RAFE

Luca was burning up, I could feel it even before I reached him, his scent was thick in the air, and more potent than anything I'd ever experienced. It wasn't just sweat or heat. It was need, a raw and overwhelming need and it was coming from him.

One second, I was fighting the urge to rip off any form of clothing I had left and drag him into my arms, and then the next, I was battling every instinct I had not to claim him right there on the grass.

Fuck, what was happening to us?

"Luca," I whispered, kneeling beside him, but he didn't look up. His face was pressed to the dirt, and his entire was body trembling.

I touched his shoulder and flinched, he was burning up.

I knew what this was, well at least I'd heard whispers about it from the older wolves, about the Omega Heat. The stories were mostly jokes or horror tales told during late-night runs to scare young wolves off, I never paid them much attention, until now.

Because Luca was going through it and I was the reason why.

The memory of last night hit me like a punch to the gut, the way I had lost control, how my wolf surged to the surface during the rogue attack, and how I'd bitten Luca. I told myself it was to protect him, to scare the rogue off, but deep down, I knew better.

My wolf knew what he was doing, he marked him....I marked him.

I hadn't just protected Luca, I had started a bond, a fucking mate bond.

My chest tightened as Luca let out a soft moan, his hips were twitching against the earth and I cursed under my breath and forced myself to breathe through my mouth. His scent was doing something to me, It was like being drugged, and my body was responding without my consent.

I leaned closer to him, "I need you to breathe, okay? In through your nose, out through your mouth."

He nodded weakly, but when I tried to pull away, his fingers curled around my wrist.

"Don't go."

His sounded voice cracked, needy and vulnerable, that was all it took for my resolve to waver, I laid down beside him, keeping a sliver of space between our bodies. We were close, but not touching, because If I touched him again, I know I wouldn't stop.

"I'm not going anywhere," I said.

He rolled halfway toward me, his eyes glassy, like he held tears in them, "Why do I feel like this? Why does it hurt?"

I could lie, and tell him it was just a side effect of the shift, but he deserved the truth.

"I'm sorry, it's because of me, I bit you last night, I promise I didn't mean to... not like that. But I dunno my wolf recognized something in you and now.....now we're bonded."

His eyes widened, "Wait, what?"

"Not fully...just partially, the bite triggered the bond, but we're not fully bonded, and now your body is stuck, it wants to finish what we started."

Luca looked like I had punched him. Then, as if broken from the inside, he pushed up and scrambled to his feet, backing away.

"You bit me? Rafe, you knew what that would do!"

I stood up slowly, hands raised. "I didn't mean to! I didn't even know what I was doing, the rogue was coming for you, and I just....I lost control."

His breathing hitched. "So what does this mean? That I'm yours now? Is that it? You know damn well bonding between male wolves is forbidden"

I swallowed hard, well the bond said yes, but I couldn't tell him that.

"It means we're connected, but we don't have to do anything about it, we can fight it."

He let out a bitter laugh, "You think I can fight this? You touched me and I nearly begged you to... to..."

His voice broke off, then he turned away, but not before I saw the tears brimming in his eyes.

"I can't do this," he whispered.

I took a step toward him, but he flinched, so I stopped.

"You don't have to, we'll figure it out, okay? No one has to know, we'll keep it between us, we'll stay away from each other until the bond fades."

But even as I said it, I knew it was a lie, the bond didn't fade, not really. Not unless it was broken and to do that...

Luca looked over his shoulder, with an unreadable expression, "Do you think they'll find out? About me?"

He didn't say it out loud, but I knew what he meant, about being an Omega.

I hesitated, then shook my head. "Not if we're careful, but your scent... it's different now, it's stronger and we'll need to mask it."

"How?"

"I'll get you some scent blockers, just... don't shift again not until we figure this out."

His shoulders sagged with relief, then tensed again almost in unison, and both turned at the sound of twigs snapping behind us.

Voices, multiple voices!

Pack members.

Luca's eyes locked with mine, and they were wide with fear.

"Act normal," I hissed, "And let me do the talking."

He gave a shaky nod.

A second later, Alpha Cain's son Caleb, stepped through the brush, flanked by two others, his eyes landed on Luca, narrowing almost immediately.

"What the hell are you two doing out here alone?"

Luca stiffened beside me and I met his gaze, but my heart was hammering, I put up a stern look and responded.

