Shadow Walker (27 page)

“He’s not responding to your touch, Aquene. I’ve seen other’s wake from your touch and be healed.” She closed her eyes and clenched her fists. “He has to survive this.” It took everything in her to fight the urge to run away. To just leave, forget. Her breath came in great, hitching gasps.

“It’s okay, Amber. Take a few minutes, and I’ll call Casey.”

Nodding, she left the room and went out onto the front porch, finally letting lose the torrent she’d been struggling to hold in. Sitting down on the stairs, she just let go. Experience had taught her to release everything, and in a few minutes, things would be better.

“You weren’t guaranteed happiness,” she mumbled to herself.

The beginning of her life had been awful. As a toddler, Amber remembered fragments of her escape from her mother’s claws when she snapped, killing all of Amber’s siblings. Raised by an unloving uncle who used and abused her, she’d spent most of her teen years pick-pocketing in Vegas. It had taught her to be almost invisible but hadn’t saved her from being forced into his prostitution ring.

Her hike into the forest to find Walker’s Run was the longest five days of her life. With no idea what to expect when she showed up, the warm welcome she’d received had been the last thing she’d anticipated. Looking back…life prior almost didn’t seem real.

Walker’s Run was the only place she’d ever felt safe. Aquene and Braedyn did their best to make her feel welcome. But how welcome can the only Tiger in a predominantly Wolf Sanctuary feel? Within five years she had risen through the ranks fast to become Braedyn’s most trusted. But until Casey’s arrival, she never felt connected to anyone. Their bond was instant, person to person and tiger to wolf. Inexplicable.

Then Dean…

Amber’s stomach knotted. She clenched her fists, fighting against the anguished cry that burned up the back of her throat.

Dean…the only man she’d ever loved. The only man she’d ever allowed in her bed when she wasn’t in heat and forced to by the Tigress’ desire to find her life mate. How could it be fair that the man she knew was the only one for her, wasn’t the one the fates designed to be her mate?

The Tigress’ sense perked at the sound of footsteps in the snow. Wiping her eyes, she looked up to see the Alpha and the Silver Wolf approaching. Aquene stepped out the door, holding one of the heavy woolen blankets she’d made for Amber and wrapped it around her daughter-in-law once she shifted back to human form.

With tear filled eyes, Casey shivered and rushed to her, wrapping her arms around her. “Amber…”

After a moment, she pulled away. “Go, see what you can do. Please.” Sliding back to the stairs, she once more buried her head in her arms.

Braedyn sat next to her and folded her against him. Not saying a single word, his wolf sidled against her tiger, consoling them both. They had been close friends prior to Casey’s arrival, more so now because of the bond they shared.

A rattling old pick up pulled into the yard, and Peyton got out, yanking his coat on, shivering in the cold.

“Casey’s inside,” Braedyn said, looking up at him.

Peyton nodded and stopped long enough to put a gentle hand on Amber’s head. “My gut’s never wrong,” he whispered, placing a tender kiss on her temple.

Amber pinched her eyes shut and turned her face into Braedyn’s shoulder, trying to muffle the sound of her sobs. “If he…if something happens to him…I’m going to have to leave,” she sobbed. “I don’t think I’ll be able to stay here.”

“We’ll deal with that, when and if it comes. Don’t think like that now. You can’t. We have to have good thoughts and hope for the best.”

“He’s going to change, Braedyn. It’s either going to kill him, or he’ll be a wolf. Right now, I just want him to live.”

“Then pray or hope he does. That’s all you should be thinking about right now.” He smoothed her hair down and hugged her a little tighter.

* * * *

After a few minutes, Amber dried her eyes and went inside to see what, if anything, Casey was able to do.

Seeing her brother like this again had to be gut wrenching for her. He looked even worse now than he had in the hospital. His complexion was waxy and his hair was matted from sweat.

Casey gasped when she touched him. “Dean, why didn’t you tell us?” she asked, wetting a washcloth and mopping his face and neck. “How long has he been unconscious?”

“A little after midnight,” Amber answered from the door. The room was too small to admit many visitors at once.

Aquene sighed. “I have done all I can, Casey. It is now up to him.”

Her friend asked the one question she’d been too afraid to ask the medicine woman herself. “What can happen here?”

