Chapter Twenty-Four

She only looks at me. She doesn't seem shocked at seeing me here. Which is strange. I'm stunned. I thought something had happened to her. Something bad.

I gasp and I run to her. She looks perfectly fine. It astounds me. I didn't think I'd find her here of all places. Her skin isn't as pale and the bags under her eyes aren't as dark anymore. She's resting more. I grab her hands and she gently extracts them from my grasp.

"What are you doing here? I was so worried about you. You disappeared without a word."

She looks at her feet.

"I thought Dantes killed you." No reaction from her. "I'm glad you're safe." Again, no reaction. Has she gone back to her brooding phase? She used to be hostile and unkind to me for no particular reason, until that night when she tried to tell me something. Maybe this is what she was trying to tell me, that she was going to leave and join another pack.

"Do you have any news of Raphas? Dantes wanted to kill me, but I was saved by Reed's pack mates." She looks up at the mention of Raphas' name and her eyes fill with tears. I frown. "Sylvia, what's wrong?" She shakes her head and speeds away from me and I'm alone and in shock. I run back to the kitchen and I ask someone where I can find Reed. He tells me he might be in his office. I didn't think a werewolf would need an office. This place keeps surprising me.

He shows me where it is and I thank him. I knock on the door and I hear Raphas'—Reed's—voice telling me to come in. His office is spacious and as elaborately decorated as the entire house. He sees my worried expression and he grows pale. "What is it?"

"Sylvia is here? How'd she even get here?"

He takes a few seconds to answer me. We stare at each other. "Sylvia was unhappy with Raphas. My spies told me she was ill, and so I sent her a message. I told her she could always return if she wanted to, that she raised me as a mother and that I will always have a special place for her in my heart, and she accepted. She left in the middle of the night and one of them brought her here."

"She left without saying a word."

"Who would she tell? Dantes? Raphas? Dantes would label her a traitor and kill her on the spot. Raphas would never forgive her for returning to StoneMoon. Keep in mind that she chose to leave with him when I kicked Dantes out."

I nod. I understand why she couldn't say anything. She was in a terrible situation, torn between two sons. "That was very generous of you."

"I don't hate my brother, Bea. He wounded me, yes, and I'll admit our relationship has never been very affectionate. But if he chooses to return, I'll welcome him with open arms and we'll rule together, as it should be."

I'm surprised. Both Dantes and Raphas made him seem like a villain, but he isn't. In fact, he's much like Raphas himself. There's kindness in his actions, and he's treating me so well. I feel welcome and at home here, all because of him. Besides, he's running this pack well. Everyone is as kind as he is. Raphas belongs here. This is his home, and he never should have left because of Dantes. I need to see him and convince him of this. If Dantes truly cared for him, he wouldn't have his mate killed. How painful would that be for him? How would I react if I found Raphas dead? It fills me with dread, having to think of such a horrible thing. Reed notices and stands to comfort me.

"What is it?"

"Nothing," I shrug. "I'm thinking about Raphas. I hope he's safe. I don't know what would happen to me if..." I trail off. I can't even complete the sentence.

His gaze is intense. "Don't worry about it. Soon, you'll have your mate with you, and you won't have to suffer like this."

I take his hand in mine. "Thank you, for everything. You're so much like him. In everything."

I don't know when his face got so close to mine. "You're welcome, Bea. I'd do anything for you, you should know that."

Taking a step back is physically painful. He's dressed in a white shirt and navy pants. Raphas would never dress this way. I need to focus on the differences, or I'll lose my mind. His hair is falling over his face and I want to brush it back. I hold my wrist and squeeze.

"Anything else?" He asks me, and there's that look again. He needs to stop looking at me like that. I need to get out of here.

"No, Reed. I'll stay out of your way now."

I close the door behind me and I breathe for the first time in ten minutes. This can't go on for long. Raphas needs to get here and take me away from this place.

The front door is open and I peer outside. This place is in the middle of the woods, just like I thought. I can see the pack mates training, and it looks so professional, from the equipment to their movements. Dantes doesn't stand a chance against them, and it pains me to know that Raphas wants to fight this pointless war against his own brother. What happens when he loses? He could die in battle. I need to warn him. Dantes is going to lose this war. There's just no way. Raphas can't go down with him.

Lunch is announced and I take my place beside Reed. It's strange to think of it as my place, but I see no harm in it. It's only temporary, after all. Raphas will be here in no time, once he hears I'm safe and sound. Reed is just trying to help me. I'm the one who's overreacting, who keeps comparing him to Raphas. I'm the problem here, not him.

Sylvia isn't seated on the table and I wonder why. Maybe she just doesn't like a crowd. That would make sense. I've never seen her during Feasts or dinners. She cooked, but she never ate with the pack.

Dessert comes along, but I'm so full I don't think I can have another bite of anything. Reed tells me he asked them to make this especially for me. It's a rich chocolate mousse and it's divine. I force myself to eat every last drop and he watches me suck the spoon clean.

I stop and look back at him. "What?" I ask him, but he simply smiles at me.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Bea."

The chocolate warms my stomach and I'm thankful for when everyone starts standing. I excuse myself and I make my way to my bedroom. I don't want to sleep in this dress, so I take it off and hang in on one of the empty closets. I sleep completely naked under the covers, and sleep comes easily to me. I'm surprised I'm this sleepy, actually. I never nap in the afternoons. I dream of random things, but my most memorable dream is one with Raphas. He's standing by the door with his arms crossed. He says my name and my core clenches.

"Come to me," I say to him and he obliges. He walks towards me slowly peels the covers off my naked body. The cold hits me and I shiver. His eyes are so green they hurt to look at. He runs his hands over my breasts delicately. I can't move, I can only look at him and watch him touch me. He undresses and lies on top of me. He parts my legs shoves his head between my legs. I don't even have the strength to moan, my mouth is open and my breathing is shallow. Like a fish out of water.

He makes love to me tenderly, and I wake up sweating. I can't remember most of the dream and it's deeply frustrating. The room is completely dark, and I'm surprised I've slept this long. I turn to my side and when I lay my head against the pillow, my eyes feel droopy again. I stare at the Door and it's slightly open. I don't remember if I closed it or not earlier and in any case, I can't stand to shut it. I'm just too tired.

I fall back asleep.