Walker's Run (6 page)

Breadyn had at least been kind enough to bring her an old coffee can and dutifully emptied it when she was finished. Pride had overruled her good sense, and now she was regretting her choice. Struggling to button her pants, she noticed a wolf step into the light of the campfire.

Her breath locked in her chest. It was the same wolf who had tried to protect her the night of her attack. Casey’s jaw dropped, watching him stretch. A faint cracking and a hissing whisper rent the air. The transition was so quick she was barely able to register what had happened. A few moments before there had been a beautiful wolf. Now, knelt on the ground, naked and just as equally gorgeous back lit by the fire; was Braedyn.

With a gasp, Casey stumbled, crying out when her shoulder banged into the tree behind her. What felt like fire seared through her chest and back while she struggled to her feet. Before she could completely draw in a frigid, pain-filled breath, he was standing in front of her; fully clothed.

“What are you doing out here?” he snarled, the corner of his mouth lifted into a sneer.

“I-I had to pee. I didn’t w-want to have to use the can again.” Tears ran down her cheeks.

His pale gaze narrowed on hers. “What did you see?”

Her heart felt like it pounded in her throat. She tried to gulp down the fear. Just
who was he? What...was he?

“I don’t know.” The anger she saw in his eyes terrified her. “P-please...don’t hurt me,” she whimpered. Trying to back away from him, her mind was unable to draw the correct parallels with what she’d seen.

A muscle twitched in his jaw, and his brows drew together in an anguished expression. The anger was completely gone. This was the man she’d come to know over the last few days. “I couldn’t hurt you even if I wanted to, Casey.”

She tucked a wide strand of her hair behind her ear and took a steadying breath. Finally things started to click into place. Her feelings about the handsome stranger and bits she’d noticed but had been unable to connect in the few short days she’d known him.

“It was you, wasn’t it? That night. Protecting me from the shewolf?”

There was a moment of hesitation before Braedyn nodded. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to stop her.” He took a tentative step towards her.

She didn’t cringe when he slipped an arm around her waist and lead her back to the tent. The familiarity of his gentle touch was welcome while this new revelation came out.

“Was that you? So many years ago?”

“Yes.” He maneuvered her inside the tent. “Your father killed mine. My sister blamed you and said my father was weak for protecting a human.”

She shook her head unable to make her mind work. He couldn’t really be...?

“But...you’re human?”

Braedyn smiled and dropped the flap on the tent, helping her to the air mattress. “Yes and no. I’m also a wolf.”

“I-I don’t understand.” She sat down, dumbfounded, and watched him kneel to remove her boots; then help her out of her parka.

This is it, I’ve completely lost my mind.

“Is this real? Am I having another fever induced nightmare?”

He shook his head. “No fever.”

“How...?”

“My family has lived in this forest for centuries. Not all of us can change. Those of us who can, try to lead semi-normal lives to provide and care for the others. My father created Walker Pharmeceuticals. Financially, we’re set. When my father died, the pack divided. My mother is human and remains secluded from the rest of the world. My sister rarely changed back to her human form after our father’s passing. She preffered being a wolf. It...it takes quite a bit of practice to change at will.”

Casey was afraid to give voice to the one term that would describe what she’d seen. What...he was.”So...you’re a...werewolf?”

“Yes.”

She saw the truth in his pale eyes. “The bite?”

Braedyn looked away from her.

Her mouth went dry. She put her right hand on his cheek and forced him to look at her. “Am I...?” Unable to finish the question, her heart thundered in her chest.

Anguish once again filled his expression. Reaching up, he grasped her hand in his. Casey knew in the pit of her stomach she wouldn’t like his answer, even though he managed to look reassuring at the same time. “Yes, you were lucky. Not many survive the first day after being bitten.”

“You said not all of you can change. What does that mean?”

He sat down in front of her, still holding her hand. “Those of us with a human parent have a more difficult time learning to transform. It’s incredibly painful. Those who never aquire the ability can only change with the lunar cycles. Not everyone can handle being able to do it at will.”

