Chapter 29 CHAPTER 29

Chapter 29 CHAPTER 29
Rafael's POV

Don't you dare, Emma's voice hit my mind through the pack link. Don't you dare tell her about the mate bond right now.

I wasn't planning to, I shot back, keeping my expression neutral even as Vivienne stared at us with growing suspicion.

Good. Because she's been through enough tonight. Finding out werewolves exist is already pushing her limits. If you tell her she's your fated mate and that her life is literally tied to whether your curse gets lifted—

I know, I cut her off. I know, Emma. I'm not an idiot.

Could've fooled me. You were about to say something.

I was going to tell her there's more. Which there is. Just not... that.

Emma's mental voice softened slightly. When are you planning to tell her?

I glanced at Vivienne, who was looking between us with increasing agitation. When I have answers. When I know if there's a way to complete the bond without killing her. When I can give her hope instead of just... fear.

And if you don't find answers in time?

Then I'll tell her before the next lunar eclipse. She deserves to know before— I stopped. Before I either died or had to reject the bond. She deserves to know.

Rafael—

I promise, Em. I'll tell her. Just not tonight. Please.

There was a pause. Then, reluctantly: Fine. But you better find those answers fast. Because keeping this from her isn't fair either.

I know.

The entire conversation had taken maybe five seconds. But Vivienne had noticed.

"What?" she demanded, her voice hoarse. "What the hell is going on? Why are you two just staring at each other like that?"

I blinked, refocusing on her. "Nothing."

"That's bullshit." Her eyes narrowed. "You were doing something. Some kind of—" She stopped. "Oh my God. Can you read minds? Is that a werewolf thing?"

"Not exactly," Mathias said, clearly trying not to laugh. "But pack members can communicate telepathically. Mind link. It's how we coordinate during hunts and stuff."

"So you were talking about me." Vivienne's voice went flat. "Right in front of me. Without actually talking."

Guilt twisted in my chest. "Vivienne—"

"What were you saying?" She looked at Emma, then at me. "What's this 'other bombshell' you don't want to tell me?"

"It's not that I don't want to tell you," I said carefully. "It's that I think you've had enough revelations for one night. You need rest. Time to process."

"Don't tell me what I need." Her voice shook, but there was steel underneath it. "I just found out werewolves are real. That my best friend's family has apparently been harboring them for years. That you—" She pointed at me. "—are some kind of supernatural creature who can turn into a wolf and has glowing red eyes. So whatever else you're hiding? Just tell me. I can handle it."

Could she though? Could she handle knowing she was my mate? That completing our bond might save my life but would definitely end hers? That she was now caught up in supernatural politics and ancient curses whether she wanted to be or not?

No. She couldn't. Not tonight.

"There are things about the werewolf world that are complicated," I said, choosing my words carefully. "Things about pack dynamics, about supernatural politics, about how our society works. And yes, some of those things involve you now."

"Involve me how?"

"Because you know about us." I held her gaze. "That changes things. There are rules about humans knowing about the supernatural world. Protections we have to put in place. Precautions."

It wasn't a lie. Just... not the whole truth.

"What kind of precautions?" Vivienne's eyes were wide.

"Nothing bad," Emma jumped in quickly. "Just that now you're under pack protection. No supernatural creature can harm you without answering to Rafael's pack. You're safe, Vivi. Safer than you've ever been."

"And what do I have to do in return?" Vivienne asked suspiciously.

"Keep the secret," I said. "Don't tell anyone what we are. That's it. That's the only requirement."

She looked at me for a long moment, clearly sensing there was more. But exhaustion was written all over her face, and the adrenaline from tonight was finally wearing off.

"Fine," she said finally. "But I want answers. Real answers. Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," I agreed, even though I had no idea what I'd tell her by then.

Mathias cleared his throat. "I should probably head out. It's late, and I have an early shift tomorrow."

"Thanks for your help tonight," I said.

"Anytime, man." He clapped me on the shoulder, then nodded to Vivienne. "Welcome to the weird side of reality. It gets easier, I promise."

She just stared at him like she still couldn't believe he'd been a giant wolf five minutes ago.

