Juniper

Eleven

Raphael swallowed down his glass of whiskey as he sat at a desk. His office in this building was not his favorite, but he didn't want to spend anymore time in his full time home than necessary.

The door opening caught his attention, he glanced up past his reading glasses with a frown.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Phoenix furrowed his brow in confusion as he looked around. This office, that wasn't used often, was cluttered with more things than usual.

Phoenix's hazel eyes widened when he saw a blanket and pillow on the couch in the corner.

"Working," Raphael grunted.

"Not... in your house? Where your office, bedroom, and may I remind you- mate is?" His friend still looked around, unbelieving of what he was seeing.

"I want to work here," the powerful berserker sneered in a final tone.

When silence followed he looked up, irritated. Phoenix was staring at him with crossed arms.

"Did you come here for something?" Raphael slammed his hands down on his neatly organized desk as he stood up. Grumbling quietly he began fixing everything he knocked over.

Phoenix didn't budge, no matter how intimidating his leader was.

"I guess I came here to see why best friend is fucking everything up for himself," Phoenix shrugged casually.

Raphael sneered and snatched his papers back up, "Mind your own fucking business."

"It is my business. Seraphina had been talking about how Juniper hasn't been feeling well the past few days and I'm wondering why you're here and not at home," Phoenix lied through his teeth.

Raphael grit hit teeth, stalling for a moment before glancing up at his friend.

"What kind of not well?"

Phoenix shrugged with pursed lips, "But since you need to work so badly..." He stood up to leave.

As he turned his back to Raphael, he listening closely. When the sound of him grabbing his keys rang, Phoenix smirked.

"I have papers for you at the house anyway," Raphael growled while brushing past him. Phoenix followed with a sneaky grin.

When the two men walked into the silent home, Raphael waited for the stupid dog to greet them.

The taller man tensed when no such thing happened.

Turning on his heel, he took the steps by two and braced an arm on the bedroom door frame.

Knocking harshly, he held his breath while waiting for a response.

Raphael snarled when he heard nothing on the other side of the door, he barged in and saw no one there.

All of Juniper's things were still here but no sign of her.

With a roar of anger, his claws slashed the nearest wall before storming downstairs.

"Where the fuck is she?!" he snarled as he tore through the house. Her scent was everywhere, he could barely focus between the crazed thoughts of finding his mate and the crazed thoughts of how good her scent made him feel.

This was exactly why he couldn't spend his time here. There was no way to keep a sane mind as day by day the urges grow stronger.

Phoenix gripped his shoulders but Raphael shoved him away, "Calm down for a fucking second! Let me call Seraphina! If anyone knows where she is it's her!"

Raphael's body was thrumming with anger, his body heating up as his eyes searched for any hints to where she may be.

His chest heaved with every breath, focusing on the missing keys hanging by the door.