Once Upon A Midnight

by Stephanie Rowe

  “I know.” Rafe sucked in a sharp breath, trying to contain his anger.

  The fact that his mate had been abused, beaten by someone, was enough to make him go postal. There would be hell to pay when he found out who was responsible for the damage done to her.

  Lucas jogged onto the deck and opened the door.

  “Thanks. Can you grab a few blankets from the closet for me?”

  Rafe made his way to the couch, carefully setting his mate down. He grabbed the throw blanket hanging over the back of the couch, gently covering her with it.

  Lucas returned a few minutes later with blankets, a T-shirt, socks, warm wet towels, and dry towels.

  “I figured you could try to wash the dirt out of her cuts, then maybe toss a shirt and a pair of socks on her to help keep her warm.”

  He set the clothes down and added, “I also grabbed a pair of jeans and a T-shirt for you.”

  Only then did Rafe notice that he failed to majik his clothes back on when he shifted. “Uh—thanks. Will you chuck a few logs on the fire? Let’s see if we can’t get it to warm up in here fast.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Lucas went to work stoking the fireplace while Rafe quickly dressed before setting to the task of carefully cleaning each of his mate’s injuries.

  If only she could shift back to her wolf now that she’s free of the silver, the wounds would heal instantly.

  Unfortunately, it looked like it could be days before her majik was replenished enough to give her wolf the energy she needed to shift.

  Once he wiped her down the best he could, he slid one of his soft cotton T-shirts over her head, trying not to move her too much.

  Laying her back on the couch, Rafe placed a pillow under her head and covered her with several blankets.

  “She has the smallest feet I have ever seen.” Rafe delicately pulled the socks over her frozen toes.

  “What was that, boss?” Lucas turned to face Rafe.

  “Her feet. They’re incredibly small.” Rafe motioned to his mate’s freshly covered feet.

  Lucas chuckled, shaking his head at Rafe. “You’ve got it that bad, already?”

  Rafe’s mouth flopped open like a fish out of water. He wanted to rebuff the statement, but there was no point. Even with the scrapes all over her body and swelling on her face, there was no denying that his mate was a beauty.

  An unexpected warmth filled Rafe’s chest.

  My mate.

  His wolf beamed with pride at having found her.

  “Can you call Erin? See if she can pop in tonight? I want her to give my mate a once over to see if she is going to be okay.” Worry settled in the pit of Rafe’s stomach.

  Surely, she would be okay, right? The Fates wouldn’t be that cruel, would they?

  As horrible as the thought was, there were many stories that Rafe heard from elder pack members over the years. The stories all had one thing in common:

  Heartache.

  A young male finding his mate out of the blue, a whirlwind romance, a quick mating ceremony, and an untimely death. The young wolf destined to wander alone for the remainder of his or her life, broken and distraught.

  Rafe never understood the Fates and why they decreed that a wolf could only have one true love who was fated to roam the planet, lost and lonely until they happened upon their mate.

  He listened as Lucas quietly explained the situation to the pack doctor over the phone, hoping his worry was for naught. It was ironic that just moments before she came into view, he swore he’d have nothing to do with her.

  Rafe never wanted a mate and he sure as fuck didn’t want his mate forced on him.

  There was something about bachelorhood that always called to him. He had no one to answer to. He did what he wanted when he wanted, and with whom he wanted. That was the life he had gladly chosen, and it worked just fine. Thank you very much.

  Now, the stranger on his couch claimed every idea that ran through his mind. The connection to his mate was instant, even though she threw up a barrier to keep them from hearing each other’s thoughts.

  It didn’t matter. None of it mattered now. As soon as he marked her, everything that made up the old Rafe, the one who wanted a life of bachelorhood, vanished. Poof! Gone. Just like that.

  Whatever she wanted would be hers. He would gladly be a slave to her every whim. Funny thing. Rafe was perfectly content with that.

