Chapter 69
RAFE TRU
Running out of options, I shift into my human form. The horror on Chason’s face as he scrambled away and fell out of bed will haunt me until he’s claimed. I grab the throw blanket to cover my junk and let him make the first move.
He’s wearing an oversized shirt and boxers. Sleep rumpled but delicious.
The cat opens one eye and glares.
Last night, my wolf and I had a long discussion regarding what’s appropriate behavior when introducing us to our mate. He agreed we should ease Chason into the idea, since he thinks I’m a dog. And a good boy.
As a shifter, it should be insulting to be called a good boy, but my wolf loves it and I’m not against it.
“I didn’t see that. I’m dreaming and I’ll wake up,” Chason mutters from the floor. Slowly he rises until his sweet face peeks up at me. He yelps and dives back onto the floor.
“Let me explain,” I whisper, not sure how to fix this. My wolf longs to smother Chason with kisses.
“Really? Impersonating a dog to get into my bed is a new low, even for a shifter. Did you run out of pickup lines?” he lands that barb as he scoots away.
At least he knows shifters exist so no explaining needed, but he’s definitely not ready to hear he’s my mate.
Not that I’m ready either. Mates bring heartbreak, and besides, I don’t have much to offer. No one’s willing to take a mate who treks through the mountains more than he’s home.
“There’s no excuse for last night and I apologize.” I fold my hands in my blanket-covered lap.
In the morning light, his laugh lines and soft smile have disappeared. He scowls at me, and I make a mental note not to get on his bad side. Chason’s a pint-size ball of fury, and he’s not scared; he’s pissed off.
“Is this some sick plan to spy on my magic? News flash: I’d answer your questions. I have nothing to hide. Contrary to you, who was prowling around my house in the middle of the night.” He crosses his arms over his chest in defiance.
Magic. He has magic.
My wolf was so enamored and focused on claiming our mate, I overlooked it.
Obviously, his amber scent is a part of his magic.
My fated mate cannot, under any circumstances, be a witch.
It would be the end of my relationship with the pack. I’d be kicked out for sure. My father mating one was bad enough, and they got permission.
“Nothing to say for yourself?” Chason hauls himself to his feet. “Get out of my house and don’t come back!” He points to his bedroom door. Nyx yowls in protest.
Since I don’t have any excuses, leaving and letting him cool down sounds reasonable.
That will give me time to set my wolf straight. My mate is not a witch.
He’s not my mate.
My wolf is wrong.
Chason lets out the most put-upon sigh. “Do you have any clothes?”
“They’re in town where I shifted and my car is there too.” I steer clear of him, slip into the hallway, and wrap the blanket around me.
“Is your name Rafe?” he asks with disdain.
“Rafe Tru.” I hold out my hand for him to shake but he refuses, and my heart sinks.
“And the man I called last night?” His hands ball into fists.
“My pack alpha,” I admit. The signs of magic are everywhere, but I didn’t bother looking, so sure he was a normal human. One reason I’m such an excellent tracker is that I have enhanced senses. Worst observations ever.
“You must think I’m the stupidest witch on the planet.” He glowers at me.
“Nope.” I backtrack, needing to get away from his scent. It still has a hold on me, and fresh air will help. “It was a regrettable mistake, and again, I’m sorry.” My wolf fights me to get to our mate.
NOT OUR MATE! I inform him.
“What was the point of hopping in my bed? What did you get out of it?” He advances toward me as I retreat to the stairs. I thought the cat was on my side, but she trips me.
I can’t tell him my wolf thought he was our mate and needed to soothe him.
That he dreamed of me in my wolf form, and it was confusing.
I lower myself onto the first stair. “My wolf was… ah... sleepwalking, and we fell asleep. Comfy bed,” I babble.
“I’ll have to get the name of your mattress.
” I sound unhinged. “So sorry. I’ll go and you can get on with your day.
” I don’t turn my back to him as I hold the railing while going down the stairs and sidestepping Nyx.
“Do you and your wolf often act independently?” His eyes drill into me as he stands at the top of the stairs, as formidable as a gladiator.
My wolf snarls and snaps as I put more distance between Chason and me. The front door is so close, but my phone’s in the kitchen and my alpha will demand answers.
I hold my hands up, gesturing no harm. “Listen, I’ll be honest,” I say and he snorts. “Last night something unexplainable happened to me. Crazy but true. I came to town searching for my missing sister and got off track with you. I’ll be gone in a few days.”
He tilts his head to the side, and his anger drains from him. “Your sister’s missing?”
This is more information than I feel comfortable giving, but my mouth keeps talking. “It’s been a decade, but her mother was a seer and left notes naming this town.”
“Your mother’s a witch.” His skepticism is back.
“My stepmother,” I correct. Silence stretches over us as he assesses me. I remain quiet as my wolf senses Chason has to make his decision about us.
“I could scry for her if you have an object of hers with you.”
“I might take you up on that, but I should call my pack alpha before he sends someone after me. Thanks,” I lie, sprinting into the kitchen, putting my cell phone in its pouch and opening the back door. I shift before I hit the ground running.
Wayne picks up on the second ring. I’d hoped to call during his patrol so I wouldn’t have this conversation. “Wayne’s phone,” he answers tentatively.
“It’s me,” I say, blowing out a breath. I’m in my room at the Tidal Inn. It’s quaint and welcoming in a “your grandma’s house” type of way.
“Yep, it’s lovebug,” he jeers at whomever is near him. “Start talking,” he orders.
“There’s no excuse. My wolf went rogue and thought he found our mate. He’s made a mess of things.” I run my hand over my face, trying to wipe the shame away.
“And you don’t feel the same?” Wayne questions. “That’s new.”
“The guy smells amazing, but he’s not my mate. He’s a witch,” I admit with a wince, waiting for him to blow up at me.
Wayne’s on the move, the rustle over the phone and a door shutting confirms it. He says the last thing I expect. “Why not? Did he try to harm you?”
I snort. “No, he’s feisty, but barely five foot eight. I’ll handle him.”
“What’s the problem?” His voice rings with irritation.
“You can’t be serious. Wolves and witches don’t mate, and if they do, they’re doomed.”
Wayne sighs. “You can’t base your life on what happened to your father. Fated mates are never a mismatch. How did you leave things with your mate?” he asks.
“I... I... um. He doesn’t know?” I ask a question instead of stating a fact.
Wayne bangs on his desk, and I visualize the red fury flaming his neck and face. “You can’t start or end a relationship until he knows the truth. Go tell your mate.”
“How do you know he’s my mate?” My anger rises to match his.
“Because your wolf wouldn’t have chased and shown your belly to anyone other than your mate,” he growls with authority. “How do you feel?” he lowers his voice.
Wayne is equal parts hard as nails and soft as a plushie. It makes him the perfect pack leader.
“Like a car ran me over. Sneaking around in wolf form to get my clothes to shift back was stressful.” Everything hurts, especially my head.
He grunts as if to tell me I’m an idiot. “Listen, I’ve been reading your stepmom’s journal. I haven’t found anything new except that there’s a page missing. You mind if I try to find it in her things?”
“Course not, you’re the alpha.” I’m sincere, which earns me another grunt and a sigh.
“You’re shocked, but you haven’t thought through the repercussions of walking away from your mate. You’ll hurt him.” He hangs up, and I decide since he’s being dramatic, sleep is the best remedy.
My pack has suffered enough at the hands of my family. I won’t add to it by bringing home an outsider with magical abilities.