by Mel Favreaux
After another hour where neither Dean nor Amber had returned, Casey relented and allowed Braedyn to drive her and her father home. They figured Amber would bring Dean, or he would be left walking.
Casey watched her father stop in the hall. “I told you my gut feelings were usually dead on.”
She smiled. “We’ll see, Dad. He may just be serving a purpose.”
Her father grinned and shrugged. “I’m sure it’s definitely something he doesn’t mind performing.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Casey groaned listening to Zander and Aquene argue over the dress.
“Aquene, with all due respect…I have been designing gowns since before you were born,” Zander said with feigned patience. They had been arguing over the design of the wedding gown for over an hour.
Rolling her eyes, Casey looked at her father while he fingered the material of the tux he was looking at.
He grinned at her. “Oh come on, baby-doll. Look a little excited here. This is all for your wedding.”
“I know…” She nodded trying to force a smile onto her face. This was not the part she wanted to deal with. Fretting with the colors, flowers, and designs, was more a pain than Casey had hoped. “Why can’t we just run off and elope?” Her voice was not but a whisper. When the comment had been made earlier, Aquene and Zander had glowered at her. She’d wanted to disappear into one of the racks of clothes.
Her father grinned and walked over to place an arm around her shoulders. “If you ran off, you’d upset an entire community and rob a mother of her chance to take over wedding preparations. Plus…I kinda like the thought of being able to walk with you one last time, knowing you’re my little girl.”
Casey felt the sting of tears and looked up at him. “I’m always going to be your little girl, Daddy.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I know, baby.”
“I still think we need…more to this dress,” Aquene stated, grabbing a handful of the fabric and shaking it at Zander.
Zander heaved an exasperated sigh and looked up at the ceiling. “Once more, Aquene, I implore you to understand me. I am a designer. We are looking to dress a modern bride. The hugely plumed gowns of fifty years ago are not in style. I already have the plans drawn up and have almost finished. I am standing firm on it.”
Aquene clenched and unclenched her fists a few times while she glared at Zander. “Then we’ll just ask the bride her preference.”
Casey groaned when they turned to look at her, both clenching pieces of fabric and designs. “Oh God…” If she sided with Aquene, she’d have a huge dress and be unable to move and piss off the designer. If she sided with the designer and his more modern creation, there was the chance of angering her future mother-in-law.
“Casey?” Zander implored raising his brows.
“Can’t Braedyn help with this?”
“He can’t know anything about how the gown looks,” Aquene gasped and set the fabric down looking at her like she’d lost her mind.
Casey pinched the bridge of her nose and took a deep breath. “Either way I go I’ll upset one of you.”
“No. This is your wedding, Casey. We’re just…” Aquene let out a breath, and she looked up at Zander then smiled. “Fine, you win, Snare. I’ll give you control of the gown. I’ll stick to decorations and flowers.”
Zander gave her a triumphant smile. “You’ll not be disappointed, I assure you. We’ve settled on the colors?” He turned to look at Casey.
“Uh, silver and white with splashes of colors so it doesn’t look so…?” Casey said, her hands floundering when she looked at Aquene.
Aquene gave a gentle laugh and turned to Zander. “Maybe we should let her go look at some shoes over at Rhea’s while we finish our discussion?”
Zander grinned and nodded. “I think that’s a splendid idea.”
Casey’s face felt hot when she turned toward the door. Her father laughed and opened the door. The blast of cold air stung her eyes, and she shivered, stepping out onto the sidewalk.
“Shall I give you a minute before you burst?”
She closed her eyes and stood there, feeling the cold seep into her. “Is it that obvious?”
“You look like you’re about to explode.”
She laughed. “The one time I need a woman on my side who feels the same way I do about things…and she’s holed herself up…with my brother of all people.” Casey shivered. They began to walk toward Rhea’s shop.
He draped an arm over her shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze. “It will be all right, hon, you’ll see. Everything will be ready by day after tomorrow.”
“I still don’t understand why we have to go through all of this mess when we could just bypass it by eloping,” she grumbled. Her father opened the door to Rhea’s shop, laughing.
He grinned and shook his head while she grumbled. “I had a hard time getting you to wear a dress to prom and homecoming. I’m just glad you’re not balking at wearing one to your wedding.”
“They won’t let me choose my own shoes either, I bet,” Casey mumbled, shoving her hands into her pockets.
“It will all be worth it, hon.”
She nodded, smiling up at him. “I know. Once in a lifetime kind of thing, I get it. I’ve photographed more than a few weddings. I know the meaning behind it all. I’ve just never been one to be the center of attention, Daddy.”
“There’s the soon-to-be-bride,” Rhea said with a wide grin, walking over and taking Casey’s hands in her own. “Excited yet?”
Her father chuckled and Casey watched the expression on his face when he got a good look at Rhea. “I…I had to get her out of Zander’s shop before her head burst,” he said clearing his throat.
Rhea raised her brows and grinned. “Oh come on! Zander does terrific work.”
“It was more of the arguments between Aquene and Zander that did it. And I make one comment about eloping, and you would have thought I’d opened the gates of hell.”
