Rafe

by Dana Archer

  “Yes. She’s bridged me.”

  “Be grateful you can claim her. Our males have been truly blessed.”

  “Blessed? Hurting the person you care about isn’t a blessing.”

  “Isn’t it?” She raised a brow. “Nothing worthwhile comes easily. If it did, many of our males would take human mates for the wrong reason. They’d choose their female based on looks or social standing and miss out on finding their one true mate.”

  “Agree, but Jasmine can still deny me, or fear can cripple her. She might resist me as I walk through her soul, and I’d lose her to death. I do have to take her to the edge of death in order to form our bond. That’s a huge risk to take, even when I know she’s my true mate.”

  “You could follow her to heaven if that happens.”

  He would, in a heartbeat. It wasn’t a fate he wanted to ever face, however. “Would I find her, though? Or would the goddesses label me a murderer? I am going to be killing my mate.”

  The moment the words were out of his mouth he regretted them. Mira straightened and dropped her gaze to the floor.

  He ran a hand through his hair. “You know the goddesses won’t call you that. You acted in self-defense. You were only a—”

  “Stop.” Mira held up a hand. “I know you didn’t mean it. Besides”—she glanced out the window above the sink—“Devin paid for my crime. The goddesses won’t hold it against me.”

  Or at least that was the excuse the Shifter Council had spewed when they’d hauled Devin away. Rafe had heard the story many times, and each time his hatred for her birth family grew. That hadn’t done a thing to stop it.

  Time to change the subject before he succeeded in making another female cry. Megan’s tears had been enough to leave a scar on his soul. “How much of what Megan said did you hear?”

  “All of it. The light woke me up, but I can’t believe I didn’t wake sooner. My room is the closest. I should’ve heard her talking to the wolf spirit.” She narrowed her eyes. “And how exactly can it speak? It’s an animal.”

  “It’s the spirit of its pack. Why wouldn’t that include both the warrior and animal?”

  “But Kade doesn’t talk to the first Alexander.”

  “No, but he says our family’s spirit has the memories of every Alexander, alive or dead, and sometimes it shares pictures to reflect them.” He let that sink in a moment, then shrugged. “We’re joined to our animals. Soul to soul. Why should death sever our bond, when it doesn’t cut our tie to our mate if we soul-bond to them?”

  “Maybe Kade can ask for clarification the next time the golden goddess visits him.”

  “She’s only made one appearance since he’s taken over. I think if she bothers to show up again, it’ll be because she has a reason, not to play question and answer with us.”

  “True.” Mira nodded then pressed her lips in a thin line. “It still makes me angry that I didn’t hear Megan talking. I purposely left my door cracked in case one of the kids needed something. I wanted to be able to take care of them so they didn’t bother you or Jazz. You need this time together.”

  Rafe went to Mira and laid his hand on her arm. “Thank you for that, but don’t beat yourself up over it. Your cats wouldn’t have sensed any danger, just as mine didn’t. The Ammon wolf isn’t a threat. It simply wants a new host, and somehow, it connected to Megan. It would do everything it could to protect her, just as the Alexander spirit strives to guide and protect us.”

  “You’re right.” She exhaled slowly. “It’s possible the last Ammon died in the same medical facility Megan was in, and that’s how it found her.”

  “Who knows? But what concerns me most is Molly. We need to find her.”

  “I think this Nurse Ryanne might be our best source of information for locating the little girl.”

  Rafe chuckled at Mira’s exaggerated pronunciation of the nurse’s name. “I have a feeling she’s the one responsible for Megan’s attitude.”

  “And lack of fear.”

  “Yes. It sounds as if this woman did her best to care for Megan and Molly. Megan wouldn’t be so anxious to get her back if Ryanne hadn’t been loved.”

  Mira grinned. “Or maybe she’s another human Megan promised to keep an eye on. Josh should feel proud that he’s special enough for a little girl to want to protect.”

  “Or he’ll assume she thinks him weak. That show with Devin was all about Josh proving he’s dominant.”

