by Mel Favreaux
“Braedyn is the new Alpha?”
The brunette nodded.
“And you? Are you a wolf?”
“No and that’s what makes me a better ally to Braedyn than any other in this pack.” She gave Casey a tight smile. “Wow, so much for them taking the news badly.” She turned to Dean, and he narrowed his eyes.
“If you're not a wolf, what are you? I can tell you're not human. No human woman of your stature could have hefted that box the way you did.”
Amber smiled and cocked a brow. “You knew I wasn't human, yet you still flirted?”
Dean laughed. “I've seen enough and learned enough to know when I could be in danger, even though I have no doubts you can be dangerous when you need to be. You're close to the Alpha family, but you're not a wolf and you're from Vegas...” He pursed his lips, thinking a moment. “Vegas has a conglomerate of greedy and nasty Weres. The largest group there used to be tigers. I worked out there for a while about five years ago. We wrapped up a few of the most dangerous Weres with a tip from someone here in Walker's Run.”
Amber looked down at the table. “I am a tiger.”
“Working with wolves?” Peyton gave an amused smile. “It must be pretty hard for you.”
The brunette shrugged. “Braedyn isn't prejudiced. I still have no idea why he keeps me around sometimes.”
“Because you keep me on my toes,” Braedyn said walking into the kitchen. He sighed looking at Peyton and Dean. “Sorry for the secrecy gentlemen and the quiet entrance. I've been listening for a bit.”
Peyton and Dean stood and shook Braedyn's hand.
“So you two pretty much already knew what was going on the moment you headed out into the forest, didn't you?” Braedyn asked, placing his hands on Casey's shoulders.
Peyton shrugged and smiled. “I knew a lot more than I let on, but didn't know everything. My heart prevailed. After the dreams, it was all I could do not to go mad trying to find out how my Casey was. I've spent my life trying to protect her from this, but because of a stupid mistake I made twenty years ago, she's paid the price for it.”
Braedyn gave a grim nod. “I don't think anyone knew which spirit would choose her. Though many prophets have talked of her return, no one knew when.”
Peyton narrowed his eyes and sat back down in the chair.
“It’s written in the very book you Guardians follow. Most of the Guardians are psychics and clairvoyants who range with other abilities to help aid them,” Braedyn explained, squeezing Casey’s shoulders gently. “Some are even prophets.”
Dean leaned onto his elbows on the table and looked in her eyes. “You must be the Silver Wolf. We caught wind the Silver Wolf stepped in, defeating the most viscous leader in North America recently.”
Casey shifted uncomfortably under her brother's gaze.
Her father sighed and ran a hand down his face. “Well now, for as close as we were, we sure know how to keep secrets from one another, don't we?” he said softly. Leaning across the table, he took Casey's hands into his and looked in her eyes. “You're still my little girl. Our job isn't to police preternatural, supernatural, or paranormal beings. We watch, and we intervene only when necessary.” He looked up at Braedyn. “You of all people know what we do, and there’s no real danger in us unless it’s provoked or required.”
Braedyn nodded. “I've worked with a few Guardians in the past. It was me who gave you the tip for Vegas. I saw first-hand how viscous they were, and I couldn't possibly have them exposing us all to the world.”
Amber sighed and shifted in her chair and ran her hands through her hair. “All right, this is all out in the open. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm hungry.” She picked up her napkin and laid it across her lap, and then picked up her sandwich. “I've been polite.”
Dean grinned. “Nice, you’re a woman after my own heart.” He reached down for his own sandwich.
Casey shook her head. “I think my appetite is gone for the time being, to be honest with you all,” she said with a sigh, pushing back from the table. “Braedyn, you can have it if you like. I think I'm going to go and take a bath and gather my thoughts.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Braedyn watched Peyton push back from the table and move to follow Casey. He held up a hand to stop him. “She's got to have some time to get this all straight in her head, Peyton. Casey’s been through a lot, in a very small amount of time. Give her some space.”
