Walker's Run (22 page)

“Mm-mm...those look good.”

Grinning, Amber went back to the pancakes, took them from the pan and placed the finished sausage beside them. “The omelet is the last thing to finish.”

“Mm, smells good in here,” Braedyn said walking into the kitchen. He was wearing flannel pajama bottoms and the matching shirt, unbuttoned. His dark, wavy hair still wet, hung around his shoulders.

“Sure does, it’s almost ready,” Casey said handing Braedyn a mug from the cabinet.

“You two can go ahead and fix your plates,” Amber said flipping the omelet pan over. “This one will be done in a minute.”

Braedyn smiled and took one of the plates with an omelet on it, added a few pieces of sausage and five pancakes. He took his plate to the table and then rambled through the pantry and came back with some natural maple syrup. By the time he sat down, Casey and Amber were headed to the table with their plates.

Casey could see the nervous look Amber cast Braedyn when he took the first bite of the pancakes.

He closed his eyes, savoring the taste. His eyes opened and he grinned. “I may have you come fix breakfast more often. It’s very good,” he mumbled wiping his mouth and glancing over at Amber.

It’s delicious.
Casey sighed, chewing her first bite of the omelet. “Amber, you’re a terrific cook.”

The brunette blushed, poured syrup over her pancakes, and then dug in.

Breakfast wasn’t full of conversation, just rapidly scraping forks. Casey felt like she’d barely come up for air between bites. It was absolutely wonderful.

When they finished, Amber rose to clear the dishes. “Here, let me help,” Casey said rising with her.

“No, Amber and I can get it,” Braedyn said with a smile. He stooped to kiss her and took her plate.

She smiled and glanced over at Amber who suddenly looked a little nervous at being left alone with the alpha. “I’ll go and freshen up then.”

“That’s fine, Amber and I can handle the clean up.”

Casey watched the brunette disappear but heard the scraping of dishes. “Just be nice, she’s worried about angering you for coming last night.”

“No worries. I just need to speak with her alone for a few minutes. Go take your shower, it’ll be all right.” He stroked her hair behind her ear and kissed her once more.

* * * *

Braedyn noticed Amber’s silence while they cleaned. Though he wasn’t one for idle chit chat, he wasn’t fond of total silence either.

Drying her hands, she looked up at him. “You’re not...angry with me, are you?”

“No. I’m concerned. If this feeling woke Casey too, I know there has to be something to it. I’ve never doubted you before, Amber. Why would you think I would be upset with you?”

“Two nights in a row I've popped out here and woke your mate. Most males would be royally pissed about it.”

Braedyn laughed. “No, she was already awake last night when you came. I've never turned anyone away from my door, ever. I am not about to start now.”

She looked away from his eyes. “I’m not exactly sure what it was I felt. But it scared me enough I came here the shortest way, through the valley. I didn’t even think about how deep the drifts were. When I got here I was frozen. Casey built a fire and forced some coffee into me.” She ran her hands through her hair. “I just...had to come here.”

“I understand. Had the feeling changed any once you got here?”

“Yes. It seemed to abate as soon as I saw Casey standing in the doorway. I could sense her worry too, but I checked the property and smelled nothing unusual. There was just an overwhelming sense of urgency to get here quickly.” She looked back up at him. “Once I got here, I felt like a total ass.”

“Never feel bad for following your gut. Quite a few times it’s saved my life and those in this community.”

Braedyn watched her fiddle with a button on her shirt to avoid looking up at him, he sighed and leaned back against the counter, giving her some room. It was difficult for him to discuss his feelings, like most men. It was doubly hard trying to talk to Amber about it when she was so emotionally cripled.

“I trust you more than my own brother. I don’t give my full faith easily, you know that.”

“I need to go check on your mom.” Changing the subject was her coping mechanism.

“Casey may be disappointed if you leave before she’s finished with her shower. She’s grown quite fond of you.”

Amber grinned. “I like her. I think you’ve finally found someone else to keep you on your toes.”

Braedyn laughed. “Yes, I think so.” He frowned slightly, looking down at her. “You both need a friend. I know you don't have many, and you two have seemed to hit it off quite well. I can't even begin to tell you how much that pleases me.”

She shrugged. “I can be likeable when I feel like it.”

