Chapter 22

Raider.

My wolf's senses tingled as I caught an unfamiliar yet strangely familiar scent—an enchanted, pure-blood human. Damn! That soul was bound to be delicious. I shifted quickly and bolted, my powerful legs taking me across the landscape, everything around me a blur of motion. The wind swept across my face like a lover's caress, and I reveled in the sensation as I followed the trail.

I reached the doorstep of Rath's mansion in human form, pausing to respect his rules about keeping wolves away from his wife. But the scent of her bl00d had already begun to tantalize me, the promise of her soul lingering in the air, mouthwatering and irresistible.

"Mmmh, smells delicious. What's cooking, sweet cheeks?" I grinned, leaning against the doorframe, eyeing Billie.

She didn't even flinch, just covered the pot she was working on. "It's you, I should've known. What brings the great Alpha of the LightBound to the Kelce residence?" she quipped, her tone laced with mock formality.

"Don't be so formal, Billie. I came to visit you," I said, flashing a smirk.

She chuckled dryly. "Me? Please, don't flatter me. The master isn't around."

But as she spoke, a strange, familiar aroma filled my nostrils. Blood mingled with lemonade in a sweet yet bitter fragrance—bittersweet, almost haunting. The scent of the pure human was enough to send a thrill through my body, and yet, the lemonade mixed with it just made me grimace. I hated lemons, but damn, she smelled so good.

"Do you have a first aid kit?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual despite the rush of hunger inside me.

Billie went inside the pantry and returned with one. "Here," she said, tossing it to me. "Thanks, see, you are the sweetest angel," I added, sarcasm lacing my words.

She let out a cackle. "Yeah, right."

************

Dahlia.

My mind snapped back to the present when I felt a soft touch on my hand. I glanced down, raising an eyebrow at the sight of the man I had danced with that night. When did he get here? He had already bandaged my hand and carefully removed the glass pieces.

He looked up at me as he knelt in front of me, concern etched across his features. "Are you okay? Does it hurt?" he asked.

I nodded and shook my head, trying to convey my answer to both questions at once.

"You should be more careful. Glass is really dange.rous," he said, looking genuinely worried.

I nodded again, then signed "Thank you."

He looked a bit confused, so I quickly grabbed my phone and typed "Thank you" on my notepad, holding it up for him to read.

"Oh, that's what you meant. It's nothing," he replied, and I couldn't help but notice how his lips moved—those full, succulent lips. The urge to k!ss him hit me so suddenly, I almost lost my train of thought.

"My name is Raider. What's yours?" he asked, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my heart flutter.

I shifted my gaze from his lips to his eyes and quickly typed my name on my phone before showing him the screen. "Dahlia."

"Beautiful name, Dahlia," he said with a warm smile, and my cheeks flushed.

He got up, and I followed his lead, standing awkwardly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Hope to see you soon," he added.

I nodded and smiled, feeling a little dazed. Who is he? A close friend of my husband? A brother or colleague?

I retreated to my room as quickly as I could, my face buried in a pillow as I let out a frustrated squeal. Oh my god, that guy is so cute!

***********

Raider.

"So that's Rath's wife?" I asked Billie, trying to sound casual, though my curiosity was evident.

Billie let out a loud cackle and turned to face me. "I thought you already knew. You've seen them together. Why's it such a shock now?" she teased, clearly enjoying my confusion.

I leaned back against the wall, arms crossed. "I just had to be sure. She's stunning. I danced with her at Castro's wedding, and she's really good at lip-reading."

Billie raised an eyebrow. "Why the sudden interest in her? Don't you know coveting someone else's wife is a sin?" she said, her fingers brushing over the cross necklace around her neck with mock piety.

I walked right up to her, stopping just short of invading her personal space. "Tell Rath I stopped by," I said nonchalantly, grabbing a piece of her mouth-watering pie before turning to leave.

"He's not going to be happy," she muttered under her breath.

I smirked, feeling a surge of excitement. "I know," I replied. This little visit had sparked something new in me. I think I've found my next obsession.

