by Mel Favreaux
The Ranger laughed and shook his head. “No, I can’t say I blame you one bit.” His eyes flicked over to Casey, and then back to Braedyn. The unspoken question was one she didn’t catch. It amazed her that the old Ranger had been able to hold the secret of Braedyn’s family this long. After a moment of silence, Jazzy nodded and turned back around in his seat, readying for the ascent.
Casey extracted her hand from Braedyn’s and nervously drummed them on the armrest. She’d never been in a helicopter before. While she wasn’t afraid of heights, the strangeness of the surroundings and the new sounds which assaulted her newly sensitive ears, was nearly more than she could handle. After a moment, she laid her head on Braedyn’s shoulder. Seeking comfort from his touch, she tried to think of anything to take her mind off her worries.
The ride was surprisingly smooth and didn’t take nearly as long as she’d hoped. There was more to be seen than just the ‘Cabin’ Braedyn had spoken of. There appeared to be a moderately sized village spread out across the backside of the mountain she’d stared at her whole life when she’d camped in the forest. She never knew people lived this far out in the wilderness.
When they neared, she realized the word village was an understatement. Most of the houses were hidden in the surrounding trees. The layout blended with the land, but there were signs of modernism such as street lamps down the road that served as the small business district, satelite receivers, and more. Walker’s Run was a surprisingly modern small town.
Jazzy landed the helicopter at a heliport. Someone had already cleared it of snow in preparation of their arrival, the evidence was mounded around the helipad.
When the blades wound down, Casey recognized one of the few people who came out to greet them. Elan.
Her heart rate increased, her nerves set on edge. The wolf in her was alert and watchful.
Braedyn placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Calm down, everything will be fine,” he murmured. He opened the door and slipped out, then turned to her, and extended his hand.
She faultered a moment, realizing this would be the first time anyone in his pack, aside from his brother, would see her. Her hands shook. She looked in Braedyn’s eyes. His brows drew together. He needed to know she trusted him.
Taking a deep breath, Casey grasped his hand and allowed him to help her down. The wind caused by the blades blew her hair into her face while he escorted her away.
“Brother.” Elan grinned. “It’s good to have you home.”
Braedyn nodded. “I figured I couldn’t safely steal another day of vacation.”
Elan laughed, clapped him on the back, and then motioned for a few young men to get their things.
Casey felt their eyes on her. Their looks frightened her a little, but her wolf rose to sniff the air and then settled down. The Silver Wolf wasn’t concerned.
“Everything all right?” Braedyn asked, glancing at the boys sent to retrieve their things.
Elan nodded. “Same as always. Boys will be boys.”
She watched Braedyn’s jaw set and his eyes narrowed when he looked at them. He turned back to his brother. “We’d like to get settled before taking any guests.”
Elan nodded and stepped to the side. Braedyn led her towards an old SUV. He held open the passenger door for her and closed it before walking around and sliding into the driver’s seat. He started the engine and turned on the heat.
“I want a long, hot bath.” She shivered, putting her hands to the vents. “I didn’t realize just how cold I was until I’d warmed up.”
Braedyn grinned. “I can arrange that for you.” He put the old truck into gear and pulled away from the heliport.
“I never even knew this place existed,” she said looking at the ranch style houses and cabins. “How many are here?”
“Not everyone here is Pack, but everyone here is protected by it. There are a couple human families out here. My father created this as a haven for anyone who needed to get away or needed protection. He accepted all types of Weres. His idea was for this to be a sanctuary. All in all, there are close to three hundred living here in Walker’s Run.”
“Weres?” She looked at him slightly confused.
He nodded, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. “There are all kinds. Wolves, bears, coyotes, lions, tigers.”
“Wow.” Casey sat back in the seat, trying to wrap her mind around this new information. “Is there anything else I should know?”
“Well, let’s just say you’ll need to keep an open mind.”
