Page 104 of Big Bad Wolf

“I think she’s my Mate.” The word stuck in his throat, the confession too heavy for the thick air of the trailer.

“Please tell me you don’t believe in that bullshit.”

How did his brother have the ability to ruin every damn moment between them? After so many years of it, Rafe supposed he should be used to it.

“I didn’t. Until I met her. And now I do.”

“It’s fairy tale nonsense, Rafe. Fated Mates are a lie. And with a human, no less? Christ.”

Rafe shook his head. “It’s more real than anything else.”

“Look, I believe that you’re attracted to this girl. That you want to fuck her. Maybe even that some ancient wolf part of your brain, or your dick, wants to claim her, but there’s no way you have a … cosmic connection.”

“Fuck you, Knox. I’m out of here. Thanks for the lovely visit.”

“Wait.” Rafe turned to go, but Knox grabbed his shoulder. “Just be careful.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I know what happened with your other little girlfriend and I wouldn’t want Ruby to end up the same way.”

Rafe spun to face him, every nerve in his body begging him to attack this arrogant bastard. “Is that a threat?”

“Of course not.” Knox dropped his hand. “But if there’s one thing I agree with Dad about, it’s that humans and werewolves shouldn’t mix.”

“He was wrong.”

“Really? And have you told Ruby yet?”

Rafe stiffened.

Knox smirked. “You haven’t. Because deep down you already know. You know this thing between you won’t work. It can’t.”

“You don’t know a fucking thing about it.”

“I know that humans are weak. They live precarious lives and then they die. Even if this one seems different.”

Rafe was silent, thoughts of Lena and the magic blood that must run through both sisters racing through his mind. Ruby wasn’t just a human.

“Fate wouldn’t make a mistake. She’s meant for me,” he said, more to reassure himself than to convince Knox.

“And she wants you? For the rest of her life? You’re certain of that?”

Rafe’s stomach pitched and rolled as his brother laid his every fear out in front of him. Of course he wasn’t certain, and Knox knew it. His brother didn’t bother to say it, just patted him on the arm like he was offering his pity. Rafe shook him off and strode toward the door.

“She’d be safer without you.”

Knox’s words stopped him in his tracks. He froze with his hand on the doorknob.

“I’ll send out some wider patrols to keep an eye on things. To protect my territory. You should stay away from your human friend. For her own good.”

“You don’t know what she needs,” Rafe growled.

Knox let out a low laugh, but Rafe didn’t stick around to hear any more even as his brother’s words burrowed deep under his skin and began to fester.

Chapter Forty-Three

Rafe flung open the door to find Ruby sitting on the metal steps to the trailer, her beer dangling from her fingertips.