Chapter Twenty Two

Much to Raul’s content, upon his return to his cabin, he realized that Monica’s friends were all alone in their living room. Burdened with pondering the ideal approach to his foes’ estate, he wasn’t in the mood for much, other than a good night’s rest. Still, he couldn’t avoid a discussion with Julia. As Ray’s mate, she had to learn more about what they had decided to do. But, Raul dreaded the notion of that particular conversation. It was guaranteed to be loud, but disrupting Monica and Helena’s sleep was the least of his concerns. He was positive that Julia would want to participate in the rescue operation. Although he did comprehend why, there was always a chance that she might get hurt. She had no experience in situations like these, and he had to keep an eye on her. Nevertheless, watching over her would distract him; distractions are never good in the heat of battle.

“They’ve been upstairs for a while now,” Kate informed him, as his front door clicked shut behind him. “Your little girl is a handful, you know that? The minute Mon puts her in her bassinette, she wakes up. She won’t stop screaming, until she picks her back up.”

“The kid’s got attitude. She takes after her godmother,” Julia teased, flashing a smile at her. “Please, tell me you have good news,” she requested, tearing her gaze from Kate, to look up at Raul.

“We know where he is being held,” he admitted, his voice dropping down an octave, as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

“When are we doing this?” she asked, her tone firm, as she jumped from her seat.

“I’m in a tough spot here, Julia,” Raul stated, clenching his jaw. “I get it; you want to help us save him, but…”

“Please!” she interrupted, her voice shattering, as she started towards him. “My life’s been a living hell since I lost him. Ray means the whole world to me. I have to do this. What good are these powers, if I can’t put them to good use?”

“He’s never going to forgive me, if anything bad happens to you!” His stentorian voice roared like thunder, as he narrowed his eyes down at her. Still, his glare and his tone had absolutely no effect on her. Julia maintained eye contact with him, as her slow footfalls led her closer to him.

“I’m a big girl, Raul,” she whispered, her lips quivering, as tears pooled in her eyes. “I know what I’m getting myself into. I just want to be there for the man I love.”

“You don’t,” Raul shook his head sideways, as his voice softened. “I didn’t either until a few minutes ago. There’s a vampire out there, Julia. He’s working with Donna and Riker, and he’s a fast son of a bitch. He could kill any one of us, before we could say ‘aah.’ Now, I’m going to ask you one last time. Are you sure about this?”

“Yes.” Her immediate answer came as no surprise; yet, it didn’t help him make up his mind any sooner. Raul’s heart told him to accept her helping hand, but his mind strongly objected. A tear raced down her cheek, intensifying the frustration that had been festering within him. For some reason he couldn’t fathom, the air around him became too thick to breathe. Julia’s sob tore the silence, as she dropped her head into her hands.

“I’d do the same, if I were her.” Monica’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. In his confusion, he had failed to catch her scent. Before he knew it, she was climbing down the stairs, her gaze fixed on him. “Put aside your hesitation, my love. Julia’s wolf is just as strong as most of the wolves in your pack, and there will be a dozen individuals, ready to provide a helping hand out there. You cannot deny this to her.”

His mate’s voice was merely pointing out the obvious, except for one thing: he had the power to deny her anything. But, Raul was never the oppressive Alpha his predecessor had been, and he certainly wasn’t going to pull rank on the woman his brother loved.

“Ok,” he said on an exhale, as his face fell. “You’re free to tag along.”

“Oh, thank you so much,” Julia sighed in relief, as she threw her arms around him.

“The pack will be in ‘Joe’s’ diner at 6 a.m.” Raul announced, as Monica joined them downstairs. “Be there.”

“I will,” Julia nodded, as she eased back. “Thanks again.”

“I guess we’d better head home,” Kate said with a smile, as she padded towards them. “Have a good night, kids.”

“Goodnight, guys,” Monica returned the smile, as her friend brushed past her mate. Part of Raul was still questioning his decision. However, he quickly came to push doubt out of his mind, and not because Julia had insisted, or because the love of his life had supported her. The redhead was a headstrong woman. She had proven that by pursuing Ray for months. Even if he did say “no” to her, most likely, Julia wouldn’t stay put. She would have found a way to follow them. It was a lot safer for him to keep her in his sights, than let her do whatever came to mind.

“A vampire?” Monica’s brows shot up, as they found themselves alone in the kitchen. “Did I hear that right?”

“Yeah,” Raul sighed, as he tipped his head back. “Helena’s found evidence of a vampire around the building Ray’s being held. Animal corpses are all over the place. They’ve all been bled out.”

“Have you ever…” she faltered, as tension crept into her voice, “…fought against one?”

“No, but it’s not the vampire I’m worried about,” Raul muttered, pressing his lips together. “He’s strong, sure, but there’re going to be fourteen of us out there, Ray included. He may be fast, but he doesn’t stand a chance against us. The witch’s tricks are a far bigger threat.”

“That may be, but, don’t forget you have a witch on your side as well.” Monica said in a sweeter voice, as she raised her hands up to his chest. “Helena is older, more experienced, and her cause is righteous. She’s fighting for the right to have a family. She’s not honoring some…” She paused, “…business partnership.”

“Speaking of which, you’re not having second thoughts about you-know-who, are you?” He asked, snaking his arm around her waist to pull her near.

“No,” Monica’s response came fast, even faster than he anticipated. “Do you remember what you told me, the first time we were in your grandfather’s sanctuary?”

“Doc…” Raul snorted in amusement, as his lips curled into a broad smile. “I said a lot of things that day. You’ll have to be more specific.”

“We were in the hallway, I was…” she faltered, as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I was crying, when you turned to me, and said: ‘We make our choices, and we live by them.’ I couldn’t agree more. Tom has made his choice.”

The Alpha would love to voice his opinion, but, with her mouth so close to his, he had a change of heart. Monica’s lips were the magnet, and he was a 220lb piece of iron, feeling the power she had over him growing stronger, second by second. Angling them, she tilted her head up, as he flexed his arm muscles around her. Their mouths joined in a gentle, passionate kiss, as she slid her hands up his body. Gripping the firm skin of his shoulders, she pressed herself into him, as her warm breath sent waves of desire, coursing through him. Raul splayed her fingers over her back, as he lifted his hand to cup her cheek. Her response was nothing more than a reminder of the woman she had become by his side. The Alpha might have heard that before, but, in truth, he wouldn’t mind hearing those words every day, for the rest of his life. They were a testament of her willpower, her ferocity, and ultimately, her love for her own.

“Alpha female,” he thought to himself, as he ran his thumb across her cheekbone.

“Raul…” Monica whispered, laying a kiss on the gap between his lips and his nose. “You should rest. Go get some sleep. I’ll be right with you.”

“Alright,” He nodded, smiling down at her. “I’ll be waiting.”