Walker's Run (7 page)

Braedyn cleared his throat, garnering her attention once more. “You’ll need to come out of your pants too.” The tone of his voice had changed, no longer serious, playfully cocky, but not quite self assured. It was a very interesting combination that did strange things to her.

She noticed a grin play around the edges of his mouth. That sort of comment from any other man would have brought a sharp retort. But finding it so out of character with the man she’d come to know over the last few days, she realized he was...flirting?

Her eyes dropped to his hands again. He unhooked his belt and unbuttoned his pants, sliding them down along with the all-weather bottoms and stood before her wearing only a pair of grey boxer briefs and wool socks. The body before her was better than any she’d ever captured on film. Braedyn was perfection. She wondered just how good his warm body would feel pressed against hers.

Casey fumbled her pants off with one arm, leaving her only in a t-shirt and a pair of panties. A layer of goosebumps rose on her skin. Braedyn moved over and slid into the sleeping bag and zipped it. He pulled the other blankets over them for added warmth. So close to his almost naked body, she noticed he shivered, too.

“How’s your shoulder?”

“Not that bad. Hurts to move, but at least I
can
move it.” Her breathing became a little labored at his proximity. The twinge of desire she’d felt watching him remove his clothing seemed to grow when his warm body brushed against hers. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to make love to a werewolf.

He looked in her eyes. “You need to stop thinking like that Casey, or we’ll both be in trouble.” His voice was husky.

Casey knew she should be embarrassed, but wasn’t. The fire began to build inside again, but was different this time. This was something new. It seemed to latch onto the small wave of desire she felt and fanned the flame, merging them both; turning into full-on sexual hunger.

For days she’d watched him and wondered what it would be like to be his lover. If he was always as gentle as he seemed.

* * * *

Braedyn was surprised when he felt Casey’s wolf awaken, astonished it had done so before the full moon. Usually, the spirit woke just before transformation for those who had been made a werewolf.

The spirit inside her was very strong, and her strength pleased him. He could smell and feel both of their desire; the wolf and the woman.

“I...I’m...sorry...” Casey closed her eyes. “I-I don’t know what—ˮ

“It’s the wolf,” he whispered, watching her visibly struggle with her new feelings. “She’s awakened early, this is a good sign. It means your transformation will be much easier tomorrow night.”

His own wolf awakened, expressing his urge to be near her. Braedyn heard her gasp and felt her muscles tense while she fought her internal battle, understanding what it felt like to share his thoughts and feelings with his wolf. He knew all too well what she was going through, finding someone else in her head for the first time.

It was no easy feat to overcome. Time, patience, and persistance would see her though.

* * * *

Casey closed her eyes, feeling the desire continue to build. Braedyn shifted closer, nuzzling her cheek, and slipped his arms around her. His warm body pressed against hers, causing goosebumps to rise.

She now knew the indescribable feeling had been her wolf awakening. It wasn’t entirely an uncomfortable feeling, just...different. The wolf inside her sensed the same stirrings in him and was pleased.

The pain in her left shoulder was gone, she noticed when moving her arms around his neck. She pulled him close, unable to ignore the emotions rolling through her. Turning her head, his lips brushed against hers.

Like electricity, it seared and zinged through her with a heady intensity. Warmth spread through her and pooled between her thighs.

The word
Mine
sprang to mind from the wolf inside her. Casey couldn’t understand how the wolf could come to that conclusion from a simple kiss. His tongue brushed against her lips. She opened her mouth to him and her thoughts scattered.

A soft moan of want escaped her when he nipped her bottom lip. She’d reached the point of no return. No bit of common sense could bring her back from the brink now. Casey didn’t want it to.

For days she’d been helpless while Braedyn had done everything he could to look after her. Now, she felt it was time to take care of him and show him just how appreciative she was for his ministrations.