After Mathias left, Emma stood up. "I should let you get some rest, Vivi. But I'm right down the hall if you need anything."

"Wait." Vivienne grabbed her hand. "Can you... can you stay? Just for tonight? I don't—" Her voice broke. "I don't want to be alone."

"Of course." Emma hugged her. "I'll go grab some pajamas and be right back."

She left, and suddenly it was just Vivienne and me.

The silence stretched between us, heavy with everything unsaid.

"You saved my life tonight," Vivienne said quietly, not looking at me. "Even though it clearly hurt you. That blood you were coughing up—"

"I'm fine now."

"Why?" She finally met my eyes. "Why did you come for me? How did you even know I was in danger?"

Because you're my mate. Because I felt your fear through the bond. Because my wolf would rather die than let anything happen to you.

"I just knew," I said instead. "Call it instinct."

She didn't look convinced, but she was too tired to push.

"Thank you," she whispered. "For saving me. For bringing me here. For—for everything."

"You don't need to thank me."

"Yeah, I do." She pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. "I'd be dead if you hadn't shown up. So... thank you."

I wanted to go to her. Wanted to pull her into my arms and promise her that she'd never have to face anything like that again.

But I stayed where I was. Because getting too close when my wolf was still on edge would be dangerous.

Emma came back in wearing pajamas and carrying a pillow. "Alright, I'm all set for the sleepover."

I took that as my cue to leave. "Get some rest. Both of you."

"Rafael?" Vivienne's voice stopped me at the door.

I turned back.

"Whatever else you're not telling me," she said, her eyes meeting mine. "I'll figure it out eventually. I'm good at puzzles."

Something in my chest tightened. "I know you are."

I left before she could say anything else, closing the door behind me.

In the hallway, I leaned against the wall and let out a long breath.

She was safe. Under my roof. Protected.

But for how long? How long before she figured out the truth? How long before I had to tell her she was my mate and watch her either accept it or run?

I had maybe a year to find a solution. A year to figure out how to complete the bond without killing her.

A year to save both our lives.

No pressure right? 

I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head at the absurdity of it all.

I pushed off the wall and headed downstairs, needing air. The house suddenly felt too small, too suffocating with all these secrets pressing down on me.

I made my way through the quiet rooms and out to the back balcony. The cool night air hit my face, and I breathed it in deeply.

"Knew you'd end up out here."

I turned to find Mathias leaning against the railing, a beer in his hand. He held up another bottle. "Want one?"

"Yeah." I took it, twisting off the cap and taking a long drink.

We stood in comfortable silence for a moment, looking out at the dark yard beyond.

"Hell of a night," Mathias said finally.

"That's putting it mildly." I took another drink. "She knows now. About us. About everything."

"Well, not everything." Mathias shot me a look. "You didn't tell her about the mate bond."

"Not yet."

"When are you planning to?"

"When I have answers." I gripped the bottle tighter. "When I can tell her there's a way to make this work without killing her."

Mathias was quiet for a moment. Then he clapped me on the shoulder. "You'll find it, man. The solution. I know you will."

"And if I don't?"

"Then you will." He said it with such certainty. "Look, I know this situation is fucked up. Your mate being human, the curse, all of it. But you're not going to die, Rafael. And neither is she. We'll figure this out."

"You sound pretty confident for someone who has no idea how to fix this."

"That's because I have faith in you, idiot." He grinned. "You're the smartest guy I know. If anyone can find a way around an ancient curse and an impossible mate bond, it's you."

I wanted to believe him. Wanted to feel that same confidence.

But all I felt was the weight of the ticking clock.

Mathias took another drink. "For what it's worth, I think she'll handle it better than you think. Vivienne's stronger than she looks."

"I know she is. That's not what I'm worried about."

"Then what?"

"I'm worried she'll say yes." The words came out quiet. "I'm worried she'll agree to complete the bond because she cares about me, and then I'll have to watch her die because of it."

"That won't happen—"

"You don't know that."

"Neither do you." Mathias turned to face me fully. "Look, man. I get it. You're scared. But you can't let fear make your decisions. You need to—"

He stopped mid-sentence, his head whipping toward the tree line.

I smelled it at the same time.

