Chapter 27

Kasey turned in Braedon’s arms, “You can do that, you can turn me?” she waited for him to speak but he just nodded, “and making me Pack, what does that mean, how do you do it?”

She waited again her eyes all wide and innocent, “These are things we should speak of in private kitten.”

Trace spoke up then, “There may not be time for that Alpha, Kasey’s birthday is two weeks away and we need to be prepared before that.”

The rest of Kasey’s brothers began to speak, making Trace angry so he silenced them realising that even with a lack of time; they had no say in what was obviously none of their business.

“This decision is for Braedon and Kasey to make!” he sighed, “Our sister needs to hear what her choices are and discuss them with her mate before a decision can be made. We will not interfere!”

Trace turned to Braedon, “I suggest you and Kasey come to a decision as soon as possible so we know how best to defend her.”

Kasey looked at all the men in the room, her mate and her friends both family to her now and her brothers so new so unknown except for Trace. A soft whimper escaped her and she was suddenly unsure of what was going to happen or what she was going to do. Braedon tried to comfort her then the front door flew open and in rushed Jaz a worried look on her face.

“Sister!” she called out and Kasey jumped off Braedon’s lap and ran to her. Jaz put her arms around her soon to be sister, whispering soothing words to her as she looked around the room.

Braedon moved towards them resting a hand on his sister’s shoulder and speaking as calmly as he could, “Jaz, take Kasey to her room if you will. She’s upset and in need of female company at the moment,” he said indicating all the men in the room.

Jaz nodded and guided Kasey out of the living room and towards the stairs. They moved slowly up and into Kasey’s room, everyone below remaining silent until the door to her room was heard closing. Then chaos erupted!

All of the brothers except Trace began speaking at once struggling loudly to give their opinion as to what they believed should happen. Daniel sent a quick message to Braedon wanting to be closer to Kasey and Jaz for protection and when given the go ahead quietly left to stand outside Kasey’s door.

Jacob in the mean time had joined in with the five brothers telling them in his own polite way what they could all do with their opinions… something that did not go down too well. Nate and Eli were on immediate alert and Braedon looked like he wanted or perhaps needed blood!

Nicolas took in the situation within seconds and knew he had to stop what was happening before his brother lost it completely and hurt someone.

“Enough!” he yelled, “This is getting us nowhere. This is not about you… any of you,” and he looked each of the brothers in the eye. “Your sister is upstairs in tears and Braedon who has done nothing but do his best to both welcome you and respect who you are in relation to his mate is about ready to rip someone’s throat out!”

“She is not his mate!” Aldrid said and the look in his eyes said he was none too happy about the possibility of Kasey and Braedon becoming mates.

Braedon glared at him and if Nicolas hadn’t stepped between them he just may have done what his brother had suggested and rip Aldrid’s throat out.

Nicolas ignored what Aldrid had said not wanting to aggravate the situation any further, “Now,” he spoke calmly, “I’d suggest we all leave and give both Braedon and Kasey time to calm down and discuss ‘their’ future.”

Nate and Eli stepped forward and stood by both Braedon and Nicolas waiting, half hoping their guests would start something. Then Nicolas spoke again, “We have organised rooms for you all at the training centre. Some of the women have prepared food as well, so I suggest we leave. We can come together and talk tomorrow once a decision has been made.”

Eli moved towards the door and opened it giving them the hint that they were leaving whether they wanted to or not. They did leave, but they were none too happy! Trace stopped at the door and bid his brothers goodnight. Before they could complain about him not leaving with them he growled at them, “I will be staying with Kasey, in her room each night until all is settled!” He turned to Braedon and waited for him to respond to what he’d said.

“Trace has watched over Kasey most of her life, I trust him to keep her safe until we have decided what to do.” Then he turned and headed for his office wanting only to get as far away from these men as he possibly could.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jaz helped Kasey to her room and sat her on the bed stroking her hair and speaking softly trying to calm her. “I felt your distress Kasey, I’m fairly sure most of the women did. I got here as soon as I could,” she grinned at Kasey, “no woman should be stuck in a room with that much testosterone.”

Kasey couldn’t help herself, she laughed and even as the tears still spilled down her cheeks she felt relief at having Jaz there with her. She rested her head on Jaz’s shoulder and let her comfort her. She wanted Braedon, but she needed Jaz and could soon feel herself relax as they sat quietly in her room.