Later, as I passed a small bookstore, I slowed down and scanned the shelves, looking for something specific. To avoid being recognized, I donned a hoodie and fake beard—perfect incognito gear.

"Welcome to Real Finds, how may I assist you?" a young, brown-haired assistant asked, her voice chipper.

"I'm looking for a book on sign language. Preferably something with illustrations," I said, trying to keep my voice low and mysterious.

She disappeared into the aisles and soon returned with a small, limited edition book in her hands. "This one has great illustrations. It'll be $13.99."

I handed her a $100 bill without thinking. "Keep the change."

Her eyes widened as she looked at the bill, and then her expression softened into a warm, adorable smile. But just as quickly, she gasped, eyes flicking to me in recognition. "You are—"

Before she could finish, I had already turned on my heel and strolled out of the store, a wicked grin tugging at my lips.

*********************

Rath.

As we ate dinner, I noticed Dahlia had a bandage on her hand. Strange—she wasn't staring at me like usual. Normally, she'd lock eyes with me, often glancing at my lips like they were the most interesting thing in the room. And honestly, they probably were. She had this method—the triangle stare—where she'd look into both my eyes for two seconds, then shift to my lips, back to my eyes, and repeat. I swear, if I had a nickel for every time I caught her doing that, I could retire by now. But tonight? Tonight, she was avoiding eye contact altogether. What was this—opposite day?

I could tell she wanted something. She always looked like a deer caught in headlights when she wanted a favor. I've studied my wife—I know the signs.

She typed something on her phone and glanced at the table like it had just insulted her. My phone buzzed. I opened the message. "Can you do me a small favor?"

I rolled my eyes. "What favor?" I texted back, the words practically dripping with sarcasm.

Her reply was quick: "Can you save a life?"

Texting across the table? Ridiculous. I shoved my phone away like it was a plate of Brussels sprouts and looked at her. "I can't meddle with another pack's traditions. There's nothing I can do."

She stood up and walked over to me like she was about to propose something big. Then, she knelt in front of me, giving me that look—the kind of look that says, I know I'm asking for the impossible, but would you pretty please with a cherry on top do it?

"Even if you beg, I can't do anything," I said, trying to look stern. "Just because I'm the leader of the Plazas doesn't mean I can go messing with other pack's traditions. It's like trying to change the Wi-Fi password at your grandmother's house—it's a losing battle."

She huffed, got up, and stormed out, her hair flowing behind her like a shampoo commercial, and her cranberry scent trailing in the air. But honestly, I didn't have time to enjoy the aroma because I was too annoyed.

*****

"Raider dropped by," Billie casually mentioned.

Oh, great. Raider was here. What did he want? Did he come to borrow a cup of sugar, or was this going to be more complicated?

"Did he want anything?" I asked, feeling my patience already wearing thin.

"He seemed really interested in your wife," Billie replied, barely hiding her grin.

I let out an exaggerated sigh. Raider, of course. What else would he be interested in? My collection of rare stamps?

"Do you think he knows about her?" I asked, trying not to sound too panicked.

"Maybe. I can't be sure," Billie answered, looking way too entertained by my growing anxiety.

If Raider knew about her... well, let's just say I had more problems than an unsolvable Rubik's cube.

I hit the gym to burn off some steam, had a shower, and climbed into bed, ready to sleep. But then, just as I was about to drift off, I had a brilliant idea—check on Dahlia.

I crept into her room, ready to check on her like a responsible husband. Except—wait, hold on—she wasn't in bed. The silence hit me like a ton of bricks. Where is she? I couldn't hear her heartbeat.

I ripped off the blanket like I was looking for a missing sock. Empty. Just pillows.

"F!ck!"

"I could fetch her. Did she escape?" Billie's voice cut through the panic, almost like she was daring me to screw this up.

"No, I know exactly where she's gone. I'll go after her," I said, throwing on my hoodie.

Dahlia, you sn.eaky little human! You're really testing my lim.its now!