Ste


    "Well?!" Raphael sounds impatient. "Did you see it yet? That we belong with each other and that you''re my mate? My fated one?"


    Does this guy have any patience at all?!


    I''m barely back from my vision.


    My head is still spinning. And it''s not getting better by Raphael shaking me like I''m food seasoning, either. I''m like three seconds away from puking over my dress. "Ste?!" Raphael growls. "Are you there? Hello?"


    "I''m here!" I erupt, irritated by the goddamn jiggling. I p away his hands from my shoulders and step away from the fire. ring up at the blonde alpha. "I saw everything, okay?!" He stares down at me. "And yet you''re still angry with me, even if you know I''m your mate?!"


    "Yes!" "Why?!"


    "Because nothing much has changed! I''m not twenty yet-not for another week at least, meaning the mate-bond isn''t there! I just know that you are one of-..." I stop myself from speaking. Alpha Raphael blinks at me, and I swallow.


    I shouldn''t reveal to alpha Raphael that I have two mates. He might kill Evan to get rid of him if he knew there waspetition. I trusted Leonora, which ended up with Evan in chains-this time, I should be more secretive and thoughtful about things. It''s thanks to my stupidity that Evan might be in danger. Guilt gnaws at me for that mistake. So this knowledge I should keep to myself. Perhaps Raphael will let down his guard if I y friendly with him?


    If he does, then I can find out where he took Evan.


    But I can''t y too friendly yet-Raphael would probably suspect something is up then. Our rtionship has to grow better and more pleasant gradually. It will make the most sense. It has to be natural.


    I ster on a smile. "The mate-bond isn''t there yet, but... At least I know that you weren''t lying about us being fated. Still, I need time to adjust and swallow the news."


    Raphael studies me in silence, thoserge green eyes roaming over my face as if searching for lies. It makes shudders creep up my spine, but luckily, he sighs in agreement.


    "True, this is probably shocking news for you, and I realize the mate-bond needs to kick in for you to forget about that vampire prince. You two must have talked to each other for a while."


    I have to repress augh. Raphael would rage if he knew the truth: I will never forget about Evan since I supposedly have two mates.


    And so far, Evan is the only one that I want.


    Raphael slumps his shoulders before saying. "Truthfully, it makes me a little bit depressed..."


    My eyes go wide. "Wait, what?"


    Raphael nces down at me with a hard-to-read expression. "You fell in love with a vampire, Ste. It doesn''t get more depressing than that. I''m your own species and... Yet it''s still the bloodsucker you choose to be in love with. Not me."


    I squint at him. "But I thought all you wanted was a breeder? What do feelings matter? Lord knows you only want my v****a."


    A snortes out of his nose. "Yeah, well... True."


    "Ha!" I exim. "Finally, I''m right about something in your eyes."


    Raphael smiles. Seeing him looking all soft and gentle is a bit new and unnerving. "All I''m saying is, you could have picked another man to fall in love with. But you''re right: I don''t like you romantically yet."


    "Yup, and you''ve made that clear by telling me repeatedly what kind of role women are supposed to have..."


    Heughs. "That doesn''t necessarily don''t mean that I don''t like you. Even if I like you, my views will stay the same. Women were made to do two things: babies and food."


    I c**k my head, intrigued by his words. "Yeah? Interesting for an alpha to think that way since you most likely were raised by women. Your father must have been busy doing pack stuff."


    "Oh, they are good at raising children too," Raphael''s lips curl higher by the corners. It kind of makes him look a bit cute. "My mother beat me when I was little. But I still respect women. They are needed in society, and I think all of them are beautiful in their own way. But I believe the way of the werewolves is the best: let the women raise children and cook and leave the rest to the men."


    "Wow," Iugh, unable to hold it in. "You sound like you''ve stepped out from the middle ages."


    He lifts an eyebrow. "You''re challenging me, Ste..." Amusement lights up his features, but it''s dark. "And for someone who has been a servant all their life, you sure are cocky."


    He is right. I''m not sure why, but... I''ve been growing more sarcastic and confidenttely. I think it has to do with Evan. He brings out the devil in me, but I make no excuses for it.


    I like the new Ste that is stepping forward. The shy, blushing one makes appearances now and then, but...


    Confident Ste-I want more of her. My new attitude makes me happier and fits me better.


    Although I still blush around Evan...


    "Yeah?" I ask Raphael when he towers above me, all those staggering six feet of an alpha werewolf. I would lie if I imed he isn''t intimidating. He is huge. "What are you going to do about it?"


    "That depends..." Raphael steps closer, slipping his hand to my waist. I stare up at him, into his predatory eyes. "I also don''t believe a man should have to ask when he wishes to be with his woman." Oh-my-god.


    I want to p him.


    But I must act like a good girl and eat up his s**t. I have to make Raphael trust me, so he gives me more freedom.


    "Who says I don''t wish to be with you?" I ce my hand on his chest, and I have to repress the need to puke. He is muscr, but I''m totally not into this macho i***t. "Should we head home?"


    His eyes go wide, and then he smiles. "We should wait until the mate-bond kicks in before we mate, but... Wow, you''re definitely way more flirtatious than earlier."


    I narrow my eyes. "Well, now I know we are mates, so it changes things a little. And while I might not like you... I''m curious about you. Does that make any sense?"


    I probably make no sense. I''m making s**t up right now. The only goal I have in mind is to pretend that I''m interested in Raphael and fool him into thinking I''m falling in love with him. The speed must be slow and believable. Natural.


    Gosh, will this n even work?


    My head is spinning, and my heart is beating way too fast. Sweat is coating my back, and I have a building headache.


    What if Raphel knows that I''m ying him?!


    "It does make sense."


    I breathe out in relief.


    "But.." Raphael takes a deep breath. "Maybe we should take things slow? Trust me, I want you, but I know you like this vampire. It freaks me out a little, makes it harder to trust you." Oh wow, is he being sincere?


    "Umm..." I wet my lips. "What is your idea of slow?"


    He holds out his hand. "Do you trust me?"