Page 25 of Rafe

“Hunter will be here soon. He can help you find them.”

Rafe stared at the fire, his chest tight with anticipation. Though he missed his Alpha, so much in his life had changed.

“He didn’t leave you, Rafe. He’s got a pack to run and this whole thing with you? I get it’s not fair. But life isn’t fair. Life is complicated. It’s going to all work out eventually.”

“Yeah, well. There seems to be a lot of things happenin’ that I can’t explain. And stop reading my thoughts.” Rafe leaned his head backwards on the pillow and closed his eyes. A vision of Skylar formed in his mind’s eye, her long hair flowing over her shoulders. He recalled the taste of her lips, how she’d fit perfectly into his arms.

“You can’t have her. It’s not gonna work,” Greyson warned.

“Jesus, vampire. Knock it off. I’m just resting my eyes.”

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“You know what I’m thinking? Really?” Fuck off.

“You need to stop,” Greyson persisted. “I thought you said she was going to L.A.”

“That’s what she told me. And before you say another word, I left it alone. I didn’t text her back. I have no idea why she’s here but there’s one thing I do know.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“I know that I haven’t slept for a while.” Rafe yawned.

“You need to stay away from her. I don’t know why you⁠—”

“Because. There’s something about her. Something more. There’s no path forward, but I want her. My wolf wants her,” Rafe confessed.

“But you can’t mate with her.”

“I know, I know. It doesn’t matter. And worse, she hates vampires now. She was almost killed by one tonight, so it’s not like I can lead with that…like ever.”

“You shouldn’t be leading with anything. She’s off limits.”

“Did you ever think that maybe I might want to be with her because she’s interesting? She’s well read. She owns a bookstore. She likes wolves.”

“It doesn’t matter what she likes. She’s food to you. Find a shifter. Have some cubs. Who knows? You might meet someone here. Maybe start a new pack.”

“You don’t understand what it’s like. I’m wolf. But this vampire thing? I don’t want it. Ilsbeth said⁠—”

“Not with this again.” Greyson stood and shook his head. “You’re playing with fire. Viktor is going to⁠—”

“Viktor isn’t going to do anything right now. I know you guys want to pretend like Ilsbeth’s blood didn’t save me, but it did. I’m not saying I trust her, but I just don’t think she’s going to do anything to hurt me.”

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph. You’re losin’ your damn mind.” Greyson raked his fingers through his hair. “You don’t know what you’re messin’ with. You don’t know Ilsbeth like I do.”

“Yeah, well, you don’t know what it’s like for me.” Rafe shook his head and stared into the flames. The fire crackled, sparks flickering up the hearth.

“I know exactly what it’s like. You act like you’re the only one carrying around baggage. We all are. I’ve got a past too. You’ll get used to it. The years go by and you forget. No, no, no. You don’t forget but you’re grateful for your existence.” Greyson crossed the room, setting his arm onto the hearth. He reached for the poker and stoked the fire. “You don’t know what it’s like to be human. I do. Humans live their whole lifetime looking for the next stage like it’s somehow going to get easier, better. Engagement. Marriage. Babies. Graduations. Grandchildren. Then they live the best years of their existence waiting to die. And you’ll find out that there is never enough time. You’re no different than the rest of us on this great big rock. We all make sacrifices. I gave up my human existence. My family.”

Greyson’s face dropped, lost in his contemplation. “We all have families, Rafe. Vampires have the ones they’re born with, and those people are always in our hearts, but we are reborn into a new family. And in the end, no matter what you are, you choose your family. Viktor. Julian. Me. We’re your family.”

Greyson came up behind Rafe and briefly touched his shoulder. “Your power is immense. I know you’re tempted but I’m asking you to think long and hard before you pursue the dark magick that lies within Ilsbeth. There’s always a price and she does nothing for free.”

“This is my decision.”

“Ah, fuck it all. Well, because you are family, I’ll be by your side.”

“Thanks, Grey.” Relief washed through Rafe.