Page 21 of Dutiful Wolf's Mail Order Mate

Elise, on the other hand, barely spared us a glance. She leaned against the wall, idly toying with a dart. The set of her jaw and the hardness in her eyes made it clear she had no interest in playing nice.

I tried not to let it bother me. I knew I had a long way to go in earning her trust, in proving myself to the pack. But damn if it didn’t sting.

“Here.” Tara materialized at my elbow, pushing a sweating pint glass into my hands. “Thought you could use a drink. First night out is always a little overwhelming.”

“That’s an understatement.” I huffed a laugh and took a grateful sip, the cold beer a welcome balm to my parched throat. “You’re new, too, then?”

Tara shuffled in her place. “Little less than a year. I trained to be a pack healer, but mine didn’t need me. I’ve filled in for a few packs before coming here.”

Pack healer was not for the faint of heart, considering how often we shifted and fought and injured ourselves. My mother had served as the pack’s healer. I admired her skills as much as I respected the sacrifice of constantly putting herself on the back burner until the very end.

It was not a path I wanted for myself.

“I’m glad you found a place here.”

Tara nodded, some of the tension draining from her shoulders. “Rafe’s a good alpha. He’s trying his best to build a good pack here.”

That, I could believe. He’d opened his home and his pack to Kai and I, people he barely knew... He didn’t have to put himself or his pack in danger. Bowen would’ve easily left us to deal with the mess on our own. Hell, our old alpha wanted us gone the moment Shauna’s ‘sullying’ came to light.

Not Rafe. Not?—

The thought died as my attention snapped to the door. A ripple went through the bar, conversations stuttering to a halt as a familiar figure stepped inside, his dark hair damp with rain.

Rafe.

My breath caught in my throat. He moved with confident grace, his presence commanding the room without a word. His gaze swept the bar, assessing, calculating, until it landed on me, brightening to an inhuman blue.

My skin prickled with awareness as our eyes met, the intensity of his stare sending a shiver down my spine. Memories of last night flooded back—the feel of his hands on my skin, the brush of his lips against my throat, the low growl that rumbled through his chest as he claimed me.

My wolf stirred, wanted to reaffirm that bond.

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. Rafe crossed the room in long, purposeful strides, his eyes never leaving mine. Desire blazed brighter with every step.

Then he was in front of me, and all thoughts of polite conversation fled my mind. I inhaled sharply, his scent washing over me. Pine and leather, with a hint of rain.

My new favorite.

Rafe’s voice cut through my daze, low and rough. “Hey.”

“Hey,” I breathed, my heart hammering against my ribs. I licked my lips, tasting the lingering bitterness of beer. “I wasn’t sure you’d make it.”

The corner of his mouth twitched, a ghost of a smile. “Wouldn’t miss it. Pack’s first official bonding night with our new members.”

Our new members. The words settled like a warm weight in my chest. For the first time since arriving in Dusk Valley, I felt a flicker of belonging.

Rafe’s gaze drifted over my shoulder, his brow furrowing. I followed his line of sight to Kai, who was currently engaged in a heated debate with Orion over the finer points of pool hustling.

“He seems to be fitting in well,” Rafe observed, a note of surprise coloring his tone.

I snorted. “Kai’s always been good at making friends. It’s the keeping them part he struggles with.”

Rafe’s attention snapped back to me, his eyes searching mine. “And you?”

I shrugged, aiming for nonchalance even as my insides quivered. “I’m trying.”

Something softened in his expression, a flash of understanding. He leaned in closer, his breath tickling my ear. “Come on. Let’s see how fast we get kicked out.”

Rafe’s hand settled at the small of my back as he guided me towards the high-top the pack had claimed. I stiffened instinctively, unused to the affection and casual possessiveness. His touch was warm, electric, even through the thin fabric of my shirt, the soft circle of his fingers willing me to relax.

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