by Mel Favreaux
With a gentle hand on her arm, Casey ushered her back to the fireplace. “Sit down and warm up. I’ll go make up some coffee. You aren’t going anywhere.”
Amber sat back down and hunched her shoulders, looking completely abashed.
A few moments later, Casey carried two steaming mugs of coffee into the living room. She sat down beside her.
“I feel like such an ass right now,” Amber grumbled accepting the mug.
“Don’t, you only confirmed the feelings I’m having.” Casey turned to her. “I was already awake before you got here. That dreadful...emotion woke me.”
Amber shook her head, holding the mug between her hands to warm them. “I don’t want to upset Braedyn by being here. The last thing I need is the wrath of the Alpha on my shoulders.”
“You won’t. Braedyn would never turn you away.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “If I keep waking his mate in the middle of the night, he might.”
Casey shook her head, stretching her feet out toward the fire. “No, you had reason. I’ll vouch for you.”
Closing her eyes, Amber took a sip of the coffee. “I appreciate that.”
“You’re very protective over Braedyn and Aquene, aren’t you?”
She nodded. “It’s the very least I can do to show my appreciation for the way he stood up against my clan. Aquene took me in and accepted me for the feral person I was. I couldn’t maintain eye contact and hardly spoke.” She looked down into her coffee. “I never knew any different. It was a very long time before I could allow anyone to even touch me.”
Casey heard the torment in the young woman’s voice. “You’d never know it to see you now. You’re strong, beautiful, even fierce.”
Amber smiled and shrugged. “Aquene and Braedyn worked very hard on me the last five years. I owe them everything. I would die protecting them if it came to that. I took an oath to, now that includes you.”
“You know that goes both ways, right?”
The brunette turned to her, her brown eyes serious when they met hers. “I do now.”
They sat in silence for a while, drinking their coffee and staring into the fire. When Amber yawned, Casey got up and grabbed a blanket and a couple throw pillows from the couch and laid them out in front of the fire.
“Lie down and get some rest,” she said adding another log to the fire.
Noticeably too tired to argue, Amber curled up on the floor with the blanket.
Once satisfied with the fire, Casey pulled the grate in front of the flames and returned to the bedroom and the warmth of Braedyn’s arms.
* * * *
Learning about my new life being human was difficult. Though to my surprise, aquiring the knowledge of speech and walking wasn’t as difficult as I’d feared. My greatest concern was my first attempt to communicate and blend with the other humans.
Once the human pack had settled for the evening, I snuck away. I’d discovered it was easier to hide away for the three days the moon was full than to try and spirit away each evening. My mind was too distracted in trying to get far enough away from the camp before the moon and my wolf made her ascension to notice I’d been followed.
While pulling the layers of furs from my body, I was attacked from behind. The moon was nearly up, and I would shift soon. Before I could turn to see my attacker, I already felt the pang of guilt to come. From the scent I could tell it was the lead hunter and tracker for the human pack that had taken me in.
His hands were rough on my tender human skin when he pressed his body to mine. I could sense his desire but all I felt was anger. Earlier in the day, I had seen him take one of the young women in the pack while everyone else turned their back and allowed it to happen. Her screams and sobs still reverberated through my head. Like payment for being the best hunter and tracker in the pack, he’d taken what wasn’t his.
The heavily whiskered face scratched against my neck while he tried to force himself between my thighs. I felt the growl of rage rise up in my chest. Shoving him aside, I regained my feet. The cold was lost while the heat of my impending change flowed through me. He charged me again, and I shifted in front of him.
Jaw slack, stumbling to his knees before me, I watched his lower lip quiver. I snarled and bared my teeth, having no pity for this man, the very pelt he wore had been my mother’s. While I may have understood their need to protect and provide for their pack, I’d never forgiven this man for the death of my mother.
But I did do him one favor; his death was quick.