* * * *

The wolf in Braedyn surged forward, yearning to connect with the wolf in her. Braedyn worried about hurting Casey. It had been a long time since he’d been with a woman. His failure at finding a mate had made other’s in his pack think him untouchable and uncaring. He had been young when he’d become their leader, and his concern had been the safety and unity of his pack. The first five or ten years he hadn’t been pressured, but the alpha was expected to take a mate whether she be for life or not.

Casey’s cool hands roamed across his chest and shoulders, causing him to shiver.

Wolves loved to be touched and caressed. He had coupled in the past in search for his life mate but never found her. None of his previous lovers touched him the way she did now. It seared through him and caressed his soul, soothing him and the wolf.

The truth was, Braedyn knew who
he
wanted, life mates be damned.

In the twenty years that followed his father’s death, he’d prayed to meet up with Casey and have the courage to court her. But that had gone out the window when he’d both sensed and felt her desire.

His hands moved across her waist and found the hem of her t-shirt. Her skin felt like warm silk to his cool hands. Braedyn had wanted to touch her like this for so long.

Casey raised her arms as if she felt no pain. His gaze found hers, and saw raw desire in her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed.

She’d been through enough and there was the worry he would cause her more discomfort.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” Braedyn whispered, his mouth grazing hers again.

“I feel no pain,” she assured him, moving her shoulder to prove her point.

He couldn’t resist the slow curve of a smile. “I didn’t mean your shoulder, entirely.”

She traced his lower lip with the tip of her finger. Arching her brow, Casey grinned. “I’m not scared.”

A gentle laugh escaped him at her boldness. She kissed him and groaned when her breasts grazed his chest. Her nipples were puckered from cold and desire. His mouth watered for a taste. He nibbled his way down her neck to suckle and caress them.

Her breathy moan echoed through him. Arching her back, Casey’s fingers combed through his hair, urging him to further explore her body. His dream had finally come true. He was holding the woman he’d dreamt of, and she wanted him.

Moving his hands down her flat tummy, Braedyn toyed with the edge of her simple cotton panties before sliding them down her thighs. With a twist of her ankle, Casey kicked them off.

Unable to contain the deep rumble which rose from his chest, he removed his own shorts. He was aware the growl didn’t frighten her, but only seemed to enhance her desire. Her fingers curled into his hair, pulling him closer.

The struggle with the beast inside was difficult. He tried to be gentle for her sake, not wanting her to look back on their experience as a bad one. She would be the first human he’d ever been with, and until her change tomorrow night, Casey was still human.

Her hands drifted down his back to his waist, pulling him closer. He ground his teeth, feeling the wet warmth of her body open to him. Braedyn fought to control the savage within and not take her in the ferocious manner the wolf demanded. Casey’s hands moved to his face, forcing him to look in her eyes, and then raised her hips to take him.

Hearing her breath catch in her throat when he entered her sent a shiver down his spine. Casey’s eyes closed. The pink tip of her tongue licked her lips. Braedyn grit his teeth, easing further into her. Once fully sheathed, he paused a moment, letting her adjust to his size and relax.

She felt far better than he’d ever imagined and fought a strong battle with his wolf as
he
sought to claim her. Her body was a perfect fit, like the last piece of a puzzle clicking into place. Clenching his fists, Braedyn willed his body to do
his
biding.

Closing his eyes, he trailed kisses along her jaw and began a gentle rhythm. Her body reacted to his. They discovered the pace which was right for them. Her soft moans and whimpers of pleasure spurred him on. She raised her hips to his, urging him deeper; faster.

He ground his teeth, fighting the urge to pound carelessly away. Casey rocked into him again and again, her slick warmth encircling him; Braedyn wasn’t sure how long he could hold the wolf at bay.

Casey’s groans escalated. Her nails bit into his shoulders, trailing down his back while arching hers. The wolf in her encouraged him. With a growl deep in his chest, he fought for control. Moments later, Casey’s body tightened around him, and her pleasure reached its peak. He buried himself to the hilt, firing what felt like his soul into her.

Braedyn rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes while his breathing returned to normal. He felt like all cognizant thought had been drained from him.

