ever was, but I worry that the things he did while under the rogue Alpha’s power damaged him in some way.” Stacy glanced from Luna to Rafe.
Rafe spoke before Luna had a chance to. “I can call in a Healer.”
Luna pursed her lips. “No need. I’ll talk with Nevan to see if he can evaluate Colt’s state of mind.”
“Is that the human psychologist?” Rafe asked.
Luna nodded. “He’s mated with our leopard Healer and was raised by a puma stepmom and three puma brothers. He’s familiar with shifters and their nature.”
Stacy relaxed as if Luna’s offer took a ton of bricks off her back. “That would be great. Thank you.”
Then Stacy left to head back to the playroom, leaving Luna alone with Rafe. He was staring like he usually did. “Forever the loving Alpha.”
“I’m good at it.” She crossed her arms and glared at him. His black hair was cut short with the top long enough to curl. His ice-blue eyes were thankfully different from Royce’s midnight blue that looked black most the time. Black like his soul.
But Rafe’s eyes were like looking into heaven, calm and cool.
A dimple formed in one cheek as he gave her a crooked smile. “Have lunch with me.”
Even though he said the statement as a request, there was a demand in his tone. Luna wondered if she refused would he bully her into doing what he wanted. Royce would have. She couldn’t tell him no because it didn’t matter what she wanted. “What if I say no?”
He shrugged. “I’ll be eating alone. It wouldn’t be the first time.” Then he leaned in until their lips were inches apart. “I don’t use force to get what I want. I’m a patient male. You’re my mate. Nothing will change that.”
Her heart pounded, and she had to fight the urge to lean forward that fraction of an inch to claim his mouth. But she wouldn’t. Not until she knew for sure that what she was feeling was real. She thought Royce was her true mate, and she was wrong.
She wouldn’t be wrong again. If that meant living the rest of her life alone, so be it. However, she was hungry and did have questions she hadn’t had a chance to ask him. “I can eat.”
His features turned lethally gorgeous as he extended his elbow for her to take. “Good. Do you still like Mexican?”
“Of course.” Luna took his arm and fought off a groan as an electric current of need and desire flowed through her. Damn him. She was supposed to hate him for walking out when she needed him. But he had his reasons. She was going to find out just why he stayed away for as long as he did.
If he thought he could just walk back in and claim her, expecting her to jump in his arms, he was delusional. She was going to make him work for the right to mate with her.
Chapter Two
Rafe watched Luna from the other side of the booth. She had her curly red hair braided down her back. A few strands hung free on either side of her face. She was beautiful, and he was glad she didn’t lose her natural need to love everyone. He was afraid Royce would destroy that part of her.
She was stronger than ever and not because she was Alpha. “You have questions. Ask them.”
Picking up a chip, she dipped it into the salsa before speaking. “How long have you worked with the rebels?”
“About several years after Royce kicked me out of the Pack for questioning his judgment.” He took a drink of his beer and studied her.
She didn’t give him a reaction. He guessed schooling her emotions and reactions was something she learned to do while mated to Royce. The bastard. She took another chip and broke it in half. “Were the rebels the reason you left?”
Narrowing his gaze, he said, “I told you why I left.”
“Not the whole truth.”
A lazy smile lifted his lips. There was no lying to an Alpha, especially one who had their wolf as close to the surface as Luna’s was. “I knew since you came of age that you were mine. It didn’t surprise me that Royce also claimed that you were his as well. It’s not uncommon for twins to have the same mate. I should have known he was lying and only wanted you to keep us apart.”
Luna was quiet for a long while as she stirred her chip in the salsa. “He was the