“Well, its not very often the Alpha male of a Pack gets married, Sugar. To let you know, Zander’s already chosen your shoes.”
Casey sighed. “I’d figured as much. I’m sorry, Rhea, this is my father, Peyton Maynard. Dad, this is Rhea.”
He smiled and shook her extended hand. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”
She laughed again and patted his arm. “Braedyn just hasn’t gotten a chance to warn you about me yet, is all.” She winked and grinned. With a gentle tug on Casey’s hand, Rhea led her over to a section of high heels.
Casey noticed Rhea casting furtive glances at her father, and then away whenever he looked over at them. She so didn’t want to go there. Her brother had already absconded with the Maid of Honor.
After trying on a variety of shoes, she wandered and found her father pulling on a pair of camouflage boots.
Looking up at her, he raised his brows and tied the laces. “What do you think?”
“You already have a dozen or so just like that, Dad.”
“I know.” He shrugged and took a few steps in them. “I think I’ll get them anyway. I need another pair that’s weatherproof.”
“Rhea’s gone to look in the back to see if she has anything more in my size…she kept staring at you, you know.” Casey gave him a grin.
Peyton rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I noticed.”
“She may be the gossip artist of the community, but I kinda like her. She says what’s on her mind.”
“Hmm,” Peyton grunted and sat down and took off the boots. “Yeah, setting your old man up is not up for discussion, you hear?”
Casey grinned and raised her hands, stepping back. “Yes sir, but since Dean has stolen Amber, I’m not looking forward to losing my father when I need him most.”
He laughed. “No chance in that Baby-doll. I’ll be right here. I promise.” Slipping his own boots back on, he boxed up the new ones and stood back up. “It’s just one more day, hon. Amber will be back to normal…and…my baby will be getting married.”
Feeling the tears sting her eyes again, she looked up at her father, seeing both the happiness and sadness there. “Oh Daddy…” Throwing her arms around his broad neck, she hugged him.
“I know Braedyn loves you honey. If I didn’t know this without a doubt, I wouldn’t walk you down the aisle and give you to him. He will take care of you and love you for the rest of eternity.” He sniffed and kissed the top of her head.
She hugged him tighter. “I love you, Daddy.”
“Love you, too Baby-girl.”
* * * *
Braedyn smiled watching Casey pace back and forth in the living room. Peyton sat on the couch and shook his head while she ranted again about why they couldn’t just run off and elope. He knew she didn’t really want to, but she also wasn’t used to this kind of stress.
Her father shook his head. “Honey, this is your last night with Braedyn before you have to spend the night apart, per Aquene’s rules.” He grinned and stood up.
“Wait…where are you going?” Casey turned to her father, frowning.
“I figured Braedyn might let me borrow his truck, and I’ll ride around for a couple hours to give you two some time alone.”
“You don’t have to leave Daddy—”
Peyton laughed. “I am a grown man, Baby-doll. If I want to go out for a little while, I can.”
Braedyn tossed him the keys to his truck.
“I think I’m gonna head into town and have a few beers.” He smiled and shrugged into his coat and headed out the door.
She pouted when the door closed behind him.
“What’s the matter?” Braedyn asked walking across the floor to pull her into his arms.
“I am just ready for this to be over. The stress of all of this. I told your mom to just surprise me.”
He laughed, a small rumble that vibrated through her. “I’m sorry you feel pressured.”
“It’s not just a normal wedding. I’m marrying the Alpha, so it’s an even bigger deal.”
Braedyn cleared his throat and dropped his mouth to her ear. “Well I’m marrying a Goddess, how do you think I feel?”
Casey blinked rapidly and pulled back from him. “I—I didn’t think of it that way.”
“We both have something that has us a little on edge with all of this.” He reached over and pulled her to him again. “Relax, its just one day to make the pack happy. We already know how we feel about one another. We’ve already bonded and our shared symbols show us for life-mates. And…you’ll be making an honest man of me.”
She smiled and stroked his cheek. “I’m sorry, my nerves are on edge.”
“It’s all right. We all have our moments.” Tucking a few strands of platinum hair behind her ear, he sighed. “You’ll feel better when Amber recovers from her heat cycle and everything goes back to normal.”
Casey snuggled against him. “That can’t really be it, can it?”
“You’ve gotten used to having Amber around. Things are different, and you were just getting the hang of everything, and then she’s not here. Amber was your one constant when I wasn’t around.” He kissed her temple. “And you’re also not used to sharing your brother with one of your friends, either.”
A frown touched the edges of her mouth again. “I’m not a jealous person, Braedyn.”
He grinned. “I didn’t say you were. You just aren’t used to things yet. For the next couple of hours I’m going to make sure you’re not thinking of anything but what we’ll be doing lots of in the years to come.”
The grin that played across his soon-to-be-bride’s lips made his body grow hard.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Casey frowned when she roused from sleep around five a.m.. After a moment, she smiled. Amber was prowling around out front waiting for her. Easing from the bed, she slipped on her robe and moccasins, a gift from Aquene, and went to the front door.
Amber, in tiger form, was just mounting the stairs. When Casey stepped out onto the porch, the Tigress became the woman. Once more entranced, watching the transformation, she wondered if her change would ever be so beautiful.