Chapter Nineteen
Yawning, Casey opened the bedroom door and was, assaulted by the scent of breakfast cooking. She frowned and glanced back to the bathroom door where she’d just left Braedyn in the shower and it dawned on her, Amber was in the kitchen. She walked in just in time to see her flip a batch of pancakes.
“Good God, pancakes, omelets, sausage....yum.” She smiled and fixed herself a fresh cup of coffee and leaned against the counter.
Amber shrugged. “Least I can do.”
Casey shook her head. “No, you don’t have to do anything like this. You are a guest. I should be cooking.”
“No, no, I love to cook, honest. I haven't had pancakes in a while, and a big guy like Braedyn just has to like them, wouldn't you think?” She poured some more batter into the pan and covered the ones she had just removed. “I’ve eaten lunch and dinner with him before, but never breakfast. I’m not sure what he likes.”
“I would assume so, but I am sure he'd eat them because of the thought behind it.”
“You may be right.” Amber turned the sausages and flipped the first omelet over. “Anything you don’t like here?”
“Oh no, I like it all. Reminds me of Sunday morning breakfast at home when I was younger. Dad always made a huge breakfast, so big there was no room for lunch and hardly a snack before supper.” Casey’s stomach growled.
Amber grinned at her. “Braedyn still sleeping?”
Shaking her head, she took a sip of her coffee. “I left him in the shower and came out to see what you were cooking.”
“I didn’t wake you...”
“No, not at all. Braedyn is normally an early riser. And working in Hollywood and L.A. the passed few years, I don’t require a whole lot of sleep anymore.” Draining her coffee, Casey poured herself another cup. “Need a hand?”
“I’ve got it under control. It should be ready in just a few.” Amber flipped the pancakes and turned the sausage then slid the omelet out onto an empty plate. Whipping more eggs, she added mushrooms, green onions, red and green peppers, and a sprinkle of shredded cheese before closing the pan.
“Mm-mm...those look good.”
Grinning, Amber went back to the pancakes, took them from the pan and placed the finished sausage beside them. “The omelet is the last thing to finish.”
“Mm, smells good in here,” Braedyn said walking into the kitchen. He was wearing flannel pajama bottoms and the matching shirt, unbuttoned. His dark, wavy hair still wet, hung around his shoulders.
“Sure does, it’s almost ready,” Casey said handing Braedyn a mug from the cabinet.
“You two can go ahead and fix your plates,” Amber said flipping the omelet pan over. “This one will be done in a minute.”
Braedyn smiled and took one of the plates with an omelet on it, added a few pieces of sausage and five pancakes. He took his plate to the table and then rambled through the pantry and came back with some natural maple syrup. By the time he sat down, Casey and Amber were headed to the table with their plates.
Casey could see the nervous look Amber cast Braedyn when he took the first bite of the pancakes.
He closed his eyes, savoring the taste. His eyes opened and he grinned. “I may have you come fix breakfast more often. It’s very good,” he mumbled wiping his mouth and glancing over at Amber.
It’s delicious. Casey sighed, chewing her first bite of the omelet. “Amber, you’re a terrific cook.”
The brunette blushed, poured syrup ov
er her pancakes, and then dug in.
Breakfast wasn’t full of conversation, just rapidly scraping forks. Casey felt like she’d barely come up for air between bites. It was absolutely wonderful.
When they finished, Amber rose to clear the dishes. “Here, let me help,” Casey said rising with her.
“No, Amber and I can get it,” Braedyn said with a smile. He stooped to kiss her and took her plate.
She smiled and glanced over at Amber who suddenly looked a little nervous at being left alone with the alpha. “I’ll go and freshen up then.”
“That’s fine, Amber and I can handle the clean up.”
Casey watched the brunette disappear but heard the scraping of dishes. “Just be nice, she’s worried about angering you for coming last night.”
“No worries. I just need to speak with her alone for a few minutes. Go take your shower, it’ll be all right.” He stroked her hair behind her ear and kissed her once more.
* * * *
Braedyn noticed Amber’s silence while they cleaned. Though he wasn’t one for idle chit chat, he wasn’t fond of total silence either.
