Shadow Walker (14 page)

“Thank you Bull,” Dori said with a smile.

He returned the smile and nodded in their direction. “Ladies, looks like this one missed the first car this morning, huh?”

Amber exchanged a grin with Casey, they’d tied on the time frame they had bet on.

Casey pushed a mug of coffee across the counter. “Late night?” she asked, cocking a brow.

Dori blushed. “Yeah…and well you know I—I’ve never been late to a shoot before.”

Waving a dismissive hand at her, Casey shrugged. “It is the last one so I’m not going to jump your ass about it. At least you’re wearing the right clothing. I would have hated to send you back to change.”

“Change?” She glanced at Amber to see if her boss was kidding.

Amber grinned. “The equipment is being loaded as we speak. You’re here just in time.”

Dori’s expression turned troubled when she looked out into the backyard and shivered.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Tearing her eyes from the garden, she gave a small smile and picked up her coffee. “I guess I’m not all with it yet.”

“Drank too much?” Amber offered with a grin.

Running a hand around the back of her neck, her gaze drifted back to the garden. “I had some…really weird dreams. Ever had those you couldn’t seem to shake?”

Casey walked over and put an arm around her shoulders. “We shouldn’t have bailed on you last night, and I am sorry, but we’ve got plans tonight and tomorrow as well.”

Dori turned to her and shook her head. “No, don’t be sorry. I’ll manage.” She laughed and shrugged. “I always do. It’s usually me begging you to go out all the time. I’m just glad you’re enjoying yourself. You hardly ever seemed like you did when we were out on location before.”

Amber grinned and scootched in next to her. “So…who’d you hook up with last night and will you be doing it again?”

Blushing a deep crimson, the Greek shook her head. “The who, I am not telling…and I don’t really know if it’ll happen again. From what I can remember…” her voice trailed off. She shook herself and smiled. “It was a very surprising night. That much I can say.”

“How so?”

“It was just…totally different than what I had expected, that’s all.” She grinned and shrugged. “I just don’t know if there’ll be a repeat performance.”

“Ah, don’t tell me it sucked!” Amber said, laughing.

Dori grinned and shushed her. “No…no, far from it actually. The entire experience was just not what I’d anticipated. I went in expecting it to be a one-night stand…and left…feeling like I mattered to someone for the first time.” Clearing her throat, she let out a breath. “It’s stupid, I know. There’ve been enough of those situations for me to know better.”

Casey raised her brows. “Do you think it may be something more?”

“I don’t really know. This morning was just a little confusing to say the least. I got the impression that it wasn’t the usual kind of night for him either. He said he would like to see me again. I just don’t know though. We’re not going to be in the area much longer, right? Why bother?”

“I don’t think there is anything either Amber or I could say here to make you feel any better, Dori. You just have to do what you feel is right.”

Amber had a feeling there was going to be a lot of explaining in the near future.

It was now apparent Aaron was brooding for more than one reason. While Dori hadn’t been able to make up her mind about the events of the night prior, it didn’t prevent her from coming straight back this morning, job or no.

Something very poignant must have happened between the two of them. Something more than just a mere one-night stand.

Dean stood back watching his father and their unit leader, Laveaux talk with Braedyn and a few men from the pack’s inner circle. They’d just received some information about a killing in Seattle and the Alpha bristled.

“We need to send a group in to deal with it. We cannot chance the Silver Wolf coming to any harm,” Laveaux insisted, turning to Braedyn. “She is your wife, how can you not understand this?”

Braedyn shook his head. “Amber is perfectly capable of taking care of Casey, or I would not have sent them off alone.”

“A team
must
be assembled and sent. Your brother has made it to Seattle. There have been three confirmed deaths that have been ruled animal related. We cannot take any further chances with their safety. Amber’s attention is split between helping Casey with her transformations and the new jaguar. I understand your faith in her, but it may be too much. Don’t you think?”

