Page 44 of The Alpha and His Enemy Wolf
“What do you mean?”
“Because.” Her lips parted. She rubbed a worry line etched between her brows. “Because you’ve shown me more compassion and appreciation than I ever felt from my pack. Even my own father.”
Rafe’s chest tightened. He hated seeing her in any sort of pain.
“I need to spend some time alone this afternoon,” she said.
His gut clenched. “Where are you going?”
She stared off into the distance and shrugged. “Just out walking.”
Once she turned downhill, he tracked her with his eyes, struggling against the urge to follow. He had to give her the space she requested.
Only once she was out of eyesight did he move. Maybe it was time for a few ski runs to work out the emotions coiling his muscles with tension.
After skiing the moguls,Rafe leaned forward, breathing heavily. He stared across the mountain to Sacco territory, aching for Mila. What would happen when their seven days were up, and she had to return to her pack—would he pine for her from his side of the borderline?
He distracted himself with a couple of hours working in the office. When he returned home, his house was dark. Mila hadn’t returned.
Would she?
Ache rose from his chest, worming its way into a lump in his throat.
He closed his eyes and forced himself to be patient, struggling against the thoughts tormenting his brain—dark speculations about what would happen if his mate decided that it was easier to leave him.
She didn’t returnuntil dark. When Rafe heard movement outside the front door, he rushed to it and swung it open.
“Mila.” He rushed to her and took her in his arms. Inhaling her scent infused him with the assurance that she was truly there. She’d come back.
When he pulled away, she quirked one brow. “I haven’t been gone long, Rafe.”
“And yet too long.” He exhaled. Maybe his situation was one-sided, and she didn’t feel the same anguish he did. “You don’t feel it?”
Her distressed gaze met his. “Of course I do. Why do you think I’m in such agony trying to figure this out?” She placed her hand on his cheek. “Figure us out.”
He pulled her back into his arms and held her body close to his. “We’ll find a way, my mate.”
She moaned and then pulled her head back, staring into his eyes. “It’s the first time you’ve called me that.”
“What?” he asked. “My mate?”
“Yes.”
Had he gone too far? After all, they’d only spent one night together. “Does it bother you?”
“Not at all.” She shook her head once and her expression brightened. “I liked hearing it.”
He grinned. “I might be a stubborn alpha, but I’m finally catching what my wolf has told me from the first moment I saw you.” He caressed her cheek. “You’re the one for me, Mila. The only one.”
She dropped her head onto his chest. “Hold on to me for a little longer.”
“Of course.” He never wanted to let her go. In that moment, he vowed to do whatever he could to prevent them from being torn apart. He’d fight Kane, Lars—hell, he’d fight every shifter in her damn pack.
His breath quickened as he considered what he was about to say. Was it too much, too soon?
Screw it. If he didn’t say it now, he might always regret it. “You don’t have to go back, Mila. You can stay here.” He swallowed and searched his eyes, never feeling more vulnerable in his life. “You can stay with me.”
Tears glistened in her eyes, yet she smiled. “That’s tempting, Rafe.” She pursed her lips. “Unfortunately, that might make things even worse between our packs than they are now. My father would never let that happen.”