The wolf in her said
Mine
, again. He was thrilled when the wolf in him answered the affirmative. His wolf had found the mate
he
wanted, too. It was now up to the fates to decide if they were to be life mates.

Casey felt the wolf urging her awake from the deep pit of sleep. Grimacing, she opened her eyes to find the sun had not yet risen. Braedyn stirred, and his arms tightened around her a moment before he lifted his head and scented the air.

“A wolf is near,” he whispered in her ear. “My brother, checking on me.”

Relunctant to leave the warmth of his arms, she turned toward him. “Should I be worried?”

“No, my brother is harmless. Tala turned cold long ago. Elan isn’t the same.”

“Brother,” a man called from outside. “Are you well?”

She watched the reluctance cross Braedyn’s face. “I am,” he answered.

“And the human?”

Her breath caught. He looked in her eyes, pulling her snug against his warm body. She felt the wolf in her sidle up to him and sigh with content; his did the same. Her head swam with new emotions when his lips grazed hers, a butterfly softness that belied his large stature.

“Braedyn?” Elan called out again. “May I enter?”

The warmth of his breath blossomed across her neck and shoulders when he sighed. “Give us a moment, Elan. We’ll come to you.”

Casey felt her teeth chatter the moment he unzipped the sleeping bag and the freezing air invaded the warmth they’d created. She hurried into her clothes, feeling his helpful hands while he slipped her toboggan cap on.

“Stoke the fire for us,” Braedyn said kneeling in front of her.

She grinned and placed her hands over his when he attempted to tie her boots. “Thank you, but I think I can manage it this time.”

Nodding, he stood and grabbed their parkas. She tried to bite back her smile and slipped hers on. He was still in caretaker mode.

Her heart stood still when he looked in her eyes again. His fingers grazed her cheek before he bent and gave her another tender kiss. She took a deep breath when he unzipped the tent, letting the frigid air in, and they stepped out.

A young man knelt before the fire, stoking it to burn hotter. Taking a moment more before being satisfied, he stood. Turning, he looked at them.

“Mother sent me, she was worried,” Elan stated. The concern on his face was apparent.

Casey noticed rather than the pale grey eyes Braedyn had, Elan’s were dark brown. Their other features the same though: high cheekbones, broad nose, and bronze skin that were the Native American attributes they shared of their mother’s. But Braedyn stood nearly four inches taller than his younger brother. She watched Elan look her over with a quizzical expression and scented the air between them.

“Tala’s gone.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement. “And she changed her?”

“Yes.” She watched Braedyn step in front of her, a gesture of protection she now recognized.

A grin curved the edges of the younger Walker’s mouth when he looked up at his brother. “It’s about damned time. I’ve often wondered what it would take for you to confront the woman you’ve followed around like a pup for the last twenty years.”

She noticed the faint blush that rose in Braedyn’s cheeks when he glanced away from her.

“And your wolf has finally chosen a mate, I see.” Elan smiled, looking at her. “He’s been pretty picky,” he said in an exaggerated whisper.

Braedyn rolled his eyes while his younger brother received the joy of ribbing him in front of her.

Elan frowned and took a step closer to her, an expression of surprise in his eyes. “Her wolf’s already awakened?”

“Yes, which will make her transformation tonight much easier.”

Casey turned from them and knelt by the fire, reaching out her hands to receive its warmth. She stared into the flames, the questions she needed to ask about tonight flooded her mind.

* * * *

Braedyn watched from the corner of his eye as Casey knelt to gather warmth from the fire. “She was only protecting herself, Elan.”

“I know. Not many Were’s could take Tala on, but your human managed even while severely injured.” He glanced over at her a moment. “Does she even understand what’s going to happen? How this will change her life?”

Braedyn’s jaw tensed. “Not entirely. Casey didn’t have a clue until last night when she caught me shifting from wolf to man. I couldn’t find a delicate way of telling her. As it was, she took it far better than I could have given her credit. Her fever lasted three days, and since the wolf’s awakening last night, her wounds have completely healed.”

Elan’s brows furrowed. “Before transformation?”