Chapter 9 #2
“This is the trust part. I do know. And there’s a possibility she might be able to fix this so I can have my life back.
But this thing you asked me to do here? I can’t take on a pack right now.
I’m just being honest. If I was selfish, if I was in denial, I’d say, ‘sure, I want to be the leader. I can definitely do this.’ But I can’t.
It’s not the Alpha, it’s not my wolf that’s the problem.
But this vampire, ah, he won’t let it go, and I can’t in good faith be responsible for other people’s lives when I’m worried about feeding, when I’m fighting the battle to control the thirst. Last night, when I was fighting those things, and I’ve got Greyson, Xavier, Kenji…
” Skylar. “I just knew I needed to be whole again. Ilsbeth isn’t promising anything.
She said she might be able to help me. So if that chance is even possible, I’m gonna do it. ”
Hunter leaned back and crossed his arms, looking onto the desert. “Okay.”
“What? I thought you’d fight me on this. Greyson sure as hell is.”
“Greyson’s not a wolf. I’m your Alpha.”
Emotion curled in Rafe’s chest in response to Hunter’s words. He nodded in silence as the Alpha continued.
“I won’t tell you I trust Ilsbeth, but I trust you. What’s your plan?”
“I’ve got an errand that I need to attend to first; then I’m heading back to New Orleans to find Ilsbeth.”
“Anything else?”
Rafe sighed, carefully considering his next words. He wouldn’t lie to Hunter. “There’s a human. She kind of got caught in the crossfire. We’ve been watching over her. I just want to make sure she’s all right.”
Hunter shook his head giving him a knowing look.
“It’s not like that.” Rafe shrugged. “Okay, maybe a little but it’s over. I know Greyson will go flapping his gums and tell you. I wanted you to hear it from me.”
“Okay then.”
“That’s it?”
“I mean what do you want me to say. Sometime wolves get involved with humans. It happens. We know the deal. Sounds like you’re a good person who wants to check on her. As long as you don’t pursue it.”
“I’m not. I won’t. I just want to apologize. She shouldn’t have had to see me like that.” Guilt crept inside him once again.
“Go do the thing. Sort your shit. See the witch. If you wanna help Greyson after, that’s up to you and no one else. I’ll take care of things here.”
“Thanks, man.” Rafe shoved up to stand as did Hunter.
“When you get back to yourself, I want you to come round, okay?”
“You sure? I don’t know if this is gonna work. Some of the pack might not like it.”
“Ah, fuck those guys. It’s only a few of the old timers that might have problems with it, and they can come see me if they do. Besides, you’d probably kick their ass.”
Rafe laughed. “Maybe.”
“Okay, well. What are you waiting for?” Hunter asked. “Xavier must be here. I can smell the tea and I want some.”
Rafe smiled, he’d missed his friend. “It’s good to see you, Alpha.”
“Same, wolf. Same.”
Rafe glanced back to Greyson who waited for him at the top of the driveway. The vampire was livid, but he’d agreed to bring him to Seattle.
Rafe had to see Skylar one last time. To apologize. To say goodbye. Forever.
The wolf went on alert as a branch snapped in the distance. He homed in on motion through the leaves, a black-tailed deer scampered away from him. Teeming with wildlife, the ecosystem sang in harmony.
Late in the afternoon, daylight fell into the horizon.
Rafe wove in between the evergreens. As he grew closer to the home, he stilled in the darkness, wet leaves sinking under his paws.
Skylar’s scent drifted through the air. Her energy wrapped around him, a gentle caress of calmness surrounding him.
With each slow step, he padded towards her. Stealth. Silent.
A dim light flickered through a glass arch. He stilled as he spied her through a window. She wore a black cotton robe and wrestled a towel off her head. Her messy long locks spilled over her shoulders.
Rafe yearned to touch her. Say goodbye. She’s not yours, he told himself.
Out of nowhere, a branch fell, landing in a thud. He crouched down as she whipped her head toward the woods, searching for the source of the noise. Another black tail deer sprinted across the yard, the crunch of breaking branches distracting her attention.
Rafe spied an open back door and sprinted toward it, grateful for the distraction.
He padded toward the fireplace. Waiting, he settled on a spot next to the fire.
His chest tightened as he took in his surroundings.
With an apex ceiling, the white, wooden interior reminded him of his own home in Wyoming.
Bookshelves on both sides lined the two-story stone fireplace.
Classic coffee table books sat on shelves. Upper shelves were stuffed chock full of well-worn paperbacks. A bottom shelf held board games and playing cards. The hearth was lined with framed pictures of Skylar, including a college graduation picture of her in New Orleans.
A carved wooden humpback whale sat in the center of a long whitewashed wooden dining table with rattan cushioned seats. He looked to the corner of the room where a black baby grand piano wore a coat of dust, and he wondered if she played.
He imagined Skylar and her family sitting around the fire playing games, the laughter of a human holiday filling the home. The home embodied a warmth that only the love of a family could create. So very human, lovely and welcoming.
But he would never be welcome here. He didn’t belong in her world, and she didn’t belong in his.
Rafe stilled as her scent grew stronger. She’s coming. He caught a glimpse of her face bathed in the light, and his resolve threatened to waver. Within seconds he’d tell her he was sorry. Then he’d tell her goodbye.