Her mind whirled, trying to understand what he was saying. “So...your father was a werewolf and your mother...is human?”

Braedyn nodded. “Yes, a Native American. She’s a healer; a practiced homeopathic physician and herbalist. My father adored her.” He gave a soft smile. “He truly treated her as if she were a queen.”

Casey noticed the expression on his face. Though he spoke of his parents love it was obvious he’d worshiped his father. The pang of his death hit her again, even more now that she knew the truth.

“What am I to expect now?” She looked down at their joined hands. His tanned skin was such a contrast compared to hers. Casey had never considered herself pale, but the richer russet tone in his skin made hers look nearly alabaster.

Braedyn cleared his throat. “I can’t lie. This won’t be easy on you. While your wound heals you will feel like you’re on fire inside. It will continue until the first night of the full moon. During the three days the moon is full, you will change into your wolf form at sundown. Urges will build inside you. It’s not blood you’ll crave, but the hunt. Eventually, you will learn to work with the wolf, even control it.”

“I have only killed for food and to protect myself.” She shuddered, tears welling in her eyes. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“You are a kind and decent person, Casey. You may have to fight the wolf on occassion. The rage that comes from nowhere, needs to be held firmly in check. I normally request the death of someone who’s been changed against their will.”

She searched his face. “You’re the alpha now?”

He nodded. “Those changed against their will usually go rogue, with or without the proper training. You can imagine having a rogue running loose puts those of us who walk amongst the humans unnoticed in danger.”

“Do you think I can learn?” Casey watched him smile when he reached up and stroked her cheek.

“If I didn’t believe it, I’d have...spared you this life.” Braedyn shook his head. “I’ve watched for many years whenever you came back to the forest, protecting you from my sister. As the years drew on and visits became infrequent, I...missed you.” He dropped his hand from her cheek and fidgeted.

Noticing his cheeks redden a little, she raised her brows. “Me?”

He gave a gentle laugh and nodded. “Yes. You were the first human to play with me in my wolf form and not be frightened. My first human friend.”

She watched his pale gaze travel over her face before locking with hers once more. “I can promise you, I’ve looked for you each time I’ve come back to the forest, wondering what had happened to you.”

His hand ran through his hair. “After what happened to my father, I was wary. Too afraid to approach you as you were never far from your father or brother.”

Casey shook her head, feeling the pain of that night all over again. The guilt she’d carried for so long. “I’m so very sorry for what’s happened.”

“No, it was just as much my fault.”

Tears pricked her eyes, and she hung her head. “I’m worried...” She shivered, unsure if the cold or fear was the cause.

“I know, and you have every right to be, but I promise I will be with you every step of the way,” he vowed. “It’s my fault this happened, I should’ve kept a better eye on you.”

“You’ve protected me all these years. Why?” Casey looked in his eyes again, searching for the answers there. She noticed he looked uncomfortable under her direct gaze.

“Because...somewhere along the years, I began to feel more than just protective...when it came to you. I’ve watched you grow and learn to live off the land. Seen the enjoyment in your eyes when you took in the beauty of the forest. Knowing that beauty hasn’t been lost on you no matter how infrequent your visits became…it...touched something in me.” He shook his head and smiled. “I’ve never met another woman quite like you.”

Over the last four days, Casey had found herself admiring Braedyn more while he’d tended to her with such tenderness for a man his size. Not once did he waiver on any of the responsibilities he’d taken upon himself. Now that she’d learned he was the alpha it made her wonder if he was shirking his duties for her. Was he afraid he would have to kill her or was it something more?

“Does your family know where you are?”

“My brother, Elan, was the other wolf that night. My pack would know if something happened to me. There is a feel between a wolf and its alpha. Because they’ve not felt anything, they’ve not come looking. Though I’m sure barely more than a handful would, if they had.” He released her hand and picked up her boots and parka, moving them over to the heater to dry.

“Why would you say that?”