"We were training and lost track of time."

He didn't look convinced, his nostrils flared slightly. Then his gaze landed on Luca, and he smiled.

"You smell different, Luca, did something... change?"

Luca went pale and I stepped in front of him before I even realized I had moved.

"Back off."

Caleb raised a brow, "Relax, Rafe, I'm just making conversation."

But we both knew it wasn't just that.

Caleb lingered a second longer, his gaze flicking between me and Luca like he was piecing something together, and it was too sharp for comfort, then he smirked.

"I'll be sure to mention this little training session to my father and you know how much he hates secrets."

Then they disappeared into the trees, their footsteps crunching under the leaves, but the tension didn't leave with them.

Luca stood frozen, his breathing was shallow and I reached for him, but he flinched again.

My hand dropped, this bond was already costing us more than I expected, and as the last of their footsteps faded, a low growl built at the base of my throat.

Because I knew something now, they were watching him and if I didn't act fast, I was going to lose him.

Luca

I kept stealing glances at him as we walked towards my front porch, my heartbeat wasn't in any way trying to calm down, It hadn't since we left the forest, and Rafe, he looked unnerved then, and even now, he looked like anything but relaxed.

His eyes moved to me as I reached for the door.

"Are you sure you're okay?" His voice was as low as a murmur, and I nodded, even though I knew wasn't. I wasn't entirely sure of what the hell had just happened back there, but one second he was being his usual moody self, and the next, he was pressed against me.

I pushed open the front door and stepped inside, "Yeah, I'm fine," I muttered, "Come in."

He hesitated for half a second before following me in, I didn't bother turning on the lights, the moon through the windows was enough, and besides, there was an odd comfort in the dimness.

I tossed my keys on the counter and kicked off my shoes, "Hey you want anything to drink?"

"No."

His voice was rough, and tense, he hadn't even sat down, he was just standing in the middle of the living room, like he didn't know what to do with himself or maybe like he was trying hard not to do something.

I turned to face him, "Ok look, if you're gonna freak out over what happened, just say it, I can handle it."

His jaw flexed, "I'm not freaking out."

"Well you're pacing, so yes, you are freaking out"

He stopped instantly, and started glaring at me, but this time the glare didn't have its usual bite. Instead, it looked desperate, "This isn't as easy as I thought," he said quietly. "I can feel it, around you, it's like... I lose sense of everything else."

I should have been scared, backed up and put some space between us. But instead, I stepped closer, "Maybe it's not wrong....Maybe it's just new". I honestly did not know what came over me, but whatever was going on in his mind was exactly what I wanted.

He looked at me like I'd spoken in tongues and then, without warning, he reached out and gripped the back of my neck, like he was grounding himself, "You smell like roses Luca and it's driving me insane."

I blinked, "Well that's... oddly flattering."

His mouth twitched in slight annoyance, "It's not funny."

"I wasn't trying to be."

There was a bit of silence and it felt thick and full of weight. Then he moved, slowly, like he was testing a boundary. His hand lifted, barely brushing against my arm, but I didn't move, I couldn't.

His touch felt like electric and I felt it in my spine, my heart was beating loudly in my chest like a war drum, his fingers wrapped loosely around my wrist.

"I shouldn't," he murmured.

"Then don't."

He stilled for a moment, but he didn't let go.

Instead, he took another step and then another, until I could feel the heat from his body pouring into mine and god it felt drowning.

"Luca..."

"Yeah?"

His breath hitched and then his mouth was on mine.

I didn't even hesitate, I kissed him back like my life depended on it, like the fire in my blood had finally found its match, his lips were soft, and demanding. His hands slid up my arms, cupping my jaw gently, the way he caressed me like an egg, didn't match the storm building between us.

We stumbled backward, and I hit the edge of the couch, he caught me with one arm around my waist, and the other hand gripping the back of my neck as if he couldn't stand the idea of space between us.

I gasped when he bit down on my bottom lip.

"You sure about this?" he asked.

"Ask me again and I'll break your nose."

He chuckled, letting out a deep rumble that did made my mind dance with sinful thoughts, and then he kissed me again, deeper this time. My hands found their way under his shirt, tracing the lines of muscle that flexed beneath my fingers.

He hissed through his teeth, "Luca..."

"Bedroom," I managed to whisper against his mouth.

