Page 14 of Rafe

Rafe whined.

“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry; it’s so late. I, um, I’m Skylar Hemlock. We’re kind of neighbors. I’m about seven houses down. I thought I saw a stray dog come up toward your walk. Then I saw the lights on. Thought I’d ask if you saw it. I foster dogs sometimes. I couldn’t leave him outside. So, yeah…I’m really sorry.”

Rafe padded past Greyson and sniffed her hand, his wolf soothed by her scent.

“Oh, my goodness. Poor baby.” Skylar knelt and dropped the flashlight and sandwich, running her hands over the wolf. “You’re so…so…big.”

“Everything okay?” Greyson asked.

“Yes, yes. Sorry.” Skylar stood and extended her hand to Greyson.

The wolf growled at the vampire, baring his teeth.

He crossed his arms over his chest. “I apologize. He’s untrainable.”

“I’m so embarrassed. I was just so worried about him. I’m really very sorry.”

Rafe licked her fingers, tasting her skin. His wolf demanded more, his tongue lapping over her cheek.

“Bad dog!” Greyson chastised.

Fucking vampire. Rafe sat staring up at him, content as Skylar ran her hands through his thick coat.

“I’m so glad he’s okay. Gee, what a beautiful boy he is. I’ve never seen such a big dog. And so sweet.”

Yes, I am. Rafe looked up to Greyson who frowned.

“Is he, uh, a special breed?” she asked.

Oh, I’m special all right. Rafe barked.

“No, he’s just your everyday mutt.” Greyson’s eyes lit with amusement.

“He looks like…” She cocked her head with a curious smile, “a wolf! A big…”

“Bad wolf, that’s what he is.”

“Seriously, I think he’s a wolf or maybe one of those wolf dogs. Where did you get him?”

Rafe’s body warmed as she gave his head a soft stroke. His wolf howled, relishing each rub to his ears.

“The pound. But don’t worry.” Greyson looked to Rafe who took off running. “He’s fixed.”

“Where’s he going?”

“I uh, I’m not sure. So yeah. Everything’s okay. Thanks for checking on him.” Greyson glanced over his shoulder. “Dick.”

“Dick? You named him Dick?” She laughed.

“Yeah, yeah. You know. Short for, uh, Richard. But, um, we couldn’t call him that because his dad, Viktor, is a Richard too. Middle name, but still. There can only be one Dick.” Greyson glared at Rafe.

Skylar’s laugh morphed into silence as Rafe entered the room.

Wearing only a towel around his waist, the wolf’s eyes locked on hers. He couldn’t explain the attraction to her.

“Fate brings us together once again.”

“I…I saw a dog. Your dog.” She laughed and cocked her head. “Right after you left.”