  Mira’s smile turned wicked. “And he did a fine job of it.”

  “Except for the scar he’ll carry.”

  Mira pulled a box of pizza from the fridge and took a slice. She nibbled on it, gaze downcast. “It doesn’t look too bad now.”

  Rafe took in her posture and cursed. “What did you do?”

  She tore a sheet of the paper towels from the roll on the counter, then dropped the pizza slice on it. Arms crossed under her breasts, she glared at him. “I did what I had to do to make sure he was safe from Devin’s overprotectiveness.”

  “Don’t tell me you—”

  “Made him my beloved human? Okay.” She gave a half-shrug. “I won’t tell you that or about how I licked his wounds so they’d heal quicker or tricked him into swallowing my blood so his ribs would mend. I won’t say a thing.”

  “When Devin finds out, he’ll flip.”

  “But he won’t dare lay a hand on Josh again, will he?”

  With Mira’s scent clinging permanently to Josh, Devin wouldn’t dare. Rafe rubbed the heel of his palms against his eyes and banked his annoyance. Mira’s reaction to Josh coming to her defense was completely understandable. Rafe honestly couldn’t blame her for it. A shifter female’s protective streak was not something any sane person wanted to mess with. Unfortunately, Devin was far from stable.

  “No, I don’t think he’ll purposely hurt him.” Put Josh in his place, though? Yes, Rafe could see that becoming an everyday occurrence. He dropped his hands. “But what about you? It’s not wise for you to get involved with Josh.”

  Mira rolled her eyes. “Please. I licked his wounds so the poor man wouldn’t be disfigured. That doesn’t constitute getting involved with him.”

  Rafe wasn’t even going to bother mentioning that her scent clinging to Josh would mess with her instincts. Nope, not a discussion Rafe wanted to have. It wasn’t one he’d win. The deed was done. They’d deal with the consequences. As much as Rafe wished differently, Jasmine’s ex-lover was here to stay, not just as a human important to both Megan and Jasmine but as an honorary member of the Alexander Pride. Thanks to Mira.

  “Just be careful. I don’t have to tell you the dangers you’ve opened yourself up to.”

  “No. You don’t.”

  He glanced at the clock. “Do you think Devin would mind taking my turn patrolling the grounds? I want to be at Shifter Affairs when they open. We’re going to need their help if we have any hope of finding Molly.”

  He’d gotten a few more details from Megan about the humans that Nurse Ryanne had left her with and the lawyer who’d handled the adoption. The agents might be able to make something of the vague information.

  “You’ll have to ask him yourself. He’s out in the garage.”

  Probably suffering with guilt. It looked as if catching a few more hours of sleep wasn’t happening. Rafe would have to play therapist for yet another member of his pride, not that he minded. Sometimes, though, he couldn’t help thinking he should’ve been the one to lead their family. Kade was great with the practical matters—ensuring they were safe and had enough funds to support them—but he sorely lacked in people skills.

  “Will do.”

  Rafe left Mira with her cold pizza and made his way to the garage. He only wished there was a way to help Devin. Comforting words meant little to the crazed cats he housed. Nothing did except tearing the throats out of their enemies.

  Chapter 30

  Jazz woke to an empty bed. Rafe was gone. Had he left her? She pressed a fist to her chest. It hurt. She didn’t want to l
ose him. He was hers.

  And she was his.

  She groaned. Exactly. She was his true mate. He wouldn’t leave her. Why would he? She’d brought him peace. Bridged him and his cats.

  She took slow breaths until the tightness in her chest eased.

  He was probably taking his turn patrolling the grounds. The selfless man who’d wormed his way into her heart would probably feel guilty sleeping all night in a comfy bed while his brothers and friends were stuck in the woods.

  She threw the sheet off and walked to the window. Maybe she’d catch sight of him.

  Jazz scanned the yard. Devin’s SUV was parked a few feet onto the grass, and Mira stood near the tree line, gazing into the woods. No sign of Rafe, though.

