raced to catch up again.
She watched him stumble and catch his step. “You have to stop looking at me like that,” he rasped, approaching. “You’re going to make me lose what little control I have when I’m near you.”
With a blush, she glanced away for a moment. “Need any help?” Taking a few of the logs to lighten his load, Casey followed him back to the fire. “What time is it?”
“A little after one,” Braedyn said. She helped him arrange the wood for easy access to the fire. “Can you sense if your father is close?”
“I don't know,” she mused, dusting off her hands. “I was able to use her nose to find you. But she doesn't know my father's scent, does she?”
“No, but you do. This is where you have to teach the wolf instead of her teaching you.” He walked over and turned the deer over the fire. In a pot he had cut up some vegetables and had them boiling in water.
She stirred the pot, noticing it was far more than either of them could eat in one sitting. “Making extra?”
He nodded and gave her a gentle smile. “I’d think they’d be hungry after all that hiking.”
“How are we going to do this tonight?”
He turned to look at her and took a deep breath. “I can add a little something to their food to make them sleep.”
“It won't hurt them will it?”
“No, it will make them sleep. They may be a bit groggy in the morning, but they will be okay. Do they drink coffee? The caffeine will kick it in faster.”
