Page 60 of Rafe

“You just left though?”

“Pretty much. I made it abundantly clear to everyone that I’m not the Alpha they’re looking for.”

“That’s why that woman called you Alpha. You really are one, right?”

“Yes and no. Not as long as I’m vampire. I’m not going to be of help to anyone until I help myself. I’m getting my life back. And then, we’ll see where life takes things.”

“You deserve happiness.” Sadness shone in her eyes as she reflected on her short-lived career which happened to be in shambles. “We all do. Some things work out and some things don’t.”

“Sorry about your job.”

“Ah, yeah. No worries.” She sighed. “As much as I love New Orleans, being back here? I don’t know.” She looked up the horizon. “I’m thinking of coming home.”

“Are you running to something or away?”

“I could ask you the same. That trip you were taking?”

“Was taking.” He smiled and raised his eyebrows. “Was.”

Her heart fluttered in her chest as their eyes locked for just a few seconds longer than they should. Stop Skylar. He just told you it’s over. Wolf. Human. Give it up. She averted her gaze and focused on the water once again. “You were running away.”

He smiled. “I was delaying the inevitable. I needed to come to my own terms with being vampire. Sure I learned to control the thirst. But without my pack? I can’t go for eternity like this.”

“You’re not the first wolf I’ve met,” she offered.

“What? Other wolves?” he asked, a hint of jealousy in his tone.

“I’ve never seen them shift like you, but it’s New Orleans. I’ve met girls at hot yoga who were in a pack. The bookstore. You know. They’ve told me. Just small talk.” She smiled. Why is his reaction causing me pleasure? He’s jealous? He just broke up with me. “I’ve met a few witches too. Speaking of witches, how do you know Ilsbeth won’t hurt you?”

“She’s on a redemption tour.”

“Everyone deserves forgiveness.”

“When it comes to Ilsbeth, not everyone agrees she does. To be fair, she’s done a few pretty bad things, but I don’t know. Like I said, redemption tour. But she might want something from me. Or the spell might require something.”

“Like what?” Her focus snapped to him.

“It could be anything. She collects stuff.”

“What kind of stuff?”

“Wolf hair. Ancient objects. They’re like ingredients. I don’t know really. I’m not a big fan of witches because you know…some like the dark magick. You have to be careful when you’re playin’ with fire.”

“Welp. We’re quite the pair, aren’t we?” Skylar laughed as she stood and stretched her legs.

“Indeed.” Rafe smiled and also pressed to his feet.

“We should be manifesting,” she suggested.

“I thought you said you stay away from the paranormal.”

“I said I don’t go to blood clubs.”

“Okay well I’m manifesting lifting this curse and meeting you for beignets one day. As friends.”

“Speak it to the universe and claim it.” She halfway convinced herself it would be that easy to move on like she’d never met him. Deep inside her soul a flicker of hope remained that he was hers. I’m manifesting a life with Rafe.

They fell into a moment of silence, finishing their tea, standing together in the last minutes of the day, watching the sun set. She felt his presence next to her. Emotion tightened in her chest as the heat radiated between them, their bodies mere inches apart.