“Jaz,” Kasey spoke ever so softly, “will you stay here tonight… I don’t want to be alone and umm… well,” she sighed, “I don’t want to be with Braedon or any of the others right now.”

She looked up at Jaz with big sad eyes and Jaz nodded, “I’ll stay and I’ll make sure no one bothers us” Jaz got off the bed and headed for the door, “get ready for bed and please find something for me to sleep in too, I’ll be right back.”

Jaz opened the door to find Daniel outside of it. He stepped back so she could come out and closed the door. “I’ll be staying with Kasey tonight, she needs rest and I don’t want her disturbed at least not until morning.”

Daniel raised an eyebrow, “Trace will want to stay with her to make sure she’s alright. He did this when she was in hospital… in cat form.”

Jaz sighed, “If he needs to be close to her he can either stay here with you or on the balcony, right now she needs a little space. I’ll speak to Braedon, but I’d appreciate it if you keep anyone else from trying to see her.”

Daniel nodded and she headed down stairs to speak with her brother running into Trace on the way. She looked at him and he nodded acknowledging that he’d heard what she’d said to Daniel, “I’ll remain on the balcony and tomorrow we can work out how best to make sure our sister remains safe… from everyone.”

She smiled at him knowing what he meant, gave his arm a squeeze then continued her way to her brother’s office. She knocked then opened the door and closed it behind her. She found her brother in his office pacing the space alongside the window an angry scowl on his face. Jacob was sitting on one of the lounge chairs talking to him as if trying to calm him just as she had done with Kasey.

“Brother,” she began, “Kasey has asked me to stay with her tonight. She doesn’t want to be alone and as you said she is in need of female company.” She waited for him to respond and when he didn’t she realised how close he was to shifting. She gasped audibly and when he stopped his pacing and looked at her she moved quickly to her brother and embraced him.

Braedon held her hoping his anger and frustration would subside but knowing that only one person could do that for him. “Is she alright?”

“Yes,” began Jaz, “she’s asked me to stay with her tonight and I was about to say you should leave her alone for now, but I think you both need to at least hold each other right now.”

Jaz pulled away from him but took hold of his hand and tugged him out of his office and to Kasey’s door. Both Jaz and Daniel moved away from the door to give them privacy and Braedon nodded his gratitude to them before knocking and opening the door.

Braedon cautiously put his head through the door and was surprised when Kasey propelled herself at him. He caught her as she all but collided with him gathering her to him as closely as he could.

Kasey snuggled into his neck and held him for all she was worth, “I wish this was all over Brae, I just want us to be okay… you know?”

“I know kitten and we will,” he sat on the bed with her on his lap and stroked a hand up and down her back wanting so much more contact. He took a deep breath and kissed her on the top of her head. “We will be alright kitten; that is if I don’t kill one or two of your brothers first.”

Kasey smiled at him, “You’ll have to stand in line for that Brae. I know they’re my brothers, but something about them doesn’t sit right. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t fully trust them… well not all of them. Trace I do as well as Ewan, but the rest… I don’t know… you know?”

“Yes kitten I know, but for now I want you to be calm, you need to rest and tomorrow we will disappear for a while and talk things through. How does that sound?”

Kasey leaned into him a little more enjoying the feel of him, “It sounds fine, but we’ll probably have to sneak away from everyone else.”

Braedon grinned, I haven’t sneaked away from anyone in a great many years. This might be fun!” he grinned and she smiled at him.

Braedon gave his little mate a kiss on the lips, a soft gentle barely there type of kiss that spoke of things to come, things that they both wanted. He held her tightly and whispered in her ear, “Sleep well kitten, I’ll be here early so we can make good our escape.” She giggled and this did more to calm him than anything else ever could. “I love you Kasey, never forget that.”

She nodded unable to get any words out but also knowing they weren’t needed. They kissed again, softly at first building to a more passionate kiss. Then he was gone and Jaz was standing in the doorway smiling at her.

There was a slight knock on the window and as she turned Kasey saw Trace outside indicating he’d be staying there. She didn’t like it but knew he’d stay put no matter what she said. She turned to Jaz, “Daniels gonna stay outside the door too huh?”

Jaz nodded and closed the door before she got ready for bed. Neither spoke after that; Kasey needed comfort physical touch and Jaz was able to give her that by holding her most of the night. 