“One of two things. He will find an animal spirit and bond…or he will die,” the old woman said, looking down at him.

Casey’s jaw set, and she shook her head. “This isn’t fair.”

Peyton placed his hand on her shoulders. “Just hang in there, baby-doll, I don’t have a bad feeling about this?”

“How can you
not
, Dad?”

“I don’t know hon, but this doesn’t sadden me.”

“I wish I could draw comfort from that,” she said, shaking her head again.

Braedyn kept an arm around Amber’s shoulders, giving her the silent support she needed, and then she squeezed into the already filled-to-capacity room.

Casey sighed and raised her brother’s hand to her lips. The last time Amber had witnessed the exchange, there’d been a charge similar to static electricity that had arced between the two. But there was nothing. Her heart plummeted when her friend stifled a sob and held her brother’s palm to her cheek.

“There’s nothing…”

* * * *

Throughout the day they all took turns sitting with Dean, wiping his brow, forcing some fluids and the medicines Aquene had made. Amber withdrew, not speaking unless she was spoken to. Braedyn’s mother tried to get her to eat, but she refused, claiming lack of appetite.

“You’ve got to eat something,” Casey whispered. Since she hadn’t mastered the clothing bit with her shifting, she was now wearing the only oversized sweatshirt Amber owned and a pair of sweat pants.

“I’m not hungry. I’ll eat when I am.” She turned away and picked up Dean’s hand again, holding it in her lap.

Aquene had prepared a meal in the bungalow’s tiny kitchen. Rarely did Amber ever turn away food, but her appetite was just nonexistent. She sipped water, but hadn’t had the stomach for coffee, which was her normal daily staple.

The day dragged on. Amber wasn’t sure when night had fallen. Not even sure if she’d managed a few minutes of sleep. Rubbing her eyes, she noticed the sun had come up on a new day and frowned. Tonight would be the full moon.

She leaned forward to stretch out the stiffness in her neck that had accumulated from the awkward position in the chair. Resting her forehead against the bed, she took a deep breath. A hand stroked through her hair.

Gasping, she raised her head and looked up to see Dean’s weak smile.

He shivered and pulled the sheet over himself. “C-could you g-get the fan for-for me?” he stuttered. The shudders coursing through him had his teeth chattering.

Amber turned the fan off. She leaned over and grabbed the blanket and the heavy quilt, pulling them over him. Unable to resist a small frown, she felt his clammy face. “Your fever’s gone. Gods Dean, we were so worried about you,” she breathed, lifting his hand up to her cheek, kissing his palm.

“I don’t remember a whole lot. I remember you coming out to the house, and then getting in the truck, but nothing else.” He frowned at her. “It’s happening, isn’t it?”

She closed her eyes and buried her face in his hand. “Yes…Aquene made you some medicine which will help a little. The full moon is tonight.”

Dean sighed and furrowed his brows. “I’m still going to love you, no matter what I am,” he whispered.

She fought against the pain his statement brought because it was the truth. “I know…and so will I.”

“Come here.” He stretched his arms out, and she crawled up onto the bed, curling up against his chest.

“You’re going to need lots of rest and some food before night fall,” Amber whispered.

“We’ll get to that. I just need to hold you right now.”

Amber closed her eyes and snuggled down into his arms, praying it wouldn’t be the last time.

They woke sometime later, both of their stomachs growling due to the smell coming from the kitchen. Amber could hear the tinkling of dishes and smiled.

Looking at her, Dean frowned.

“It’s Aquene cooking for us,” she whispered and stroked his cheek.

“Such a good woman.” He stretched and grimaced. “God, I smell awful. I need a shower.”

“Well, you did sweat for forty-eight hours.” Getting up from the bed, she watched him slowly maneuver himself into a sitting position. “Do you need some help?’

The grin that lit up his face warmed her heart. “Yeah, but I don’t think Aquene would appreciate it if we had hot, passionate sex in the shower when she was only a few feet away.”

Amber laughed when the banging of the dishes got a little louder in the kitchen. Dean couldn’t help but chuckle, too.

“I’ll be going back over to my house! Why don’t you call me when you are ready to eat?” A moment later, the front door banged.

She blushed, turning to Dean. “I swear that woman has the ears of a bat since Casey healed her.”

