Page 88 of Julian

“Let’s get him in the shower,” Julian suggested.

Cassia nodded. “I’ll get it ready. Meet you in the bedroom.”

“Rafe.” Julian knelt beside him. “I know what it’s like when our magick is off. I’ve been fighting my own issues. It’s taken time, but I’m starting to feel better.”

“But I fed a little.”

“You fed a little from a witch. But it’s Cassia who helped get your wolf back. I could call for a donor but I think we know what needs to be done.” Julian couldn’t bear to see Rafe suffer any longer. If he hadn’t brought him to the fight, he would have never been gored by a cambion in the first place. My fault.

“My wolf is there but it’s like the vampire in me is taking over. I can’t shift. I’m cold as fuck.”

“It’s going to be all right. Cassia wants to?—”

“But she’s your mate, Jules.”

“Exactly. You will feed from her and you will feed from me. We’ll get this knocked out.” Julian weighed his next words carefully. “Rafe. I know you got the short end of the stick when you were injured last year. You’re a loyal wolf. You fought for your pack. Viktor was right to save you. He knew you were going to do something special in this world. One day you will be an Alpha. But until then, we’re pack. You’re my beta.”

The Alpha and Rafe exchanged a silent look in contemplation. Julian wanted to make sure the wolf understood his place in the pack, his home.

“Hey, man, you even hit a pretty good golf ball. You might even beat me one of these days. Maybe. You’ll never win at chess though,” he joked.

“You never know.” Rafe laughed and shook his head.

“Come on. We’re going to get you right again. You’re not just my beta … you’re my friend.”

“You’re my Alpha for sure. But when this is all over, with the demons and cambions, I need a break for a while. I need some time to get in touch with myself. You guys can’t babysit me anymore. It’s time I go test this on my own. I’m ready. No, when this is all said and done, I’m outta here for a bit. I’ll be back but don’t come looking for me.”

“All right. So you agree that you’re going to feed tonight, get well? Stop worrying about us.”

“Tonight was hot but I don’t know.” Rafe averted his gaze.

“This isn’t optional. I saw you with Cassia back in the pool. She’s a shifter. Come on. Let’s go.” The Alpha didn’t give him another second to protest. Rafe was his responsibility, his pack.

* * *

“In here,” Cassia called from the bathroom. The patter of the water in the shower echoed through the bedroom, steam filtering out of the bathroom.

Julian wrapped a hand around Rafe’s waist and helped him onto the bed. “Cass!”

“What’s going on?” Cassia’s eyes widened as she caught sight of Rafe.

“He needs help,” Julian told her. He needs you. Us.

“Of course. Hey. Rafe. It’s okay.” She sat next to Rafe and cupped his cheek.

“I can’t ask you guys to do this. You just mated,” he began.

“I wouldn’t agree to this if I didn’t mean it,” she told him.

“We’d never let anything happen to you.” Julian gave a tight smile.

Cassia nodded and looked to Rafe. “I trust Julian. And I trust you. It’s just a little blood, okay. No big deal.”

“But you know what can happen…it’s not just a little blood.”

“So what?” Cassia challenged. “We’re shifters. Today … just then in the pool. I could have said no if I’d wanted to. Julian could have. We invited you. I liked it. There was no biting involved. Just the three of us. Together.”

“Cass is right. I’m fine with this. Cass is fine with this. We need you to get better. Between my blood and hers, you’ll be completely healed. Whatever happens, happens.”

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