Rafe stood there, his chest heaving with emotions he struggled to contain. The night air was heavy with tension, his senses heightened by the lingering scent of Delia. Nate glared at Rafe, then he turned around and stomped off in the opposite direction, back towards the festivities. Rafe clenched his fists, the urge to shift still simmering beneath his skin, but he held onto the last shreds of his human control. Nate's words echoed in his mind. "I know what you are, Rafe." It was a revelation that struck deep, shaking the very foundation of Rafe's world. How could Nate know? And what did he intend to do with that knowledge? These questions gnawed at him, but now wasn't the time to dwell on them. Delia had asked for space, and despite every fiber of his being urging him to go after her, he knew he had to respect her wishes. Alexโs voice broke through his thoughts. "Rafe," he said quietly, his expression a mix of concern. "Let's talk." Rafe turned to where Alex a
As Ariaโs mystery man disappeared in the shadows, Delia hurried over to Aria, placing a hand on her friendโs arm. โAre you okay? What was that about?โ Aria hesitated, glancing toward where the man had vanished. โIโm fine,โ she said quickly, but her voice betrayed her unease. โAria,โ Delia pressed, โWho was that? What did he want?โ Aria looked away, biting her lip as if debating whether to speak. Finally, she sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. โI canโt explain right now, Delia,โ she said quietly. Delia nodded reluctantly. โAlright,โ she said softly. โBut if you need help, promise me youโll come to me.โ Aria offered a faint smile. โI willโ, she said while raking her fingers through her wavy blonde hair. โI need a drink,โ she muttered, clearly exasperated. Delia, still reeling from the events of the night, managed a weak laugh. โYou and me both sister!โ, she said. โAfter tonight, I think I deserve at least two.โ Aria gave her a side glance, raising a brow. โSo, I gues
After Aria left, Delia and Ethan had a few more drinks together whilst talking about the events of the night. Delia let out a tipsy laugh, nearly spilling what was left of her champagne. โI mean, who does Rafe think he is? Storming into that garden like someโฆ like some overgrown wolf with a jealousy problem!โ Ethan stayed quiet, his expression neutral, though there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes as he watched Delia rant. โAnd Natasha?โ Delia continued, her voice louder than she realized. โWhat even is her deal? Parading around like someโฆ like some cheap knockoff of a Bond villain!โ Ethan raised an eyebrow. โA Bond villain?โ he asked, unable to hide his grin. โYes!โ Delia declared, wobbling slightly as she pointed dramatically towards the party. โShe has that whole โIโm better than everyone elseโ aura, like sheโs about to reveal some secret evil plan. Ugh, I really donโt like her and not because is supposedly engaged to Rafe.โ Ethan chuckled softly, ca
Delia stirred awake, her face pressed against warmth, her senses slowly coming to life. The steady rhythm of a heartbeat beneath her cheek brought her comfort, though her head throbbed faintly with the remnants of last nightโs drinks. Without even looking up, she knew exactly whose chest she was nestled against. She hesitated for a moment before tilting her head, her eyes meeting the intense silver gaze of Rafe. His face, calm and slightly amused, hovered above her. โGood morning,โ he said, his deep voice soft and rumbling through his chest. Delia blinked, her cheeks flushing as she quickly tried to sit up. โGood morning,โ she mumbled, only to immediately regret the motion as a wave of dizziness hit her. She moaned, pressing a hand to her temple. โUghโฆ What am I doing here?โ Rafe chuckled softly, the sound rich and teasing. โYou passed out on the boat last night afterโฆ well, after venting about me. Once we got back, I carried you to my room.โ Deliaโs memory began to stir, the
As Rafeโs lips pressed against hers, Delia gasped softly, her hands threading into his damp hair. โRafeโฆโ she whispered breaking off, her voice trembling with a mix of emotions she couldnโt yet name. He pulled back slightly, his breath hot against her. โIโve missed you, Delia,โ he said, his voice husky, filled with raw honesty. โIโve missed every part of you.โ Her heart raced, each beat echoing in her ears. โRafe,โ she whispered, as she reached up to cradle his cheek. Her eyes locked with his, brimming with unspoken longing. โIโve missed you tooโso much.โ Before the words could fully settle between them, their lips met again, this time with a fevered urgency. The kiss deepened, filled with the raw passion as their bodies were drawn together as though nothing else in the world existed. Rafe pressed Delia firmly against the cool bathroom wall, her back arching as the contrast of heat and cold sent shivers through her. A soft moan slipped from her lips. Rafeโs lips moved down h
After Rafe and Delia finally showered, he carried her into the bedroom, his arms strong and steady as she nestled against him. The moment they reached the bed, the world outside ceased to exist. They made love again with an unrelenting passion, their bodies drawn together like magnets. Time blurred as their desire seemed endless, and the day melted into night. They were insatiable, exploring every inch of each other, their connection deepening with every touch, every whispered word, and every shared breath. It wasnโt until the first rays of morning sunlight spilled into the room that they finally surrendered to exhaustion. Delia lay curled up in the sheets, her soft, steady breaths signaling her deep sleep. Rafe watched her for a moment, his heart swelling with a mixture of pride and affection. A sudden twinge in his mind broke through the peaceful momentโa mind link from Alex. โRafe, we need to meet. Itโs urgent.โ Rafe sighed, already knowing the responsibilities of his pos
Ringโฆ ringโฆ ringโฆ Delia groaned softly, stirring from sleep as her phone vibrated insistently on the nightstand. Still half-asleep, she fumbled for it, squinting at the screen. Riley. A small frown creased her brow. Riley wasnโt supposed to call her. A sliver of unease crept into Deliaโs chest as she swiped to answer. โHello?โ she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. โDelia.โ Rileyโs voice came through the line, tense and anxious. Delia sat up instantly, her heart pounding. โRiley? Whatโs wrong?โ A sniffle. Then a shaky breath. โOh, Deliaโฆโ Rileyโs voice cracked. โI think they found me. The people who were looking for you.โ Delia felt the blood drain from her face. โWhat? How? Tell me everything!โ โI donโt know,โ Rileyโs voice wavered. โI was headed home from work and stopped by the corner store to grab some milk. When I looked out the window, I saw themโtwo men standing right outside my building.โ Deliaโs grip tightened around the phone. โAre you sure it was them?