If they hadn’t genuinely thought of themselves as sisters before hand, this sealed that bond for them for life. Both women knew in their heart that they would always be there for the other no matter what.

Jaz woke Kasey early next morning, she fluttered her eyes and murmured, “Its still night,” and tried to pull the covers over her head.

Jaz tugged the covers away from her, “Sister, your mate is waiting for you to get dress so you can make your escape. Come you need to get ready.”

Kasey fairly jumped out of bed she moved so quickly and within minutes she was dressed and ready to leave. She gave Jaz a hug and thanked her for staying with her then opened the door prepared to sneak quietly down stairs, but what she did was walk directly into a solid wall that was Daniel.

She sucked in her breath and could just make out the grin on his face before he moved, guiding her down the stairs and to Braedon’s office. Braedon was waiting for her and she was surprised to see that the bookshelf was ajar and instead of wall she saw what looked like a dark room. It took her a few seconds to realise it was their means of escape and she grinned at him waiting for him to take the lead.

Braedon nodded in thanks at Daniel who slipped back out most likely to his post at her door so no one would get suspicious. A very sleepy Jacob came in then clearly wanting to be back in bed. He nodded at Braedon and ruffled Kasey’s hair knowing he’d get a reaction from her.

She mock thumped him on the arm, “Cut it out Jake, it’s too early in the morning to start annoying me.”

“Yes, I know,” he smiled trying not to yawn, “I figured I’d get away with it more at this hour, especially since I’m helping you two ‘love birds’ flee all this,” and here he moved his hands to indicate the room and rolled his eyes in the direction of the training centre.

Kasey hugged him, “You’re one of the good guys Jake!”

Braedon cleared his throat, “If you two are finished, we should go?”

Jacob pushed Kasey towards Braedon and waited until they had both entered the room behind the bookshelf. “If you are not back by mid-day I won’t have to send out a search party, ‘they’ will already be looking for you, so take your time, but hurry back!”

Kasey looked at him curiously and was about to tell him what he’d said didn’t really make sense, when Jacob started closing the bookcase cutting them off from the office. “Brae, I hope you can see in the dark, because I can’t see a damn thing?”

“It’s all good kitten hold my hand and I will bring us both to the end of the tunnel.”

And tunnel it was not a room as Kasey had first thought. She reached out and touched the wall noting that it felt rough and she was a little worried that the walls would crumble and cave in on them both. But she trusted Braedon so pushed the thought from her mind and concentrated on following him.

About fifteen minutes later they came to a small opening. Braedon let go her hand and moved what looked like a large door or piece of fencing covered in vines, moss and lichen. He put it back in place once they had both come out of the tunnel and Kasey looked around in wonder at where they were.

“Braedon I don’t think I’ve been here before, it’s beautiful!” She turned around taking in the area. There was a willow tree resting by a stream that she could not only see but hear as its water ran down to meet with the river a few miles away.

She could hear the scampering of animals as they started waking for the day and as she turned to look up stream she saw a field of colour. This time of year it had to be freesias and perhaps daffodils and when she saw spots of what could only be blue iris she smiled knowing she’d visit here again and again while these flowers were still in bloom.

Braedon took her hand and they walked towards the flower covered field and the smile on her face grew when she saw she’d been correct in regards to what the flowers were. “Can we come here again Braedon, it’s so pretty and it would be nice to sit by the stream and just listen… if you know what I mean?”

Braedon smiled, “Yes kitten I know what you mean. Most people too soon forget how to be quiet and truly listen to what’s happening around them.” He gave her hand a squeeze, “we will come here as often as you wish my love,” then he grinned, “I knew you would enjoy the flowers.”

Kasey leaned into him, then they moved off walking carefully through the multitude of colours doing their best not to crush any of the flowers. They walked for another twenty minutes before they came to a small cabin nestled beneath a stand of trees. Braedon moved forward entering the cabin and checking to see that all was well and there were no signs of anyone having been there recently.

He came back out to Kasey, “This is a fairly private area kitten, the cabin is there if we wish to use it, but it’s also nice in back of the cabin. It’s not as colourful as the field we were in, but there is a willow and also a small stream.”

He took her hand and led her to the back of the cabin, she smiled up at him, “It’s perfect!” She moved closer to the stream and sat by the willow, close enough that she could lean against it if she wanted. She patted the space beside her and Braedon sat down taking her hand in his.

