by Mel Favreaux
With another snarl, the animal bolted for her. Holding her breath, she gave up a silent prayer and slid to the side at the last moment. Turning, Casey sank the blade deep into the female’s throat. Growling with pure rage, she powered through the thrust with every bit of her remaining strength. The perfectly honed weapon sliced through bone.
There were no howls or growls from the she-wolf, only a burbling sound from her gaping throat that marked the death rattles. Casey collapsed onto her back. The pain took her breath away, halting her pent up sob over what she’d done.
The last thing Casey’d ever hoped to do was kill one of the creatures she’d loved most: her favorite female wolf. She stiffened at a low sound nearby. Shifting her gaze, there was the male. Her knife lay with the dead female a few feet away. She was completely helpless now.
Her body shuddered, whether from the pain, cold, or shock, she had no idea, but her lids were getting heavy. This was going to be it. What had started out to be a wonderful day had turned into her worst nightmare.
If the male wolf didn’t kill her, the cold would. Hard logic settled in. Casey watched the wolf slowly approach. She was dead. Her family wouldn’t know to look for her until she missed her scheduled call.
By then, there wouldn’t be much of anything left of her body in the forest? Would the wolves scavenge as much of her as they could and scatter her bones?
These thoughts flickered through her numbed mind.
The wolf neared, and she licked snow from her lips, tasting blood.
Hers or the she-wolfs?
He lowered his face to hers. Casey’s heart raced when she saw where the scratch had been on his cheek. There was no sign but a bloody smear, the slight wound was healed.
The cold leached away her pain.
He was a handsome specimen of the wolf. His deep grey coloring had been what had drawn her in. His legs looked to be as thick as her forearms, if not larger, and his paws larger than her hands. But most unique of all were his eyes. Black lines drew attention there. They were so pale. She could feel him look straight into her soul, and it stole her breath once more.
Growing numb all over, she stroked the wolf’s muzzle with a smile. “You always were my favorite,” Casey whispered just before the darkness enveloped her.
Chapter Three
Visions haunted Casey’s dreams. Many of the graphic episodes were so rapid, she only caught glimpses. There was fire, ferocious growls, and snarls while animals and people fought one another. The warriors wielded swords and shot off fiery arrows.
A powerful feeling of complete and utter loneliness was overwhelming. Her chest felt heavy with the inescapable emotion.
Gasping, Casey opened her eyes. She was weak and spent. The ache in her shoulder was fierce, but tolerable for the moment. With a wince, she took a deep breath and opened her eyes. It was then she noticed the long haired man lying next to her. His eyes were closed and his breathing even. He seemed so peaceful, Casey couldn’t make herself feel afraid.
His black hair was drawn back from his face, and she couldn’t help notice how ruggedly handsome he was with his thickening five o’clock shadow and deep, reddish tanned skin. He had high cheekbones and full lips she could only imagine curling into a smile. His presence seemed to fill the tent, yet it wasn’t overwhelming.
The area was blessedly warm. It appeared he’d kicked the covers off. Considering he was in all-weather pants and a wool turtle neck with a thick flannel over it, Casey didn’t particularly blame him. Lying on his side facing her, she wondered what shade of brown his eyes would be since his features pinpointed him as Native American.
His eyes opened. She jerked back, jarring her shoulder. Groaning, pain traveled up her neck, across her chest, and down her back.
“You’re awake.” He sounded very calm. His voice showed no signs of sleep and made her wonder if he’d only been catnapping.
She grunted and tried to move a comfortable distance from him. The torment brought fresh tears and stole her breath.
“I wouldn’t try to do that for a while.” He sat up, and she realized just how large he was. “It’s about time for more Tylenol. I couldn’t find anything stronger in your bags.”
She looked in his eyes again, they were pale, an almost colorless grey. A powerful feeling of recognition struck her, but Casey had no idea where she could have met him. Surely she would remember a man this handsome?
“I don’t have anything stronger,” she croaked.
He uncapped a bottle of water, slid closer to her, and gently lifted her head so she could take a few swallows.
“Better?”
His gaze was so intense Casey nearly lost track of her thoughts. “A little.” Though her parched throat was for the moment whetted, her tongue still felt like sandpaper. At their close proximity, his scent filled her. Man, leather, and snow, it was a heady combination. It was then she realized he was holding her like a lover. Her heart raced at his tenderness when he laid her back on the pillow.
“I think your fever’s broke finally.”
With her right hand, she rubbed her eyes. Her skin felt raw and clammy. She was utterly weak. “How long have I been out?”
His gaze moved to his watch. The firelight glinted off the black and silver face of the device. His gaze traveled back to her face. “About thirty hours.”
“My God…I have to call my family, let them know I’m okay…” More tears burned down her cheeks as she struggled to sit up. The torment from her shoulder flared across her chest and down her back, taking her breath away again.
“We’ve got over two feet of snow. It wasn’t safe to move you, and I couldn’t leave you in your condition.” He placed a gentle but firm hand on her right shoulder, easing her back. “I’m sure someone will send a search party. For now, I need to keep you hydrated and your temperature down. I’ll have to change your dressing soon.” He gave her a repentant look. “It’s going to hurt.”
