IN WHICH - The last thing that Hope Mikaelson expected when she came out of Malivore was to still be alive, the second last thing she expected was to be disowned by most of her living family, and the final last thing she expected was some ancient be...
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THIRD PERSON POV
CHAPTER 26
The car was quiet except for the faint, shallow breaths of Hope as she lay unconscious, her head resting on Rafael's paws beneath the tattered blanket. The moonlight filtered through the cracked windows, casting pale streaks across her bloodied face. Rafael sat stiffly, his body trembling.
The curse clawed at him every day, a constant reminder of the witch's punishment. Bound to his wolf form except for one night a month, when the full moon allowed him to take on his human shape again. He'd almost forgotten the feel of human skin, the weight of his own limbs in this form.
His golden eyes shifted to Hope, the ache in his chest deepening. She had saved him many many times. Now it was his turn to protect her, for real, not just help her out.
The change came suddenly, sharp and painful as always. His bones cracked and realigned, his fur receding into his skin as he transformed. His breath hitched, the effort of suppressing the growl threatening to escape his throat leaving him light-headed. When it was over, he sat there in the dim confines of the car, naked and vulnerable, but finally human again.
He touched Hope's forehead gently, his calloused hand brushing against her feverish skin. Her body was battered, her clothes torn and soaked with blood, but she was still breathing. That was all that mattered.
Rafael shifted awkwardly, pulling the blanket around himself as best he could. He reached into his pocket and unfolded the note Shane had left, rereading it by the moonlight. The words were hurried and messy, but the meaning was clear. Shane had risked everything to lead the attackers away.
"Don't worry," Rafael murmured softly, his voice hoarse from disuse. "I've got you."
He glanced around the empty road, his heightened senses still sharp despite his human form. They couldn't stay here for long. If the men came back, he wouldn't be able to defend her like this. Not without his wolf.
With a deep breath, Rafael gently shifted Hope's weight, sliding out from under her and setting her down carefully. He needed to scout ahead, find a safe place to hide until she woke up. But leaving her even for a moment felt like betrayal.
He hesitated, his hand hovering over her arm. Then he leaned down, his voice barely a whisper. "You're not alone, Hope. I won't let anything happen to you."
Summoning what strength he had, Rafael steeled himself and cracked the car door open, stepping into the night with bare feet on the cold asphalt. The curse might keep him bound most of the time, but tonight, he had the power to make a difference. He just had to find a way to keep them alive.
Rafael closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, letting the crisp night air fill his lungs. Among the faint smells of damp earth and burning wood, a familiar scent drifted to him—soft and sweet, like wildflowers after a spring rain. Beth.
