AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Taking a calming breath, he stepped out onto the wide deck. “You got my message?”
“No.” She looked over, sending her long red hair over her shoulder. Today it had a wave to it, one she hadn’t bothered to straighten out or enhance with product, so it was a little frizzy and wild. She raised one copper colored eyebrow. “You messaged me?”
“Yeah.” He snorted. Then I fucking panicked because you didn’t reply.
“My mom told me she was staying over at her sister’s place and suggested I find a place to stay for the night. Dad had already been gone a few hours by then. I hung around for a bit, but then Felix came in with a group of his friends and I knew it was time to leave. It’s quieter reading here, anyway.” Using a crocheted bookmark she’d made, she marked her page and closed the book before setting it aside.
“Up for some company?” He held up the freshly uncorked bottle.
Her smile was bright, even in the darkness. A few camping lanterns lit the area well enough for some reading or private conversations. “Your company? Always.”
Stepping closer, he passed her the bottle before taking a seat next to her, letting his legs hang over the edge, just as hers were.
She sniffed the air, took a sip directly from the bottle, then leaned closer and sniffed again. Rafe puzzled over that for a moment, before she asked, “Are you staying, or do you need to check on the others?”
Each time Thatcher had an impromptu party, Rafe made a point of checking on some of the pack members who were more susceptible to loved ones that might overindulge with Thatcher and his crew. Tonight, he’d heard from all of them except her.
“Nah. Were you hoping to kill that bottle by yourself? Because you’re stuck with me, kiddo.” He made a motion, indicating she should pass the bottle back.
Vivian chuckled, watching as he took a swig. “Of course not. I love spending time with you.” Briefly, she laid her cheek against his shoulder. Then she sniffed again. “Are you wearing a new cologne?”
He frowned. “No.”
“Aftershave?”
He shook his head. “Nope.”
She made a thoughtful noise. “You smell really good tonight.” She inhaled deeply once more. “Like really good.”
It might have creeped him out. Her crush on him when they were younger was definitely something he’d been concerned about, but she seemed to have gotten over her infatuation.
The scent of her arousal hit the air.
That was new.
Rafe studied her as she wordlessly asked for the bottle back and took another drink. Sure, she’d had a schoolgirl crush on him, but his scent had never invoked such a strong sexual reaction before. Interesting.
Discreetly, he tried to identify the scent she had picked up. He’d come into contact with several new shifters today. There were tons of foreigners mulling about, visiting and waiting for the Curusm to begin in a few short weeks.
“Maybe your fated mate is nearby. I’ve met a lot of new people lately. I could be carrying their scent.”
She made a sour face. “Oh yuck. I don’t want anything to do with that ritual, and if he’s here for that, well, he’s going to end up mating someone else, isn’t he? Probably for the best.”
“Elliot’s cousin just got into town.” He watched her carefully. Callum was the most recent person he’d touched. If she was picking up someone’s scent, it was probably his.
If Fate would be so kind, maybe he’d be able to get Vivian out of this pack.
The mention of Elliot caused Vivian’s eyes to widen. “Uh, is he as… intimidating as Elliot?”
Rafe chuckled. “No. Elliot’s a rare freak of nature.” Although, he vaguely remembered Kenneth being a big son of a bitch, too. Elliot’s height and girth were probably genetic. “He seems like a nice guy. Fucking hot, too.”
They shared a smile, but when she passed the bottle back, the grin disappeared. “We both know a nice guy isn’t in the cards for me.” After sighing, she bit her lip and shook her head. “Daddy would never approve.”
Rafe nudged her. “What he doesn’t know can’t hurt him.” He glanced at the treehouse. “You’ve been coming here for how long? He doesn’t know or care.”
She snorted. “A mating is a lot different than a secret fort. It’s best to hope for someone passable who keeps his hands to himself and doesn’t hit me.”
Leaning his head against the railing, Rafe looked out at the forest. He couldn’t say a word to Vivian, but things would change soon. Whether or not it would improve her life, he couldn’t yet say.