“You both have severe self-deprecating issues.” He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, chewing over his next thought. “I’d like to send you on some reconnaissance...but with Casey being so new to everything, I’d feel much safer if you stuck closer to home.”

Amber nodded. “I understand. Seeing as everyone knows who I am within the pack, no one talks to me much for fear of it getting back to you. I suppose it doesn't help that I’m mostly antisocial either,” she said with a shrug.

“Everything eventually gets back to me. I just hope whatever is coming gives us enough of a chance to properly protect those who need it most.”

* * * *

Setting out to check his sources, Braedyn felt safe leaving Casey in Amber’s more than capable hands. He knew if anyone knew the juicy gossip worth either spreading or sitting on, it would be Rhea.

Pulling his old truck up in front of her store, he surveyed the scene in front of him. One of the Avery boys was dutifully shoveling the sidewalk, another was spreading salt behind him. Elan was definitely getting the boys to work and work hard for the community. He nodded his approval, passed, and walked into Rhea's shop.

Rhea looked up at him when the bell toned his arrival.

He could instantly tell something was on her mind, and he strode to the counter.

“Good mornin', Braedyn,” she said without the large southern smile she usually sported when attempting to pour on the charm in his presence.

But that could also have been due to the fact he had brought someone home to be his mate instead of choosing from within the community. Rhea had been a near constant suitor since he was a child...he just couldn't stand the gossip. Braedyn knew Rhea would be the type once she got a taste of the Alpha power, it would go straight to her head.

“There is something going on. I thought, perhaps, you may be able to shed a little light on it, before I do some major digging and possibly have to roust a few people from the Run.” His tone was firm, leaving no room for arguement.

Rhea swallowed. Her nervousness was apparent when she kept tucking her reddish brown hair behind her ears. “I’ve only heard a few bits here and there, nothing anyone would really elaborate on, you know. I've heard mention that your uncle is going to try another upheaval, but I don't know when.”

“Well, we all knew that was coming. Is there anything else?”

She licked her lips looking around the deserted store, making sure no one was within ear shot. “I've heard rumor of the Silver Wolf’s return. That's why Harlan is trying to stage this. He believes Her to be here, in the Run. None of the wolves here have the markings or coloring the Mother is supposed to bare. I can't see how he could come to that conclusion. If the She were here, we'd all know it.”

Braedyn nodded. “Yes, everyone would be aware of it.”

“Then why is it the most rampant rumor running around?”

“That, I can't tell you, Rhea. How do most rumors start anyway? Someone talking out of their ass to get attention.” He raised a brow at her, watching her squirm at his words. “I'm not angry with you, but I would like you to keep me posted on anything new you might hear.”

Rhea opened her mouth, then closed it again.

“What? What is it?” He struggled to keep his temper in check. He’d learned a long time ago the best way to get information out of Rhea was to remain calm.

“I’ve heard that it’s reached Harlan about Casey and who she is,” she mumbled and looked down from his eyes. “And...of what she’s done to Tala.”

His jaw tensed. Talk. Talk. Talk. Nothing angered him more. He forced himself to keep his hands at his side. There was no point in throttling a woman who was only relaying some of the gossip she'd heard.

“Is that all?”

Rhea nodded. “Pretty much.”

“Anyone else I may need to go and talk to?” He knew Rhea didn't like to reveal her gossip sources, but now was not the time to hide a confidant.

“Sara Parrish.” She swallowed, looking in his eyes.

“Thank you Rhea. If you have anything further, call my cell.”

She lowered her gaze from his. “Yes.”

He bit back his anger and stalked out of her store, having enough presence of mind not to slam the door behind him. He got behind the wheel of his truck and drummed his fingers on the wheel before he drove south. Donovan Parrish and his wife, Sara, were refugees he’d taken in after the first coupe Harlan staged when he tried to unseat him after his father’s death. They had been warriors for Harlan’s army. Braedyn let them stay when they asked for sanctuary after the first battle injured Sara horribly.

Running a hand through his hair, he realized this wouldn’t be the first time mercy had come back to bite him in the ass. He knew they both still had their contacts in Harlan’s pack. They knew far more than they let on. He hoped after a little pressing he could get them both to talk before it was too late.