“Not many agreed I should be the alpha after my father’s passing. They didn’t feel I was responsible enough to handle it because I had been the one to put him in danger in the first place. My uncle fought me for the position. I was young, but stood my ground. I let everyone know I wanted no one to remain who didn’t wish to stay; but if they ever changed their minds they would be welcomed back.” He took a deep breath and pulled out another bottle of water. “When my uncle left, he took a good number of members with him.”

“All of this happened because of me,” Casey said, the guilt welling in her again. “I am so sorry. I can’t believe how one incident could cause such heartache and turmoil. All because I didn’t listen to my father and stay put.” She couldn’t believe he was there with her, taking care of her, when she was the reason all of this had been pressed on him at such a young age. She was responsible for taking his father from him. It was one hell of a way to thank him for keeping her warm and safe so long ago.

Braedyn shook his head. “I didn’t listen to mine either when he told me to stay away from the humans in the forest. But when you got lost, it was his decision to come protect you until your family came. Our intention was to keep you warm while you slept, and then lead you back to camp. Unfortunately your father took our behavior the wrong way and well...my father hated to be challenged. He could have walked away, but chose to stand his ground and fight. To him, it was principle.”

Casey shifted a little to give him room when he sat down next to her and opened the bottle of water. “I’m scared, Braedyn,” she whispered, leaning against him, resting her head on his shoulder. She needed his comfort.

He placed a reassuring arm around her. “I know.”

Burning pain woke Casey. It was like an itch that couldn’t be scratched deep in her muscles. She groaned and rolled over onto her back. The added agony couldn’t begin to compare to the fire within.

“Oh God.” She fisted her hands. “Please...make it stop.”

Her eyes opened when Braedyn slid closer. His brows furrowed. He laid a hand on her stomach.

A warm tingle spread through her from the contact, soothing away the brunt of the agony in her shoulder and the fire she’d felt inside.

“Thank you.” She let out a pent up breath. Relief washed over her when she looked at him.

His brow drew together in concern. “I don’t know how long it will last. The first full moon is tomorrow night. Your shoulder will be completely healed through the transformation as your wolf awakens. But the burning will only get worse.”

“When you touch me like that, the pain goes away.”

He smiled. “You didn’t think you’d made it through the last couple of days on Tylenol alone, did you?”

Casey laughed. “Thank you, again.” She watched his expression turn somber once more.

“It’s the very least I can do.” The sound of regret was still plain in his voice.

With the burning inside gone, she realized how cold it was. The propane heater had stopped. The extra bottles her father had packed had been used up. “There’s no more propane, is there?”

“No. All we have is the fire now. Are you cold?”

“Yes.” Her teeth chattered, and she shivered.

Braedyn sat up and gathered the blankets, including the one he’d been using, and tucked them over her.

“What are you going to sleep with?”

“I’ll be all right.” He shivered and rubbed his arms.

After all he’d done to care for and protect her, she couldn’t allow him to suffer. He’d been the only thing to keep her from the brink of death. With the temperatures dropping well into the teens and below, she didn’t want to chance loosing him to something that could be prevented.

Casey mustered the courage and looked at him. Trust wasn’t something she wagered on strangers. But more than once in her life, Braedyn had saved her and had therefore earned her faith. He wouldn’t hurt her, he’d proven that. Something inside argued against logic, he wasn’t a stranger.

“No. There’s enough room in this sleeping bag for two.” Unzipping the side, she laid it open for him. Casey was dressed in just a t-shirt, for ease of access to her shoulder bandages, and a pair of thermal bottoms. “Take off most of your clothes so the heat can be evenly distributed.”

He seemed hesitant. She wondered if he was afraid of hurting her. Braedyn pulled off his thick flannel jacket, and then the long sleeved thermal shirt, baring his broad and well muscled chest and arms. She cast an appreciative glance over him, watching him undress. Of all the gorgeous bodies she’d captured on film, none of them could compare to him.

Casey felt a flicker of desire course through her when his hands dropped to his belt, and she licked her lips in anticipation. His hands stopped. She looked up and realized he was watching her. Heat flooded her cheeks, and she glanced away.