Chapter Six

Raul, Dean and Ray made their way back to their property, amused by what they had just witnessed. Out of sheer stupidity or ignorance, two men had attempted to lure an apex predator out in the open. None of them had even heard of such a case. For Raul, this was the most fun he had had in months. But, something entertained him more than two humans running for their lives: the idea that he would be at war with one of them. So far, he had triumphed over adversaries much bigger, stronger and older than a weak human. In his mind, this would not even be a contest. He wouldn’t even need his wolf in a battle against an unarmed Tom.

After saying “goodnight” to both of his brothers, the Alpha returned to the warmth of his cabin, eager to see his wife’s face once more, and catch that glorious, baby scent. Raul found Monica in their living room, kneeling before the fireplace as she tossed logs into the roaring fire. Even in her bulky, purple pajamas, and despite the obvious fatigue written all over her face, she looked phenomenal. She still carried some pregnancy weight, but it had never bothered him before, and it was definitely not going to start bothering him now.

“What happened out there?” Monica asked, stirring the fire with an iron stick. “Did you find anything?”

“Plenty,” Raul replied, his tone firm, as he strode towards the couch. He would gladly share his story with her, but he would not do it like that. Savoring the sight of the leaping flames, he seated himself by the fireplace, and tapped the cushion beside him twice, inviting her over. “Two idiots shot a deer.” He continued speaking when Monica sat down next to him. “One of them was your ex. He’s searching for the wolf that shattered his wrist.”

“Tom?” She exclaimed, squinting her eyes in surprise. “He was behind the shooting?”

“Yep,” Raul affirmed, curling his left arm around her shoulders to pull her close. “He tried to use the deer as bait. He’s out to prove that the wolf that attacked him is real. A black bear family smelled the carcass. Those two ran like hell.”

“My God…” Monica sighed, running her hand through her hair, as she put her head on his chest.

“Don’t tell me you’re worried about him,” he said, a hint of discomfort in his tone.

“I’m not,” Monica asserted, looking up at him. “I just thought I wouldn’t see him here again. Please, don’t hurt him, ok?”

“Doc; seriously?” Raul raised his tone, as his face hardened. “The guy was about to hurt you, and you’re asking me to stay away from him?”

“Tom is an advertising executive, Raul,” she stated emphatically, lifting her hand up to his face. “He’s got some very powerful connections. If anything happens to him, there will be an investigation. Do you want the police snooping around in Paxton?”

“No.” He heaved a long, deep sigh, frustrated at the fact that his mate had a point. “The last thing we need is a bunch of nosy humans crawling all over the place.”

“Then, please, don’t touch him,” Monica requested, in a quieter, sweeter voice, as she trailed her index finger along his jawline. “I was relieved that you just broke his wrist the last time. If you hadn’t restrained yourself…”

“I know,” he interrupted, gazing deep into her eyes, as the corners of his lips quirked up into a happy smile. “Screw that jerk. How’s our baby girl?”

“That gunshot must have terrified her. It took me more than forty-five minutes to calm her down. She’s sleeping now.” She responded, her voice coming out lazier than usual, as she blinked slowly. He pitied her. More than anything, his doctor needed sleep. Raul even considered picking her up, and tucking her in. But, the Alpha also had needs of his own, both physical and emotional. He had missed sex with her so much that he could not wait any longer. Bending his head down, he brushed his lips on hers, as he pulled her closer. For him, the paradise of her kiss was a mystery he would never desire to solve. It kept him locked away in the sweetest prison one could ever dream of. But the lack of urgency sent waves of frustration washing over him. Their kiss would not grow in intensity, in spite of his passion. Once again, it looked like his desire would have to be put on hold.

