Shadow Walker (6 page)

The door was knocked on and she turned to see Dean step in. His eyes widened a little when he saw her, his jaw dropping just enough.

Glancing down from his gaze, she attempted a nervous smile and turned away so the siblings could have their moment.

Casey laughed when he neared, then straightened his bow-tie and the folds of his lapel. “I forgot how good you look in a suit.”

“You're gorgeous, sis,” he said with a smile. “You're going to make that man very happy out there.”

“Hopefully as happy as he'll make me.”

Dean cleared his throat. “I just came back to check on you and wish you luck. I'll see you out there in a bit.”

Amber turned to watch him leave. All the men were dressed in black and silver tuxes and she had to admit, every last one of them looked very dapper.

Casey grinned at her. “You know he’s moving here, right?”

“Braedyn mentioned it this morning.” She cleared her throat trying to change the subject. It was her friend’s wedding day and it shouldn’t be about anything but her. “You look great.” Amber walked over and smiled. “I, however, feel about as comfortable as a tomboy in a dress ever could.”

Casey laughed and shook her head. “You’re not alone in that sentiment, I assure you. You'd never know by looking at you, though. You look very comfortable and very sure of yourself.”

Amber laughed, turning to her friend. “Hardly! I never was one for playing dress up, though I have to admit I do feel kind of sexy in this.” She grinned, looking at herself in the mirror. “It’s one thing to feign self-confidence, self-assurance, and sexiness when needed. It’s another to feel that way.”

Casey smiled and took a deep breath. “I have a plan for you and me.”

Amber glanced back at her and raised her brows. “A plan?”

Nodding, her friend looked back in the mirror, making sure that her blonde curls were in the right place. “I've got one last photo shoot. It’s something that was already in motion before my
vacation
last month. A little bit of traveling is necessary. I want you to come along to keep me company and for protection.”

“Traveling, huh?” Amber nodded and smiled. “I think I could handle that. I think I could definitely handle that.”

Casey grinned. “I thought you might.”

There was another sharp rap at the door. Peyton breezed into the room.

 His gaze found his daughter’s. “Hey beautiful, are you ready?”

Taking a deep breath, the blonde stood, smiling at her father. “Ready as I'll ever be.”

“I never thought I'd see the day where I’d give my daughter to another man.” He took her arms in his and stepped back to look at her again. Clearing his throat, tears shimmered in his eyes and he sniffed. “You're gorgeous, baby-doll. Braedyn is one lucky man.”

Casey laughed and sniffed, knuckling away a tear. “You can't do this, Daddy. You can't make me cry until after the pictures.”

He smiled and hugged her. “It’s just a shame it takes your own wedding to put you in a dress for the first time since Prom.”

She pulled back from him, dabbing at her eyes again. “I wouldn’t have worn one then if you hadn’t made me.”

“Okay, baby-doll. It’s time for Amber to go take her place.”

Amber laughed, her nerves making her voice shake more than she’d have liked. “It’s official, I’m the maid of honor and Dean is standing in as best man, right?”

“Yes. Is everything taken care of with Elan?”

“Yes. Donovan Parrish is playing the babysitter for the proceedings. There is nothing to be concerned with. I’ve taken care of it. Relax today. Everything will go smoothly,” she tried to assure her friend.

Casey closed her eyes and took a breath. “Okay. I just have the feeling today won’t go off without a hitch or two.”

“You can’t think that way,” Peyton admonished.

“You can’t honestly tell me you don’t feel something is going to happen?” She turned to Amber. “Just please, give Donovan a call before you and Dean take your places. I’ll feel better knowing Elan is safely out of the way.”

“I will.” She walked over and picked up the small bouquet Aquene had made, pulled her cell phone from her purse, and dialed a number. After a few rings, the call was answered. Amber thumbed the button to put the call on speaker. “Everything all right?” she asked.

“I gave him one of those shots you told me to about half an hour ago. He’s sleeping like a baby, just like you said he would,” Donovan said.

“Good. Call me if anything changes.”

“I promised I would.”

Amber disconnected the call, put the phone on vibrate, slipped it into her bouquet of flowers, and winked. “There.”

