Page 3 of Rafe

“Back where, dear wolf?” Ilsbeth shot him a knowing smile.

“For your information, I was thinking about heading out west for a while. You know. A road trip.” He shrugged.

“You don’t like New Orleans?”

“I love New Orleans, but my sister is out of town. And Logan doesn’t need any unnecessary problems right now, so yeah, I’ll check in with Viktor and then hit the road.”

“You’re not a problem, dear boy.”

“My vampire is a problem for most packs. Like Logan’s. And Hunter’s. And besides, Julian’s technically my Alpha now. We kind of have this three-person pack going on. But he’s off with his mate for a while. It doesn’t matter. Just trust me on this one. I don’t want to cause any trouble for Logan by overstaying my welcome or trying to run with Acadian wolves. Not everyone is going to like it. I’m part vampire. It’s not gonna work.” Rafe’s lips tightened, grief settling in his chest. “I can’t be with wolves right now. You of all people should know what it’s like. One minute you’re surrounded by family. In your case, your coven. And the next…. it’s all over.”

Rafe glided a fingertip over the rim of the teacup. Fucking demons. Fucking vampires. “Your family is gone. Your life is gone. And nothing will ever be the same.”

“Such melancholy, such drama. It doesn’t need to be like this,” she said with conviction.

“It’s reality.” Rafe lifted his gaze to meet hers. “Sometimes you can’t go back.”

“But what if you could? What if…” She held a finger to the air. “You just needed the right spell?”

“Didn’t playing with dark magick teach you anything? No disrespect of course.” A corner of his lip turned upward.

“None taken. What happened with Dimitri…we simply had an affair. My desire took me down a path perhaps I shouldn’t have taken. It was difficult.” Her expression fell flat. “You dance with the devil.” She reached for her cup and brought it to her lips and blew gently onto her tea. “You might get burnt. But life goes on.”

“The pack won’t forgive you. Logan won’t forgive you.”

“Who said I’m seeking forgiveness? I am, however, changed. As are you. For good or for bad is yet to be determined.”

“What happened to me was completely different. I was defending my pack. Besides I never asked Viktor to turn me. I never asked you to help him. And now?” Rafe shook his head, anger curling in his stomach. “I’m a freak.”

Ilsbeth took a deep breath and released it. “I can feel your energy all around me. It’s lighter than before, but you struggle.”

“Ya think?” Rafe shot her a look of annoyance. He grew bored of the witch’s enigmatic words.

“Heed my advice. I have lived much longer than you. Patience is a virtue, they say, and it’s true. When I was indisposed in Hell, I spent days being tortured and nights seeking an escape. I never gave up though. You must be strong to get through these times. And you are. But consider my offer.”

“I don’t want anything having to do with demons or Hell.” Rafe shook his head in frustration.

“Please. Imagine a magick that could reverse your vampire.” The pad of her finger rimmed the teacup as she pinned him with an intense stare. “Imagine a life without thirst, without fangs. Without blood. Imagine your entire life transforming. Imagine freedom.”

Her words struck him like a punch in the gut, old memories of better days washing over him. He recalled happy times, running with Hunter and his pack through the Teton mountains and Slough Creek. Family. Nature. Pack. Until one moment changed everything, an unfortunate set of circumstances ending it all. While fighting to protect his pack, his family, his life was forever changed.

He shook his head and stared into the black tea. “I don’t need to imagine it. I know what I’ve lost. It’s gone, and there’s no way to go back.”

“Ah but there is.” She countered, a sly grin on her face.

“I’m good. I told you, I don’t mess with demons. Or black magick.”

“There is always a price for freedom. You know this.” She sighed. “Besides, I don’t like the dangers Viktor and Julian put you in while you transition, like what just happened in Japan. The demon? Kellan?” Ilsbeth rolled her eyes. “I know what you did. I had to get you out.”

“Your powers have grown, I see,” Rafe changed the subject.

“Well, yes. I’m a high priestess after all. Hell was a bother but I’m better than ever. And without the responsibility of a coven.”

“I’m happy for you, Ilsbeth. I am. And I appreciate you worrying about me, but I can handle myself. I’m not your responsibility forever. I’ve accepted what’s happened. Life’s not fair. It is what it is.”

She cocked her head to the side. “But is it?”

“You’re under no obligation to continue to save me. It’s been a while. After a few hundred years, I’ll get used to being a vampire.”