  She waited for another wave of self-doubt to grip her. It didn’t. Whether it was the sight of Mira alone or Jazz’s own rationalization that calmed her, she knew wherever Rafe had gone, he’d return soon.

  She blew out a slow breath. Besides, Rafe said nothing was more important than her and her boys.

  She made her way to the bathroom. Rafe’s bag sat in the corner, and his tooth brush rested neatly in the center of a folded washcloth. She ran her finger over the handle. A smile spread over her face. She’d have to get another toothbrush holder installed and clear out space for his things in the medicine cabinet.

  If they ended up staying here.

  Three generations of her family had lived in this house. She glanced at the old claw-foot tub. It’d break her heart to leave, but as with anything, she’d do what was best for her family.

  A quick shower later, she slipped out of the room and checked on the kids. Even though it was almost lunchtime, both her boys and Megan slept sprawled over their beds as if they didn’t have a care in the world. The sight of them, safe and at ease, brought a smile to Jazz’s lips. With Rafe by her side, she was confident they’d stay that way.

  She tiptoed down the front stairs. Her house was big, but not enough to comfortably sleep the number of people she suddenly had staying with her. The rest of Rafe’s family had camped out in her living room. She didn’t want to wake anyone. Shifter or not, they needed sleep, and if they were anything like her kids, they’d be out for another couple of hours.

  At the bottom of the staircase, she reached for the banister to steady herself. A lion and a jaguar had taken over her sofas. The sheer size of them stopped her heart. Memories of accidently waking her boys returned. She carried scars from those learning experiences. The adult predators mere feet from her could do a whole lot more damage. Devin had proven that the night before with the mark he’d left on Josh.

  Movement caught her eye. Josh leaned against the doorjamb with a cup of coffee in his hand. He wore a loose gray tee and sleep shorts, but it didn’t appear as if he’d slept much. Red, blurry eyes met hers. He waved her over. Her gaze strayed to the big, furry bodies separating them. Josh cocked a brow, as if asking her what she was waiting for.

  He was right. She was being silly for hesitating. Her kids hadn’t known better when they’d scratched her, and she didn’t fear Rafe hurting her, not in his human form or as a big cat. His friends and brothers wouldn’t either.

  She made her way around the sofas but suddenly stopped. Josh had looked tired, but not as if he’d just been dragged through the gutter. He should’ve after his fight with Devin. She flicked her gaze back to Josh.

  No swollen eye or bruises, and in the place of the raw open wounds on his cheek, four scars remained. He turned, then disappeared down the hallway.

  She rushed forward and tripped over something furry. She fell, but human arms banded around her and saved her from face planting onto the floor. The man holding her yanked her against his chest. His warm breath bathed her neck. A scream crawled up her throat, but he clamped his hand over her mouth before the sound escaped.

  She froze.

  “Settle down. I won’t hurt you,” Xander’s voice drifted to her.

  Eyes closed, she concentrated on slowing her heartbeat. Once she calmed, he dropped his hand but didn’t release her. He pulled her closer.

  The growing erection pressing against her back threatened to speed her pulse again, but she forced the fear deep. Rafe wouldn’t leave her in a situation where she might get hurt.

  “Let me go.”

  “In a minute.” He hissed out a breath. “You woke me, and now I have a beautiful woman’s body in my arms. You’ll embarrass us both if you turn around. Shifters don’t magically retain our clothes, you know, and there’s no way I can hide my stiff shaft. If your male finds out you aroused me, he’ll beat me.”

  “Don’t be silly. Rafe wouldn’t do that.”

  “Sure he would. He likes to fight just as much as the rest of us. Maybe more so. He’s got a lot of anger built up inside him. He’s only putting on a good face for you so he doesn’t frighten you away.” Xander gave a half-shrug she felt against her back. “Can’t blame the guy. He was unfortunate enough to be stuck with a human as a true mate.”