  As the minutes passed, Rafe envisioned a future with his mate. Images of a life he never considered as a mated Alpha quickly formed, coming in rapid succession, one after another.

  He saw them smiling and laughing, becoming the best of friends. An intimate mating ceremony followed by a grand celebration. His mate round with his baby. A life filled with love and family for generations to come.

  Years’ worth of what-could-be-visions sent him to his knees before her frail broken frame. Rafe closed his eyes and lowered his head, mouthing a silent prayer to Odin.

  My one true lord. Please do not take my mate before I know her. Give me the chance to be a male of worth, a mate, a husband, a father. I will prove my worth to the female you sent to me.

  A soft knock at the door pulled him from his prayer.

  Lucas quickly ushered Erin over to where Rafe knelt.

  Keeping his eyes focused on his mate, Rafe acknowledged the doctor’s presence, “Erin, thanks for coming on short notice.”

  With a deep sigh, Rafe stood and shook the doctor’s hand.

  “No problem. It’s not every day our Alpha meets his mate. Let’s see what we’ve got going on here.” Erin made her way around Rafe and began to examine Mina. With her stethoscope, she listened to Mina’s heartbeat, followed by her lungs and stomach. Her fingers traced lightly over her ribcage, causing Mina to whimper in her slumber.

  “What can you tell me about her?” Erin inquired. Continuing her examination, she felt the bones in Mina’s arms, then legs, and finally her feet.

  “Not much, I’m afraid. The pack found her tonight wandering alone in the woods. She was pretty beat up. Someone shackled her with a silver collar in her wolf form.

  “As soon as Lucas removed the collar, she collapsed. She tried to get back up, but her legs gave out. I picked her up and she passed out.”

  “I hate to ask this, but can you give me a few minutes alone with her?”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Rafe stood firm, crossing his arms over his chest.

  Erin stood. “Rafe, I need to see if anyone forced themselves on her and you need to be respectful of your mate’s privacy.”

  A low growl rumbled from Rafe’s mouth. “I would smell another male’s scent on her if anything like that happened.”

  Erin took a deep breath. If she wanted to save his mate, she had to get him out of the room. He couldn’t see what she was about to do.

  “Come on, boss. Let’s do as the good doctor says and wait in the kitchen. I’m sure Erin will call you in if she finds anything wrong.”

  “Absolutely.”

  Erin waited until she heard the chairs scraping across the kitchen floor before kneeling down once again in front of Mina.

  Thank God they called me.

  She pulled a vial filled with a purple liquid from her pocket and tilted Mina’s head back. As gently as she could, she opened Mina’s mouth and poured the contents of the vial down her throat.

  Mina coughed once before swallowing the purple liquid.

  Raising her hands above Mina’s head, a cerulean glow radiated from her palms. Erin prayed to Eir, the Goddess of Healing, for help reconnecting the tethers of Mina’s wolf to her body.

  Erin felt the power she needed surge through her body and into Mina’s. Never before had she seen a wolf so close to separating from their human.

  Slowly, the power began to fade as each tether reconnected. Erin breathed a sigh of relief when they all snapped back into place.

  “Rafe, you can come back in now.” She quickly tucked the empty vial back into her pocket.

 
“Was she?” Rafe nearly choked on the words.

  “No. No one touched her,” Erin answered. Though she hadn’t checked her, she didn’t need to. They would have easily smelled the scent of any other male if she had been sexually assaulted.

  “Is she going to be all right?”

  “She’s in pretty bad shape, but it’s nothing a shift to her wolf wouldn’t heal. The problem, which I’m sure you’re aware of, is getting her strength back enough to shift—and soon. She’s got a few broken ribs. One of her wrists is fractured, and her nose is broken. Whoever did this to her wanted her to suffer.” Erin took a deep breath, slowly pulling the thick comforter over her patient.

  “Is there anything you can give her to ease the pain?” Rafe’s voice cracked a little at the mention of his mate being in pain.

