Chapter 3
Rafe had only dated one or two humans in his entire life.
But it was never an option long term. Being wolf, his mate could only be another wolf or shifter, so dating a human presented an infinite set of problems. However, ever since he became vampire, humans served one sole purpose in his life.
Food. Sustenance. Nothing more. Nothing less.
He’d known dancing with her was a bad idea he couldn’t resist. It had taken every ounce of self-control to leave the bar, to not sink his fangs deep into her neck.
From the beignets to choosing to walk down a different street than usual, the night had been a series of surreptitious events.
By the time she’d invited him in for coffee, he’d already decided to roll with fate.
In the past he might have classed it a poor decision, but as she turned and offered him a cup of coffee, none of it mattered.
“Sorry about the mess,” Skylar commented.
Rafe looked to the boxes all stacked in a neat pile, each adorned with a pink and white label. “Moving in or moving out?”
“Out.” She shrugged and slid into the kitchen chair in front of him. “I got a new job. I’m headed to L.A.”
“Must be a good job to travel across the country.” Rafe nodded, concealing his disappointment.
“Hoping it’s a good job. I’ve got a small part on a TV drama. It might turn into something more regular.” She shook the beignets out of the bag onto paper plates. “Sorry all my dishes are packed away.”
“This is perfect.” You are perfect. He watched in fascination as she brushed her wild, long, brown hair over her shoulder.
“I’m giving myself six months.” She lifted her cup to her lips and blew a soft breath over her still steaming cuppa. “I’ll be back to New Orleans in a few months. I have a bookstore here, so I have to remain flexible.”
Rafe struggled to keep his eyes on hers.
The scent of cinnamon swirled in the air as she sprinkled it into her cup.
He studied her lips, memorizing her face, her smile as she spoke.
Startled by his interest in the human, he set down his beignet and refocused his thoughts.
“So where are you headed to in L.A.? I’m planning on taking a trip across the country myself soon. Maybe we’ll cross paths.”
“I’m going to Manhattan Beach and staying with a friend for a few days before heading to my rental.” She glanced at the boxes. “All this stuff is going into storage tomorrow.”
“It’s a beautiful home.”
“Yeah, I’ll miss her, but she knows I’ll come back home eventually.” Skylar set down her teacup. “Maybe I’ll be seeing you.”
“I could stop by if you happen to have an extra bag of beignets.” Rafe didn’t live in New Orleans full time. When he visited, he’d stay with his sister who was in Acadian Wolves. But given his situation, being hybrid, it may have been for the best she’d been traveling to South America.
“I really appreciate you bringing back my purse.”
“Glad we could help sort things. You know, take care of that guy.”
“Yeah, about him.” She raised her eyebrows. “That friend must be some friend.”
“Maybe you’ll meet him some day. He’s a pain in the ass but knows a few things. A few people. You know. He gets things done.” Rafe shrugged with a smile.
“I bet he does.” She laughed and inadvertently reached for him. “Well, I appreciate your help. It’s really unusual for our neighborhood. The last thing I would have needed before moving was my wallet stolen.”
Rafe froze as her hand brushed over his ever so lightly. A mere second of her touch ignited a fire within him, his beast rising to taste her. His gums ached, his fangs ready to descend.
“No problem. I’m glad I could help.” Rafe shoved to his feet, concealing his fangs. He sucked a breath and retracted them. “I’d better go. It’s pretty late.”
Skylar looked to the clock on her microwave. “Two thirty. Wow. Yeah, it’s definitely getting late. I have a million things to do tomorrow.”
Rafe headed toward the front door, his thirst escalating. What is happening? He’d sampled hundreds of humans in the past couple of years and not once had he lost control.
They reached for the door handle at the same time, her hand covering his. He turned to her and their eyes locked.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“No worries. Here, I’ve got it.” Her hand moved off his as he clicked open the door. His beast begged him to kiss her, but he remained steadfast. He couldn’t lose control.
“Hey, I didn’t get your name.” She smiled at him, her forearm resting on the doorjamb, blocking his way.
“Rafe,” he answered.
“I’m Skylar.” She smiled at him.
“Don’t forget to lock your door.” Don’t touch her. Keep going, Rafe. Walk away. No matter what he told himself, his beast wanted her.
“See ya around, Rafe.” She backed away from the door, allowing him to pass.
“You can bet on it.” Rafe kept his gaze locked on hers until the sliver of her face was hidden behind the door, and he heard the lock click. Rafe breathed a sigh of relief. What the fuck is going on?