Delia had gone back to Rafeโs room, but her mind refused to settle. She tried lying down, hoping exhaustion would take over, but with the sunlight streaming through the windows and her thoughts tangled in knots, sleep evaded her.She kept replaying everythingโRileyโs call, the men looking for her, Rafeโs reaction when she told him. She had been about to tell him everything about her past when Alex interrupted.But the look on Alexโs faceโsomething was wrong.Unable to shake the unease creeping up her spine, she paced the room, her bare feet padding softly against the cool floor.Then came a gentle knock on the door.Delia froze for a second before quickly walking over and pulling it open.Standing there was Ethan, his usual easygoing expression replaced with something more serious.โHi, Ethan,โ she greeted, scanning his face. โSomethingโs wrong, isnโt it?โEthan gave her a small nod, not wanting to alarm her but also not willing to lie. โYeah. But Rafeโs handling it.โDelia folded her
As Alex pulled the Jeep to a stop near the ferry dock, a strange sensation rippled through him. His wolf, which had been restless and tense ever since the attack, suddenly went deathly stillโWhat the hell? He looked across on the pier to see a lone figure sitting on the bench. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, taking a slow breath to steady himself. Behind him, he heard the hum of Ariaโs BMW pulling in, but his focus remained on the lone figure sitting on the bench near the pier. A woman. She stood as she noticed the cars, brushing a strand of long, dark curls behind her ear. The motion was simple, but for some reason, it held his attention. Alex felt something inside him shift, like a force he couldnโt explain pulling him toward her. She was wearing a navy dress that showed off her tanned arms and legs. Her frame was slender yet strong, and her posture carried an air of confidence despite the slight hesitation in her stance. He swallowed hard. Aria was alre
The rhythmic beeping of the monitors filled the quiet hospital room, a steady reassurance that Ethan was still fighting. Aria sat beside his bed, her hands resting on her lap as she watched the slow rise and fall of his chest. The doctors had told her he was recovering well and should gain consciousness any day now, but patience was not something Aria had in abundance at the moment, especially since she was here only for two days. Too many things were happening at onceโRafeโs amnesia, Natashaโs manipulations, Deliaโs disappearance. It felt like everything had unraveled so quickly, and she had no idea how to piece it all back together. She sighed, resting her forehead against her palm thinking about her own situation back in St. Vincent, she had yet to confide that to someone here. For a moment, she allowed herself to drift into a daydream, letting the weight of reality slip from her shoulders, if only briefly. Then, the soft creak of the hospital door broke her trance. She loo
Aria stepped into Rafeโs dimly lit bedroom, careful to keep her steps light as she made her way toward his bedside. The room smelled faintly of herbs and antiseptic, a reminder of how weakened her once invincible brother had become. It hurt to see him like thisโpale, resting against the pillows with dark circles under his eyes. He had always been the strongest person she knew, the one who had shouldered the weight of the pack, their family, and most importantly, her. Ever since they lost their parents, Rafe had done everything in his power to make sure she never lacked for anything, even when he carried his own burdens in silence. Seeing him vulnerable like this made her chest ache. She pulled a chair close and sat beside him, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest. Then, as if sensing her presence, Rafe stirred. His silver eyes fluttered open, slightly unfocused at first, before they found hers. A weak, familiar smile touched his lips. โHey, kid. Where have you been?
