Page 14 of Under Dark Skies

As she made her way into the kitchen, she thought about her sister, Darla. Maybe this is why it was so easy for her to run off with that wolf? What is it about them that makes them so alluring? She felt she was gaining some insight into what had happened with her, despite still maintaining a fair amount of anger.

She opened cupboards in the kitchen, and found that they were mostly bare. She would love a coffee. She wasn’t sure if Rafe drank coffee, or what else wolves used for fuel. But she saw the coffee maker and figured she would start it up for them anyway. She wanted him to be ready for the day.

The thought of the day ahead brought back anxiety. Both PEACE agents and wolves coming after them? What in the world had brought them together for such a mission?

Layla gasped out loud when she found a jar of coffee. She grabbed it, opened it, then smelled it deeply. Seemed fresh enough. She began pouring it into the top of the coffee maker. She hoped the sound of the machine didn’t wake him, but maybe wolves could sleep deeper than humans. All she knew was that she hadn’t slept that deeply in a long time.

Layla thought about her friends as she waited for the coffee to brew. Rafe said that they were safe—she hoped that that was the truth. But Rafe didn’t seem to be the lying type. Perhaps the omission type, but not straight up lying. She felt odd standing in this strange place, her anxiety easily fading away as she thought about the wolf in the next room.

She felt safe with him, there was no doubt about that. But beyond that? What else was going on inside her mind? Her heart? Her body?

The beeping of the coffee machine shook her from her rumination. She flicked it off quickly and began pouring it into two ghost-white mugs she found in one of the barren cupboards. There was no sugar or milk, but she was sure they could both cope.

Before bringing the cup to Rafe, she placed his down, then lifted hers to her lips. It was hot and bitter, but that would do. Her mind drifted to her sister again—running away in some dalliance no one could quite understand. But she was beginning to, and that made her still resent her sister. She initially believed it was all bullshit, and that she was being impulsive and irresponsible.

But honestly, what would she do right now if Rafe asked the same of her? Her life as she knew had been obliterated—her friends, her job, her family, her comfortably padded world stolen in a single day. If Rafe wanted her to come with him, she knew she would go in a second. The thought excited and frightened her at the same time.

“One thing at a time.” She whispered to her coffee mug.

Worrying right then and there wasn’t going to do anything. She didn’t even know what time it was. When Rafe awoke, they could discuss a plan. And within that plan their futures could be laid out, and a giant part of her wanted him to be at the centre of it.

She shook the romantic notions away. She wanted to be practical first.

But like all flights of fancy, if we let ourselves linger too long, we will not settle for anything but bringing it into beautiful fruition.

She brought Rafe’s cup of coffee into the room. He was still laying motionless. She stood there for a minute, admiring his body. His muscles clenched every time he breathed in and out. She thought about running her hands along his skin, starting at his waist, then moving upward. The thought sent a fire in her loins, and she tried to leave it at the doorway as she moved closer to him.

She sat on the bed with the two cups in hand. She thought maybe the smell would awaken him. Wolves have a much better sense of smell than humans. Maybe it would be nice way to wake up.

A few moments after sitting down next to hhim, Rafe’s eyes shot open. He looked startled initially, but his eyes often looked that way before realizing what was in front of him. They softened quickly, then he smiled.

“Well, that isn’t such a bad way to wake up in the morning.”

Fourteen

Rafe

Layla giggled. “I’m assuming you’re referring to the coffee?”

Rafe opened his eyes just as the charming scent of freshly made coffee reached his nostrils. It was also blended with something else ridiculously pleasant; the citrus and floral whiff of Layla. He saw her hair completely dry, holding two cups of coffee on the side of the bed. He smiled, realizing he had no control over it.

“Oh, well of course.” Rafe sat up and leaned against the wall behind him. His moves were swift, which meant he was feeling very little pain in his bones. He looked down at himself and noticed that only a light banana yell shade remained on his ribs.

She handed him the mug, and he thanked her kindly.

“There’s no sugar or milk, but I figured that would do.”

He took a sip, then gulped it down with his eyes closed. He was reveling in it. Being a wolf made the sensory experience more profound, but it had been a while since he was able to appreciate that side of his being.

“It's lovely, thank you Layla.”

She smiled, and took a sip of her own. They sat in silence for a few moments, enjoying each other's company without having to define it. Rafe wanted to define it, and even more, wanted to seal it with a physical act.

But he wasn’t sure how she was feeling. Yesterday she had a full-blown panic attack. And why wouldn’t she? Her entire life has blown up in her face within a single day.

Rafe decided to stick to business matters within that moment.

“So my original plan was to go to Griffen, as I told you. But all that is awash right now I believe.”

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