Amber managed a few more bites of her sandwich before she glanced up at him, and then at the other two men staring at her. She growled, set her food down, and wiped her mouth with her napkin. “It is not nice to keep a tigress hungry, boys. You know this, right?”
“Please, right now you are probably the only one she’ll talk to,” Braedyn said with a shrug.
Sighing, she rose from the table and cast a longing look at her unfinished sandwich before leaving the room.
Braedyn turned to the men seated at the table and sighed.
“So how much trouble do you reckon we’re in, Dean?” Peyton asked running his hands through his hair.
Dean laughed and shook his head. “No telling, Dad. You know how long Casey can hold a grudge.”
“She loves the two of you and was scared to death to tell you what had happened. Afraid of how you’d react. Let’s just give her some time to digest this new information. I’m sure she’ll come around sooner than you think.”
“Did you know what we were?” Peyton eyed him over the table.
“No, at least I don’t think I did. There was something…different about you. But honestly, my only concern was Casey and getting her through the final shift the night you came.”
“You truly love her?”
Braedyn smiled and nodded. “More than my own life.”
Peyton returned his smile. “That’s exactly what every father wants to hear.”
* * * *
Casey heard the knock on the bedroom door and ignored it, expecting her father or Braedyn. Right now, she didn’t want to talk to any of them.
“Casey?”
It was Amber. “In the bathroom,” she called back with a sigh.
“Are you decent?”
Unable to help it, she laughed. “Yes, I’m just running the water.”
Amber pushed open the door. “You okay?”
She ran her fingers through the water, testing the temperature, and then rose from the edge of the tub. Turning, she looked at her friend. “I don’t know.”
“I understand it’s a lot for you to process right now. But at the very least, you know your father and brother have a better understanding of what you are.”
“I just can't believe they’ve kept this a secret from me.” Casey shook her head and leaned against the sink. “That they hid it from me.”
Amber raised her hands. “Just like you were worried about how to explain to them what you'd become. They were afraid to open that door for you. You're successful out in the world. It very well could have changed your view when you weren't ready to accept it. They weren't hiding it from you, Casey. They were trying to protect you.”
Casey closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. “Yes, I know. But it doesn't change the facts, Amber. I had really always thought we were a very close family. No secrets. Then I find out that's not the case after all.” She shook her head. “Not lies really, just half truths. I'll be able to deal. I just need to get myself together right now. I'll be all right in a few minutes.”
“You're sure?”
“Go finish your sandwich, I know you're hungry.”
Amber grinned and nodded. “Maybe Dean and I can finally have the conversation he was hinting at earlier since there are no longer any secrets to be had.”
Laughing, Casey shook her head. “I'll be out in a little while. Let them know I'm all right.”
* * * *
Braedyn made a fire, trying to find something to do while they waited for Casey to come around. He noticed the furtive glances Amber kept casting in Dean’s direction. As h
er friend and Alpha, he was incredibly protective. Because of her past, he would kill anyone who hurt her again. His wolf surged forward checking Dean out on a more personal level, but after a moment relaxed, and settled down. Still unsure, even though Dean had passed the wolf’s test, he’d yet passed his own.
Amber brought him a cup of coffee and noticed the telltale shakes of her hands. This couldn’t have come at a worse time for her.
“You can go home if you’re uncomfortable,” he murmured.
Her jaw tightened, and she squared her shoulders. “I’m fine,” she growled and stormed away into the kitchen.
Braedyn sighed and shook his head.
“Looks like we’ve got two pissed off women in our midst,” Peyton said with a soft chuckle, joining him next to the fire.
“It may be a tad more complicated than that, I’m afraid.” Braedyn ran a hand through his hair.
Peyton smirked, turning to glance back at Amber, and then at Dean. “I’m quite certain things will work out.”
“Certain of a lot of things recently, aren’t you, sir?”
