Page 26 of Rafe

“I’m not saying I’m gonna like it. Viktor will kick both our asses.”

“This thing with Skylar.” Rafe held his inner suspicion close to his vest. “I think we should keep her here. Protect her.”

“Of course you do.” Greyson rolled his eyes.

“No, no, no. Hear me out. We need to find out how she got here. She was supposed to be in L.A.”

“Did it ever occur to you she might have lied to you?”

“No. No way. I told you she texted me after she left. I, uh,” guilt wove through his gut, “I didn’t respond.”

Greyson shook his head. “You said you didn’t fuck her.”

“Hey, now. She’s a lady. Come on, dude.”

“And you’re a real choir boy? Who do you think you’re talking to? I’ve seen you fangs and balls deep inside donors in the middle of a blood club. Let’s get real.”

“That,” Rafe held up a finger, “was the old me.”

“Give me a break.”

“No, seriously, I haven’t been with anyone since I met her, which given my thirst, I suppose is progress.”

“It’s insanity is what it is.”

“No, seriously. I told you I’m cutting down on donors. No sex whatsoever with anyone.” Rafe’s eyes widened, the realization hitting him like a punch to the gut. Something had changed within him, and she was its source. “I only kissed Skylar that one night and that was days ago.”

“Bullshit.”

“It was just a kiss. An amazing kiss. But I held back. Because, as you’ve pointed out, I can’t get involved with a human.”

Greyson shot him a knowing look.

“What? Dude. Just say it.”

“Oh,” he laughed. “You sure you want me to say it?”

“Say what?” Rafe rolled his eyes, his annoyance with the vampire increasing by the minute.

“Vampires can bond with humans.” Greyson held out his hands and smiled with a nod. “Get it?”

“Impossible. I’m a wolf,” Rafe insisted.

“You’re also very much vampire,” Greyson countered.

“She’s terrified of vampires. And even if she could accept it.” Rafe stood, walked to the kitchen and swung open the refrigerator. He reached for a bottle of water, touched it to his forehead. “I don’t want to be a vampire. I’m going to Ilsbeth.”

“A human bonded to a vampire must accept a certain lifestyle. Blood, for one. Vampires cannot have children. Yes, yes, there are a few exceptions. Take Luca. He had a baby with the witch. But Sydney? She’s more of a cautionary tale. They’ve adopted and all is well but, this lifestyle doesn’t sit well with everyone for many different reasons.”

Rafe sighed. “It doesn’t matter what the vampire wants. I didn’t text her back, and I’m going to work with the witch.”

“There’s only one solution to your problem.” Greyson crossed his arms over his chest.

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“We focus on work.”

“How does that solve my problem?”