Page 28 of Under Dark Skies

“Harmful?”

“Yes. So hurting Griffen.”

Rafe felt a chill run up his spine at the thought of it. He realized that Layla had noticed this physically happening. She placed a hand on his over the wheel.

“You seem to have a lot of affection for Griffen.”

Rafe nodded. He could feel his throat swelling up with emotion. “My Father left when I was very young. The pack mentality wasn’t for him. So my uncle was initially my Father-figure. Then when he died, Griffen took both of their places. So anything happening to him would truly…”

His voice cracked and he suddenly felt self-conscious. Layla rubbed his hand and smiled.

“It’s ok Rafe. Feeling emotions is completely normal. Even for wolves.”

Rafe smiled, holding back tears. “You’re right. If anything happened to him I would be destroyed. It really doesn’t get any worse than that.”

Perhaps something worse would also be losing Layla. That frightened him just as much.

Layla moved her hand from his and leaned on his shoulder. “Thank you so much for sharing that with me. It really means a lot.”

She settled on his shoulder and breathed in deeply.

This really was something else for Rafe. In all of his hundreds of years, he had never shared his story from front to back like that.

But no one had been worth the story until then.

Twenty-Five

Layla

Layla was able to stay awake long enough while lying on Rafe’s arm for them to arrive at a small motel. It was grey and dim in the night. If she didn’t have Rafe with her, she would be hesitant to be staying here.

Rafe rubbed her arm. “You ready to have a real sleep, darling?”

Her heart swelled. What is this wolf doing to her?

“I am more than ready. But I’m also feeling a bit ravenous.”

Rafe chuckled before getting out of the car. “I will find us something to eat before we rest. Come.”

He helped her out of the car, and held her hand as they made their way to the front desk. Layla had no idea what time it was, but it didn’t matter. This was what motels were made for—random strangers showing up at all hours of the night for a place to lay their head. The clerk barely looked up from his phone when he signed them in.

Rafe made sure they booked a room near their car, just in case they had to flee quickly once more. She was beyond thankful that he was there to think of these things—her exhausted brain could barely think of what she wanted to eat.

“The clerk told me about a burger place just down the road. Does that sound good enough?”

They were in the room, and she was lying on the bed. Hopefully she could keep herself awake long enough to get some food in her. “That sounds fine Rafe. Honestly, anything will do.”

“Well, I think I want to get more in you than just some vending machine crap.”

Layla smiled as Rafe left to retrieve their dinner.

Her mind was settling down, which meant she was finally realizing the kind of life that as now in store for her. Rafe returned with their food just in time to find her clutching a pillow.

“Are you ok?”

He placed the food down on the side table, alarmed. Layla smiled through tears.

“It’s just a lot you know?”

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