Drying her hands, she looked up at him. “You’re not...angry with me, are you?”
“No. I’m concerned. If this feeling woke Casey too, I know there has to be something to it. I’ve never doubted you before, Amber. Why would you think I would be upset with you?”
“Two nights in a row I've popped out here and woke your mate. Most males would be royally pissed about it.”
Braedyn laughed. “No, she was already awake last night when you came. I've never turned anyone away from my door, ever. I am not about to start now.”
She looked away from his eyes. “I’m not exactly sure what it was I felt. But it scared me enough I came here the shortest way, through the valley. I didn’t even think about how deep the drifts were. When I got here I was frozen. Casey built a fire and forced some coffee into me.” She ran her hands through her hair. “I just...had to come here.”
“I understand. Had the feeling changed any once you got here?”
“Yes. It seemed to abate as soon as I saw Casey standing in the doorway. I could sense her worry too, but I checked the property and smelled nothing unusual. There was just an overwhelming sense of urgency to get here quickly.” She looked back up at him. “Once I got here, I felt like a total ass.”
“Never feel bad for following your gut. Quite a few times it’s saved my life and those in this community.”
Braedyn watched her fiddle with a button on her shirt to avoid looking up at him, he sighed and leaned back against the counter, giving her some room. It was difficult for him to discuss his feelings, like most men. It was doubly hard trying to talk to Amber about it when she was so emotionally cripled.
“I trust you more than my own brother. I don’t give my full faith easily, you know that.”
“I need to go check on your mom.” Changing the subject was her coping mechanism.
“Casey may be disappointed if you leave before she’s finished with her shower. She’s grown quite fond of you.”
Amber grinned. “I like her. I think you’ve finally found someone else to keep you on your toes.”
Braedyn laughed. “Yes, I think so.” He frowned slightly, looking down at her. “You both need a friend. I know you don't have many, and you two have seemed to hit it off quite well. I can't even begin to tell you how much that pleases me.”
She shrugged. “I can be likeable when I feel like it.”
“You both have severe self-deprecating issues.” He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, chewing over his next thought. “I’d like to send you on some reconnaissance...but with Casey being so new to everything, I’d feel much safer if you stuck closer to home.”
Amber nodded. “I understand. Seeing as everyone knows who I am within the pack, no one talks to me much for fear of it getting back to you. I suppose it doesn't help that I’m mostly antisocial either,” she said with a shrug.
“Everything eventually gets back to me. I just hope whatever is coming gives us enough of a chance to properly protect those who need it most.”
* * * *
Setting out to check his sources, Braedyn felt safe leaving Casey in Amber’s more than capable hands. He knew if anyone knew the juicy gossip worth either spreading or sitting on, it would be Rhea.
Pulling his old truck up in front of her store, he surveyed the scene in front of him. One of the Avery boys was dutifully shoveling the sidewalk, another was spreading salt behind him. Elan was definitely getting the boys to work and work hard for the community. He nodded his approval, passed, and walked into Rhea's shop.
Rhea looked up at him when the bell toned his arrival.
He could instantly tell something was on her mind, and he strode to the counter.
“Good mornin', Braedyn,” she said without the large southern smile she usually sported when attempting to pour on the charm in his presence.
But that could also have been due to the fact he had brought someone home to be his mate instead of choosing from within the community. Rhea had been a near constant suitor since he was a child...he just couldn't stand the gossip. Braedyn knew Rhea would be the type once she got a taste of the Alpha power, it would go straight to her head.
“There is something going on. I thought, perhaps, you may be able to shed a little light on it, before I do some major digging and possibly have to roust a few people from the Run.” His tone was firm, leaving no room for arguement.
Rhea swallowed. Her nervousness was apparent when she kept tucking her reddish brown hair behind her ears. “I’ve only heard a few bits here and there, nothing anyone would really elaborate on, you know. I've heard mention that your uncle is going to try another upheaval, but I don't know when.”