“I needed to talk to you...” Amber looked up at Casey and stuffed her hands into her pockets.
Casey could see the confusion in her friend’s eyes and figured it would be wise to stay quiet and let Amber get off her chest what she needed to say.
“You're not angry with me, are you?” The brunette scuffed her boot and dropped her gaze.
“No, not at all; although I really could have used your help these last two days planning the wedding, you know.”
Amber gave an abashed grin. “I'm kind of glad I missed it,” she admitted. “I'm not good at those sorts of things.”
“You know you're wearing a dress, right?”
Amber's eyes narrowed. She fixed Casey with a purely tiger glare. A small growl rose in her throat.
“Oh no, you can't threaten me, hon. You are wearing a dress whether you like it or not. You do know who I am, right?” Casey grinned when Amber lowered her gaze then smiled up at her. “I will, however, let you pick out the one you want and give you color choice.”
“Well, that's nice of you.” Amber leaned against the railing and glanced out over the yard. “The last few days have been…insane.”
Casey looked at Amber. “Please tell me that you’re not about to go into details about having sex with my brother.”
Amber laughed again and shook her head. “No, I'm not that cruel. But it has been…the most enjoyable time I've ever had, I must admit.”
She groaned at the implication. “Gee thanks.”
“Sorry.” The brunette sighed and looked back out into the yard, worry creasing her brow again.
“What's wrong?” Stepping closer, Casey laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You can tell me. I promise to hold anything you say in confidence, even when it comes to my brother.”
“I'm not sure how I feel, Casey. Dean has made me feel like no one else.” Amber looked down at her hands. “I don't know how I'll be able to face him in the morning. Without the cover of my heat, I don't know to act, and I don't want to hurt him. He's been so kind and sweet. I...I'm not used to that. Weres are usually brash...well, that might just be me.” She shrugged her shoulders with a slight grin. “I just don't want to hurt his feelings.”
“I think Dean will understand.” Casey patted her friend’s back. “He's strong, and most of all, he's patient. If you're feeling this way, I can only imagine how he is.”
Casey saw the tears glimmer in her friend’s eyes and knew Amber struggled not to show emotions in front of others. The brunette closed her eyes and put a hand to her brow. “I'm not ready right now to be what he wants me to be. I don't think I'll ever be.”
“No, you can be. Not right now, maybe. But you will be able to one day. You just need to know he’s willing to wait for you. I have the feeling Dean has finally reached that point in his life. He has Daddy's patience, bless him because I sure as hell didn't inherit it.” Casey laughed when she saw Amber's smile. She blotted the gathered moisture from her eyes. “Just be patient with him and yourself. Try not to over think things, and just see where things go. No one is expecting you to move straight into a relationship. I mean, it’s not like you have the mating symbol, right?”
Amber lifted her left hand and turned it over, there was no sign of a mark. She shook her head. “For one stupid moment there, I’d wished there was,” she admitted. “I just…I don’t know about anything right now.”
“And no one expects you to make a decision right now, Amber.” Casey put an arm around her shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze. “Just try not to be a total bitch to him in the morning. Dean is kind of tender hearted even though he doesn’t look like it.”
“I can't promise you,” Amber mumbled and dropped her gaze to her feet.
“Just promise me one thing?”
Amber looked up and raised her brows.
“Just listen to your heart—”
Amber roll
ed her eyes and pulled away from Casey. “Uh-huh, I can hear the club remixes bounding through my head now, thanks.” She turned and gave Casey a wry grin. “I just needed to get some of it off my chest.”
“I'm your friend. That's what I'm here for.”
“Thanks.” Amber smiled and changed back into the Tigress and took off back toward her little bungalow.
Casey shook her head, watching Amber lope with grace through the snow. She turned and went into the cabin and returned to Braedyn's arms.
* * * *
Braedyn sat behind the wheel of his SUV and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. Peyton was keeping Casey busy, going through the last minute preparations and getting the last few things in place so things tomorrow would go off without a hitch. He looked up at his brother’s house and let out a deep breath. This was a conversation he didn’t want to have.
He flexed his hands, rolled his shoulders, and then stepped out of the old truck. Waylon Greene opened the front door, one of the men he’d stationed to watch over Elan since the attack.
Braedyn shook his outstretched hand. “How is he today?”
“Threatening to tear our throats out if we get close enough,” Waylon said with a shrug. “You know how he is.”
“Don’t turn your back on him. He’s not the man we thought we knew.” Braedyn ran a hand through his hair and stepped in the door. Donovan Parrish and another young Were named Tim Brooks were standing post outside Elan’s bedroom.
Nodding to both men, he motioned for them to step aside.
“It’s about time to give him another dose of that stuff Amber brought over,” Donovan said producing a syringe.
Braedyn nodded, taking it from him. “Is he still chained down?”
“Yeah, we just made sure he was secure before you called. We were hoping to have him doped back up before you got here,” Tim said with a shrug.
“No, I’m glad you didn’t. I need him lucid for this.” Braedyn put his hand on the door knob. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to go in alone.”