  She tilted her head to meet Xander’s gaze. His long hair hung in disarray around him, giving him a roguish appearance. He probably relied on his good looks to pick up dates. Or maybe that kilt he’d worn the day before did the trick. She didn’t know of any woman who wouldn’t do a double take at the sight of a shirtless man in a kilt. Because his attitude certainly wouldn’t score him many points—gorgeous or not.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Humans can’t handle the realities of shifter life or what it means to mate one of us. It puts a lot of pressure on him.”

  “He seemed quite happy about it last night. He even said I bridged him and brought him peace.”

  “Sure, I’d imagine it’d be nice not to have to fight with the animals we’re stuck with all the time, but that’s all he’ll get from you. It’s not like you’ll ever give him kids. But he’s old. Rafe might not care about breeding anymore.”

  She stared, wide-eyed, at him. “We won’t be able to have kids?”

  “No.” He sighed. “Rafe hasn’t discussed mating you yet, has he?”

  She shook her head. No words would form. Xander’s confession cut her heart open. She’d never have Rafe’s kids.

  Never be pregnant.

  Xander cursed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been the one to tell you that.”

  “But you did. Explain it to me. Please.”

  “Genetics. You’re a different species.”

  “Oh.” She swallowed hard.

  “Like I said. Rafe’s old. If he still cared about passing on his genes, he wouldn’t be with you.” Xander awkwardly patted her arm, then turned away.

  She stood there a moment more and debated whether or not to ask him more about what mating Rafe meant, but he was right. Rafe should be the one who told her. And maybe that was why he didn’t bring it up last night. He didn’t want to upset her by telling her she wouldn’t carry his kids.

  Jazz pivoted and ran the rest of the way to the kitchen before her doubts could consume her. She would trust in Rafe. He’d said nothing was more important than her and her boys. Nothing.

  The kitchen door banged shut behind her.

  Josh stood at the counter, his fingers flying over her laptop, and a toasted bagel on a dish next to him. No sign of stiffness and no evidence of his injuries except for the scar.

  “What happened to you?”

  Josh raised a brow. “What do you mean?”

  She crossed the room and propped a hip against the counter next to him. “Last night you looked as if you were lucky to have survived the fight. Today you’re no worse for wear.”

  “Mira took care of me.” Josh continued typing on the computer.

  “How?”

  “It’s not important.” He ran a hand through his hair and made the ends stand in spikes. “So I guess you and I are over, huh?”

  “We haven’t been an item since college.”

  He captured a lock of her hair and twirled it around his finger. “But yo
u were thinking about getting back with me.”

  She pulled the strands free and smoothed a hand down the length of her hair. “Let’s not talk about this right now.”

  “I think we should. You and Rafe are getting serious, and I want to make sure it’s what you want. Mira implied that being with a shifter was dangerous.”

  “I imagine it would be. Not everyone would be as accepting of their species differences as we are.”

  “I’m talking about on a personal level. Mira said mating a human was far from easy. Dangerous is the word she used.”

  “Dangerous? How?”

  “She wouldn’t say.” He bent closer and caught her gaze. “But I don’t like the idea of you being with Rafe if it’s going to put you at risk.”

  Well, neither did she. But how would loving Rafe be dangerous? He’d told her…

  “I’m special to Rafe. His true mate. He won’t hurt me.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Physically or emotionally.”

  Josh sighed. “Okay, but if you have any doubts, you come to me. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

  “I know you’d take care of me, but this thing with Rafe is real. Different than what we had.” She inwardly cursed at her word choice. “I’m not saying that to be cruel. You were a wonderful boyfriend.” She peeked at him, then quickly lowered her gaze. “In all ways. But with Rafe, it’s—”

  “It’s as if he’s the man you’ve always been waiting for. True love or something, right?”

  The romantic description wasn’t something she expected from him. She studied Josh for some explanation but his neutral expression didn’t give her any clues as to the reason for his uncharacteristic words.

  “Yes. Exactly. He fits me.”

  Josh grunted as if that was the answer he expected. “And he was okay with your explanation of how you found Seth and Levi?”

  “I haven’t told him yet.”

  “You’ve got to tell him. If he doesn’t like your—”

  “I didn’t steal them. I rescued them. Let’s leave it at that.”