“She’s been cranky all day,” Monica whispered, the feel of her hot breath on his mouth raising every fine hair on his body. “I’m surprised she’s not…”

Sadly, for the both of them, she didn’t have enough time to finish her sentence. A smile of irony formed on her face, as little Helena’s cry was heard through the baby monitor. Monica planted a short kiss on Raul’s lips, before jumping from her seat. He watched, as she headed towards the staircase, running his gaze up and down her body, wishing that he could hold her in his arms. An exasperated huff escaped him, as he tore his eyes away from her.

“Patience,” he thought to himself. “Our daughter needs her more than I do. It will happen. It just won’t happen tonight.”

Raul would not let his mind linger on that issue. It might have frustrated and aggravated him, but he had every faith that it would soon be over. Eventually, things would go back to normal. Monica would not let him feel neglected for much longer. Seeing as his plans for a steamy night with her were ruined, he decided to go out for a drink. First though, he had to tell his mate. She had not complained to him for failing to notify her earlier, but he didn’t want to test her patience any further.

As he made his way towards the staircase however, a sizzling flash of lightning revealed a female figure, standing outside in his yard. Raul only caught a glimpse of it, but, a subsequent flash helped him make out her exact position, and her outfit. The stranger was cloaked in red. She stood but a few paces away from his doorstep. Red… it was the color that graced Helena’s eyes and hair. The exact, bright shade of the dress she had worn, on the day that she abandoned his birthplace. Could it be that she had come back to Paxton? Had she reconsidered her decision? A beacon of hope lit within the Alpha. His heart skipped a beat, as he swung his front door open. A few drops of gentle rain dropped on his forehead, as he stepped outside. The woman in question did have red hair, but, she was somewhat thinner and taller than Helena. Alas, Raul’s dream of reuniting with the witch was just a fantasy.

“Good evening,” she addressed him in a mellow tone, as her fair face lit up with a polite smile. “My name is Donna Lockhart. I am looking for my aunt, Helena. The locals suggested I come here. They said you are very close to her.”

“Your aunt?” Raul exclaimed, as his mouth fell open and his eyes opened wide in disbelief. “Helena never mentioned any relatives.”

“She did have a brother,” Donna informed him, as her smile disappeared. “His name was Darryl. They were not on good terms, because of my aunt’s…” she faltered, “…life choices.”

“Whatever,” Raul waved his hand in front of his face. “Helena’s not here. She left this town, about five months ago.”

“Oh,” a gasp of surprise left her lips, as a boom of thunder caused the ground to rumble and vibrate beneath their feet. Still suspicious of her, the Alpha folded his arms across his chest, as the rain hardened, drenching his skin. Trying to find a resemblance between them, he began to study the lines of her face: high cheekbones, thin lips, a bridged nose, almond-shaped, light-brown eyes. Their shape and her hair color did look like Helena’s; her cloak was an unmistakable sign that she was also a witch. Still, the fact that she had never said even a word about any relatives whatsoever was enough to shape his opinion. There was no way that he could trust this stranger.

“Good luck finding your aunt,” he grumbled, feeling the cold driving through his bones, as he unfurled his arms.

“Wait!” She cried, as he turned around. “Can you help me find her?”

“I don’t know where she is,” Raul maintained, throwing a glance down at her over his right shoulder, as the vapors from his breath clouded his vision.

“Can I please spend the night here?” Donna requested, leaning forward. “I have nowhere else to…”

“You’re a witch, right?” He interrupted, firmness creeping into his voice, as it picked up volume. His question put her in a difficult position. Donna dropped her gaze from him, as if she was ashamed of what she was. But, this simple reaction only confirmed his suspicions. “Only one witch is allowed in my home,” Raul continued, as he raised his index finger in the air. “And I don’t see her here. Goodnight.”

Without much more thought, he turned his back to her. He didn’t care whether Donna was telling the truth or not. For him, it didn’t matter whether she was actually Helena’s niece. He wouldn’t trust a witch anywhere near his infant daughter. Nevertheless, this unexpected visit in the middle of the night had an effect on him. Recollecting previous conversations with her, only reminded him of how much he missed her, thereby convincing him that he had to start searching for her. She had been away too long.