Clapping a large hand onto Braedyn’s shoulder, Peyton gave a grin and a wink. “It’s one of the few gifts I have that I don’t second guess.”
“I guess I am a bit too analytical,” Braedyn ceded.
“You were forced to grow up before your time, son. For that I can give a thousand apologies, but it would do no good.” Peyton’s expression drew deep and thoughtful. “I was protecting my own—”
“I understood that. I have never hated or held you in contempt for doing what any man in your situation would. There is one person you should meet. My mother, she could help put your mind at ease.”
Peyton blanched and shook his head. “I—I couldn’t—”
“Trust me, my mother knew my father better than anyone. From the very beginning, she stood with me as a champion for your family against my uncle and the other’s who thought I was too young or inexperienced to make such a decision.”
“You…spared our lives. Why?”
“Because I understood. My father would have done the same.” Braedyn shook his head and paced away a moment and turned back. “Casey was the first human other than Jazzy I’d had experience with. But…she saw me in my wolf form…and wasn’t afraid of me. She accepted me…we played. I had never really played before. I was the one who lured her away. I couldn’t let her die alone and afraid. I convinced my father to warm her. It was his decision to let her rest, and then lead her back. My uncle and those who followed him didn’t have the…compassion it takes to understand someone who wasn’t our kind. My mother could set you at ease better than I could.”
Peyton nodded. “I need to face her and come to terms once and for all for what I’ve done. I destroyed more than one life that day, Braedyn. I tore apart a community…an allegiance of Weres—”
Braedyn put a hand on the other man’s shoulder. “You sped up the inevitable is all. Please, set your mind at ease, Peyton. I harbor no ill will toward you and neither does my mother.”
* * * *
Casey knew her father was nervous. Coming face to face with the woman whose husband he’d killed twenty years ago would be difficult for anyone. When they arrived at Aquene’s house, his step faltered a little at the door.
“I don’t know if I can do this baby-doll,” he said turning to her. “What if she hasn’t forgiven me?”
“I wouldn’t willingly draw you into a trap, Dad.” She smiled and patted his shoulder. “Trust me. You both need this.”
He took a deep breath and allowed her to lead him inside.
“Have a seat by the fire, and I’ll bring you a cup of coffee.” She watched him move over to the fire.
“I’ll take it to him,” Aquene said taking the cup from her.
Moving to follow the old woman, Braedyn’s hand closed over her shoulder, halting her step. “No, let them talk this through,” he murmured.
Casey looked up at him. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, just listen.”
“M-Ms. Walker,” her father stammered taking a step forward. “I…uhm…”
Aquene gave him the gentlest of smiles, closing the distance between them, taking his hand in a warm double-handed hold. “It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you, Peyton, please; call me Aquene.”
“I…I…”
“Relax, Dad,” Casey whispered knowing only Braedyn could hear her. He gave a gentle squeeze to her shoulders to try and reassure her.
“I’ve no ill feelings toward you, Peyton,” Aquene began, stirring her tea and setting the spoon down on the saucer that was balanced perfectly on her knee.
Peyton cleared his throat and looked down at his lap. “You should. I took your husband from you. I killed the most respected Alpha there ever was.”
“You’ve killed many men, haven’t you, Peyton?”
“I’ve done my duty to my country and for the safety of others,” he admitted.
“You did what you had to and were protecting your daughter. You didn’t murder my Collin in cold blood. But he knew he was dead one way or another. If he tried to shift to his human form to explain, you’d have killed him, too. So he chose to stay in his wolf form. Collin understood he’d given up his life for the pride in the matter. To him, that was enough. They say pride goeth before the man,” Aquene chuckled and shook her head. “Not with my Collin. It took him to his grave. He could have walked away, but he chose to stand his ground.”
“To say, ‘I’m sorry,’ seems flippant. There’s nothing disrespectful about my feelings, Aquene, I assure you. The murder of your husband has haunted me in ways nothing else ever will. I’ve hunted my entire life, but I never understood why killing a wolf to protect my daughter would set so heavy on my conscious.”