Back in St. John, Rafe sat in the backseat, his head leaning against the window, his body still weak from the effects of the wolfsbane. His sharp silver eyes, though dulled with exhaustion, flickered with an unreadable emotion as he gazed out at the passing scenery. The doctor had ordered complete bed rest for the next week, but Rafe had insisted on returning home as soon as he was stable enough to be moved.Alex sat beside him, tense and silent. Ethan was still in the hospital in critical condition, and Alexโs mind was weighed down with everything that had happened. The pack was in disarray, their Alpha was injured, and the only person who could possibly bring Rafe back to his full strength quicklyโDeliaโwas gone.And now, Rafe didnโt even remember her.Natasha sat on Rafeโs other side, her fingers occasionally brushing against his arm in small, possessive gestures. She had barely left his side since he regained consciousness, playing the role of the devoted fiancรฉe. Alex still did
The first thing Delia became aware of was pain. A deep, burning ache that radiated from her leg, spreading through every inch of her body like molten fire. It was sharp, relentlessโa cruel reminder that she was still alive. Every nerve felt raw, every muscle weak, as though she had been trampled underfoot and left for dead. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, blinking rapidly against the dim lighting of the room. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic. A rhythmic beeping filled the otherwise silent space, and it took her a moment to register that it was the sound of a heart monitor. Her heart. She was lying in an unfamiliar bed, strapped up to IV drips and medical monitors, her wrist connected to a heart rate machine that quickened the moment she tried to move. She tried to shift, to sit up, but the moment she moved, agony exploded in her leg. A white-hot pain shot up from the wound, searing through her nerves like lightning. A strangled gasp escaped her lips, her fingers clutchi
Alex turned to Natasha sharply, his patience wearing dangerously thin. His voice came out low, barely contained. โWhat the hell is going on, Natasha?โ His eyes burned with frustration. โWhy did you just refer to Delia as some new maid?โ Natasha met his glare with an impassive expression, but there was a flicker of somethingโcalculationโbehind her striking blue eyes. โLower your voice, Alex,โ she chided, glancing around the hallway as if worried someone might overhear them. โRafeโs still recovering, and the last thing he needs is unnecessary stress.โ Alex stepped closer, his imposing height overshadowing her, but Natasha stood her ground. โUnnecessary stress?โ he repeated, incredulous. โDelia is missing! Kidnapped by rogue pirates! And now youโre acting like she doesnโt exist?โ Natasha let out a slow breath, as if dealing with a child who didnโt understand reason. โNo, Alex. Iโm acting like someone who actually cares about this packโs survival.โ Alexโs fingers curled into
Alex stood in his office, staring out the large window, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. The moonlight cast long shadows across the pack lands, and everything looked deceptively peaceful. But his mind was anything but at peace. Natashaโs words kept replaying in his head. You need me. The pack needs me. Damn her. A sharp ring shattered the silence, and Alex turned swiftly, his jaw tightening before he reached for his phone. He didnโt recognize the number at first, but as soon as he answered, a familiar, breathless voice came through the line. โAlex?โ He exhaled, shoulders easing just slightly. โAria.โ โThank God Iโve reached you.โ Her voice was laced with worry. โMarcus told me what happened, and I justโI couldnโt believe it. Is it true? About the attack? Rafe and Ethanโฆand Delia missing?โ Alex rubbed a hand down his face, the weight of everything settling deeper into his bones. โYeah, kid,โ he said, voice rough. โItโs true. Things areโฆnot great here.โ There w
The scent of blood lingered in the air as Alex strode down the hospital corridors, his mind racing. The sterile white walls and the faint beeping of monitors did nothing to calm the storm brewing inside him. Rafe was still unconscious, his body fighting against the potent wolfsbane that had nearly killed him.And now, Delia was gone.Alex gritted his teeth, his hands clenching at his sides as he paced near Rafeโs room.Shortly after bringing Rafe and the injured warriors to the hospital, his head had snapped up at the sudden intrusion of a mind link.Ethan.His voice had been weak, barely a whisper in Alexโs mind.โRoguesโฆ ambushedโฆ Deliaโฆ IโโAnd then nothing.Alex had bolted. He barely had time to gather Marcus and a few other warriors before they rushed out.When they arrived, the scene was worse than he imagined.Ethan lay crumpled on the side of the road, a pool of blood beneath him. His throat had been slashed wide open, his breathing ragged and barely there. His usually strong
Once Simon was back on his battleship with an unconscious Delia in his arms, he moved swiftly through the deck, his boots thudding against the wooden planks. His grip on her was firm but careful, mindful of her injuries.He pushed through the infirmary doors, his voice cutting through the tense air.โGet the doctor. Now.โThe nurses jumped into action, one of them sprinting down the corridor while Simon gently laid Delia onto an empty cot. She looked fragile under the harsh medical lights, her skin pale beneath the soot and grime. His jaw clenched. This wasnโt how things were supposed to go.Within a minute, the doctor arrived and he wasted no time, kneeling beside Delia and inspecting her wounds.โHer leg is badly injured,โ Simon muttered, his voice tight.The doctor worked quickly, his hands moving over Deliaโs body with practiced efficiency. After a thorough check, he turned to a nurse. โPut her on oxygen. Sheโs weakened and has inhale a lot of smoke. If we donโt stabilize her soon