“Well, we all knew that was coming. Is there anything else?”
She licked her lips looking around the deserted store, making sure no one was within ear shot. “I've heard rumor of the Silver Wolf’s return. That's why Harlan is trying to stage this. He believes Her to be here, in the Run. None of the wolves here have the markings or coloring the Mother is supposed to bare. I can't see how he could come to that conclusion. If the She were here, we'd all know it.”
Braedyn nodded. “Yes, everyone would be aware of it.”
“Then why is it the most rampant rumor running around?”
“That, I can't tell you, Rhea. How do most rumors start anyway? Someone talking out of their ass to get attention.” He raised a brow at her, watching her squirm at his words. “I'm not angry with you, but I would like you to keep me posted on anything new you might hear.”
Rhea opened her mouth, then closed it again.
“What? What is it?” He struggled to keep his temper in check. He’d learned a long time ago the best way to get information out of Rhea was to remain calm.
“I’ve heard that it’s reached Harlan about Casey and who she is,” she mumbled and looked down from his eyes. “And...of what she’s done to Tala.”
His jaw tensed. Talk. Talk. Talk. Nothing angered him more. He forced himself to keep his hands at his side. There was no point in throttling a woman who was only relaying some of the gossip she'd heard.
“Is that all?”
Rhea nodded. “Pretty much.”
“Anyone else I may need to go and talk to?” He knew Rhea didn't like to reveal her gossip sources, but now was not the time to hide a confidant.
“Sara Parrish.” She swallowed, looking in his eyes.
“Thank you Rhea. If you have anything further, call my cell.”
She lowered her gaze from his. “Yes.”
He bit back his anger and stalked out of her store, having enough presence of mind not to slam the door behind him. He got behind the wheel of his truck and drummed his fingers on the wheel before he drove south. Donovan Parrish and his wife, Sara, were refugees he’d taken in after the first coupe Harlan staged when he tried to unseat him after his father’s death. They had been
warriors for Harlan’s army. Braedyn let them stay when they asked for sanctuary after the first battle injured Sara horribly.
Running a hand through his hair, he realized this wouldn’t be the first time mercy had come back to bite him in the ass. He knew they both still had their contacts in Harlan’s pack. They knew far more than they let on. He hoped after a little pressing he could get them both to talk before it was too late.
Donovan Parrish was out front splitting wood when Braedyn pulled into the driveway. A full cord of logs were already split and neatly piled next to his chopping block. He stopped and leaned on his ax when Braedyn slid out of his truck. He glanced to the porch and saw Sara stand from her rocker, a blanket his mother had made wrapped around her shoulders.
“To what do we owe this pleasure?” Donovan asked with a broad grin and shook his hand.
Braedyn sighed when he released the man’s hand. “I'm afraid this isn't a social call.”
Donovan's eyes narrowed. “What's going on?”
“The rumor mill has started up again.” He turned his eyes toward Sara. “So far the source points back to your Sara.”
Donovan closed his eyes a moment. He and his wife weren't the oldest couple in the Were community, but they were close. Both were over three hundred years old. “What about this time, might I inquire?”
“The Silver Wolf's return and of my uncle's next plan for upheaval.”
He looked totally flabbergasted. “I know nothing of this, Braedyn, I swear to you.” Raising his hands in a sign of surrender, Donovan took a step back. “I’ve not spoken with anyone from Harlan's pack in nearly ten years. I had thought Sara stopped as well.”
“Would you mind if I spoke to Sara?” The statement was made for kindness. He was going to talk to her regardless of Donovan’s response, and they both knew it.
“Is my presence required?” he asked looking away.
Braedyn understood what the man was feeling. Sara was his mate. It was his job to protect her at all costs, even if it meant standing up to the Alpha. But Donovan knew he would never harm a woman. Donovan and Sara had been together for the better part of two centuries and had born four children. He knew Donovan loved Sara more than life itself and in return dealt with the trouble her mouth had gotten them into with a roll of his eyes.