He headed back toward Greyson’s home. Out of the corner of his eye, a light flickered in the gutter. As he reached downward, he spied a cell phone and smiled. Fate never failed to disappoint.
He tapped on the screen, and a picture of Skylar emerged.
Dressed in a red wig with a mask, she leaned against a red brick masonry wall in the French Quarter next to an embellished purple pumpkin.
From the copious amounts of beads around her neck, he guessed it may have been taken at Halloween.
She gave witchy vibes, but she was all human. All woman.
He tapped on the screen again. “Skylar, darlin’. Who leaves their phone unlocked?”
His fingers began to type his phone number into her phone before he rethought his decision and deleted it. He told himself she might need protecting, when in reality she needed protection from him. Vampire.
As he strode up to her door and held his closed fist poised to knock, he hesitated. No, Rafe. You can’t have her. Not tonight. Not ever. There’s no way he’d let one human break his control. He’d tamed his thirst. His wolf would win.
His knuckles rapped on the wood and he immediately shifted. The great brown wolf padded into the shadows. He watched as she opened the door and picked up her phone. She tapped the screen, a broad smile emerging across her face.
The wolf padded out of the darkness into the streetlight and ran toward Greyson’s home. He stole one last glance back at her, and as she closed the door, she locked eyes with him. Energized by the connection, he whipped his head forward and took off running, disappearing into the night.
“Where’s the blood?” Rafe called up to Greyson.
“Jesus.” The vampire shielded his eyes with his hand and pointed to the refrigerator. “Put some fucking clothes on.”
“You’ve got to loosen up, dude.” Rafe swung open the door and retrieved a carafe.
The temptation to lose control with a human never sat right with him. Determined to win the battle against the vampire, he’d attempted weaning himself from live donors. Still the act of feeding, latching onto a human, the craving for warm blood still continued to haunt him.
“What’s with the human?” Greyson, dressed in a pair of grey flannel pajama pants and a white t-shirt, picked up the remote control and the TV screen flashed to life.
“I don’t know. She’s interesting.” Rafe shrugged and drank directly from the carafe. “This tastes like shit.”
“By the way you’re slurping down that blood, I take it you didn’t feed from her. What’s your problem?”
Rafe ignored him and gulped down the liquid. No pleasure, just sustenance.
“This thing you’re doing by not drinking from humans isn’t sustainable. I mean, sure, physically you’d be fine, but mentally? You’re missing the point of being vampire. It’s enjoyable.” He waved a hand at Rafe. “Honestly this is ridiculous.”
“You’ll never understand. I’m a wolf. It’s what I am.”
“You’re vampire too, bud. I thought you’d settled all this nonsense.”
“The blood sustains me. But that’s it. I don’t want this false rush from the blood when I feed. It’s not right for me. The thirst is too much. But now I’m controlling it. My way.”
“You’re playin’ is what you’re doin’.”
“I might have a way out of this. Ilsbeth said—” Rafe thought better and shook his head.
“Ilsbeth what?” Greyson silenced the TV and slammed the remote down onto the table.
“It’s nothing.”
“Don’t talk about the witch unless you’re ready to walk in the bowels of Hell. She’s grown stronger. She’s restraining herself.”
“Samantha rivals her,” Rafe challenged.
“Don’t deflect. What nonsense did the witch fill your head with?” Greyson sighed. “I know she told you something. It’s been two months since she pulled you off that mountain and you’ve said nothing.”
“She said…she said she could remove the vampire.” He shrugged.
“Here we go, here we go. You know better. Don’t let her talk you into anything.” Greyson waved a hand at him.
“She said something about a spell.” Rafe sat down on a stool and set the carafe onto the counter.
“This is a bad idea. A very bad idea.” Greyson shook his head. “You’re not messing with her. No way.”
“I heard her out. That’s it.” Rafe stretched his neck to the side, realizing he never should have brought up the topic.
“I’m sorry, Rafe. I’m sorry Viktor changed you.
But it is what it is. You have to accept the fate of the Goddess.
And this whole thing with Ilsbeth? She saved your life.
End of story. You play the cards you’re dealt.
Don’t let Ilsbeth put crazy ideas in your head.
No,” He held up his finger to him. “Dangerous ideas. You’ve come too far.
I can’t even tell Viktor or Julian about this.
Our little secret. My brother will lose his fucking shit.
No. Don’t let Ilsbeth tempt you with promises. ”
“I told her no.” Rafe rolled his eyes. “Do you think I’m that fucking stupid?”
“No but I think you’re still angry. And impulsive.”