“I feel better now.”

She smiled at her friend. “It’s time. Are you ready for this?”

Casey nodded.

Reaching out, she took her hand and squeezed it. “It’s going to be fine, Casey. This is the next step in your life. Your friends are here and your family is here. This is supposed to be the happiest day of your life. So…I had better get out there…and…walk down the aisle with your brother.” She laughed, feeling the burn of her blush.

Peyton laughed, too and cleared his throat. “I think I’ll like walking you down the aisle to Dean just as much when the time comes.”

Amber flushed, feeling the tiny prickles of heat in her scalp. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Casey. “I’ll see you out there in a minute.” Then she dashed out the door to her place.

The chapel was so beautifully decorated and the floral scents weren’t overwhelming to the over sensitive noses in attendance. The atmosphere was electric. Everyone was here to see the Alpha couple get married. She spotted Braedyn and the warm smile on his face when he saw her. His hair was pulled back into a braid from his temples, but the back was left long, hanging almost to the middle of his back. Silver beads lined two small braids that hung from his right temple.

Her gaze moved to Dean’s. His expression was one she’d read often on his face the last couple of days. She prayed there was no trace of a blush on her cheeks. The music began, Cannon in D Minor. Squaring her shoulders, she accepted Dean’s arm, and they walked down the aisle. Amber tried to ignore the comment Peyton had made about walking her down the aisle to him when the time came.

(The Reception)

Dean watched his sister swirl around the dance floor with her new husband and couldn’t help being envious. The fact they’d known what they wanted and gone for it. For them, love was enough, the fates eventually agreed.

Taking a deep breath, he scanned the room, looking for Amber. He hadn’t seen her since they’d left the wedding hall and he hoped to get another look at her in the dress. Refilling his glass of punch, he settled against the table, letting his eyes roam the room. With a smile, he saw his father step in and twirl Casey from Braedyn for the father/daughter dance.

“Looking for someone?”

The words were purred. A shiver worked its way up his spine and he turned to her.

“I thought you’d run off without me getting another chance to see you in that dress,” he said with a grin.

She cast her eyes downward, bashful.

“You’re very beautiful, Amber,” he murmured.

Her hands trembled when he moved closer. Clearing her throat, she looked out on the dance floor, watching the dancers. “You might want to step in soon if you plan on getting a dance with her. I think you and your dad are the only men Braedyn will let get close to her for the next few days.”

He followed her gaze. “Why is that?”

Amber grinned. “Casey went into heat once your dad put her hand on Braedyn’s.”

Dean laughed. “Well at least it waited until then. I could only imagine Braedyn tearing everyone’s head off who came close to her.” Turning away from the dance floor, his eyes traveled over her.

* * * *

Amber laughed and looked at Dean, knowing immediately it was a mistake. It had been hard enough walking down the aisle with him. She’d tried hard not to look at him directly. A feathery touch stroked the back of her hand. Turning it over, his fingers laced with hers.

Dean brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles, keeping his eyes locked on hers. “I’ve wanted to put my lips on you all day.”

She found herself closing the last few inches between their bodies. Her heart raced when he rested a hand on her side. His other caressed her cheek and she closed her eyes, feeling the emotion in his touch.

“Amber?”

“Hmm?” she mumbled, feeling his breath caress her face.

“Can I have this dance?”

She laughed and opened her eyes. “I warn you, I’m actually a pretty good dancer.”

“Good, maybe you can help me fix my two left feet.” He smiled and leaned forward, giving her a gentle kiss before leading her out onto the dance floor.

Amber smiled, twirling from Dean to Peyton. She was having a great time, despite the fact Casey and Braedyn had ditched not long after the father/daughter dance. Many of those in the community were still dancing and having a good time. She didn’t mind in the least when Dean kissed her on the dance floor during a slow song or the closeness of his body when they’d shared a steamy Rumba. Dancing with him was as easy as loving him, and she was glad to have the chance to do both.

During a break Peyton walked over, carrying a drink.

“So, how is my future daughter-in-law?” he asked when she accepted the offered drink.

