Page 15 of Under Dark Skies

Layla nodded, sipping her coffee. Rafe continued.

“He is of the highest ethics, so I don’t think he’s been corrupted, but you never know. I don’t know if he is being watched closely, so coming into contact with him could be dangerous for us as well.”

“And I can’t go to PEACE because clearly, they were after us too.” Layla stared off onto the wall behind Rafe. He hoped she wasn’t watching her life circle down the drain there.

Rafe nodded. “Yes, precisely. So we’re going to need another plan. As far as I’m concerned, we can’t trust any wolf in Los Angeles. Any of them could be compromised. And someone, or group of some people are giving orders in PEACE that’s directly against everything they stand for. So they’ve been compromised too.”

Layla frowned, slightly startled. “All of the wolves are compromised?”

“I mean, it’s not something I know for sure of course. But it was my job as I did the PI thing to keep an eye on the shifters—mainly the wolves—and humans of LA, and I had no idea who those Lycans were who attacked you at the store. Same with the PEACE agents. That tells me whoever is giving the orders in the Legacy is pretty high up.”

Rafe thought about his words. He really didn’t have anyone he could trust other than Layla right now. He wanted to believe that Griffen remained pure in heart, maintaining the belief that humans and wolves could live in harmony, but nothing was for sure anymore.

He sighed, feeling disappointment run through his body.

Layla placed a hand on his. He immediately felt an electric shock move through his body. A lightning strike that took him out of his mind.

“So then we have to get out of the city. Do you know any other wolves outside of LA?”

Rafe nodded like a puppet. It was almost embarrassing the effect she had on him. Christ, he was almost a century old lycan.

“I uh, have a few contacts we can try. But yes I think our first priority should be to get out of the city. I don’t think we are safe here.”

Rafe hesitated saying the word ‘safe,' but felt he shouldn’t hold anything back from Layla anymore. She seemed to be intuitive, and completely willing to learn more about his world. She was in survival mode, and it wouldn’t help if he left important things out.

She gripped his hand, and gave a pained smile. He gripped her back, then gave it to her with an intense conviction. “I am going to make sure you are all right, Layla. This is something we will figure out step by step. Perhaps we could even find your sister. I’m sure she knows a lot that we don’t know about yet.”

Layla seemed to be holding back tears. He hates to see her in agony, but it makes complete sense. He would do anything for his own pack, so why would she not do anything for hers?

He took the cup of coffee from her hand and placed it down on the floor next to him.

“Come here.” He said, so gentle and soft.

She followed orders, then crawled next to him. He wrapped his arms around her, encasing her in a warm cocoon of comfort. He breathed in deep, which encouraged her to breathe in deep with him. Her heart was beating rapidly, and so was his.

He took the opportunity to kiss her head. Her hair was just as fragrant as the rest of her. He wondered what her bare skin would taste like on his tongue.

Just as the thought traced his mind, she turned her head to face him, then planted a kiss on his lips. It surprised him, but he went with it. It grew deeper as they both opened their mouths, an intensity building that made him feel warm all over. Her tongue moved inside him, and his inside hers. He wanted to rip her robe off and relax her with his mouth.

But she pulled away before things would get too heated. She smiled at him, breathlessly.

“We should probably get going. We don’t want to be too relaxed during this time of revolution.”

Rafe nodded hastily, feeling riled up from mentally and sexually. He adjusted his pants to hide his engorging erection. “Yes, yes you’re right. We better get you and I some fresh clothes too before we head out.”

He stood up from bed and made his way into the bathroom. He could feel her watching him, which made him feel even more aroused. Ultimately, he concluded, “We have to make a run for Griffen.”

“Yes.” Layla seemed excited about the announcement, until she realized, “What’s a Griffen? Isn’t that half lion, half bird thing?”

“No, that’s a griffon.” He chuckled. “Griffen isn’t a what, he’s a who.”

Still she lacked the necessary information. “Great, who is Griffen?”

“He’s one of the oldest wolves on the planet. He knows most of the elders in all the tribes across the world. He is wise and strong, and he has to be warned about what’s happening.” Rafe landed a clenched fist into an open palm to accentuate the point.

“And he can stop everything that’s happening?” Layla seemed optimistic. Maybe this would all be a lot easier than she initially thought.

Rafe didn’t answer immediately. Instead he walked to her and embraced her around the waist. She felt his fingers wrap around her to the small of her back and the sensation gave her butterflies. “I honestly can’t say. But if the future of my kind has a future, Griffen will be the one to lead us to it. But he’s not invincible. You know what I mean?”

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