Dean smiled and pushed the covers back and shivered. “I need a hot shower. Hot as you can get it, I am
freezing
.”

Disappearing into the bathroom, she set the water temperature and closed the door so the steam could build. “Do you feel weak?”

“A little,” he admitted, running a hand down his face.

Walking over, she placed one of his arms over her shoulder and helped him stand then led him into the bathroom. “Are you sure you can stand alone in the shower?”

“Did you think I was kidding when I made the crack about showering together?”

She smirked. “Do you think you can stand alone while I get us both undressed then?”

He grinned. “I think I can manage.” His eyes roved over her while she disrobed. “You know it really sucks that I feel this way, or I would so be taking rigorous advantage of you right now,” he said, his voice husky.

Amber laughed and placed her hands on his chest. The scars were all that remained of Elan’s attack. “I know, but who knows? Maybe after you get some food into you, you’ll feel up to it before night fall.” Sliding her hands down his chest, she tugged down his shorts.

Sighing, he cupped her cheek and kissed her.

She looked up into his eyes. “I love you…so very much, Dean.”

His heart pounded beneath her hand. “I love you, too.”

“Okay then, let’s get you showered so we can eat. I didn’t eat anything yesterday, and I am starved.”

Once the shower was complete, Amber helped him into some clothes and into the kitchen.

“How hungry are you?” she asked, looking over the enormous meal Braedyn’s mother had managed to cook. Pot roast, oven roasted potatoes and other vegetables, thin gravy and Amber’s favorite of all, Aquene’s drop biscuits.

“I am starving. Heap it on,” he said with a grin, propping himself up on the table. “Aquene said to call her when we were ready to eat, didn’t she?”

Nodding, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed the number while she fixed their plates. The phone rang twice before it was answered. “Thank you Aquene, we’re in the kitchen fixing our plates now.”

The old woman clicked her tongue. “Now that’s nowhere near long enough for you two to have spent any decent time together.” Then she chuckled at the silence she received.

Amber felt her cheeks burn. Aquene, for all intents and purposes, was the mother she’d never had. This was not a conversation she wished to have with her.

“I just wanted to make sure you gave him another dose of that herbal I made. It will help with any lingering nausea because he needs to eat…a lot to conserve his energy for his shift this evening.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll go ahead and give Braedyn and Casey a call to let them know the food is ready. It should give you two enough time to put as much of it away as you can manage before Peyton and Braedyn polish it off.”

“You really didn’t have to go through all of this for us, Aquene.”

“It was no trouble. Thankfully you two didn’t wake until it was nearly lunchtime anyway.”

Amber could hear the old woman tinkering around in the shop and smiled. “Thank you again.”

“It was truly no trouble. You’ve been a better daughter to me than my own was. I’ll drop by and see Dean a little later. Give you time to eat and visit with Braedyn and Casey.”

Smiling, Amber slipped the phone into her pocket, and carrying their plates to the table, sat down. Dean reached across the small table and took her hand. In his eyes she saw his anxiety and could smell fear rolling from him in waves. She squeezed his hand. “I am going to be with you the entire time, I promise.”

With a nod, he picked up his fork and began to eat. He was cautious at first, and then ravenous hunger took over. “My God this woman knows how to cook,” he murmured around a bite.

Amber grinned. “She loves cooking big the nights of the moon. Especially for the new ones, to make sure our bellies are full enough to keep us from trouble. You’re going to need to eat big one or two more times before tonight. Your shift will be around sundown. Now if you were a natural Were, it would be closer to midnight. I have no idea why there is a difference between one who is a born Were and those who are changed the first time around.”

Dean nodded, not letting up for air, inhaling the food, and then he got up for a second plate piled just as high.

She smiled watching him, he no longer appeared weak, nor did he stumble before sitting back down while digging into this helping with the same fervor he’d shown with the first.

“Am I going to always be this hungry? I hardly feel like I’ve eaten a thing!”

“It was that way for me, but then again I’ve always had an incredible appetite. I can just eat and eat and eat. I guess the metabolism for a Were does wonders in eliminating the need for dieting. I can only imagine how many calories shifting burns.” She leaned back and grabbed an extra biscuit. “Aquene makes the best drop biscuits in the world!”