“I know.” She tried to nod, but the pain traveled up her neck, halting further movement and all thought process.
“Are you hungry?”
Despite the pain, her stomach rumbled. Casey realized she was famished. “Yes.”
“Can you handle some rabbit?”
“I can try.”
“Okay, let’s get you sitting.” He pulled her large pack over to prop her up.
She hissed and grabbed his arm as he lifted her. Tears stung her eyes. She couldn’t help but wonder if all this pain would be worth eating.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered near her ear.
In any other circumstance, being in the arms of such a handsome man, whispered words in her ear, would cause other, more pleasant, reactions. But now, her entire body shook, and her head swam. He was a stranger, but the only thing she could cling to in hope of survival. She clutched onto him with her right hand, afraid he’d let go.
“It’s all right, Casey. Take a deep breath and breathe through the pain.” His crooned words soothed her.
Resting her head against his shoulder, she closed her eyes, heeding his advice. The shaking slowly subsided. After a moment, feeling more in control, her thoughts returned in coherent clips. “What’s happening to me? I don’t remember much, but I know the bite was awful.”
“Shock, weather, and the wolf may have…given you an infection.”
Casey lifted her head and found the dizziness faded. Once more the potent force of recognition rocked her when she met his pale grey gaze. “An infection? What do you mean?” she croaked.
His jaw tensed a little, and his eyes narrowed.
“Rabies?”
“I saw no signs of rabies on the body.” He gave a brisk shake of his head. A beaded braid tapped against his left temple.
Casey took a steadying breath and released her grip on his arm. She watched him make sure of her comfort and how stable her prop was before leaving the tent. He disappeared from view a moment, and then drifted back with two roasted rabbits and placed the skewer over the flames.
>
The scent was wonderful and her mouth watered. As their meal warmed, he pulled some vegetables from a sack of his own. Then diced a few large potatoes and an onion, and cooked them in her cast iron skillet over the flames. She noticed he’d positioned himself so he could peer into the tent at her while he worked.
Watching him prepare their food, Casey noticed he seemed at ease, like he rescued wounded women in the forest often.
A frigid breeze blew in the opening of the tent. She shivered and pulled the blanket tighter. Feeling the scratchy wool against her nipples, Casey’s eyes closed in embarrassment. She was naked.
Just great. At least five miles from the nearest anything, and she was naked. In a blizzard. With a strange man. A fantastic looking one, but a stranger nonetheless.
Trying to regain some sort of composure, she decided the first thing to ask was how he knew her. “My name.” Clearing her throat, she hoped her voice was loud enough for him to hear. “How did you know my name?”
“I had to go through your things for the first aid kit and found your wallet. Casey Maynard.”
She frowned but understood his position. After having found her, he needed to learn as much about her as possible in order to help.
“And yours?” She watched him continue to work.
He rotated the rabbits over the blaze. “Braedyn Walker.” His pale gaze flickered over her again.
Her heartbeat sped up a little; the twitch in her mind that she knew him was there again. “Walker.” She frowned again, the name was very familiar.
He smiled, and his gaze wandered back to the fire.
“Did you grow up around here?”
“Yes.” The corner of his mouth lifted.
“Did we go to school together?”
He laughed softly. “No, I was homeschooled.”
“Why do I know your name? I know Walker is a popular last name, but…”
“Walker Pharmaceuticals.”
“Your family?” She’d heard the huge company had been founded by a Scotsman, the man before her was definitely Native American...with grey eyes.
He nodded and stirred the onions and potatoes and rotated the rabbits again. “We have a home about sixty miles from here, way up in the Cabinets. Very remote. I've spent most of my life in this forest. We traveled some, until my father passed away twenty years ago, and my mother lost her zest for travel.” He shrugged and dumped the contents of the skillet onto a plate, piled on both rabbits, and ducked through the opening of the tent.
“Braedyn.” She tested the name on her lips. It was unique, one she hadn't heard often. A Native with a Celtic name. Interesting.
Lifting a brow, he looked her over again. He seemed amused. “What?”
“It’s a nice name.” She gave him a lopsided smile in return.
He cut a large piece from one of the rabbits and offered it to her.
Casey accepted the bite and closed her eyes in bliss while she chewed. It tasted far better than she could have imagined. Her stomach knotted with hunger. She shuddered. There was no way she could pretend to be a dainty eater when it was all she could do not to devour the entire plate.
“Good?” He grinned.
She was sure his smile had been the undoing of many young women, it was difficult to not be affected by it.
“Yes, delicious.” Casey moved her right arm to pick up her fork, and the blanket began to slide. She gasped and scrambled to keep her nudity shielded. Her cheeks burned while her left arm lay limp at her side. With a sinking feeling in her hungry belly, she realized there was no way to stay covered and feed herself.
Braedyn laughed softly. “Don’t worry, I’ll feed you.”
Wanting to be angry because he’d laughed at her predicament, Casey found she couldn’t. It wasn’t his fault she was in this situation. At least he’d been kind enough to take care of her. Even though he’d apparently seen far more of her than she’d normally be willing to share with a stranger.
