Not even her.
Chapter 34
Rafe banked his frustration and the crippling sense of helplessness Jasmine’s tale stirred within him. His anger had frightened her enough. He hadn’t meant to upset her, but the thought of her in the hands of the same criminals who’d locked away his baby sister pushed him to the edge. Only knowing Jasmine had escaped that place stopped him from losing control, but it didn’t wipe it out completely. Nina was still lost.
Another curse from downstairs reached him. Rafe hurried past Jasmine and rushed into the living room. The sight that greeted him added to the tension radiating through him and tore a low growl from his cats.
Josh was up in Kade’s face, a threatening pose that challenged Kade’s leadership. If Josh had been a shifter, Kade would’ve put Josh in his place long before his attitude built to the point of aggression. Only Rafe could push Kade. The twin bond overruled the boundaries of shifter dynamics.
“That guy went after my parents.” Josh clenched and released his fists. “Because I forgot they’d be in as much danger as the rest of us!”
Rafe looked behind Josh’s enraged body to where Mira stood. She’d give a rational explanation. “Mira?”
“Josh’s mom called and said there was a lion there. Devin went over to…” Mira glanced at Josh then back to Rafe. “To help them.”
“Remove their dead bodies.” Josh spun and glared at Mira. She stepped back. “That’s what you mean, isn’t it? And since Devin hasn’t called, that’s probably what he’s doing.”
“Enough.”
Kade’s sharp tone rolled through the room. Everyone besides Rafe flinched. It was hard not to react. The deep timbre sparked something elemental within people that made them want to cower under the nearest table. Rafe had seen the reaction often. Usually in his presence.
“The past cannot be changed. Whatever happens to your family is ultimately my fault. You are now part of my pride.” Kade glanced to Mira, who dropped her gaze. “It is my responsibility to protect you and your family.”
Josh waved his arm toward Mira. “Why are you glaring at Mira? She had nothing to do with this. I should’ve—”
Rafe shoved Josh back. The human obviously didn’t realize Mira’s claim on him, making him her beloved human, was the reason behind Kade’s hard look. Rafe didn’t want it brought up either. Not while tensions were running high.
“Stop.” Rafe leaned closer and lowered his voice. “You and I will talk about your new place in my family, but now is not the time.”
“No, let’s discuss it—”
Rafe pointed to the stairs. “We are not the only ones in this house, and you’re not exactly being quiet.”
“Sh—” Josh snapped his mouth closed and ran a hand through his hair.
“Go cool off. I’ll call Devin and find out what’s going on.”
With a sharp nod, Josh pivoted and stormed toward the kitchen.
Rafe met Mira’s gaze. “Keep your human occupied or he’ll end up with another scar.”
Mira hurried after Josh.
The moment the kitchen door banged shut, Kade sat on the couch. “Well played, brother.”
“He’s frustrated. I can’t blame him. He just needed a reminder that his situation wasn’t the only one going on.”
Kade grunted, then made his way to the stairs. “I’m going to check on the kids.”
“I changed my mind.” Jasmine stepped in front of Rafe once they were alone. “Let’s leave. It’s not safe here.”
And miss out on capturing Jon?
Rafe shook his head. “Not until we catch Jon. Mira was right. He’s playing a psychological game with us. The dog was his way of proving he could get close to us and going after the older human and Josh’s parents is an attempt to pit us against each other. It won’t work.”
She studied him a minute, then frowned. “How? Did he think you’d blame Evan for Mr. Wilkins getting hurt?”
He nodded. “And blame each other for not protecting Josh’s parents. Kade and I should’ve thought to put a guard on them too.”
“Kade might hold your family’s spirit, but he doesn’t lead your pride alone, does he?”
“No. He’s my twin. For shifters, it’s a tight and somewhat unexplainable bond. We and our animal spirits shared our mother’s womb. We’re…”
How was he supposed to explain the tie when even he couldn’t put it into words?
“Kade is connected to me.” It was the best explanation he could give.
“Even for humans, twins share a unique bond. I’m not surprised it would be stronger for shifters.”
Rafe brushed a lock of hair from her shoulder, exposing the spot where his mate bite would mark her as his. “And Kade being our alpha leader has allowed me to be with you.”
“How so?”
“I am not driven by my instincts to mate for the sake of carrying on our genes.”
Her expression fell. “Because I can’t have your babies.”
He hadn’t meant to bring up the topic. Jasmine embodied the protective and nurturing drive of motherhood. It was a trait his cats were drawn to also. It simply wasn’t one she’d ever embrace for their biological children.
“Are you okay with that? Because it doesn’t mean we can’t be parents. Seth and Levi aren’t the only shifter kids in need of love.”
“I’m okay with it.”
No change in scent accompanied her words. She wasn’t lying, but her careful expression suggested something bothered her. With all the issues surrounding them, any number of reasons might’ve caused her anxiety.
“Tell me. What’s wrong?”
“If I went to Kade and told him I wanted to leave, you’d override him, wouldn’t you?”
“He wouldn’t approve of you or the kids being separated from us, not while Jon is alive. Jon has proven he won’t simply tuck tail and run. Whether it’s you or the kids he wants matters little. He won’t give up. Today proved it.”
“If I was at your home, he’ll have no choice but to give up. You said it was safer there with Xander’s pack close by. That Jon would
