He walked back to the couch and traced the length of her calf. Determination settled over him. He’d protect her and learn her secrets. No other option was acceptable. He wasn’t losing her, not to another male or to death.
Rafe allowed his fingertips to linger against her soft skin a few moments more before he forced himself away from her.
He picked up his phone from where it had fallen in his haste to love Jasmine.
A grin spread as he took in the state of his dress. He still wore his shirt and boots but his jeans lay in tatters on the floor. Although he was five hundred years old, Jasmine made him act as if he was a barely mature male and driven by his hormones.
Rafe moved to the farthest end of the studio apartment so as not to wake her and called Kade. “Have you arrived yet?”
“We’ve just turned down the driveway.”
“Get the kids settled, then bring me a spare pair of pants from the car and shorts or something for Jasmine.” He imagined she wouldn’t be comfortable walking into the house in her short skirt without underwear.
“Overly eager?”
“A little. My woman’s hot.”
“That she is, brother.”
Rafe gripped the phone tighter. “Jasmine is special. I told you that. Do not look at her.”
“It’s hard not to. She’s beautiful.”
“She’s also mine. Do you understand me?”
A long moment passed before Kade mumbled, “I’ll be right there.”
The lack of response angered Rafe, but Kade ended the call before Rafe could demand an acknowledgement of whom Jasmine belonged to. Rafe was being possessive but couldn’t help it. The goddesses had promised shifters peace in the form of a true mate. Jasmine was his.
Why wouldn’t he want to keep other males away from her?
Several minutes later, the door opened a crack and two pairs of shorts came flying in. Rafe placed one pair on the sofa and tugged on the other.
Dressed, he slipped outside. Kade leaned against the wall at the bottom of the stairs.
“You’re serious,” Kade said the moment Rafe stepped in front of him.
“Yes. She’s mine.”
Kade flicked his gaze to the second-floor door. “Your lover or your true mate?”
“She’s tamed my cats. They feel at peace near her.”
“She bridged you as a true mate would? You’re sure? She’s human.”
“I’m sure.” Rafe crossed his arms over his chest. “The goddesses never said our perfect complement had to be another Royal. It’s why they’ve allowed us to tie any female to our souls.”
“That was an oversight on their part. They’ve told us that many times.” Kade pressed a balled fist to his chest. “The golden goddess wants us to prosper and grow our family, even if that means mating a single shifter in order to do so. Our family is her only tie to the human world. Mating Jasmine won’t bless our family with babies.”
As the leader of their pride, the goddess and mother to the first Alexander could visit Kade, though the deity rarely did.
“She’s told you this?”
“Yes.” Kade slowly nodded. “The last time she spoke to me she said our family was special. We’ve been chosen to lead the way into the new world, and we’d need to remain strong to face its challenges.”
“And you didn’t think to tell us?”
Kade shrugged. “It was the night after I took our father’s place. We had other things on our minds.”
“True, but that was a century ago.”
“Would her words have soothed you?”
“No. I would’ve been angry. If we’re so special, why allow every one of our females to be taken from us?”
“Which is why I didn’t bother saying anything then, but it doesn’t change things.”
“I agree. It doesn’t. Jasmine is my true mate.”
“She’s also human and can’t give you children.”
“And? I’ve lived long enough to know a male should never settle for a breeding partner when his true mate is out there.” Rafe motioned toward the apartment. “Jasmine is mine.”
“But the goddess wants us—”
Rafe stepped forward. “And would you turn your back on your true mate just so you could tie yourself to a breeding partner? Just so you could make babies with a female you didn’t love?”
“Yes.” An incredulous look passed over Kade’s face. “I’m the head of our pride. I have an obligation to carry on our family.”
“If your true mate ends up being a human, you’ll change your mind.”
“I doubt it. My true mate will be a Royal. I just haven’t met her yet. The goddess wouldn’t punish me that way.”
The stony look on Kade’s face matched his tone.
Rafe shook his head. “If you say so, but I am under no such obligation. As soon as I earn Jasmine’s trust, she’ll become my soul-bonded mate.”
“And if you don’t earn it?”
“I will, but it won’t happen anytime soon.”
“She’s wary of shifters.”
“Yes, and I hate that it was her fear that sent her running from me this morning.” Rafe curled his fists. “And because I kept secrets from her, Jon knows about her. For that alone he will go after her, but if he suspects Jasmine is not merely a lover but my true mate, he won’t back down.”
Kade cursed. “I doubt time has dimmed his hatred of our family. If he doesn’t try for Jasmine, he’ll go after Seth and Levi.”
Rafe glanced at the woods. “Agree. He’s out there. Waiting. Planning. I fear he’ll set a trap for them.”
“And that is why it’d be best to take them back to our home.”
“Jasmine wants to stay. Besides, this might be our last chance to punish Jon for taking Nina. Don’t you want to avenge her? Maybe find out where he took her?”
“Of course, but at the risk to your female and the kids?” Kade narrowed his eyes.
“We’ll protect them.” Rafe wouldn’t allow any other outcome.
“Jasmine lives in the middle of nowhere.” Kade waved an arm out to encompass the yard. “And with Jon masking his scent, he can wait until we are out of sight and attack. There is nothing