Wolf. Unfamiliar territory. Coming fast.

My wolf surged forward, and I felt my bones start to shift. Beside me, Mathias dropped his beer, his eyes already flickering amber.

A massive shape emerged from the trees—easily twice the size of a normal wolf. Dark gray fur, almost black in the moonlight. Moving with purpose.

Not an attack. But not friendly either.

My hands clenched into fists as my claws extended. "Mathias—"

"I see it."

The wolf crossed the lawn in long strides, completely unbothered by our defensive postures. When it was about twenty feet away, it sat down.

Then it started to shift.

The transformation was quick, practiced. Within seconds, a man stood where the wolf had been. Bare-chested, wearing only dark pants, his expression neutral.

I recognized him immediately, and my stomach dropped.

Marcus. My father's chief guard.

"Rafael." His voice was deep, formal. "Mathias."

"Marcus." I forced myself to relax slightly, pushing my wolf back down. "What are you doing here?"

"Your father sent me." He crossed his arms, his stance still military-straight. "To check on your progress."

Of course he did.

"Progress on what?" I kept my voice even.

"Your mission." Marcus's eyes were sharp. "You've been in the human realm for four years now. The Alpha wants to know if you've found her yet."

My mate. He was asking if I'd found my mate.

Mathias shot me a quick look—half warning, half concern.

I could tell him the truth. That yes, I'd found her. That she was human and currently sleeping upstairs in the guest room. That completing the bond would kill her.

But if I told him that, Marcus would report back to my father. And my father would either demand I reject the bond or force me to complete it anyway. Neither option was acceptable.

So I lied.

"No." The word came out firm, convincing. "I haven't found her yet."

Marcus's expression didn't change, but I saw the disapproval in his eyes. "Four years, Rafael. The curse is getting worse. Your wolf is weakening. The Alpha is concerned."

"I'm aware of the timeline."

"Then you should also be aware that time is running out." Marcus took a step closer. "The next lunar eclipse is in a little over a year. If you haven't found your mate by then—"

"I'll be dead. I know." My jaw clenched. "I'm doing everything I can."

"Are you?" Marcus's tone sharpened. "Because from where the Alpha stands, it looks like you're settling into human life. Playing hockey. Going to school. Living in comfort while your pack suffers in your absence."

"My pack isn't suffering—"

"Your father is aging," Marcus cut me off. "The stress of knowing his heir's wolf is dying is taking its toll. The pack needs you to fulfill your duty and return home."

He paused, his expression darkening. "And you should know—your brother is making moves."

My blood went cold. "Adrian."

"Yes. Adrian." Marcus's voice was carefully neutral, but I heard the warning underneath. "He's been... vocal lately. About your absence. About your failure to find your mate. He's arguing to the council that perhaps the wrong twin was chosen as heir."

Of course he was.

Adrian. My twin brother. Born three minutes after me, and he'd never forgiven our father for choosing me over him.

We were identical in appearance—same face, same build, same blonde hair. But that's where the similarities ended. Where I'd been trained to lead with strategy and restraint, Adrian had embraced brutality and ambition. He was ruthless, power-hungry, and had spent the last four years undermining me at every opportunity.

"Adrian can argue all he wants," I said, keeping my voice level. "Father made his choice."

"The Alpha made his choice based on the prophecy," Marcus corrected. "The firstborn twin would be the one to break the curse and lead the pack into a new era. But if you die without completing the mate bond, the prophecy fails. And Adrian becomes heir by default."

"He won't—"

"He's already gathering support," Marcus interrupted. "Some of the younger wolves are listening to him. They're tired of waiting. Tired of having a weakened heir who spends his time in the human realm instead of preparing to lead."

Mathias tensed beside me. "That's bullshit. Rafael is—"

"I'm not interested in your opinion, Mathias." Marcus's eyes stayed locked on mine. "Rafael, your brother is dangerous. You know this. If you don't return home soon—if you don't complete the mate bond and break this curse—Adrian will challenge you. And given your current condition..."

He didn't need to finish. We both knew I'd lose. The curse had weakened me too much. In a direct challenge, Adrian would tear me apart.