“So,” Kasey began, “now what? I mean I know we have to talk and…” she lowered her head, “I know you don’t want to talk about what I asked last night.”

Braedon lifted her face, turning it so he could look into her eyes, “I may not want to tell you certain things kitten, but it seems this choice is no longer mine alone.”

“I just want this to be over Braedon, I want us to be…” she blushed profusely and he couldn’t help his grin but was wise enough to hide this by pulling her close and kissing the top of her head so she wouldn’t see.

He sighed and she waited for him to speak, when he didn’t she reached up and kissed him softly on the lips, “I need to know Brae, please tell me.”

He nodded, “Trace was right in what he said, we have options. I can as he said make you Pack, which means that I would bite you. I’d need to bite you hard enough to break the skin and have my saliva enter the wound. You would be Pack Kasey, but until we are mated you would not be my equal and I don’t know that you would be completely safe. You would be Pack, but you would not yet be mine.”

For the first time since she’d met him she could see fear in his eyes and it pulled at her heart. “And my other options?”

“I wish more than anything for us to be mated kitten, but your brothers are none too happy about that prospect. We will need to wait for them to….”

“No!” she said, “This is none of their business, this is about you and me Braedon, it’s our decision.”

“I know it seems that way kitten and although this may be our best means of keeping you safe from your Sire, right now I’d much rather have your brothers onside. They may well come in handy.”

“There is one more option…”

“No!” he shook his head and pulled her onto his lap holding her close, “there is no other option.”

“Braedon, I need to know… even if we decide not to, I need to know.” She watched as the inner turmoil he’d been hiding from everyone began to show on his face, “please Brae, we need to talk about this.”

Braedon took several slow breaths before he looked at Kasey, “You’re right kitten,” he kissed her on the forehead before he continued, “our last option and this is one I would never consider, is to turn you. Not only would you become Pack, you would become a shifter as well… a Were.”

Kasey looked at him in surprise, “That would be perfect! I mean I could ‘go wolf’ and run with you. I would be safe too, because from what Trace said my Father won’t want me if I’m mated to you and if I’m a Were he’s not gonna come anywhere near me.”

He shook his head and Kasey was shocked to see tears escape his eyes, “Brae talk to me, tell me why you are so set against this. If we’re going to be mates we need to be able to talk about anything. We aren’t always going to agree with each other, but we need to talk, we need to be honest with each other and make decision together. Please?”

Braedon sighed and rested his head on top of hers. “I can’t do it kitten, it took so long for me to find you… I won’t lose you.”

Kasey opened her mouth to speak, but he put a finger to her mouth hushing her, “You’re right you need to know. To become Pack I only need to bite you and speak words that would state you are now Pack,” he sighed and rested his head on hers for a moment before continuing, “To change you I would need to wound you in such a way that you would be near death.” 

He set her aside and got to his feet pacing back and forth, “Kasey I would need to attack and almost kill you and that I cannot do!”

She got to her feet and went to him, “Is that what you’re afraid of, that I might not survive? Or is it that you’d have to wound me?” he turned away from her not wanting her to read what he was sure was in his eyes.

Kasey reached up and took hold of his face turning it to her, “You seem to have forgotten something my mate! I’m part Fey and as we have already discovered I have wicked healing skills.”

She waited for him to comment but he didn’t, “You don’t have to be the one to do it Braedon. Jacob or maybe Nate or Daniel…”

He cut her off grabbing her shoulders and giving her a slight shake, “No! No one else will touch you!” then he cried out in pain and she wasn’t sure what to do to help him, so she held him as tight as she could to show she was there for him.

“You would be bound to whoever turns you kitten and that is not going to happen. You are mine Kasey, mine alone!”

He could feel his Wolf pushing forward fighting for control and for the first time in his life he was truly afraid he would lose the fight. He gritted his teeth desperate for control, “If this is what has to be… then it will be me who turns you no one else.”

She didn’t like what she saw on his face, in his eyes. Not once in all the time she’d known him had she ever been afraid of him… until now. She loosened her grip on him and stepped back trying to put a little space between them. 

Kasey smiled up at him hoping he’d calm down, but there was something about him that wasn’t quite right. It was then that she realised that this wasn’t Braedon. What she was looking at was his Wolf and she wasn’t sure how to handle him… how to be with him.