  “I’m sorry, but there isn’t. Rafe, you know better than anyone, normal painkillers, or any type of narcotic, have zero effect for anyone in our pack. Our metabolism processes things a thousand times faster than humans. There are a few things available on the black market, but they’ve never been tested. I’m not comfortable prescribing them without knowing the potential side effects.” Erin laid a comforting hand on Rafe’s arm.

  “I know, call it wishful thinking. Maybe one day science will lend a hand and find a way to make shifters more comfortable when major injuries occur.”

  Rafe hated seeing his mate in pain. He swore his heart broke each time she whimpered.

  “It’s something we’re working on every day at the lab. We’re trying to find suitable alternatives to medicines the humans use. Some of their extended release formulas are showing the most promise. Unfortunately, we’re just not there. I’m very hopeful that we will find a way to crack the code soon.”

  “Is there anything I can do in the meantime?”

  “Keep her covered and warm. When she wakes up, load her up with plenty of proteins. Think foods like steak, veal, beans, eggs, and surprisingly, Parmesan cheese is loaded with protein. We need to boost her energy so she can shift and heal. I’ll drop by in the morning before I head to the clinic, to see how she’s doing.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  “Don’t forget that while you’re caring for her, you need to rest and keep your energy up.”

  Rafe started to open his mouth, but Erin quickly cut him off.

  “I know you, Rafe. Worry is written all over your face. Plain as day. You’re worried that her pack will come down on all of us. You’re worried about her health. And I know you won’t leave her side until you’re sure she’s better. It’s a lot of stress, even for the best Alpha. I know you feel like you’re compelled to take care of everyone in Black Paw, just don’t forget about taking care of yourself.”

  Rafe nodded. “Thanks. I’ll be fine.” A slight smile spread across his face. Both he and Erin knew it was a Herculean effort on his part to try and placate her.

  Chapter Five

  Rafe escorted Erin to the door, where his pack waited patiently for news. As the door opened, the men scattered, creating a wide pathway for her exit. The cool brush off Erin gave Lucas didn’t escape Rafe’s notice. I wonder what’s going on with the two of them?

  “Thanks again.” Rafe’s tall frame filled the entryway. He stepped out onto the deck, wanting to keep the noise in the house to a minimum. With a nod of his head, Rafe motioned for Lucas.

  “What’s up, boss?”

  “I’m going to skip the run. I want you to lead the patrol, pick a few men to stay behind and stand guard, in case anyone comes looking for my mate. I want the pack on high alert when they’re out tonight. There’s something off about this whole situation. I don’t like the feel of it.”

  “Do you think she was sent here? To start a war?” Lucas’s easy stance shifted to one of formality. Silence fell over the chattering group. Each man stood a little straighter, focusing their hearing a little further.

  “I don’t know,” Rafe huffed. “I find myself saying that a lot tonight. It’s not a statement I like making. I want answers, but it seems like I need to wait for Sleeping Beauty to awaken.”

  Lucas nodded. “You heard the man. Let’s get moving.”

  When the yard cleared, save for the few men Rafe requested stay behind, he headed back inside, claiming the chair next to the couch.

  His eyes roamed greedily over his new mate. Thoughts of their future once again spun in his mind.

  If someone would have told me this morning I’d have a mate this night, I never would have believed them.

  He’d briefly considered trying to find his mate once in his youth, but pushed the idea under the rug the next day. The next day came and went without another thought about it. In the years that followed, his only thoughts about a mate were how to avoid getting one.

  Rafe never wanted his life, his every thought, to be consumed by another. As Alpha of the pack, he had enough on his plate, and more than enough mouths to worry about feeding.

  The idea of losing his independence never sat well with him. For Rafe, being saddled with a lifelong mate meant giving up his own identity. A mate would know his every thought, his every desire, sometimes before he knew. They would be connected on a level he never wanted with anyone.

  Yet, the longer he spent in his mate’s presence...the more he wanted that connection, but she was strong enough to throw up her shield the second he marked her.

