never dare attack.”

But Rafe wanted Jon to come at them again. It was the only way Rafe would ever get his hands on Jon. A century had passed without their paths crossing. Rafe refused to allow another to pass always wondering where the other male was hiding or who he was hurting.

“Your reasons for staying were valid. It wouldn’t be right to rip you from your home. Besides, you have a business here.”

“I don’t care.” She straightened her spine. “Because of me, Josh’s parents are in danger. If we’d left when you wanted, Jon would’ve either followed us or skipped town. If he kills them, their deaths will haunt me.”

The same guilt plaguing Josh gripped Jasmine. Rafe saw it in her eyes.

“If we leave, Josh will have to move too. So will Josh’s parents and Mr. Wilkins when he recovers from his injuries.” He waited a moment, letting his words sink in. “And do you really think Josh will go? He’ll have to sell his bar. Leave his friends.”

Jasmine groaned. “I hate this.”

“I know. That’s why I’m going to take Jon out before he escapes again.” He brushed his finger along her lower lip. “You need to trust me.”

She took a deep breath. Acceptance showed on her face. “We need to figure out how we’re going to get him then.”

The front door opened before he could admit he didn’t have any ideas on how to trap Jon besides using Jasmine as bait. That wasn’t an option he was comfortable with.

Devin walked in with two older humans, and Jasmine shoved from Rafe’s embrace.

She went to them and threw her arms around them. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

Josh ran into the room and greeted both his parents before hugging Jasmine.

Rafe tensed. The embrace Jasmine and Josh shared wasn’t sexual. Their relief over knowing they hadn’t lost his parents was clear. So too was the bond they shared. Rafe had known Jasmine and Josh had been lovers and that Josh was important to her, but the sight before him drove home the reality of what that actually meant.

If Jasmine hadn’t been entrusted with Rafe’s nephews, she would’ve married Josh. Had his babies. Shared her life with him. Not Rafe. Jasmine wouldn’t have even considered kissing Rafe had their paths ever crossed, let alone allowing him to discover how special she was to him. Rafe would’ve missed out on his true mate and the peace only she could give him.

“What happened?” Josh asked his parents.

“That neighbor kid with the obnoxious car radio is what happened,” Josh’s father announced. “He came driving down the street with some rap song playing, and the lion took off.”

“Your friend showed up minutes later and brought us here,” Josh’s mother added.

More questions were asked, and more hugs were exchanged. Rafe blocked it out. His thoughts were too mixed up to focus on the joyous reunion.

He moved to the edge of the room where Kade stood vibrating with anger. The tips of claws bit through the ends of his fingers, and glowing eyes took in the scene.

Before Rafe could ask what had enraged him, Kade growled, “We need to find out where they moved our baby sister. I won’t rest until she is out of that experimental center.”

“You heard Jasmine’s story?”

“Yes. I’m sorry I eavesdropped, but I needed to know.”

“Saves me from explaining.”

Seth, Levi, and Megan ran down the stairs. They too hugged Josh’s parents, and when Levi held up his arms, Josh lifted him so he could kiss Josh’s mother on the cheek.

A rock landed in Rafe’s gut.

“Look at them. Josh would’ve happily accepted Seth and Levi as his own kids. Married Jasmine.”

“But he didn’t. I’d be thanking our pride’s goddess for that.”

“She hasn’t visited you in a century. Don’t kid yourself, Kade. She no longer cares about us.”

“She does, so do the other goddesses.” Kade motioned toward Jasmine and Josh. “There’s your proof. Something stopped Jasmine from taking Josh’s comfort. You realize the male had offered it, don’t you?”

Rafe did know that. The signs of protectiveness and possession Josh had displayed around Jasmine when Rafe had first seen them together proved it. “Yes, but it’s obvious he wants her happy. I can make her happy.”

“Of course you will. You’re her true mate.”

Rafe grinned. He still couldn’t believe he’d found his true mate. “I’m glad I waited for her, and once Jon is taken out, I’m going to complete our bond.”

Kade stepped in front of him, blocking the humans from Rafe’s sight. “Are you sure that’s wise? If you have Jasmine’s agreement, do it now.”

“I don’t have it yet.” Rafe pinched the bridge of his nose, then dropped his hand. “I haven’t even brought the topic up.”

“Why not? I can see she’s fallen for you. The same look is in her eyes when she gazes at you that our mother wore for our father. Love. Your female loves you, and you’d be a fool to risk losing her. As a human, she’s vulnerable. Don’t allow death to claim her. Talk to her. Explain what you plan for her.”

Rafe was tempted to do exactly that, but the reality of their situation wasn’t something he could ignore.

“I want Jon’s blood, and if I start the mate bond, I won’t want to leave her side until she heals the wound I’ll be inflicting upon her.” That was another aspect of mating a human he dreaded. Not only would he inflict a death wound on her, he’d have to watch her recover from the injury he’d deliver in order to tie her to his soul.

“You don’t have to be the one who kills Jon.”

“Yes, I do. He’s threatening my female. My family. I won’t sit by and allow you or one of the others to defend them.”

“But that’s what a pride does. We protect each member equally, no matter if they belong to our brothers, our cousins, or our friends.”

Rafe bent close to Kade. “Jon had her. He had his hands on her. Groped her. The same male who took our sister.”

“Yes, I

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