Page 75 of Rafe

“This is crazy.” Skylar shook her head. Tension curled in her gut, but her mother had rarely steered her in the wrong direction.

“Since you’re determined to go, I would suggest you spend time with his mother.”

“We’re headed there.”

“No, Sky. I mean spend time talking to her. Maybe there’s something you could learn. She’s a high priestess after all. Think of this as an opportunity. Not many people get to have a conversation with a witch, let alone a high priestess.”

“Why would you say that about her? Rafe told me she’s really dangerous.” She’s literally been to Hell.

“I don’t know. It’s just intuition. I know she cares. Why would she come all the way here to Washington, to our home no less, to bless it if she didn’t care?”

Skylar shot her a look. “Mom. She did a spell.”

“Blessing. Spell. Whatever. Words speak energy into action.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to her. I don’t think it’s going to do anything though. Some of these things…” Like me being human and him being a wolf. “Just some things can’t be changed. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

“None of us do.” She laughed and continued. “You never know when God is going to punch your ticket. We all have an expiration date. Humans do anyway. You never know when it’s going to happen. So in the meantime you’ve got to live this great life and follow your path. Nothing is going to stop fate. Rafe is in your life for a reason.”

“To break my heart?”

“That’s for you to find out. It’s going to be okay.”

“I hope so.”

After making love to Rafe, there was no going back. Her heart would get smashed into a million pieces one day soon. But today, she’d love herself and her parents. They would remain safe in Washington. When the evil came for her, she’d be protected…by her Alpha. Path chosen.

Dressed in blue jeans and a white tank top, Skylar stepped out of the car, humidity washing over her like a wall of water. Considering the hot, summer soup, she wished she’d remained in Washington. Though she’d considered wearing sandals, she settled on a well-worn pair of Doc Martens she’d accidentally left at her mom’s house over the holidays. Shit kickers were in order for this trip back to New Orleans, and she planned on being the one doing the kicking.

She studied the sprawling mansion. Well hidden from the street by tall oaks and foliage, the home was nearly a quarter mile from the road. She imagined she’d stepped into a 1930s film with parties going late into the night.

“This is incredible,” she said, wonder in her expression as she took in the sight of the grand estate.

“You sure this is her house?” Rafe asked.

“Pretty sure. I dropped her off here.” Greyson tossed the key fob up into the air and caught it.

Rafe glanced to the black SUV, considering the vampire had picked them up in Washington. “How did you materialize us in the car? I thought you just, you know, transported people.”

“I do not divulge all my secrets at once, my friend. You have been promoted to the next level.”

“You’re kind of scary sometimes.”

“I’m mysterious.” He winked at Skylar. “Have to keep them on their toes.”

“I thought you said she lived in the Garden District?” Skylar asked.

“We’re in Covington. It’s her summer home, of sorts,” Greyson answered.

“She’s unwelcome in New Orleans,” Rafe said.

“She makes herself unwelcome. She knows damn well Samantha has taken over the coven.”

“Ever since the Dimitri incident, Acadian Wolves wants no part of her. He’s right about the coven though,” Rafe agreed. “There can only be one High Priestess of New Orleans, and she’s not it anymore.”

“I highly suggest you don’t tell her that,” Greyson warned. “She’s got money and a lot of time on her hands, so it appears she’s making her presence known.”

Skylar laughed but remained captivated by the entire atmosphere of the property. The pale-yellow home blended into the lush greenery. The cottage style mansion appeared unassuming at first glance, yet the sprawling luxury home extended far beyond her sight. A detached five car garage revealed a white Rolls Royce Phantom.