Walker's Run

by Mel Favreaux

  It was what she’d heard from Braedyn. Her heart sank with the confirmation.

  “It’s supposed to be that the love you share is unlike anything else and your souls are bound for the rest of your lives. But I have met a few life mates who couldn’t stand one another and only come together every so often to conceive children.”

  Casey was confused and saw the apologetic smile on Amber’s face. “How do you know when you’re in heat?”

  Another husky chortle. “There’s a difference in being horny and being in heat. Trust me.” Her laughter had a sexy timber to it Casey was sure most men found very attractive.

  Unable to believe she was asking such frank questions of a stranger, Casey knew she wouldn’t be able to get these answers from Braedyn. “Is the sex any different?”

  “Oh God yes.” Amber’s grin widened. “It’s unbelievable.”

  “You’ve mated?”

  Her expression darkened a little. “No. I’ve never been with another tiger...willingly. I’ve never ‘mated,’ but I have coupled.”

  “You can...” Casey frowned, trying to find the right words. “Couple outside of your...species?”

  Yet another rumble of amusement came from Amber when she pulled into Braedyn’s driveway. “Yes. Because we can have sex in human form. There are no differences there. But I warn you. A bear is still a bear. Human form or not.”

  Casey felt her jaw go slack and watched the impish grin broaden on Amber’s face.

  “What? Every girl has needs. And when I’m in heat, there’s not much I can do but accept one that is willing.”

  “Aren’t there any other tigers here?”

  Another dark look came over Amber’s face. “I’m not sure if Braedyn would trust another tiger after what happened when I first came here. But there are lions, ligers, panthers, cougars, and a jaguar.” She cleared her throat. “I have almost an eternity to find my life mate. It isn’t my main concern. Some Weres have gone centuries before they found them.”

  “Then why such a huge concern for Braedyn to find his?”

  “You know the old standard that a man should have a woman to fall back on? To have children to make sure your legacy continues is important to Weres. I know it doesn’t make any sense to you right now. But I’m quite positive it’s merely a way to excuse the male’s need to copulate as much as possible.” Amber flashed a quick grin full of humor.

  Casey laughed and Amber brought the enormous SUV to a stop next to Braedyn’s smaller, older one. “Thank you. For everything. Taking me out today and for answering my questions.”

  “No problem, we should do it again soon.”

  “I’d like that.” She unbuckled her seat belt. “You coming in?”

  “I’ll help you carry everything inside, but I really do need to get to the shop and check on Aquene.”

  They carried the armload of bags to the door. When she opened it, Casey saw Braedyn leaned against the bar in the kitchen, talking on his cell phone. With an apologetic look he raised his hand for them to remain quiet while he continued his conversation.

  Amber set her arm load of bags down behind the couch. She tipped her head at Braedyn and smiled back at Casey. “I’ll see you later. I had fun today.”

  Casey grinned. “I did too.”

  Covering the phone a moment, Braedyn looked at Amber. “Thank you. I don’t know how you manage to do all we ask of you, but it is greatly appreciated.”

  She grinned and waved his comment away, then walked out the door.

  Cutting his call short with a few words, he hung up. Casey watched him heave a deep breath before he turned to look at her. “How’d it go?”

  “Very good actually. I met some really nice people. Zander, Rhea—”

  His eyes rolled at the mention of Rhea’s name. “I can only imagine what she had to say. She’s our community gossip artist.”

  “Yeah, I kind of figured that out.”

  His expression was tender when he walked over and kissed her. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I missed you too.” She looked in his eyes and raised her chin, figuring it best to go ahead and get it out of the way before it worried her much longer. “I learned a little more about the life mate thing from Amber.”

  He grimaced and pinched his eyes shut.

  She couldn’t help but laugh at his expression. “What? It’s not like we discussed our sex lives. But it was easier to talk to her about it than trying to pull it out of you.”

  “You’re probably right,” he conceded with a sheepish grin. “I'm sorry, but I didn't think you'd warm to the idea if I told you that when you went into heat every available male in the pack would be vying for your attention.”