He loaded the fork and lifted it before her. Momentarily, she forgot everything but easing her cramping stomach. “I can’t begin to thank you enough for this,” she said after swallowing the mouthful.
A dark look crossed his face and he shook his head. “I should’ve watched out for you better.”
Her brow furrowed while she tried to comprehend his last statement. “What?”
His eyes met hers. “I-I saw you and...I thought you were with someone, and had taken some time to yourself. I-I didn’t realize you were alone...until the attack last night,” he stammered. The muscle in his jaw twitched again.
Casey found his stammering and the fact he was obviously uncomfortable, endearing. She was simultaneously relieved that he’d come back for her and frightened at what the outcome would have been had he not. She asked the unavoidable question. “You saw it happen?”
“No, I heard the howls and the growls. Then your screams. By the time I got here I found you and a dead shewolf.”
His gaze dropped from hers, and Braedyn appeared to concentrate on the rabbit he’d torn apart to cool. Something struck her as important in his statement, but she was too tired and weak to think much on it.
They spent the next few minutes in silence. The brief reprieve left her mind wandering while they enjoyed their meal. Casey tried not to think about her dire situation, though this stranger with his calm demeanor did much to quell her fears.
When the meal was through, Braedyn offered her three Tylenol and held a bottle of water.
“I'll give you a few more minutes before I look at the wound and change the dressing,” he murmured. “How is your stomach feeling? Everything settling okay?”
The concern in his voice warmed her. It was nice to not have to go through this alone. “Fine, just exhausted.” She gave him a weak grin. “Aside from the pain of course. I keep trying to think of things to keep my mind from it, but I’m too tired to get very inventive at the moment, so it’s not helping.”
He nodded and pulled the first aid kit from her pack. Laying out the supplies and pulling on a pair of latex gloves, he turned back to her. “Ready?”
“No, but it’s not like I have a choice.” She laughed, noticing the unsteady sound of it while he eased the pack from behind her.
“Could you hold yourself up for a moment so I can get a better look at the wound?”
Casey swallowed, feeling her throat constrict with anxiety. “I can try.”
His gaze held hers while easing her tensed fingers from the blanket she hadn’t realized she’d held a death grip on. The only thing left at the moment was her modesty, and that was about to be gone.
“I assure you,” he urged. “Your health is my only concern at the moment.”
The sincere look in his eyes and gentle tone soothed the panic Casey felt at having to willingly expose herself to him.
She dropped the blanket.
* * * *
When the blanket slid down and pooled around her waist, Braedyn struggled not to look at her bared breasts. Just like he had every other time he’d changed her dressing.
Damn, even his peripheral showed just how perfectly perky...No.
Now was not the time to delve into matters of the sort. His concern had to be for her well-being only. It was the way it should be.
Trying to be gentle, he peeled tape from the corners of the dressing. Blood soaked through the gauze again. The tissue was torn between her neck and shoulder. Bone was visible where the muscles and tendons had been shredded by the shewolf’s teeth. His jaw clenched while he looked closer. Anger flowed through him.
“I’m going to blot around it with some warm water. It looks clean enough I shouldn’t have to use any more peroxide or alcohol.” His gaze settled on her emerald one for a few beats. He could see the worry, confusion, and pain all mixed together.
“Thank God,” she hissed when he wrapped a towel around her shoulder to absorb the water.
“I have to blot it.” He tried not to cringe when she stifled a sob of pain.
> Casey was tough, he had to give her that. Most women in her position would be screaming or dead.
“I’m so sorry,” Braedyn whispered, placing layers of gauze over the wound, and then taping it down. He damned his large hands, wondering if he’d caused her any more pain than she already had to deal with.
Braedyn lifted the blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders, as if that were any real comfort. He could tell the meal and what little time she’d been up had already taken it’s toll when her lids began to droop. His insides twisted over her predicament.
“Here, let me help you lie back. You need to rest. With any luck, you can sleep through the worst of it.” He cradled her, laid her down, and then pulled the sleeping bag over her, once more hoping he wasn’t using too much force or pressure.
“Do you think they’ll come looking for me soon?” Fear was evident in her eyes and voice.
Seeing it all, he couldn’t lie, not to her. There was no use getting her hopes up, the more she knew the better off she’d be.
“It’s snowed off and on since that first night, Casey. In some areas, I’m sure the drifts will well be over eight feet or more. I don’t know if a search unit will chance coming out for a few more days.” Her eyes filled with tears. Braedyn took her hand and berated himself for causing her more stress. “I promise I won’t leave you, and I will do everything I can to keep you safe.”
His brow furrowed as her eyes closed, and she drifted off into another restless sleep. The next few days were going to be horrible for her. He hated what she was going to have to deal with from here out.
Focusing on cleaning up the mess he’d made, his mouth set in a grim line, he tried to press the concerns from his mind. Staying busy was key. Bradeyn would worry about other things when they came.
Chapter Four
Casey was lost. Alone, afraid, and only nine years old. She wandered through the woods, having called out for her father and Dean until her voice was almost gone. Thirsty and hungry, she sat on a tree stump and cried.