Donovan Parrish was out front splitting wood when Braedyn pulled into the driveway. A full cord of logs were already split and neatly piled next to his chopping block. He stopped and leaned on his ax when Braedyn slid out of his truck. He glanced to the porch and saw Sara stand from her rocker, a blanket his mother had made wrapped around her shoulders.

“To what do we owe this pleasure?” Donovan asked with a broad grin and shook his hand.

Braedyn sighed when he released the man’s hand. “I'm afraid this isn't a social call.”

Donovan's eyes narrowed. “What's going on?”

“The rumor mill has started up again.” He turned his eyes toward Sara. “So far the source points back to your Sara.”

Donovan closed his eyes a moment. He and his wife weren't the oldest couple in the Were community, but they were close. Both were over three hundred years old. “What about this time, might I inquire?”

“The Silver Wolf's return and of my uncle's next plan for upheaval.”

He looked totally flabbergasted. “I know nothing of this, Braedyn, I swear to you.” Raising his hands in a sign of surrender, Donovan took a step back. “I’ve not spoken with anyone from Harlan's pack in nearly ten years. I had thought Sara stopped as well.”

“Would you mind if I spoke to Sara?” The statement was made for kindness. He was going to talk to her regardless of Donovan’s response, and they both knew it.

“Is my presence required?” he asked looking away.

Braedyn understood what the man was feeling. Sara was his mate. It was his job to protect her at all costs, even if it meant standing up to the Alpha. But Donovan knew he would never harm a woman. Donovan and Sara had been together for the better part of two centuries and had born four children. He knew Donovan loved Sara more than life itself and in return dealt with the trouble her mouth had gotten them into with a roll of his eyes.

“Not yet.” Then raising his voice so Sara could hear him from the porch, Braedyn continued. “Might I ask for a cup of coffee and some conversation with you Sara?”

He watched her cast a nervous look to her husband before nodding. Pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders, she led him into the house. With trembling hands, she made a fresh pot of coffee while he sat down at the table.

“This is a surprise,” she quipped, unsucessful in keeping the quiver from her voice. Sara came to the table with two cups.

“Yes, it is. I didn’t expect to have to come out here for this.” Braedyn set the cup she handed to him down on the table and fixed her with a firm stare. “I had hoped, considering the length of time you’d spent in the Run, you’d have come to me with information instead of sending it through the rumor mill.”

“Br-Braedyn...” Sara took a deep breath when his eyes flared gold then dropped her eyes to the table in submission. “I-I spoke recently to my sister. She’s in Harlan’s pack. She told me that the Silver Wolf had returned and was prophesied to come to Walker's Run. News of your possible mate had already reached there, I don't know how, I swear to you. My sister also mentioned that Harlan was planning to come out here to take her from you one way or another to make you both suffer for what happened to your father and your sister.” It all came out in one breath, leaving the old Were looking deflated. “Please Braedyn.” Tears filled her eyes. “Do not cast my husband out because of my mouth.”

“I've no plans to cast either of you out,” he ceded. “I need to know where you stand if my uncle's pack decides to form an attack. Will you fight with or against me?”

“With you, my Lord...” she whispered casting her eyes downward again.

“I am not your Lord, only your Alpha. Our Creator will one day punish you for your deeds here, that’s not my responsibility.” He sighed. “Did your sister happen to mention when this would take place? I need to make sure those who are capable of fighting are where they need to be, and those who aren't are protected.”

Sara shook her head. “My sister did not say. She only asked that Donovan take me away from here soon. She said she could only warn me, not protect me. I’ve not spoken to him of it.”

He shook his head. “So it is soon.” He took a sip from the coffee and set it back down. “Thank you, Sara. I only wish you had come to me sooner.”

“Please...” she began but stopped when his eyes flashed again. “My sister is pregnant—you know your uncle cares nothing of the sort—but she's my family and her husband is one of Harlan's top men—”

“I can’t guarantee you his life will be spared, Sara. Not when his intention is to take my mate from me.” He clenched his fist. “I’m sorry, Sara.” Rising from the table, his mind was a blur running through the necessary arrangements that needed to be made. “I can’t begin to describe the level of deception I feel right now. But I gave you my word, I’ve no intention of casting you or your husband out. Do not let this happen again. This is your final warning. You either sit on any new information, or you come directly to me.” He could feel his wolf at attention and bristling from the anger.