Page 13 of Claim Me
Chapter 8
Rafe
Not having Jade’s parents living on the Pack Lands made things more difficult for me. I forgot to think of them in the scheme of things but they were just as vulnerable as we were, if not more. We had magical wards set up around their property but that didn’t mean it did much. It hadn’t stopped the blast from hitting my mate. It hadn’t stopped Damian.
My shoulders ached from not sleeping right and my head felt fuzzy from lack of sleep. I trusted the Guardians to protect my home. I trusted them with my life. With my mate. But it didn’t matter, no matter what I did, I couldn’t sleep. I patrolled the Pack Lands and the entire perimeter to make sure the magic was still working and that there weren’t any tears in it. Granny had made sure me and my men could see the magical force protecting our people so we could ensure it stayed up.
Lucas intercepted us on the run through the our territory. He practically knocked my mate off of her feet and a growl rumbled through my chest. I still didn’t like him and it wasn’t because of who he was. We had grown up together. I had protected him. I had accepted him but now, I couldn’t accept how close he was to my mate. I couldn’t accept that he had slept in the same bed with her, that they had shared little space with each other. The only reason he was still alive was because he was Lucas. My wolf didn’t seem to care much though. He was angry about Lucas currently hugging her but I tried to swallow it back. It did nothing but put a wedge between me and my mate. It did nothing but put a wedge between me and my pack.
Though everyone would understand perfectly well if I tore him apart. It was in our nature to be protective of our mates and our families.
I cleared my throat and tried to be nice. “How is your family doing since you got back?”
Lucas’s eyes softened as we ran through the woods together. Jade had filled him in that we were going to make sure her family was okay. I could see the anxiety in her eyes and shoulders. She was worried sick and had every right to be. Why hadn’t I thought to check on them before I went to her? Because my mind had only been on seeing my mate safe. Nothing else mattered to me or my wolf. I hated it and loved it all at the same time but I didn’t recognize the feelings. They were so foreign.
“Mom is loving every second she can get with me. She invited me to teach the children in a few weeks. I didn’t know if I should accept. I feel like an outsider still.”
My shoulders relaxed. “I think you should. It would help you feel like you’re a part of this pack again. It will give you a connection.”
Lucas smiled softly and I could have sworn I saw gratitude in his eyes. “You think so?”
“Yes, and it would get your dad off of my back too.” We both chuckled at that and it eased the tension a bit but not a lot. It was enough as we broke through the tree line and the Rivers’ home came into view.
Lucas leaned forward to kiss Jade’s cheek. “Let me know if you need anything.”
He slightly bowed his head to me in respect and it eased something inside of my wolf which was surprising. He would have ripped anyone’s head off for kissing our mate but he didn’t blink an eye and disappeared within my mind.
