Chapter 5
Rafe’s mind churned as he sat in the chair staring at the intriguing human, hoping the rest would heal her fragile body.
But she’d never forget the horrific attack, witnessing a brutal murder.
Guilt threaded through him as he glanced at the red ligature marks on her wrists.
Like a fucking idiot, he’d left her on read.
He’d already told himself all the reasons why it would not work, yet here she was, here they were.
The craving to taste her once again haunted him. He’d argued with Greyson about bringing her back with them. The vampire insisted they dump her at an ER. But there was no way he was leaving her alone after the attack. The vampires who attacked her could likely scent her out, find her and kill her.
They’d only been in Las Vegas for two days, and he already hated the cruelty they discovered.
Destruction. Death. Blood parties. Snuff films sold on the black market.
Speculations of missing humans persisted; the truth was, it was easy to disappear in Vegas.
Tourists came and went, some buried in the desert without a trace, never to be found again.
He and Greyson had been investigating rumors of a coven that had been partying in the desert.
Most resident vampires had been driven across the border to California.
Transient vampires were either forced into the feedings or murdered.
Wolves and witches had scattered into hiding, and what remained were gangs of murderous vampires, their thirst untamed.
They’d tracked down an informer, a bartender at a seedy bar in North Vegas. The warlock had managed to keep himself alive by masking as human. Xavier and Rafe had paid him in wolf hair, and he’d told them of late-night desert parties and women who’d gone missing.
In the dark of the night, Greyson flashed them to the canyon. Rafe had heard the screams, but it was her scent that shook him to his core. What was she doing in Las Vegas? How did she get mixed up with vampires?
Guilt stabbed at him. Though a difficult choice, he hadn’t responded to her text. The decision to squash his desire had been intentional. Greyson was right to warn him away from her. Wolves didn’t mate with humans. Yet again, the Goddess tested him with a temptation that was never meant to be.
Rafe reached for the blanket and tugged it over her shoulders, tucking her into bed. What is it about her? Rafe indulged once more, inhaling her delicious scent. His wolf howled, pleading for him to lie with her. Rafe warred with his desire, aware she was a treasure he could never possess.
The creak of the door opening drew his attention, breaking his pervasive thoughts. Greyson.
“What was she doing there?” Greyson sighed.
“I don’t know.” Rafe fell back onto the dark brown leather sofa and stared into the fire roaring within the huge floor to ceiling stone fireplace. They’d rented a huge log cabin on the outskirts of the city, far from the action on the strip. “Did you catch any more of them?”
“No. I found a few more dead humans. One scented witch. I don’t like this. I don’t like it at all.”
“I think we should go back to visit the bartender again,” Rafe suggested. “I don’t sense many wolves. But there may be a few in the area who are willing to talk.”
“Hunter will be here soon. He can help you find them.”
Rafe stared at the fire, his chest tight with anticipation. Though he missed his Alpha, so much in his life had changed.
“He didn’t leave you, Rafe. He’s got a pack to run and this whole thing with you? I get it’s not fair. But life isn’t fair. Life is complicated. It’s going to all work out eventually.”
“Yeah, well. There seems to be a lot of things happenin’ that I can’t explain.
And stop reading my thoughts.” Rafe leaned his head backwards on the pillow and closed his eyes.
A vision of Skylar formed in his mind’s eye, her long hair flowing over her shoulders.
He recalled the taste of her lips, how she’d fit perfectly into his arms.
“You can’t have her. It’s not gonna work,” Greyson warned.
“Jesus, vampire. Knock it off. I’m just resting my eyes.”
“I know what you’re thinking.”
“You know what I’m thinking? Really?” Fuck off.
“You need to stop,” Greyson persisted. “I thought you said she was going to L.A.”
“That’s what she told me. And before you say another word, I left it alone. I didn’t text her back. I have no idea why she’s here but there’s one thing I do know.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“I know that I haven’t slept for a while.” Rafe yawned.
“You need to stay away from her. I don’t know why you—”
“Because. There’s something about her. Something more. There’s no path forward, but I want her. My wolf wants her,” Rafe confessed.
“But you can’t mate with her.”
“I know, I know. It doesn’t matter. And worse, she hates vampires now. She was almost killed by one tonight, so it’s not like I can lead with that…like ever.”
“You shouldn’t be leading with anything. She’s off limits.”