She looked closer and noticed that Braedon’s teeth had elongated, his jaw had changed slightly and when he tried to speak he growled. She tried to take another step away from him but he pulled her tight against him, tight enough that it hurt.

Kasey tried to figure out what to do, how to get away from him and then calmness came over her and she closed her eyes. She realised that Braedon could never hurt her, not even to save her. But his Wolf was another matter; his Wolf knew what needed to be done. Braedon’s Wolf knew this was his mate and if he wanted to keep her he needed to make her into what he was… a Wolf!

Kasey kept her eyes closed but smiled at Braedon, “It’s okay my love,” then she turned her head exposing her throat to him. She could feel her heart thumping and for a moment thought it would burst through her chest. She waited wanting it to be over; she wanted to be safe, but she was afraid of how much it would hurt. She took in a deep breath and…

Braedon watched as Kasey exposed her neck to him, the Wolf side wanting only to have her, but the human side wanting to hold back. His Wolf surged forward taking control and before his human half could gain control again he tore at her throat and shoulder biting and tearing at her until he realised he had to stop or lose her completely.

As he pulled back his Wolf retreated leaving Braedon to deal with what had happened. He placed Kasey’s body on the soft grass and knelt next to her checking her breathing. He wanted to patch her up to stop the bleeding, but he knew he had to let this play out. If this was to work he had to wait and hope that she would heal herself and in so doing become a Were… a Shifter, to become Pack!

As he sat watching and waiting he could hear her heartbeat slow down until it was barely audible. In that moment all the fear and anger he’d been holding back came forth and he cried out. His cry was more of a howl and was wracked with so much pain and anguish that not only did his Pack hear it, they felt it as well.

Men, woman and children fell to their knees and wept openly. Their Alpha was in pain and there was nothing they could do to help him. Kasey’s brothers ran outside to see what was going on. They looked around in confusion and turned when Trace fell to his knees and cried out. They rushed to him not knowing what they should do and as each of them reached out to him they felt a great loss deep inside.

Ewan stumbled and took hold of Trace’s shoulder, “Kasey!” was all he could manage to get out and he too fell as if in great pain.

“No!” screamed Aldrid, “this cannot be, he wouldn’t dare is!”

The others looked at him wondering what he was on about, then Ewan spoke up, “It is done brother, they made their choice. She is now part of him, part of his Pack.”

“Only if she survives!” counted Aldrid, “she will have to come close to death for the change to take place. This should never have happened! We should have taken her when we had the chance!”

Trace pulled himself to his feet and glared at Aldrid, “And why would we be taking her anywhere? This is her life, her choice; we have no right to interfere.”

Aldrid shook his head at Trace, “That’s where you’re wrong Trace, she is ours! We would keep her safe from our Sire and we would keep her from the likes of ‘him’… a Were, a damned animal! 

With her we would have become so much more than our Sire could ever have imagined! With her by our side we could have taken our rightful place in his household and he would not have been able to stop us.”

Trace looked at each of his brother’s before settling back on Aldrid, “I too am a Shifter… an animal. How well does that sit with you ‘brother’?”

Aldrid laughed, “We may carry the same blood Trace, but you are a servant and yes an animal. I would not have you sit at my table unless our sister demanded it and now that will never happen. All my plans have gone to ruin!”

Ewan stood at Trace’s side, “Aldrid, you would use our sister to take our Sires position and wealth from him, you would use her for your own benefit?”

Aldrid turned to Ewan, “She was our only chance of claiming what we should of always had,” he shook his head and scowled, “the Alpha will regret what he has done this day,” then he spoke to the rest of his brothers, “come brothers we will take our leave, she is worthless to us now. We will re-pay this injustice in time.”

He waited for his brothers to move, he didn’t expect Ewan to come with him but he did expect the others. He was more than angry when none of them moved toward him; he’d assumed they all wanted what he did. He growled at them then disappeared!

No one spoke, there was nothing to say at least not until they knew if Kasey would survive. They turned to the Pack, some of the men were on their feet and helping others, the brothers leant a hand helping those that weren’t as strong as them. 

They took people to the training Centre where they found Nicolas tending to the young males. He nodded in acknowledgment and soon the main room was full of those who needed not medical attention, but touch and the closeness of Pack.

Jaz sent a message to Nicolas letting him know she was fine but busy with those that were close to the surgery. There was one question on everyone’s mind, a question no one was ready to put into words.