RAFAEL POV If there's anything I never knew, it's that passion was such a huge deal.And sexual passion? That's a whole different kind of war.It doesn't knock politely. It crashes in, uninvited setting every inch of you on fire until you can't tell the difference between pain and pleasure, fear and desire, sanity and obsession.I certainly didn't remember walking her to the bed.I just remember the heat. The taste of her still lingering on my tongue. The fire curling deep in my gut, setting my veins ablaze like gasoline had been poured into every inch of me, and she was the fucking match.She laid there, breath ragged, lips parted, neck flushed pink. Sexy was on word. Fucking beautiful was another. How could she be this beautiful? How could she affect me this much? No one dares to bring out this part of me. No fucking one.Her eyes wide with something between want and wonder... but one thing I was sure of, there was no fear. No hesitation.She wasn't scared of me.Why the fuck isn't
LILA POV Tell me about coffee...People think it's just caffeine and warmth in a cup. A routine. A way to wake up. But to me?It's care.It's how I say, "You made it through the night," without fumbling for the right words. It's the quiet way I try to bring calm after chaos. Especially for him.Strong. Hot. Steady. Something he could hold when the rest of him felt like it was falling apart.After setting the meal on a tray, the beeping sound of my phone diverted my attention and I made to grab it. Staring at the caller, Ava. I inhaled a deep breath, hoping whatever was coming wasn't for the worse.I picked up."Hey, Lila, is everything alright? I had quite a scare, ""Everything is fine, Ava. At least I'm still breathing. I intended to call last night, but something happened, and I couldn't just..."I didn't get to finish before she cut me off."What happened? What did the big bad Alpha do now? Growled too loud? Did he shift and scare your soul out?"I chuckled softly, brushing my fi
RAFAEL POV I inhaled, exhaled. The wafting smell of brewing coffee penetrated through my nose. I'm in a daze-I can barely tell what's going on. What had happened? And why did this coffee smell so fucking nice?My tummy grumbled, and I let out a grumpy sound.What had happened? Flashes by flashes... The smell of tequila refreshed my memory as I recalled every incident-last night's attack, the tequila induction, and then another panic attack.The memories were fresh. This was the first time I was getting a panic attack twice in such a short span. The major trigger had always been darkness. But this morning was awkward-there was light, and still, it occurred.How did I get out of it? How...? I stilled at the realization.She was here.My eyes propped open, still sleep-filled. Ace howled gently. Ace wasn't a wolf that spoke too much-injured, battered, and restless. He's more vicious than I am. And the only way he vents is by being ruthless. He's a beast that's beyond taming.And now? Let
LILA POV Crashing on the bed after promising to take care of Rafael wasn't part of the plan.How it happened? I don't even know.Well, you can't blame me. It's fucking crazy how things just... change. In the blink of an eye.To everyone, Rafael is a cold, ruthless being. And to me? He's more than just cold and ruthless.He's dangerous. A risky game. A bold warning label on a bottle of regret, blunt, obvious, and still somehow tempting to the reckless.Who would've thought that someone so boldly Alpha, so dominant, would carry a fear like that?Not just a fear of the dark. A memory. A wound he keeps stitched up with pride and silence.Then I heard it. A muffled sound. Then a piercing scream. A growl, thick, rough, commanding.I jolted upright in bed. I was in my room. Rafael wasn't.That voice, that cry for help, it was coming from his room.My feet moved before I could even think. Barefoot. Fast.My beast was racing wildly... What the hell was happening again. I pushed the door open
Rafael POV I'm watching her sleep, listening to each rise and fall of her chest.How did we ever get to this? Me and her in the same bed.She's curled up against me, her soft body wrapped around mine. So much for "I want to take care of you." Well, I actually won't blame her... Last night had been a hell of a night, and the fact that she had actually survived-saw my raging beast and still made it through-still has me amazed. She isn't even freaking out. She survived my storm and didn't flinch.I called work and canceled every appointment I had. We'll just have to take the day off. I might be revenge-bent, but I'm not irrational enough to give her a fright disorder.Seeing her half-clad before me sent a feral heat tearing through my veins. She lay so close, her breathing soft and even.My gaze dragged up her face, slow and reluctant, like I was trying to remind myself why I hated her. For the first time, I noticed her facial features... for the first time, my eyes took her in not as L
Rafael's POVPeace was a stranger. A foreign language. A forgotten song.It's like a nightmare, a dream I really didn't see happening soon. Could this be real? For the first time in seven goddamn years... I slept. No thrashing. No sweat-drenched sheets. No midnight howls clawing their way out of my throat. Just warmth.Her warmth.The scent of her still clung to my skin, coconut and a soft flowery scent. Fuck, it wraps around my soul in the dark like a lullaby I never asked for.And now I was awake, and fuck... I hated it. I wanted this fucking new feelings. I hated every inch of this fucking vulnerability. It's more like she has exposed a fucking hidden part of me that I'm trying to hide. And I hate it. I hate peace.Because peace comes with vulnerability. With softness. And softness is a luxury I don't fucking deserve. A luxury I don't want to afford.Not after what I've been through. Not after what she is. And not with whom she is to me.I kept my breathing slow, measured. My arm