“Did you ever think that maybe I might want to be with her because she’s interesting? She’s well read. She owns a bookstore. She likes wolves.”
“It doesn’t matter what she likes. She’s food to you. Find a shifter. Have some cubs. Who knows? You might meet someone here. Maybe start a new pack.”
“You don’t understand what it’s like. I’m wolf. But this vampire thing? I don’t want it. Ilsbeth said—”
“Not with this again.” Greyson stood and shook his head. “You’re playing with fire. Viktor is going to—”
“Viktor isn’t going to do anything right now. I know you guys want to pretend like Ilsbeth’s blood didn’t save me, but it did. I’m not saying I trust her, but I just don’t think she’s going to do anything to hurt me.”
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph. You’re losin’ your damn mind.” Greyson raked his fingers through his hair. “You don’t know what you’re messin’ with. You don’t know Ilsbeth like I do.”
“Yeah, well, you don’t know what it’s like for me.” Rafe shook his head and stared into the flames. The fire crackled, sparks flickering up the hearth.
“I know exactly what it’s like. You act like you’re the only one carrying around baggage.
We all are. I’ve got a past too. You’ll get used to it.
The years go by and you forget. No, no, no.
You don’t forget but you’re grateful for your existence.
” Greyson crossed the room, setting his arm onto the hearth.
He reached for the poker and stoked the fire.
“You don’t know what it’s like to be human.
I do. Humans live their whole lifetime looking for the next stage like it’s somehow going to get easier, better.
Engagement. Marriage. Babies. Graduations.
Grandchildren. Then they live the best years of their existence waiting to die.
And you’ll find out that there is never enough time.
You’re no different than the rest of us on this great big rock.
We all make sacrifices. I gave up my human existence. My family.”
Greyson’s face dropped, lost in his contemplation.
“We all have families, Rafe. Vampires have the ones they’re born with, and those people are always in our hearts, but we are reborn into a new family.
And in the end, no matter what you are, you choose your family. Viktor. Julian. Me. We’re your family.”
Greyson came up behind Rafe and briefly touched his shoulder. “Your power is immense. I know you’re tempted but I’m asking you to think long and hard before you pursue the dark magick that lies within Ilsbeth. There’s always a price and she does nothing for free.”
“This is my decision.”
“Ah, fuck it all. Well, because you are family, I’ll be by your side.”
“Thanks, Grey.” Relief washed through Rafe.
“I’m not saying I’m gonna like it. Viktor will kick both our asses.”
“This thing with Skylar.” Rafe held his inner suspicion close to his vest. “I think we should keep her here. Protect her.”
“Of course you do.” Greyson rolled his eyes.
“No, no, no. Hear me out. We need to find out how she got here. She was supposed to be in L.A.”
“Did it ever occur to you she might have lied to you?”
“No. No way. I told you she texted me after she left. I, uh,” guilt wove through his gut, “I didn’t respond.”
Greyson shook his head. “You said you didn’t fuck her.”
“Hey, now. She’s a lady. Come on, dude.”
“And you’re a real choir boy? Who do you think you’re talking to? I’ve seen you fangs and balls deep inside donors in the middle of a blood club. Let’s get real.”
“That,” Rafe held up a finger, “was the old me.”
“Give me a break.”
“No, seriously, I haven’t been with anyone since I met her, which given my thirst, I suppose is progress.”
“It’s insanity is what it is.”
“No, seriously. I told you I’m cutting down on donors. No sex whatsoever with anyone.” Rafe’s eyes widened, the realization hitting him like a punch to the gut. Something had changed within him, and she was its source. “I only kissed Skylar that one night and that was days ago.”
“Bullshit.”
“It was just a kiss. An amazing kiss. But I held back. Because, as you’ve pointed out, I can’t get involved with a human.”
Greyson shot him a knowing look.
“What? Dude. Just say it.”
“Oh,” he laughed. “You sure you want me to say it?”
“Say what?” Rafe rolled his eyes, his annoyance with the vampire increasing by the minute.
“Vampires can bond with humans.” Greyson held out his hands and smiled with a nod. “Get it?”
“Impossible. I’m a wolf,” Rafe insisted.
“You’re also very much vampire,” Greyson countered.
“She’s terrified of vampires. And even if she could accept it.” Rafe stood, walked to the kitchen and swung open the refrigerator. He reached for a bottle of water, touched it to his forehead. “I don’t want to be a vampire. I’m going to Ilsbeth.”