  “You wanted to keep me in the forest until I went into heat, didn't you? So no other male could possibly catch my attention—”

  Braedyn grabbed her arms, pulling her to him and his eyes flashed golden. “I'm territorial. I am a wolf after all.”

  Her heart rate sped up, but she wasn’t frightened; it was quite the opposite. His male dominance turned her on. Looking up into his eyes, her wolf looked through them too, responding to him.

  “If you didn't have your sights set on me, that would let every male member of this pack know I was available?”

  “Without the hand-fasting, you're still available,” he admitted. “I can't force your decision, much as I would like to. Our purpose is to find the one we can have children with. Love is not always the case. It’s the animal instinct for survival that drives us to find our life mates. But still there are many who settle for love and love only, not worrying about continuing their bloodlines.”

  “Any idea of when I may go into heat?” She chewed her lower lip a moment. “I’d really like to know if you are my life mate.”

  “Do you want children that bad? Would you leave if you found out we weren’t meant to be?”

  His questions and the sadness in his voice, warmed her. “Children would be wonderful, but I’m willing to stay with you the rest of my life, regardless, Braedyn.”

  He stroked her cheek. “That means more to me than you’ll ever know.”

  She closed her eyes, laying her head against his chest.

  “My mother wishes to meet you tonight. Are you willing?”

  “Are you sure she has no animosity toward me? Your father was the love of her life...her life mate...”

  “Don’t.” He placed a finger to her lips. “My mother knew how my father was when his pride was challenged. She holds no hard feelings for you.”

  “Had I known I’d meet her tonight, I’d have asked Zander to find me something a little more formal to wear.”

  Braedyn laughed and shook his head. “My mother would look at you as if you had two heads if you walked in wearing something more than casual. Be yourself Casey, and I know she’ll love you as much as I do.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Stepping out of Braedyn’s old truck, Casey suppressed the shiver of anxiety. She looked up at the ranch style house Aquene lived in and saw Amber’s larger SUV parked on the side next to a structure not much smaller than the house. A sign in front stated, ‘Walker’s Run Hollistic Medicine and Medical Office. Aquene Walker, Homeopathic Physician and Herbalist.’ And in smaller print beneath it, ‘Amber Vaughn, Herbalist’.

  Frowning, Casey looked at him. “Amber pronounced your mother’s name as Ah-keen...I had no idea there was a ‘Q’ in it.”

  Braedyn laughed, walking around the SUV and held his hand out to her. “Her name means peace. Quit being so nervous. Are you ready?”

  “No,” she admitted. Night had fallen and the moon cast a light blue shadow over everything covered in snow. Taking his hand, she smiled when he pulled her into his arms, nuzzling her neck.

  “I promise you everything will be all right,” he murmured against her ear.

  “Okay, let’s get this over with. I’ll be better once I’m inside.”

  He kissed her. “My mother won’t eat you, I promise. She is human.”
<
br />   Laughing, Casey walked with him onto the front porch. He knocked twice on the door and then opened it.

  “Mom?” Braedyn called out when they stepped inside.

  “In the sitting room.”

  Casey's hand tightened on his when he led her through a living room that was as gentile in it’s furnishings as his own. Wood tones matched with beige and Native American artifacts adorned the walls and the tables.

  She sat in an old rocking chair by the fire, doing bead work on a dream catcher. Lifting her head, with eyes still squinted, her long hair was pulled back into a thick gray braid that ran over her shoulder. A smile lit the old woman’s face, and she placed her work aside.

  Casey instantly recognized the Native features from the Walker men in their mother.

  Aquene tried to lift herself from the rocker to greet them properly.

  “No, Mom. Stay seated we'll come closer.”

  “I'm not that fragile, Jacey,” she chided, standing up and shuffling toward them.