“I don’t agree. You don’t understand. It was a tough enough blow for them both to be sent away. If a group goes in, they are going to think we have no faith in their abilities—”

“But that is not the reason—”

“
We
know that, but
they
don’t.” The Alpha ground his teeth and let out a deep breath of frustration.

“What if I go alone?” Dean asked, stepping forward.

Braedyn turned and shook his head. “Do you have any idea what you would be undoing if you did that? The betrayal Amber would feel?”

“We can’t let emotions rule the necessity of the matter, Braedyn. I am in no way telling you how to lead your people. But they are two very valued members of your pack—” Laveaux stopped when the Alpha’s eyes glowed golden, and he growled.

Dean put a hand on Braedyn’s chest. “Calm down, we don’t need a fight. We are all trying to do the same thing,” he said, trying to even out the timber in his voice to calm him.

The muscle in his brother-in-law’s cheek twitched. “Fine,
you
can go. But I warn you Dean, it may do more harm than good.”

“As a Guardian I have a job to do. Right now, that job involves protecting the Silver Wolf, who just happens to be my sister.” He knew Braedyn was right. His showing up there could very well undo everything he’d managed to mend with Amber. To see and feel how much his brother-in-law loved and cared for both women, touched him.

“You’ll go this evening,” Laveaux said with a nod. “I’ll take you myself.” Stepping back he gave a short bow to Braedyn and went outside.

It had been an intense discussion, and Dean could feel the tension rolling off the Haitian. He knew Laveaux would need to walk it off.

Braedyn just shook his head and went to stoke the fire.

“Dean…” His father walked over and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. “You know I support you in all your decisions,” and said nothing further.

There was no way possible to describe the level of affection he harbored for the Tigress. His heart felt like it had been ripped from his body the moment the airplane took off. Their long evening conversations had done nothing more than make him ache.

A woman had never gotten under his skin like this before. Yes, being an empath he had a tendency to care a little more than most men. He was a little more cautious during break ups or arguments, but…for the first time, he felt
in
love
. Amber was emotionally ambiguous at her worst, and the next moment he was standing amidst a maelstrom, flooding him to the point of numbness. But she was so
addictive
. From one extreme to the other, the Tigress was a passionate mess. And he craved her.

But Braedyn was right. She would take his coming out there as a low blow to her abilities. Considering she was the Alpha’s second in command, the level of offense taken would be immeasurable. He just hoped there was a chance to explain before she lost it.

Running a hand through his hair, he made his way to the guest room. Rest. Maybe with a clear head Dean could figure out a way not to break her heart when he showed up this evening.

* * * *

Amber’s cell bleated its alert tone. With a frown she picked it up to see a local news report. There were two separate cases where bodies were found slain, and it was being blamed on animal attacks.

“Aw shit,” she murmured to herself. Casey was changing out cameras. Walking over, Amber thrust her phone under her friend’s nose.

“It wasn’t him, we followed him last night,” Casey whispered.

“I know.”

“Fuck.”

With a sigh, Amber slipped the phone back in her pocket. “What do you think?”

“It’s the full moon, and it looks like we aren’t the only…one’s like us.” Casey motioned at Aaron who was setting up his equipment to do a short climb for the shoot.

Checking her watch, it was two p.m. About five more hours before sundown. “Let’s just wrap this up, get to dinner, and ditch Dori in good time.”

The blonde nodded her agreement and walked back over toward her assistant while giving Aaron a few directions. “Okay, see if you can get about ten or twelve feet up there. I think this will be good Aaron. It will show a different side of you. I believe Gary will be happy as well.”

Shifting her attention to the assistant, Amber noticed Dori was still out of it. There had been quite a few moments where she and Aaron had exchanged meaningful glances. She had even caught them sneaking what they thought were unseen caresses.

There hadn’t been any pauses long enough for her to attempt to get close to talk to Aaron, and she wasn’t even sure how to broach the subject.

Casey and I saw you last night. How? Well, she’s the Mother of all Weres and I’m her tiger bodyguard.

Yeah
that
would float like a load of shit.

Amber knew Casey was counting on her. But the only thing she could think of was to wait until they got back to the house, corner Aaron somewhere, and force him to talk.