She tucked her hands under her arms. Even the heat from the vents didn’t seem to warm her. With a sigh, she looked out the passenger window and watched the winter wonderland roll by outside. Many of the homes blended with the trees. Everything seemed so natural. With a few more turns, he turned down a freshly plowed, long dirt road which led to a neat little cabin tucked away in a patch of trees. Snow-covered hedges lined the road and the front of the house.
Pulling the truck to a stop, he shut off the ignition. “This is home.”
Looking up at the cabin, Casey took a deep breath. It seemed exactly as she’d imagined it. Cute and cozy. A fire had been started, and smoke plumed from the chimney. She stepped out and followed Braedyn to the door. She watched him turn the knob without unlocking it.
He smiled upon seeing her surprised look. “No need to lock the doors when you’re the alpha. Only my mother, Elan, and Amber are allowed in my home. One of them had the presence of mind to start the fire for us.” He took off his coat and hung it in the foyer closet.
Casey shrugged out of her coat and handed it to him. She briskly rubbed her hands together. Then turned and looked around the living room. The floor was hardwood and layered with a few different types of wood in a mosaic pattern. The affect was beautiful. A modern beige couch and loveseat faced the fireplace. She noticed there was no television. Braedyn didn't strike her as the type that got involved in TV.
“Care to take a tour?”
“I would love it.” She smiled when he held out his arm and hooked her elbow in his.
Through the living room was an eat-in kitchen with an island in the center. The appliances were modern and stainless steel. A plaid table cloth covered a large hand-carved table which sat off to the side with four chairs. A small bowl of what looked to be handmade potpourri was placed in the center. She smiled wondering what other little touches his mother had managed to make in his home.
She noticed the hall off to the left side of the living room led to three bedrooms. The master bedroom took her breath away. There was a large hand carved, king sized, sleigh bed. Her cheeks warmed when she imagined the two of them entwined there on the earthy toned bed linens.
An antique armoir stood against one wall. There were double closets on either side of the bed. The master bath was what won her over. It was gloriously large, with an enormous claw-foot bathtub that stood in the middle of the floor, a large shower off to the side, and a double sink and vanity built in the center.
Casey's eyes lingered on the tub for a moment before she followed Braedyn out of the room. He showed her two other rooms. One was an office with an old desk, the walls filled with books, some so old and the leather bindings so worn she could no longer read the titles. The other was a spare bedroom, decently furnished with a double bed, dresser, and antique armoir.
“Very nice,” she said closing the door to the spare room behind her after they stepped back into the hall.
“Really? If you’d like to make any changes it can be arranged.”
She smiled and shook her head. “No, I like it. It’s very natural and cozy.” Casey walked over to him and laid her head against his chest. “That bath tub is calling my name.”
Braedyn laughed. “Go ahead. Elan will bring our things. Take a long bath and relax. Get your thoughts together.”
She drew away from him and headed back to the master bathroom. Casey adjusted the water temperature until it was just shy of blistering. While it filled, she turned and lo
oked at herself in the mirror for the first time in over a week and was surprised she didn’t look worse.
Her hair had seen better days. She used one of Braedyn’s boar-bristle brushes to comb out the tangles and undressed. It was the first time she’d been able to get a good look at her shoulder where Tala bit her.
There was a nasty scar running from the collarbone to her upper arm and all the way around her shoulder. Punctured dots of knotted tissue where the teeth had bitten but not shredded the skin were also visible. Casey ran her hand over the healed blemishes and sighed. Her whole life had changed in that instant, but she honestly couldn't blame Tala. She'd have probably done the same had the roles been reversed, but it wouldn’t have taken her as long. She could only imagine how all-consuming Tala’s rage had been after twenty years.
Turning her attention away from her reflection, Casey took notice of the intricket tile work in a soothing blend of greys. Calmed, she turned to the bathtub and eased herself in after closing the valves. Rolling a hand towel behind her neck, she closed her eyes and settled back.
* * * *
Braedyn heard his brother’s truck rumble to a stop outside. It was time to put on the Alpha mask, especially with the boys Elan had taken under his wing. He opened the door with a grim expression and watched his brother and two of the Avery boys lug Casey’s gear in.