  Casey found Aquene shorter than she’d thought, right around her own height, at five-foot-ten. Because both Braedyn and Elan were exceptionally tall, Casey had assumed their mother would be as well. She watched Aquene grab Braedyn by the collar of his coat and tug him down to put her arms around his wide shoulders, giving him a fierce hug. Placing a hand on either side of his face, she kissed both cheeks.

  “I’m so glad to see you’re well, son.” Her smile lit even brighter. “I can feel how happy you are.”

  Braedyn blushed when she turned away from him.

  Casey felt her heart speed up when his mother looked at her. Aquene reached out and took her hands, a look of mild surprise crossed the old woman’s face. Taking in a sharp breath, his mother glanced back at Braedyn. “She has a very strong spirit in her. No wonder you’ve been enamoured with her so long.”

  Now it was Casey’s turn to blush. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Walker.”

  Aquene smiled, squeezing her hands. “You’ve such a good soul. The wolf spirit who chose you is a very old one, and she’s very powerful.” Aquene stepped back to get a good look at Casey through her squinted eyes.

  “A spirit chooses you?”

  Braedyn’s mother nodded. “Those that have passed on wait until a new Were is either created or born and decides to join with them. This one has waited a very long time for just the right person to come along. You should feel very lucky she tapped you.”

  “So it’s true,” Braedyn breathed.

  Nodding, Aquene released Casey’s hands and turned to him. “Yes. Sooleawa-Haka, the Silver Wolf.”

  Casey shivered when the wolf inside rose in acknowledgement. “Is that good or bad?” she managed, noticing the quiver in her voice.

  “Very good, child. The spirit of the Silver Wolf is the strongest spirit there is and the most powerful. It is thought that she was the very first Were in the world; the mother of all.” Aquene motioned for Braedyn's arm.

  Like a good son, he helped his mother back to her rocking chair. “Do you need anything, Mom?”

  She shook her head. “No, Amber takes very good care of me. She’s just made a pot of tea. It’s still hot if you two care to stay for a cup.”

  Casey looked up when Braedyn turned to her, his gaze catching hers.

  “I’d love to.” She stepped forward and poured herself a cup from the china set on the wheeled tray table.

  “Have a seat, child,” Aquene beckoned to the winged chair opposite her.

  Nodding, Casey sat down with her tea. She realized with surprise the comfort in Aquene’s presence.

  “Jacey, would you mind leaving me alone with Casey for a few minutes?” Aquene leaned back in her rocking chair and fixed her son with a tender expression.

  She looked up and saw Braedyn looking at her, gauging her reaction. Casey gave him a slight nod.

  “Yes, Mom. I’ll go over and check on the shop.”

  Casey cleared her throat, trying not to clink the cup on the saucer. “What does Jacey, mean?”

  “A few things. Moon. Little wolf. It’s used in many tribes and has many meanings.” Aquene took a sip from her tea; then looked up at Casey, the squint was gone from her eyes, but Casey could see the deep wrinkles around them where they stayed squinted much of the time.

  “I know my son loves you a great deal. I am happy he’s finally found the courage to come to you, however difficult the circumstances turned out to be.”

  Casey took a sip from the tea, trying to figure out how to respond and decided the truth would be the only way for her. “I’ve felt the same way about him all these years. I can’t even begin to explain it.”

  A warm smile spread across Aquene’s lips. “You two were meant to be together. Something this strong and has lasted through twenty years of infatuation...” She laughed. “It’s now up to the spirits and Gods to decide if you’ll be life mates. I, for one, am praying you are. I would so love to hold a grandchild before I go to be with my mingan, my Collin. That means grey wolf, if you are wondering.”

  “I’ve never given children serious thought until Braedyn and I talked a little about it last night.”

  “Some Weres go for several human lifetimes before finding their life mates. I’d nearly given up hope that either of my children would find theirs before my passing. Because of Tala’s ruthlessness, she’d never attempted to find hers. And Elan, he’s trying to find his.” She shrugged. “Here I am, talking as if you are Braedyn’s. Though your wolves have chosen one another, it unfortunately doesn’t mean you are life mates.”

