Chapter 10
My pulse quickened, and my ears roared. The voice sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it. I tore myself away from Raffe, my head spinning and my power buzzing.
He groaned and reached for me, but I swatted his hand away.
People are outside, I linked to everyone. If I could hear the intruders outside, they might be able to hear us inside, depending on their species.
Raffe’s eyes popped open, and he jumped out of bed. At least, this time, the unexpected visitors hadn’t caught us naked.
Who is it? Keith’s words were slurred, like he was still half-asleep.
If I knew, I would’ve led with that. I rolled my eyes, not feeling bad for calling his ass out. He would’ve done the same.
Raffe moved to the window on his side, about two feet past the end of our bed. He stood in the corner, barely moving a blind, and his body tensed. He released the blind, not even trying to be quiet, and snarled, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” He rolled his shoulders back and marched past me toward the stairs. It’s Aldric, Valor, and Finley.
I blinked, thinking I’d misunderstood. Aldric? Out of everyone, I hadn’t expected it to be him. Granted, he was probably here to take Josie back with him. He hadn’t been thrilled when his daughter left with us. And who are Valor and Finley?
Keith’s dad is Valor and Adam’s is Finley, he answered, practically jumping down the stairs.
My stomach clenched. If they were here to force their children to come home, that might be more problematic than if an enemy had come to attack us. I hoped that meant none of them were here to kill us.
I reached the bottom of the stairs as Raffe opened the door, not waiting for them to knock.
All three men were standing there, waiting.
Footsteps scurried downstairs as Adam and Keith rushed to back up Raffe.
“What are you three doing here?” Raffe gritted out, blocking the doorway so the three of them couldn’t enter.
Aldric, from his spot in the middle, looked over Raffe’s shoulder and straight at me.
A chill ran down my spine.
“Not going to invite us in?” Aldric arched a brow, yanking his attention back to my mate. “That’s rude, don’t you think?”
I moved next to Raffe, showing that I wouldn’t hide, just as Adam and Keith strolled into the room behind us.
“We’re just returning the favor.” I smiled sweetly, looking as innocent as possible while making my point.
“She’s right.” Raffe placed an arm around my waist. “At least we aren’t kicking you out of our pack and home.”
Aldric winced. “That’s fair, and that’s why we’re here.”
“You need to come home.” Valor stood in front of me, but his attention was behind me, on his son. “It should not have come to this.”
“Yet it did,” Keith deadpanned, emanating the resentment and malice he used to reserve for me. “And not by our own doing.”
Scoffing, Valor shook his head. “You left the pack. I didn’t make you do that.”
“By not accepting Skylar and Raffe, you drove a wedge between us,” Keith said, taking the other spot beside me. “I pledged my allegiance to Raffe years ago, and I will stand by my friend and alpha.”
A lump formed in my throat, and my eyes burned. I never would’ve imagined Keith standing up for me, presenting a united front.
“Son, you and I can be the voice of reason.” Finley sidestepped to see Adam. “Raffe’s relationship with this girl isn’t ideal. You must see that.”
“All I see is a woman who grounds Raffe and makes him stronger,” Adam replied stiffly. “I still love you, Dad. But my decision stands. Raffe is my alpha, and Skylar is my alpha’s mate. I stand behind both of them the way you always taught me.”
“Not when he takes a human as a mate. That was bad enough, but now she’s somehow changed and has magic.” Finley dragged his hands through his hair.
Raffe growled. “We had this conversation, and we left. Why come here in the middle of the night to rehash it?”
He had a point. I stood taller despite being several inches shorter than every man here. “A phone call would’ve been easier. And how the hell did you find us?” The latter question had my stomach clenching.
If these men had found us that easily, who else could?
“You don’t think we’ve been trying to call?” Aldric scowled. “All your phones are turned off. Luckily, Josie used her credit card to pay for this place. I made a few calls since it’s technically under my name and got the renter to provide the address.”
Raffe’s frustration put pressure in my chest.
None of us had considered that. Our funds were limited, and now we wouldn’t have any unless we wanted to risk more of this happening.
“Well, you wasted your time.” Raffe shut the door.
Before it could close, Aldric caught it with his hand. His jaw clenched, and he strained against Raffe’s strength.
“Don’t think I won’t shut it,” Raffe growled. “This is your one chance to move your hand before it gets slammed in the damn door.”
Aldric sighed. “Your father linked with me, and he told me to come here and ask you and the others to come home.”