  The fact that he wanted her to know everything about him left his mind completely blown.

  If only she would wake up.

  A stifling moan arose from his mate as she shifted positions.

  When Rafe didn’t see any signs of her waking any time soon, he closed his eyes, reaching out with his mind, curious to see if her mental block remained.

  The barricade remained, but resembled a piece of Swiss cheese, with holes strewn haphazardly through it. Minimal effort would be required on Rafe’s part to smash through the remainder of the barrier. It was a dick move and he knew it, but he couldn’t put her safety, the pack’s safety, above her need for privacy.

  Rafe upped his concentration, sending a pulse of energy through his mate’s mind as she slept.

  Just a little further.

  The block crumbled moments later. Images of a violent capture and subsequent punishment invaded Rafe’s mind. His heartbeat sped when her fears became his fears. His muscles twitched when her pain became his pain, her broken bones became his broken bones.

  Rafe got more than he bargained for by crashing through her barrier and forcing the mating connection.

  He knew thoughts and memories would be shared, but he had no idea that everything would be shared with his new mate.

  If I shift to take the pain away, will it help her? Will she draw on my strength?

  Admitting the mate thing was well over his head, he gave in and called someone much more versed in the mating arena. Someone he trusted with his life.

  Holding his cellphone up to his ear, he glanced at the clock on the mantel. A groggy voice filled with sleep answered on the third ring.

  “Rafe, honey, is everything okay?”

  Rafe hated to wake her, but knew he needed help.

  “Mom, I found my mate and she’s been injured. I need your help.”

  “What happened? Do you need me to come over?”

  He quickly caught her up to speed on the events that transpired over the course of the evening, leaving out the fact that he forced his way into her mind. He’d save that li’l doozy for their face-to-face meet and greet.

  “Give me a few minutes and I’ll be right there. Would you mind starting a pot of coffee? I have a feeling I’m going to need it.”

  “Sure. Thanks, Mom.”

  All members lived on pack territory within a few miles of one another. Pride swelled in Rafe’s chest at the thought of his tight-knit community. Rafe’s great grandfather set up a pack Council to oversee the development of their lands, which included the small yet quaint town of Maple Ridge.

  Over the years, t
he pack thrived as they grew in numbers. Each member of the community working for or owning a local business.

  Everything a pack member could want or need was available within miles of their front door, from a small movie theater, restaurants, shops and stores to a library and children’s center. They also had their own state of the art hospital and clinic for round-the-clock care.

  More importantly, they boasted protection from outsiders, as well as loyalty to one another.

  Protection runes were placed at key points around the town to keep non-shifters from wanting to stick around. Humans passing by would feel a sense of unease and fear wash over them should they try to stay for more time than it took to briefly visit a local store or restaurant.

  Otherwise, Maple Ridge looked like your average everyday small town, with houses that ranged from small, one bedroom cabins to four and five bedroom homes, depending on the size of the families.

  Since the death of his father, Rafe remained in his one bedroom ranch instead of taking over the Alpha’s home where his mother resided. She offered to move on many occasions, but he refused, telling her to stay put. Rafe was happy in his current house. Up to this point it was only him, so he didn’t need much room.

  Taking up residence in the much larger home, at the time, sounded so depressing. He just couldn’t bring himself to make the move. It was built for a family and pack gatherings, not a bachelor pad.

  The design and layout was perfect for kids from birth to teens. But then again, it would be, his father designed and built it with his own hands.

  Lost in his own thoughts, Rafe limped through the motions of starting the coffee pot for his mom. He had no idea how much time had passed, but it couldn’t have been long before a soft knock at the door pulled him back to reality.

  “It’s open.”

  Grace quickly entered, brushing the new fallen snow from her shoulders. The living room was dark and quiet, save for a small lamp in the corner and the soft flickering of flames from the fireplace. Rafe bit back a groan as she wrapped him in a tight hug. She’s going to break a few more ribs if she keeps it up.