  “No, but we can pray.” Casey smiled, taking another sip of tea and then set it on the table next to the chair. “I am so sorry about your family.”

  “Collin had a fierce pride. He was protecting you. In his last moments, he projected to me. He died because pride got in the way. In his wolf form Collin couldn’t explain to your father he was only protecting you. Had he changed, he’d have been killed. Knowing this, he stood his ground anyway. I have no ill will toward you or your father, Casey. My husband died the way he lived: as the protector.” She gave an expression filled with melancholy and shook her head. “I couldn’t have asked for him to have a better death.”

  Casey sighed. “I just wish things turned out different.”

  “They couldn’t have. Now, Tala was a different story. She couldn’t be reasoned with. She always knew what was right and wrong in her twisted view. Had I not known I was the one who gave birth to her, I would have sworn she was her uncle's child. So much anger in her, just like Harlan. It was bound to happen.”

  “But now it makes two of your family members who have died because of me. How can you not hate me?” Casey leaned forward in the chair, trying to keep the plea from her voice. “How can you accept me into your home and welcome me as you have?”

  “My husband died because he was a protector. Tala was one of the fiercest warriors we have in the Run. I can’t begin to fathom the strength you will have with the Silver Wolf’s spirit when you managed to kill Tala while still human and mortally wounded.” Aquene drained the contents of her cup and looked at her again. “My son needs a strong mate, Casey. Braedyn’s only been half the man he should be since meeting you so long ago. He has always loved you, and you have been in his mind and in his heart ever since. Braedyn’s soft hearted underneath all that muscle and a very caring and gentle man.”

  Casey agreed with his mother’s assessment. “Yes, he is.”

  “My concern is what will happen when Harlan catches wind of you. He’ll be out for blood. When he finds out you have the spirit of the Silver Wolf...” Her voice trailed off and she shook her head. “That is my fear.”

  Shivering, Casey wrapped her arms around herself. “I don’t know how to fight, all I know is what my father and brother have taught me for self defense.”

  “Oh, you do. Tala was one of our fiercest warriors, and you took her out.”

  “Braedyn must have wounded her. There’s no way I could’ve managed
otherwise.”

  “No dear.” Aquene shook her head. “He couldn’t do that. I tried telling him he needed to cast her out before she tried this. He didn’t have the heart to turn his back on his blood. He rules with his heart, like any good leader does. But there should also be limits.”

  Casey couldn’t bring herself to believe she’d managed to do what most with super strength hadn’t. The only thing she remembered with clarity was the fear that had driven her to do as much damage as possible before she was killed.

  “You underestimate yourself. You should never do that. There is a strong background in your family for self preservation.” Aquene laughed, rocking back in her chair. “Which combines well with the wolf. They are fierce protectors of their loves, family, and friends.”

  “Thank you.” Casey felt humbled by her words. She wondered how she’d ever been nervous about meeting Braedyn’s mother.

  “No, thank you, child.” Aquene’s smile was the warm motherly kind she faintly remembered from her childhood.

  “Do you need anything?”

  “No, I’m quite fine. I’ll be going to bed here soon. Amber will help me get ready. She and Braedyn are coming in now.”

  The back door creaked open and closed a moment later. Two sets of footsteps could be heard approaching the sitting room.

  Casey watched Amber smile when she walked into the room.

  “Good to see you again so soon, Casey.”

  “You too.”

  Braedyn walked over to his mother, bent and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning, Mom,” he said when she put her arms around his broad shoulders.

  Aquene smiled and patted his cheek. “Now you take that beautiful woman home, and show her all the love you’ve had for her for so long.”

  He laughed, and his cheeks turned red. “Yes Mom, I’ve already begun to show her.”

  Casey felt her cheeks burn when Braedyn turned to her and held out his hand to help her from the chair. He smiled and led her back outside.

  “She’s hoping that we’re life mates and is desperate for a grandchild.” Braedyn grinned, and then shrugged, opening the passenger door of the old truck for her. “How did your talk go?”