“Just set them inside the door here. I’ll get them put away,” Braedyn said crossing his arms and looking down at the two young men.
He watched them tremble, but doing as they were told before they withdrew back to Elan’s truck.
The muscle twitched in Braedyn’s jaw. “Have they been causing any more trouble?”
“Not one bit. Then again, I haven’t been giving them much rope to hang themselves either.” Elan looked at his brother. “The Harris girl is fine. They gave her a good scare, but she’s unharmed.”
Shaking his head, Braedyn clenched his fist. “Our father didn’t tolerate the young ones wreaking havoc on humans. I won’t either. Quash it or they’re done, Elan.”
His younger brother nodded in understanding. “Is there anything else I can do for you, Brother?”
“No, I just need to get Casey calm before she meets anyone else. She’s worried about how everyone will accept her.” He rubbed his eyes and sighed.
“It’s understandable. She’s a lot to learn, and it will take time for her to adapt.” Elan smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “Mom wants to have dinner.”
Braedyn couldn’t help his laugh and shook his head. “I’m sure she does, but I’m going to give Casey at least tonight to get more acclimated before the introduction.”
Elan nodded. They both looked back out to the truck where the Avery boys were huddled. “I’ll see you tomorrow then. We’re off to some of the older homes in the Run. There’s wood to be chopped and stacked and some menial chores I can get out of them before sundown. Good old fashioned hard work never hurt an obstinate boy,” he said with a grin.
Braedyn watched Elan walk back to his truck.
The sun would set soon, Braedyn thought, walking toward the kitchen. He rambled through the freezer, looking for something to prepare for dinner. After having eaten a lot of rabbit and venison, he’d lost his taste for game. Opting for the ground chuck, he decided a pasta dinner sounded good.
Busying himself cooking, he left Casey to her bath. It was a struggle to leave her alone. He wanted to go in there and see if her silvery blond hair darkened when wet. Or if her nipples had drawn into tight peaks as they rose from the tepid water.
Growling, Braedyn shook himself and continued to dice fresh garlic and onions. As the hamburger browned, he pulled out a jar of tomato sauce his mother had made over the summer and put some asparagus in the steamer. He hoped keeping his hands busy would keep him from thinking of having her in his bed.
Never before had he felt so insatiable. Braedyn couldn’t get enough of her scent and the feel of her warm body against his.
Gritting his teeth, he tried to push the images from his mind.
* * * *
Casey sat up in the tub. The long, hot soak had helped clear her mind. Picking up a plain, unlabeled bottle she sniffed and gladly found it was shampoo. It had a slight minty smell and made her scalp tingle and feel clean. Once rinsed, she lathered and washed her hair twice more. Taking a large, heavy towel, she dried herself and stepped from the tub. It wasn’t until then Casey realized she had no clothes. Wrapping herself in the towel she went to search the two walkin closets in the bedroom.
The one on the right of the bed was large and empty. The closet on the left of the bed was no doubt Braedyn's. She ran her finger over his clothing and took in the smell of the cedar the closet was lined with. Her hand settled on a robe that was elaborately embellished, almost certainly done by his mother.
Dropping her cover, she slipped into it and belted it at her waist. Carrying the towel back to the bathroom, she laid it over the edge of the tub.
Barefoot, Casey opened the bedroom door, and the smell of food made her stomach growl. Following her nose, she made her way into the kitchen and watched Braedyn test something with a wooden spoon. He looked over at her and his nostrils flared, taking in her scent.
“I...I hope this was okay. I didn't have any clothes to wear,” she mumbled smoothing her hands down the robe.
He smiled. “It’s fine. No one has ever worn my clothing before. It's nice seeing it on you.” Braedyn motioned her over and held the spoon out for her to taste.
She closed her eyes, and the taste of the sauce caused her stomach to growl once more. “That’s so good!”