And then he'd become Alpha after our father. A wolf with no restraint, no compassion, no sense of duty beyond his own ambition.

The pack would suffer. The alliances we'd built would crumble. Everything my father had worked for would be destroyed.

"I understand," I said through gritted teeth.

"Do you?" Marcus studied me. "Because this isn't just about you anymore, Rafael. This is about the entire pack. About the future of our people. Your brother would lead us into darkness. You know this."

"I said I understand."

"Then prove it." Marcus's voice turned hard. "Stop dilly-dallying. Stop playing human. Find your mate, complete the bond, break the curse, and come home. Before Adrian takes what's rightfully yours by force."

The threat hung in the air between us.

"I'm not hiding anything," I said, my voice cold. "If I'd found my mate, you'd know. The curse would be broken. I wouldn't still be coughing up blood every time my wolf surfaces."

That, at least, was true.

Marcus held my gaze for another second, then nodded. "For your sake—and the pack's—I hope you find her soon. Because time is running out. And your brother is growing bolder every day."

He shifted back into his wolf form in one fluid motion and took off toward the tree line, disappearing into the darkness.

The moment he was gone, I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding.

"Well, that was fun," Mathias muttered, picking up his dropped beer. "Your dad's really turning up the pressure, huh?"

"He's desperate." I leaned against the railing, suddenly exhausted. "He knows I'm dying. Knows the pack needs an heir. And now Adrian's making his move."

"Your brother's an asshole."

"My brother's ambitious." I drained the rest of my beer. "And he's not wrong. I've been gone four years. The pack is getting restless. And if I die without breaking the curse, he becomes heir by default."

"Over my dead body," Mathias growled.

"It might come to that." I crushed the empty bottle in my hand. "Adrian doesn't play fair. If he sees an opening, he'll take it. Challenge me. Kill me if he can. And with the curse weakening me..."

I didn't finish the thought. Didn't need to.

Mathias was quiet for a moment. "Then we make sure he doesn't get that opening. We find a solution. Fast."

"Yeah." I turned to face him fully. "Which is why I need you to speed things up. The witch contacts—I need them now."

"I'm working on it—"

"Work faster." My voice came out harder than I meant. "I don't care if they're in this neighborhood, this city, or the entire state. I need names. Locations. Anyone who might have knowledge about cross-species bonds."

"Most witches hate werewolves, you know that right?" Mathias pointed out. "They're not exactly going to be eager to help."

"I don't care if they antagonize wolves. I don't care if they demand payment or favors or whatever the hell else they want." I met his eyes. "There has to be magic that can bypass Vivienne's humanity. Something that would let her survive the marking. The witches would know—they have to know."

Mathias studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll reach out to my contacts. There's a witch community about two hours from here. And I heard rumors about a coven operating somewhere in the city, but they're hard to find. Real secretive."

"Find them anyway."

"It's not that simple—"

"Make it simple." I crushed the bottle harder, glass cutting into my palm. I didn't care. "I'm running out of time, Mathias. That visit from Marcus just proved it. My father's getting impatient. Adrian's making moves. If I don't solve this soon, everything falls apart."

"Okay, okay." Mathias held up his hands. "I hear you. I'll prioritize this. Make some calls tomorrow, cash in some favors. But these things take time—"

"How much time?"

"End of the week," he said after a pause. "Give me until the end of the week. I should have at least a few names and locations by then."

End of the week. Five days.

It felt both too long and impossibly short.

"Fine." I let the crushed bottle fall to the ground. "But Mathias—this is priority one. Everything else takes a backseat. I need those contacts."

"You'll have them." He clapped me on the shoulder. "I promise, man. We're going to figure this out."

"We have to." I looked up at the guest room window again, where the light still glowed. "Because if we don't—if Adrian becomes heir—"

"He won't," Mathias said firmly. "We'll find a solution. You'll break the curse. And your psycho brother can go fuck himself."

Despite everything, I almost smiled at that.

"End of the week," I repeated.

"End of the week," Mathias confirmed.

I nodded and headed for the door. "Come on. It's late."

"You good?" Mathias asked, following me inside.

"No." I paused at the threshold, looking back at him. "But I will be. Eventually."

I had to be.