“Did he now?” Raffe snorted bitterly. “The answer is the same. Skylar is my fated mate, and I won’t marry anyone else. She is it for me, and she’s a shifter, so her being human is irrelevant. You can tell Dad where to shove it.”
“If it’s not clear where he’s referencing, he means good ol’ Jovian can shove it up his—” Keith started.
“Keith Barren, you’d better not finish that sentence.” Valor glared and puffed out his chest. “King Jovian was your alpha your entire life until not even twenty-four hours ago. You will show him respect.”
My power jolted, matching the way my blood pulsed through my body. I hated when people used age and experience as a reason to show someone respect. Respect had to be earned and not given just because of some set requirements. “Tell me why King Jovian still deserves respect from his son and my pack members. He didn’t listen to his son, he dishonored the sacred bond Raffe shares with me, and then he attempted to alpha-will his son into marrying someone else. He also tried to have me killed, then tried to bully this entire pack by not allowing them to enter their own home if I was part of the deal. What sort of leader does that to his pack members, let alone his only son?”
Can I say I like her logic now that we’re on the same team? Keith linked, and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the corners of his mouth tipped upward.
“The king has sacrificed so much for his people and is doing what’s best for everyone, not a select few.” Aldric lifted his chin, but some of the light in his irises dimmed. “And not all of those decisions came directly from the king. That’s why we’re here.”
Raffe tilted his head. “And which ones were those?”
“Not allowing you inside the mansion and casting you out.” Aldric fisted his hands. “King Jovian was concerned when your pack link vanished, and he commanded me to bring you home. That’s why we’re here.”
There had to be a catch.
“We’ve already had this conversation.” Raffe kissed my cheek and tugged me tighter to his side. “I’m not going anywhere without Skylar, and I won’t be part of a pack that disrespects my mate.”
Shaking his head, Valor leaned against the doorframe. “Oh, he’s aware. Unfortunately, he’s willing to take your mate. You all just need to rejoin the pack.”
“So everyone can disrespect her?” Raffe’s jaw clenched. “I’ll pass. It’s not just about the pack tolerating Skylar—they must treat her like a fucking equal, and it’s clear none of you standing here will do that.”
Babe, I’m used to being an outcast. This way, Raffe and the others could have their family and pack back. Besides, everyone staying in this house already treated me as an equal, so I’d have that. If we don’t go back, we won’t have access to any money.
We’re wolves. We can live in the woods. Our wolf form is made for that.
“We can’t turn our backs on a sacred law. Humans are forbidden. There isn’t a caveat about what to do if one could be turned.” Finley dropped his hands to his sides. “Adam will at least understand that.”
“She’s never been a regular human.” Adam crossed his arms. “Her turning proves that. You’re being narrow-minded—the same thing you all accuse the Eastern packs of being.”
“Raffe, your father never wanted me to turn you away.” Aldric lifted his hands, his expression strained. “I did that without his support. Your issue is with me, not him.”
Good ol’ Jovian must have ripped Aldric a new butthole, Keith linked. He’s pretty much groveling, which tells you how pissed your dad is.
We’re not going back, are we? Josie asked, her words muted even via the link. They won’t let Dave come, and definitely not Octavia.
Fair point. There was more at risk than me being the black sheep of the pack. “You do realize if we came back, we would bring Dave and Octavia with us?” I asked.
Valor sneered. “Absolutely not. They aren’t pack.”
“And neither are we!” Raffe bellowed, his deep voice raspy as his rage flamed into my chest. “That’s why you’re here. Remember?”
“We have to draw a line somewhere.” Aldric karate-chopped the air. “Let them free or kill them. I don’t care.”
“It’s time for you to go.” Raffe gestured for them to move away from the door.
Moving so he was partially blocking the door, Aldric lifted a hand. “Don’t be foolish. You have no money, and you can’t live outside in the cold and rain with a human. You’ll have to deal with her anyway, so you might as well be comfortable at home. We want our kids back. The way it should be.”
“Not like this.” Keith motioned between us and them. “Nothing is resolved, which means nothing has changed. The king doesn’t want the Eastern wolves to know that not only did he lose control of his son but also the children of the men he trusts most. Our coming back won’t resolve anything.”
“And I don’t trust that you won’t try to kill my mate again.” Raffe lifted a brow. “Can all three of you promise that you will ensure my mate remains safe, no matter the cost?”
Aldric flinched while Finley and Valor glanced at each other, their noses wrinkled in disgust.
“That’s what I thought. You need to leave.” Raffe edged in front of me and added, “Now.”