Done trying to hide her blush, she shook her head. He towered over her, much like Dean and Braedyn…and most of the men in Walker’s Run. She saw the kindness in his eyes paired with his warm statement. He truly believed she was his son’s match. “I’m enjoying myself, Peyton. Thank you. You and Dean sure know how to make a woman feel special.”

He batted away the comment. “Unfortunately, they don’t usually stick around for long. For me at least, anyway,” he said with a sigh. “I think I’ll go and make myself comfortable back at the bar. I swear I saw the bartender watering down the drinks.”

Amber laughed as he walked away, and Dean stopped in front of her.

“Having a good time?”

She smiled and straightened his lapel, sliding her hand up to his shoulder. “I’m having a great time. I just thanked your father, now it’s time to thank you…a little more properly.” Downing her drink, she set it on the table and leaned into him, placing her arms around his broad neck.

It was a gentle but firm kiss, and she pressed her body to his. A soft giggle escaped when she tried to pull away but found Dean pulling her closer still.

“I’ve never been one much for public displays of affection,” she breathed.

Dean raised his brows and glanced around the room. “Oh, you mean there are other people around?”

Amber stroked the tiny dimple in his right cheek. “Care to follow me back to my place? I need to change out of this dress and go check on Elan. Donovan needs to be relieved. He needs to come down here and have a little fun with his wife while the alcohol is still flowing. It takes entirely too much to get a Were even buzzed. Since it’s on the house, I feel I should let them enjoy it while they can.”

* * * *

Dean nodded, lacing his fingers in hers. On their way out, they passed his father, and Peyton assured them he would get Aquene back home and squared away for the evening.

He brought clothes in with him to swap out of the tux while Amber disappeared into the bathroom to change out of her dress. He hung his tux up carefully on the hanger and draped it across the foot of the bed. Checking himself in the full-length mirror on the back of the door, he wondered what she found attractive about him in comparison to all the others in Walker’s Run. With no answer to be found, he turned away from the mirror and went to the bathroom door.

“Everything okay in there?”

The door opened. “Yes, I just hated coming out of the dress, that’s all.” Amber was wearing blue jeans and a heavy cable-knit brown turtle neck sweater. She’d combed her hair out and it once again fell in soft curls around her face.

Dean laughed and shook his head. “So you liked the dress after all?”

She shrugged. “It’s the first time I’ve ever felt beautiful and sexy.”

He smiled and pulled her into his arms. “I’ll try to make sure I make you feel that way more often.” His tongue traced her lips.

She shuddered and pulled back, breathless from the kiss. “I have to get over to the Parrish’s. We can resume this later, I promise.”

Reluctantly, he drew himself away and followed her out to her SUV. He slid into the passenger seat while she gunned the massive engine back to life.

* * * *

Amber pulled into the driveway, coming to a halt next to Donovan’s pickup. She shut off the engine and frowned when Dean grabbed her hand and put his fingers to his lips. His eyes were closed and his head tilted, like he was listening.

Her training kicked in, all her senses were on alert. She could smell blood.

“Someone’s hurt,” she said looking at the front door of the Parrish home. Smoke still furled from the chimney due to a well-stoked fire.

“How can you tell?”

“I can smell blood in the air.” She opened her door and slid down from the driver’s seat, closing the door silently. Dean, just as quiet, was at her side when they approached the front door of the Parrish home.

She reached for the knob, and he placed a hand over hers. Closing his eyes, he put the other flat on the door. He grimaced and shook his head. The expression in his eyes seemed haunted. Nodding to her, she turned the handle and left gravity to carry the door inward.

Light from the fireplace lent more than enough for them to see the carnage that lay in the room.

The scent of blood filled her nostrils. The Tigress perked, interested, and settled into an alert position. Amber was cautious when she stepped into the room, searching for the source of the blood, and found him lying on the floor behind the couch. Her heart knocked against her ribs when she knelt next to Donovan Parrish. The gory sight affected her far more than normal. It wasn’t like she had been particularly close to the man or his gossipy wife. Fear knotted her stomach because Elan was gone, and with him, he had taken out another of the fiercest warriors the community had.