“Except for the scar he’ll carry.”
Mira pulled a box of pizza from the fridge and took a slice. She nibbled on it, gaze downcast. “It doesn’t look too bad now.”
Rafe took in her posture and cursed. “What did you do?”
She tore a sheet of the paper towels from the roll on the counter, then dropped the pizza slice on it. Arms crossed under her breasts, she glared at him. “I did what I had to do to make sure he was safe from Devin’s overprotectiveness.”
“Don’t tell me you—”
“Made him my beloved human? Okay.” She gave a half-shrug. “I won’t tell you that or about how I licked his wounds so they’d heal quicker or tricked him into swallowing my blood so his ribs would mend. I won’t say a thing.”
“When Devin finds out, he’ll flip.”
“But he won’t dare lay a hand on Josh again, will he?”
With Mira’s scent clinging permanently to Josh, Devin wouldn’t dare. Rafe rubbed the heel of his palms against his eyes and banked his annoyance. Mira’s reaction to Josh coming to her defense was completely understandable. Rafe honestly couldn’t blame her for it. A shifter female’s protective streak was not something any sane person wanted to mess with. Unfortunately, Devin was far from stable.
“No, I don’t think he’ll purposely hurt him.” Put Josh in his place, though? Yes, Rafe could see that becoming an everyday occurrence. He dropped his hands. “But what about you? It’s not wise for you to get involved with Josh.”
Mira rolled her eyes. “Please. I licked his wounds so the poor man wouldn’t be disfigured. That doesn’t constitute getting involved with him.”
Rafe wasn’t even going to bother mentioning that her scent clinging to Josh would mess with her instincts. Nope, not a discussion Rafe wanted to have. It wasn’t one he’d win. The deed was done. They’d deal with the consequences. As much as Rafe wished differently, Jasmine’s ex-lover was here to stay, not just as a human important to both Megan and Jasmine but as an honorary member of the Alexander Pride. Thanks to Mira.
“Just be careful. I don’t have to tell you the dangers you’ve opened yourself up to.”
“No. You don’t.”
He glanced at the clock. “Do you think Devin would mind taking my turn patrolling the grounds? I want to be at Shifter Affairs when they open. We’re going to need their help if we have any hope of finding Molly.”
He’d gotten a few more details from Megan about the humans that Nurse Ryanne had left her with and the lawyer who’d handled the adoption. The agents might be able to make something of the vague information.
“You’ll have to ask him yourself. He’s out in the garage.”
Probably suffering with guilt. It looked as if catching a few more hours of sleep wasn’t happening. Rafe would have to play therapist for yet another member of his pride, not that he minded. Sometimes, though, he couldn’t help thinking he should’ve been the one to lead their family. Kade was great with the practical matters—ensuring they were safe and had enough funds to support them—but he sorely lacked in people skills.
“Will do.”
Rafe left Mira with her cold pizza and made his way to the garage. He only wished there was a way to help Devin. Comforting words meant little to the crazed cats he housed. Nothing did except tearing the throats out of their enemies.
Chapter 30
Jazz woke to an empty bed. Rafe was gone. Had he left her? She pressed a fist to her chest. It hurt. She didn’t want to lose him. He was hers.
And she was his.
She groaned. Exactly. She was his true mate. He wouldn’t leave her. Why would he? She’d brought him peace. Bridged him and his cats.
She took slow breaths until the tightness in her chest eased.
He was probably taking his turn patrolling the grounds. The selfless man who’d wormed his way into her heart would probably feel guilty sleeping all night in a comfy bed while his brothers and friends were stuck in the woods.
She threw the sheet off and walked to the window. Maybe she’d catch sight of him.
Jazz scanned the yard. Devin’s SUV was parked a few feet onto the grass, and Mira stood near the tree line, gazing into the woods. No sign of Rafe, though.
She waited for another wave of self-doubt to grip her. It didn’t. Whether it was the sight of Mira alone or Jazz’s own rationalization that calmed her, she knew wherever Rafe had gone, he’d return soon.
She blew out a slow breath. Besides, Rafe said nothing was more important than her and her boys.
She made her way to the bathroom. Rafe’s bag sat in the corner, and his tooth brush rested neatly in the center of a folded washcloth. She ran her finger over the handle. A smile spread over her face. She’d have to get another toothbrush holder installed and clear out space for his things in the medicine cabinet.
If they ended up staying here.
Three generations of her family had lived in this house. She glanced at the old claw-foot tub. It’d break her heart to leave, but as with anything, she’d do what was best for her family.
A quick shower later, she slipped out of the room and checked on the kids. Even though it was almost lunchtime, both her boys and Megan slept sprawled over their beds as if they didn’t have a care in the world. The sight of them, safe and at ease, brought a smile to Jazz’s lips. With Rafe by her side, she was confident they’d stay that way.
She tiptoed down the front stairs. Her house was big, but not enough to comfortably sleep the number of people she suddenly had staying with her. The rest of Rafe’s family had camped out in her living room. She didn’t want to wake anyone. Shifter or not, they needed sleep, and if they were anything like her kids, they’d be out for another couple of hours.
At the bottom of the staircase, she reached
