CHAPTER SIX

“You really want to be put on guard duty?” Jacob asks.

“I really do,” I tell him. “It’s the least I can do for the alpha that always takes care of us. The rogue deserves to pay for what he's done.”

“I like your attitude,” Jacob says. “You can be put on guard duty tonight. That way we can all get some rest. It’ll be good for us.”

It's even better than I could have imagined. Being put on guard duty during the night means I'll have a better chance of really talking to Rafael. We can plot his escape. He doesn't have to be destined to this awful fate.

I wait anxiously all day until it's time for me to do my duty. It still feels wrong, watching him like this. It almost feels like I'm betraying him. But I know my true intentions and I suspect Rafael will as well. I'm going to help get him out.

As night falls, my adrenaline races. I know I have to do something, but I'm not too sure what I can do to save him. Still, I spend all day listening and plotting until it's time for me to walk up to the cage.

“Thanks again for your help,” Jacob says. “I'm going to get some rest, and I'll relieve you of your duty in the morning. We really do appreciate your service.”

“And I appreciate everything you all do for the pack,” I lie.

I watch him walk away and make sure everyone is going about their own business for the night. Then, I go up close to the bars.

“Are you doing okay?” I whisper to Rafael.

“I'm doing okay now,” Rafael whispers. “I knew you hadn’t turned on me, but I was worried when you volunteered for guard duty. I was worried maybe you were starting to believe their lies.”

“I would never do that to you,” I assure him. “I believe in you completely. You are the true alpha. You've proven that time and time again. And I'm not the only one who believes that.”

“What do you mean? he asks, tilting his head curiously.

“There have been whispers,” I tell him. “I've listened to them all day.

“Most of the pack thinks this is unjust. Most of them recognize you as the true alpha. And most realize that something was horribly wrong when they arrested you. They want you to be their alpha. We all do.”

“I appreciate knowing that,” Rafael says. “It makes the sacrifices I've made for this pack worth it. I wasn't sure if everyone appreciated me. But now I know they do. Thank you for making my night.”

“It really means something,” I insist. “With their support, it means that you don't have to live like this. We can overthrow the old alpha. We can get you free. We can fix this.”

“I appreciate your passion and how much you care for me. It's everything I could have hoped for in a mate. But there's nothing we can do now.

“I can't break my way out of this cage. I can't fight the alpha anymore.”

“You think I'm your mate?” I whisper softly.

Rafael stands and reaches out to me through the bars. I take his hand in mine and his touch feels so warm. His touch feels so right.

It makes my heart break that he's still kept in a cage away from me. But it also makes me feel like things are going to be okay since he's nearby.

“Of course, you're my mate,” Rafael says. “That much has been obvious since I met you. I thought you felt the same way too.”

“Of course, I do,” I say. “I know you're my mate too. I've known it since I met you. I've known it since I first saw you.”

“And as my mate, I'm so grateful for you. I can tell you put a lot of thought and hard work into this plan. I appreciate you trying to save me. But I'm destined to be here. I'm destined to die here.”

“Don't say that,” I insist. “I won't hear of it. This just won't happen. I'm going to find a way to free you.”

“How are you going to do that? I don't want you to take any risks, especially not on my behalf. I want you to be safe. The last thing I want is for you to get hurt too.

“There's no way for you to save me without risking yourself. I'm sorry it has to be this way, but it has to be this way. I'm stuck here and there's no way out. I wish there was but there isn't.”

“There has to be though,” I say. “You are my mate and I will save you.

“I won't accept that we'll be separated like this forever. There has to be a way. It's meant to be.”

“I appreciate you,” he says. “I appreciate everyone in this pack. I appreciate all you’re trying to do. But there's nothing you can do.”

We fall silent on opposite sides of this argument. I'm convinced that there's something that can be done. And I want him to hold on to hope but it seems hopeless trying to get him to believe it.

“Well, there is one thing you can do,” Rafael says.

“I'll do anything,” I say. “I’ll do anything for you.”

“Then, stay with me. Stay with me and talk to me all throughout the night. As long as you're here, it doesn't feel so bad. As long as I know you love me, I can face whatever fate has in store for me.”

“Of course,” I say, tears falling down my face. “Of course, I'll stay with you. No matter what I'm here with you. I'm here for you. I... I love you.”

“I love you too,” he whispers.

We hold each other's hands and we stay like that all night. We talk about life and try to forget that he's in a cage.

No matter where he is, I know he's my mate. I know we're destined to be together. So, I will get us out of this mess. I will free him. I'll do whatever it takes to save Raphael.