Star Blessed

Coming Clean

RAFF

A light was on in his townhome. Specifically, the light in his office. Raff gripped the steering wheel as he leaned forward to peer at the window. The glow remained steady, no passing shape breaking up the light, making it hard to tell if the intruder was still present. Not that he was concerned one way or the other. Any trespasser who announced their presence to the outside world like that was an idiot.

He exited the vehicle, his long legs rejoicing as he stretched, reminding him why he often chose to travel by wolf than by car. Two steps was all he took before he caught her scent on the wind, and his pace quickened, the soreness in his muscles forgotten. The light in the window changed meanings. No longer was it damning evidence of a break in, but a beacon and a promise, the shine illuminating the path to his heart.

Coming home that morning to find she'd already left had touched every dark place inside of him. For a moment, he could feel the burn of water in his nostrils, the strain on his lungs as he held his breath, diving deep into the cold to find her. But Lincoln's hesitant touch drew him back to the present, and he handed him a short note that explained their need to leave quickly.

The amber glow in his Beta's eyes let him know he wasn't the only one annoyed by the departure, but with his recent decision weighing heavily on both their minds, they decided to take advantage of the women's absence and call the pack together for a meeting.

His men had been cautious. Not that he could blame them. They'd just been called for a roll call. More than likely, they were anticipating the reveal of a traitor. So he started by telling them Herrin had been the one working with the Starless pack. Muttering broke out, but it was light. No one was shocked by the revelation.

Silence greeted his next announcement. His ears could barely register breathing; each werewolf had stopped breathing, and the crowd began to radiate with the gleam of hundreds of eyes. And then as one, they howled in joy, the unearthly sound shaking the rafters of the house's great hall. It had taken discovering true happiness to understand what he'd stolen from the men he led, and while he couldn't undo the last several years, he prayed every single man found what he had.

Raff tugged his dress shirt over his head, tossing it on the kitchen counter as he passed by. A counter he promised to make amends to for the unfortunate interruption. Dressed in his jeans and white, tight fitting undershirt, he pushed open the door of his office. The unique perfume of his woman was strong and heady in this room. She was in his armchair, her legs tucked beneath her as she scanned papers in a folder. Her dark hair was a riot of untamed curls, and he couldn't help but think she'd worn it that way for him. That she remembered how he loved tugging on those strands while she was in the throws of passion. Just the thought made his eyes glow and his blood heat. There would be no turning back tonight. The text message he'd sent had been a promise he intended to keep.

"I was hoping your caveman tendencies would work in my favor," Meribella said, frost coating every syllable as she lifted her head. Turquoise gems pierced him with their intensity, but he found none of the welcoming warmth he'd grown accustomed to.

"Meribella, is everything okay?"

"You know," she began, ignoring him as she stood and stretched. Her top lifted above her belly button, exposing the flat expanse of her golden stomach. "I've been beating myself up, feeling so guilty about keeping secrets, and then I find out you've still got your own. Does that make us even?"

The news that she was hiding something gave him pause. He'd thought she'd been honest about everything back at the compound. The passion in his veins was doused, and ice crept in. Building around his body and his heart. Would they ever be rid of the lies between them?