He didn't need to be told twice.

We didn't bother with lights, I just let him lead me by the hand, but it felt like I was the one pulling him. My heartbeat could be heard in my ears and my skin tingled with anticipation.

When we reached the room, he paused.

"We can stop."

"Do you want to stop",

He looked at me, his eyes burning into mine, "No."

"You drive me crazy, Luca."

"You're not exactly easy to ignore either."

He laughed, and it was the softest thing I'd ever heard from him, it felt like he was surprised by his own happiness and he carried me into the room and laid me on the bed.

His fingers slipped under the waistband of my jeans, dragging them down, agonizingly slow. I lifted my hips giving him silent permission, and held my breath as the cool air kissed my heated skin. His gaze dropped, and for a moment, he just stared at me, his lips were parted, and the look in his eyes made me feel like I was a sacred item he was scared to ruin.

"You're driving me insane," he muttered, "You don't even realize what you do to me."

"Then show me," I whispered.

Rafe leaned down again, kissing my stomach, and my hips, going lower, teasing and worshiping my body all at once. My hands tangled in the sheets, and my legs trembling as he pressed open-mouthed kisses along my thighs.

When he finally, finally, cupped my dick through my briefs, I choked on a gasp. His palm was warm, slow, and possessive, like he wanted to memorize every line and inch. He rubbed me gently, watching my face like it was his favorite movie.

"Sensitive," he murmured with a smirk, "You're so responsive."

"Rafe..." I groaned, barely able to form words as his hand moved again.

"Shhh," he hushed, licking his lips before pressing a soft kiss to the spot just above the waistband. "Let me take care of you."

I nodded, and came completely undone.

Then, with delicate care, he pulled down the last barrier between us, tossing it aside like it offended him. He didn't hesitate, he wrapped his hand around my dick, warm and sure, stroking slowly while his mouth claimed mine again. I moaned into the kiss, gripping his shoulders like I'd fall apart without him.

His pace picked up, and the heat coiling in my stomach snapped tight. He knew exactly what he was doing, he knew how to draw every sound from me, how to build it up until I was shaking. I buried my face in his neck, breathless and on the edge.

"I....Rafe, I'm gonna...."

"I know," he whispered, "Let go, Luca. I've got you."

And I did.

I came with a muffled cry, clinging to him like he was the only real thing in the world. My body trembled as waves of release crashed over me, and through it all, he held me steady.

He finally settled against me, his hand covered with cum and his body molded to mine, inside me it felt like everything clicked into place.

We lay tangled in the sheets afterward, our breathing slowing, then he brushed his fingers across my chest and I honestly couldn't believe this was real.

"You good?" I asked softly.

He nodded, "I'm better than good. But... this doesn't make things easier."

"No, but it makes them real."

He didn't answer, but the way he pulled me closer spoke volumes and in the silence, for the first time in a long while, I felt safe.

Until a knock shattered it.

Three high raps, urgent and....familiar.

Rafe tensed immediately, every muscle in his body locking like he'd just heard a threat.

I sat up, my heart was racing again, wait, that knock....it couldn't be....

"Don't move," Rafe growled, already out of bed.

He was halfway to the door when I heard it.

A voice....one I hadn't heard in over a year.

"Luca, open up! We need to talk. It's your brother."

My blood ran cold, because my brother was dead, or at least, he was supposed to be.

LUCA

Rafe froze mid-step, his shoulders squared and he folded his fists like he was ready to fight the door itself. The knock came again. It echoed like war drums in the silence of the room.

"Stay here," he said, his voice went low, and lethal, that wasn't a suggestion.

I sat up slowly, the bed sheets slipping from my chest, and my heart pounding as I strained to hear more. I didn't imagine it, that voice, it was rough, older, and familiar in the worst way possible, and now it had clawed its way out of my memories and slammed itself into the present.

My brother was dead.

I saw the coffin....I saw the blood.

I remember screaming myself hoarse while they lowered it into the ground.

Rafe reached the front door and paused, sniffing the air like it might offer answers. His knuckles hovered over the handle.

"Rafe....wait," I whispered, fully sliding out of bed. My legs were weak, and still trembling from earlier, but I couldn't sit still. "What if it's not real? What if someone's messing with me?"

He didn't respond. His whole body was like a statue, but the energy rolling off him was Alpha level.