“Not without my daughter.” Aldric stood tall. “She doesn’t need to be part of this mess. The same goes for Lucy, Keith, and Adam. Release them.”
My power rose close to a hum. Did he think we were holding them hostage? Raffe hadn’t made them leave their pack. They’d left of their own free will.
Keith crossed his arms. “We’re not going anywhere.”
“And neither am I, Daddy.” Josie stepped up the stairs. “If you don’t accept Skylar, you won’t accept my fated mate either.”
Raffe, Adam, and Keith tensed, and I couldn’t swallow. No. She couldn’t be doing this now.
“Fated mates are rare.” Aldric exhaled. “There hasn’t been a fated pair in decades. And if you do have one, I’m sure it’s a strong, strapping wolf.”
“He’s not.” Josie bit her bottom lip, and then she jutted her chin. “It’s Dave.”
Suspecting it and hearing it were two different things. Her words had me taking a step back.
“The vampire?” Aldric choked. “There’s no way.”
The story of how the supernaturals were created flashed through my mind. We all stemmed from the same ancestor. If I could become a wolf shifter, then it was possible that her blood wouldn’t be deadly to her mate. They’d need to claim each other to complete the bond.
Uh … why does it not smell like eggs in here? Keith linked. Because Josie just told one big ol’ whopper.
She’s not lying, I linked.
“It is, whether you want to believe me or not.” Josie lifted her hands. “Like Raffe, I refuse to not be with him.”
“None of you know what you’re up against.” Aldric rubbed his temples. “When your senses have returned to you, you know the way home. I just hope it’s before any of you do anything more foolish. Your money is cut off, but we will leave your cell phones on so you can contact us.”
“But—” Finley started, but Aldric’s eyes closed, cutting the man off.
The three of them spun around, though Valor frowned as he stole one last glance at his son. The four of us remained by the door, watching them get into their car and drive away.
Shit. We were screwed, but at least we had the house for the next few days. We’d already paid for it.
When Raffe shut the door and the immediate threat was gone, my limbs grew watery.
“You were kidding, right?” Keith looked at Josie and pointed toward the stairs. “I’m not sure if you get that he’s a whole different species.”
Josie leaned her head back. “So is Sky.”
“Wait.” Keith turned to me. “Will Dave turn into a wolf too? Sky did, and she still has her weird magic. Will he be some sort of vampire wolf?”
“Man, I think exhaustion is getting the best of you. There’s no way that combination can exist.” Adam pursed his lips. “Wolf blood is deadly to vampires.”
“I hate to say this, but I see his point.” Raffe rubbed the back of his neck, but his emotions were leveling out. “Her blood isn’t deadly to him.”
This situation could drive anyone insane. I yawned, desperate to crawl back into bed and start fresh in the morning. “Can we leave this discussion for when it’s not the middle of the night? I want sleep.”
Raffe took my hand. “I agree. This isn’t something we can solve in a few minutes. Let’s get some rest. We’ll need to figure out what the hell to do once the week is over and we have to go somewhere else.”
Ever since I’d walked into their lives, I’d been a burden. Even though Raffe had made it clear he didn’t care as long as we were together, I still hated that I was causing them trouble.
Josie wrapped her arms around her waist. “That’s it? No one is going to say anything else tonight or threaten to throw Dave out?” Her skin blanched like she was waiting for us to react the way their dads had.
“I think the blood exchange you did with Dave has you feeling like that.” Raffe shrugged. “I don’t think it’s more than that.”
She scowled.
“Even if that’s not the case”—I cut my eyes at Raffe, giving him a warning look—“we’ll support you and your happiness.”
We will? Raffe’s eyebrows rose. He’s a fucking vampire who drugged you.
He was scared for his life and has been trying to make it up to us ever since. Dave seemed genuinely sorry. People had the right to make mistakes, and he hadn’t known what they were going to do with me. How can we not support her and Dave after everything she’s done for me?
He didn’t respond, but I could feel his mixed emotions.
“Really?” There was so much hope in Josie’s voice.
I watched Raffe fold under our pressure. He sighed. “Yeah.”
Keith pressed his lips into a line. “Really?” His voice was a note higher than Josie’s.
The air pulsed around me, feeling like sandpaper rubbing against my skin.
My heart stopped.
Coven magic.
I spun around and stared out the house’s wide windows just as flames shot from multiple spots at the edge of the woods, where the raccoons and the foxes had been, and engulfed the side of the house.