Watching him climb with ease, she was a little jealous, and wished she could scale without giving away anything. Climbing was a favorite pastime of hers as well, but without the equipment. No wonder Aaron liked to climb.

She made a point to open a rapport and climbing seemed to be the best outlet.

Aaron laughed and spun upside down to look at her. “I’d never have picked you to be a spelunker.”

Grinning, Amber shrugged. “I’ve lived out in the middle of literally nowhere for a few years now. I’ve learned a thing or two about how to live off the land. Climbing is just one of many dangerous things this adrenaline junkie enjoys.”

He laughed. “I can only imagine. I bet you give your boyfriend pure hell.”

She shrugged, stuffing her hands into her back pockets. “Not yet anyway. He’s Casey’s brother and a former Marine. Time will tell I guess.”

Spinning around again, Aaron turned his attention to Casey. “Are we done for the day?” he managed to ask without sounding whiney.

Flipping through some of the most recent shots, she finally nodded. “Yeah, I think I’m happy with these. The natural lighting was good. There were some really terrific shots. You did well.”

After wracking her brain the entire day to find a way to get Aaron alone, Amber finally figured it out. It would take a little creative meandering between the housekeeper and bodyguards. When they arrived at the mansion she grabbed one of the two bags of equipment and offered to help him store it.

With his arms full, she kicked the door of the garage closed and dropped the bag she carried.

Aaron frowned as he watched her lock it and set down his load. “What’s going on here?” he asked suspiciously.

“We need to talk.”

“Yeah. I thought that was what we were doing on our way in here.”

“I know about last night,” she said, clearing her throat.

He actually blushed! “Okay, please…don’t tell Casey. Dori doesn’t want to get in trouble and this is her last job—”

Amber couldn’t help but laugh and shook her head. “
That
wasn’t what I was talking about. Dori is a grown woman and can
do
whomever she pleases.”

His expression grew guarded, and he took a defensive posture.

“Oh come on, just relax. That’s the one thing you really need to learn. Anger has a tendency to bring the beast out sooner—”

He lunged, grabbing her by the arm. His face was a mask of fury and fear. “What are you talking about?”

With a deep breath, she was able to extricate herself from his grip. He was scared and confused but in no way meant any harm. Amber looked in his eyes. “You are a were-creature. A black jaguar to be precise. It was Mother Nature’s little birthday gift to you. About thirteen years late, but who can turn down a gift? Am I right?”

Shaking his head, Aaron backed away a few steps. “But how do you—?”

She rolled her eyes. “Well hell, the only thing I can do…is show you.” Backing up a few more paces, Amber flashed the clothing from her body and shifted seamlessly into the Tigress. With some amusement, she watched him stumble backward and fall hard on his ass. When he had gotten a good look at her, and there was no doubting what he’d seen, she shifted back and clothed herself fast to show as little nudity as possible.

After a moment, he finally managed to close his mouth and look up at her. “How?”

“Undoubtedly one or both of your birth parents was a Were,” Amber said with a sigh. “You have a lot to learn. And for the next two nights, you might want to curb your extracurricular activities because the moon is going to have her influence over your transformations. You’ll have to watch the lunar cycles for the first couple of months until you begin some form of control.” She smiled and walked over, helping him to his feet. “Just when you thought you were an adult and could handle the world…the bitch throws you something entirely new and fucked up, and then you realize…that in the eye of the world, you are still nothing more than a mere child.”

“Happy birthday to me,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Does Casey know?”

The panic was over. “Yes, she and her husband are both werewolves. Casey is also pretty new to this. It’s only her second lunar cycle. We were out in the forest last night when I caught the scent of the jaguar and came to investigate. We followed you for a bit to make sure you stayed out of trouble and left when you collapsed in the garden. Being so new, if we had confronted you last night, there would have been trouble. If you’d like…Casey and I can be here this evening. Because from sundown to sunrise, you’ll be in your Were form. So will Casey, since she doesn’t have the control yet to change at will.”