He laughed and stirred the contents of the pot again. “It’s almost ready. Are you feeling better?”
She nodded, sitting down on one of the stools at the island to watch him. “Much more relaxed.”
“Good.”
Her eyes tracked him around the kitchen while he expertly handled the making of their meal and made them both generous plates. She followed him to the table and sat across from him. The food was delicious. Casey cleared the entire plate he’d made for her. She helped him tidy up and put away the miniscule left-overs. He pulled out a bottle of wine.
“Do you drink wine?”
She shrugged with a smile. “On occassion. I’m more a fan of sweet reds.”
“Good.” Braedyn opened the bottle and poured them both a glass. He carried the bottle and both glasses. She followed him into the living room and curled next to him on the couch. Drawing her feet up into the warm robe, she accepted the glass he offered.
Closing her eyes, Casey took a small sip of the wine. “I haven’t had an evening like this since...I don’t know when.”
“Me either.” He fingered the collar of his robe. She could tell by the look in his eyes he was pleased with her wearing it. “We’ll need to get you some clothes. We can’t have you running around naked.” She saw the grin lift the edge of his mouth, and his eyes dance with naughty thoughts.
Casey laughed and shook her head. “No, not this time of year.” She cocked a brow at the expression on his face. “Thank you for giving me time to collect myself. I definitely feel better now.”
He nodded, sipping his wine. “I’m glad. I’ll have Amber take you shopping tomorrow.”
“Amber?”
“The friend who came to check on us. She’s an herbalist who works with my mother and a valuable member of the pack.”
“Is she a Werewolf too?”
He gave her a slight smile. “No. She’s a white tiger, actually. She’s the only other female near your age here in Walker’s Run. I have complete faith in her.”
Casey frowned, looking at him. “You don’t trust all of your members?”
There was a fierce look in his eyes. “Not with you,” he growled low. He took a deep breath and leaned back on the couch. “Walker’s Run is a sanctuary for all Weres. There are a few who aren’t pack whom I put more faith in than those who are. We’ve had some come here as spies from
my uncle, so I have some issues. Amber is the only one I trust with my life and one of those who are dearest to me.” He cleared his throat and looked at her again. “I depend on her more than I do Elan.”
She nodded, understanding. It took a lot for a man like Braedyn to admit something like that. Staring into the fireplace a moment, Casey finally gathered the courage to ask, “What am I supposed to do?”
“Don’t try to be someone you aren’t. Weres have an animal’s nose. Most of us can smell a lie before it’s told. Most of all, just...relax. Your nerves will put other’s on edge because we can sense it.” He set down his empty glass of wine and leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees.
“How old is Amber and what brought her here?”
“She’s twenty-eight and has been here in Walker’s Run about five years. She’s a good girl, originally from Nevada, but I warn you, Amber speaks her mind. Her former clan...she ran to avoid them. They...abused her. Physically and emotionally.” He swallowed, and a muscle in his jaw twitched. “That’s the nicest way I can put it. While here, she has sanctuary and the pack’s protection.”
Casey felt her hands numb at the mention of abuse. She’d assumed the worst and by the haunted look in Braedyn’s eyes, she was right. “Poor girl. I can’t even begin to imagine. How long did it go on for?”
“Far too long. I’m afraid she may never find her life mate because of it. She’s tough. One hell of a fighter and holds her head high and takes no shit from anyone.” There was pride in his expression. “Mom and I have put a lot of work into drawing Amber from her shell, it does us good to see her like this.”
“Good.” Casey felt the wolf rise in her, the feeling of fierce protection grew within. She didn’t even know the woman, yet the wolf was instinctively protective of her. Maybe, because Braedyn had spoken so high of her, was why she felt it her duty to take her on as well.
Shaking her head when Braedyn offered her a refill, Casey drained her glass. She leaned back on the couch, enjoying the sound of the crackling fire and the feel of his well muscled leg against her side. The heady combination of the bath, food, and wine made her drowsy, but she was content to sit with him.