Free Shadow Walker by Mel Favreaux

“She’s one of those kinds of people?”
    “Yes, but in a fun way. I attribute my sanity over the last three years to her.” Picking up her mug of coffee the blonde shook her head, her expression tense. “I just…I don’t want to go back to that again. I came very close to having a violent outburst with a client. Destroyed some equipment and stormed out. Before the sun was completely up that morning I was on a plane back here.”
    Unable to see her very calm, laid-back friend having a violent outburst of emotion, with a frown, she listened.
    “There was so much stress…and to see that these people have been held in such high esteem. I got to see the real side of them and how fake everything was. How it was skewed and then served to the public. If the legions of adoring fans could see who these people really were, things would be different. I didn’t go into photography to do that. Not to tell lies.” Casey laughed and turned to look back at Braedyn talking with a few of the trackers. “It was a picture of Braedyn in wolf form that landed me the job ten years ago.”
    Tension rent the air, both the Silver Wolf and the Tigress shifted uneasily. Neither were happy with the Alpha’s decision. They had both spent the morning trying to argue their case with Braedyn and Dean to no avail. Even Peyton was of no help.
    Pouring two mugs of coffee, Amber made herself and Dean a cup. It was shocking how simple it had been to fit him into her life.
    “Are you all right?”
    Amber cleared her throat and brushed away a hot tear that coursed down her cheek. “Damn you Maynards.” She sniffed. “I love you both dammit, I just wish my emotions weren’t being dragged all over the carpet like this.”
    “I am sorry. You don’t want to leave here anymore than I do, and on top of it all, we have the full moon to worry about. I’m terrified without Braedyn to help me through.”
    She blew out a breath and nodded. “Yeah, I’d thought of that. Soon as you hear from Dori about where we’re going I will do some research of the surrounding areas and see what I can come up with.” Picking up her mug, she took a swig of the hot brew and smiled.
    “Y-you’re not worried?”
    “Not at all,” she scoffed. “I’ve got the chance to run with the Silver Wolf, I’m looking forward to it.” Placing a reassuring hand on Casey’s shoulder, she smiled. “You have absolutely nothing to worry about and you know it. We’ll just roust up a couple of raccoons and piss ’em off.”
    “Thank you.” Braedyn left the group of men and made his way back over. “So how long did Dori say?”
    “It’s going to take her at least a day to get things set up. It is very short notice, but at least this one particular agent is really looking to revamp a young elitist’s career.” Casey rolled her eyes. “If anyone can pull it off, Dori can. But either way, Amber and I leave day after tomorrow.”
    “That’s not soon enough.”
    Casey frowned and fisted a hand in his flannel shirt, tugging him near. “I am in heat and I refuse to leave while in this condition. You’re damn lucky I even allowed you out of bed this morning,” she growled.
    Braedyn gave a short laugh and scooped her into his arms. “Then we must make the best of it.” Casting a wink over his shoulder, he proceeded to carry her to their bedroom.
    Amber shook her head when Dean walked back in.
    He frowned when he glanced around seeing they were alone. “Where’d they head off too?”
    “The bedroom. Casey still has two more days of her heat to go through.”
    Dean wrinkled his nose. “That’s my sister,” he choked.
    She laughed, ushering him toward the door. “Let’s leave them alone.” There was less than forty-eight hours left for her to be with him. The seconds felt like they were rushing away. The palms of her hands grew damp when she climbed into her vehicle.
    He cast a frown at her while buckling his belt. “What’s wrong?”
    Heaving a sigh, she looked up