Then he opened the door.

A man stood there, tall, broad, and draped in a black hoodie soaked from the night drizzle, his eyes locked onto mine over Rafe's shoulder.

And my breath left my lungs.

"Zayne," I croaked in shock, as the memories hit me like a sick realization.

There were bruises under his eyes and a fresh scar across his cheek.

"Hey, little brother," he muttered.

Rafe stepped forward, deliberately blocking the doorframe, "Explain, now."

Zayne gave him a long, slow once over, then looked past him again. "It's not your business, big dog, I need to speak to Luca."

Rafe growled, literally growled. His body shifted slightly, enough that the light caught the faint shimmer of fur crawling up the side of his neck. He was close to snapping.

"Rafe," I said quickly, coming up behind him and grabbing his arm. His skin was burning, and tense. He didn't look at me, but I felt the restraint in him, I felt it unraveling.

"It's okay," I murmured, squeezing his arm, "Let him in."

He didn't move at first. Then, with a noise that sounded like a curse, he stepped aside.

Zayne walked in like he owned the place, dripping water all over the hardwood, and his eyes never leaving me, "You look older, taller and you smell....different."

Rafe let out a warning sound and I threw him a quick glare and turned back to Zayne.

"You died," I said in anger or confusion, I couldn't quite place how I felt.

"They wanted you to think that and I let them, it was the only way to keep you safe."

"From what?"

Zayne ran a hand through his hair, then looked at Rafe again. "Can you give us a minute?"

"Not a chance," Rafe bit out.

I stepped between them, the tension was making it hard to breathe. "Zayne, just talk, why now? Why come back now?"

His eyes softened, just a little.

"Because the protection I gave you is wearing off and you...you're triggering something, Luca....oh and it's big, whispers and rumors are spreading fast. Packs are on their edge, the moment you turned, they felt it and it wasn't just your first shift that rang the alarm. It was something else."

My mouth went dry, "What do you mean by that?"

Zayne's gaze turned to Rafe again, "He didn't tell you yet?"

Rafe looked away and refused to say anything making his silence thunderous.

Zayne's expression darkened, "You didn't tell him what he is?"

Rafe's voice dropped to a whisper. "It's not your place."

I looked between them, and felt my stomach twist, "Tell me what?"

No one answered.

Zayne folded his arms. "When did it happen? I mean the shift."

"Last night," I said. "In the woods, I blacked out and Rafe brought me back."

Zayne swore under his breath. "Then we don't have much time. The others....our kind, they'll start coming. They'll sniff you out and know you're different."

"Different how?"

Neither of them spoke, for the second damn time, Rafe finally turned away, pacing, and running a hand through his hair, he only does that when he is freaking out.

Zayne narrowed his eyes back to me, "You didn't answer my earlier question."

"What question?"

He stepped closer, "You smell different. What did you do? Who did you bond with?"

I flushed, and suddenly my throat felt tighter, "What are you talking about?"

Zayne sniffed the air again, then let out a bitter laugh. "You didn't just shift last night, you mated."

My heart skipped.

I looked at Rafe, and he wasn't denying it, he was just standing there, staring out the window like if he didn't look at us, the truth would eventually vanish.

Zayne cursed again, "Do you know what you've done?"

"Don't talk to him like that," Rafe snapped, now stepping forward.

"Then you talk to him," Zayne shot back. "He's not just any omega, He's..."

"Don't," Rafe barked, but his voice was shaky.

Zayne shook his head slowly. "You should've told him, he has the right to know."

I grabbed Rafe's arm, "Know what? Rafe, please."

He looked at me, he really looked at me and I saw it then, the storm in his eyes, it was fear, pure fear.

"You're an omega, Luca. But not just that, I've heard of it in the old tales, thought by the packs to be extinct."

I swallowed. "What are you saying?"

Before he could answer, Zayne's head snapped toward the window. "We've got company boys."

Rafe was already moving, "Get him to the basement, now."

"What....why?" I asked, my heart going up again like a loud gong in my chest.

"Because if they see you," Rafe said darkly, "it won't matter who your brother is, you'll be hunted."

Zayne grabbed my hand, "Move."

I looked over my shoulder as Rafe turned to face the door, his eyes were already shifting.

And in that moment, I realized that whatever I was... it wasn't safe anymore.