“You’re not a cruel man, Peyton. I can see that and know my Collin did, too. There are no hard feelings. You’ve had to live with this heavy in your heart and mind for twenty years. It’s time you forgive yourself.”
* * * *
Casey helped Amber fix the men’s plates. Aquene fussed over how big the portions needed to be in order to sate the three large men in the other room.
“They are all three over six feet tall, they need generous helpings,” she fretted and added another helping to each of the plates.
“Peyton and Dean aren’t Weres. They are Guardians,” Amber reminded the old woman.
“It doesn’t matter what they are or what they do. They are big men, and they eat more than we do.” She looked at Amber and shrugged. “Well more than Casey or I at least.”
Casey tried to hide her grin when Amber stepped back and rolled her eyes. She saw an uncharacteristic shake in her friend’s hands when she took one of the plates from Aquene. “Are you all right, Amber?”
“I’m fine. I’m just not used to being around so many people for an extended period of time. Please don’t be upset if I slip out after dinner.” The look in her eyes told Casey that she was struggling with something.
“I’ll be all right now. Thanks for sticking with me through this today.”
Amber smiled. “That’s what friends are for, right?”
Dinner went by smoothly. Her father and Dean regaled them with some humorous stories about the Guardians. They learned that not all of the Guardians were humans, but a variety of paranormal, supernatural, and preternatural beings.
“Our unit leader is the Haitian I met years ago, Laveaux,” her father explained when they sat back drinking coffee near the fire. “He’s a panther, and so is his wife.”
“You remember Terry, don’t you Case?” Dean asked turning to her.
“Yeah, you guys went to high school and into basic together,” Casey said nodding. “You were best man at his wedding.”
Dean smiled. “Yeah, he’s in our unit as well. He felt guilty when I was injured, took it to heart that he wasn’t watching my back well enough. When Dad came to talk to me, Terry was in there. He heard what Dad had to say and felt he could better serve his
country and the world if he joined.”
Casey smiled, remembering the gangly teen Terry had been, and then the gorgeous young man he turned out to be when she’d attended his wedding. “He’s got a little girl now, doesn’t he?”
Dean’s smile grew. “Sara-Elizabeth, she’s four and just precious.”
Casey listened to her father. Aquene delved into a deep conversation about the artifacts she had displayed around her home and the stories behind them. Out of the corner of her eye she watched Amber slip out the back door. A few minutes later Dean slipped out too, and Casey smiled, turning her attention back to the conversation between her father and Aquene.
* * * *
Casey frowned and looked around, realizing both Amber and Dean had been gone a while. Excusing herself from the conversation with her father and Aquene, she went out the back door. One of the lights was on in Amber’s tiny bungalow. When she was about to take the last step off of Aquene’s porch she heard the tiger bellow out in pleasure. She felt her cheeks warm, and then turned to walk back inside.
Braedyn cleared his throat. He’d been standing in the shadows of the porch.
“I guess we should leave them alone a little longer?” Casey offered with a grin.
“That would be advisable. She’s tried to hide all day, but as your friend she stayed for moral support.”
“Hide?” Casey furrowed her brows. “Why?”
“Well, because she’s in heat. Amber has a tendency to get a little snippier than usual when it comes around. She uses her anger like a shield. Apparently, it didn’t work so well pitted against your brother. He’ll be lucky if there’s anything left of him when she’s through. The poor bear she took during her last heat was shook up pretty bad and he’s a seasoned warrior.”
Casey laughed again. “Time will tell. Should we leave him?”
“Amber won’t treat him like she has the others. Usually, she kicks them out and makes them walk home. They’ve been tip-toeing around this since they laid eyes on one another. An attraction that powerful can be a force to be reckoned with.”
“Just as ours was?” She grinned at him.
Nodding, Braedyn took her hand in his and placed a tender kiss on her palm. She knew their first passionate coupling had branded itself in both their minds.