Aside from Rafe’s burning need to walk into the next building and inhale Mila’s irresistible scent?
Rafe growled. “No, but at least we caught one in the act.”
“How do you think the Saccos will respond?” Grayson asked.
Rafe brought his hands together and cracked his knuckles. “They’ll come after her. I moved more shifters to guard the perimeter closer to the lodge. We have to be prepared to fight.”
“That would be suicidal. We outnumber them.”
Rafe rubbed his tired eyes. “Close the door.”
Grayson did and sat down in the chair on the other side of Rafe’s desk. “What is it?”
“This situation is worse than the Saccos and their attempts at sabotage. At least for me.”
Grayson stared, as if waiting for Rafe to continue.
He shook his head and stared at his fingers as he tapped them on the desk. “I can’t think of anything worse than this laughable fate.”
“What is it?” Grayson asked.
Rafe clucked his tongue and lifted his gaze to meet Grayson’s. “The wolf that we caught last night. She isn’t just a pack member, she’s Kane’s daughter.”
Grayson raised his brows. “He set his daughter up to do his dirty work?”
“That’s only the beginning,” Rafe added with a groan. “What’s worse is that my wolf recognized her.” Rafe swallowed and turned his head away. “As my mate.”
“Mate?” Grayson repeated with surprise. “No?”
Rafe rubbed his tongue along the back of his teeth and turned in his chair to face the mountain. “Yes, unfortunately.” He snorted. “Which god have I pissed off to bring on this wrath? This curse?”
“I know this is—difficult,” Grayson replied, his tone gentler. “But finding your mate is a gift, not a curse.”
Rafe widened his eyes, and he released a doubtful laugh. “This doesn’t feel like a gift. Mila is the worst possible match that I can imagine. How could the universe pair me with my enemy?”
Geez, he sounded like an angsty adolescent. But how was he supposed to respond? Skip, jump, and declare with glee that he’d finally found his mate like it was something to celebrate?
Not in this case.
“What do you plan to do about it?” Grayson asked.
Rafe push back in his chair with more force than he’d intended. “Ignore the call, of course.”
Grayson tapped his fingers together. “It’s not going to be that easy.”
Rafe gritted his teeth. “I know. I’m already experiencing thedelightfulurge to go next door and rub my fur against a wolf I loathe.”
Grayson exhaled. “I wish I had an easy answer, or at least some guidance to make it more tolerable for you. But as Damon and I have both discovered, there is no simple way. I don’t know of any way you can ignore this call.”
Rafe spun his office chair back to face his beta and his jaw twitched in agitation. “That’s what I was afraid you’d say.”
“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”
“As my beta and friend, what do you suggest I do?”
Grayson cocked his head as he appeared to consider the options and then shrugged. “The only thing I think you can do in the situation.”
Rafe gripped the arm rest, already dreading the words Grayson hadn’t yet uttered.
