Hey guys, here's the newest chapter to AWUL! Sorry for the long wait again, I had finals and ended up having to cram hard. But it's all over now! Hope you like the new chapter, let me know what you all think!
- T
© Torrance Rose.
This work is intended only for viewing purposes.
Do not redistribute.
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Liesel felt like she had barely slept before she was woken by a rough wet tongue scraping against her cheek. Startled she flinched and jumped back, eyes wide as they took in the massive wolf curled up on the wooden floorboards before realisation caught up with her.
Hesitant and unsure, Liesel edged forward and nudged the backs of her knuckles against the wolf's head. "Rafe?"
Half a second of thick chunks of fur stripping from his body and some agonising cracks of bone and muscle later, Rafe stood naked before her with a diffident smile curling his lips.
"Boo?" He softly chuckled, a weak attempt to make her smile.
She did anyway, peering down at her hands in her lap. "Is there a reason you woke me so early? The sun isn't even up yet."
"We are in the middle of a garden Liesel, a garden that's open to my family. I'd really rather they didn't happen upon us sleeping here. Trust me, neither of us would hear the end of it for weeks." He whispered as he pulled on his jeans and stood, reaching a hand down to help her up. He hadn't even bothered to zip up his pants so they hung loosely on his tapered hips.
"Of course," She laughed, "Thanks for being err, considerate. I think we both know we need to talk..."
It annoyed her that this was the second time in two days she'd spoken those words, to practically a stranger no less. That and it was a fierce internal battle to keep her eyes from straying, but she continued to hold her head high as she strode over to where he'd tossed his shirt and passed it to him to put on, innocently averting her eyes.
"I know. I'm not intentionally trying to pressure you Liesel... I never intended for this to happen, it just...
did
, and now that it has I wouldn't wish it any other way. We
need
each other. Can't you see that?" His dark eyes were staring imploringly into hers, in such an intense way it gave her chills.
"I... It's not about needing each other Raphael." She groaned, raking her hand through her hair as she turned her back to him and walked to the railings, her footsteps creating soft, hollow thumps against the wood. "You... You're all... You're not
human
. You're not a man, you're a
wolf
."
"Thank you for pointing that out, I had no idea." He replied dryly from behind her, "Yes I am part wolf. But I am
also
part human. Look at me Liesel."
She reluctantly turned to him, his muscled form bathed in moonlight.
"Do I look like anything but a man to you?" He whispered. She'd never seen anyone look so broken before, his eyes pleading silently with hers. She realised now she'd cut deep with the 'you're not a man' remark, something she hadn't meant to do.
"No..."
"Then please," He stepped forward, tilting her head up so she was captured by his eyes and gathering her hands in his. "Stay here, with me. At least for a day or two. You could be happy here Liesel... I can make you happy."
"I don't... You're... I need some time alone. I need to go home... Please just let me think. I need to call my brother... I have to go." She whispered, eyes brimming with unshed tears. Liesel wasn't sure how to deal with the tirade of emotions boiling beneath the surface. She didn't know how she should feel. All she knew was that she needed a few days alone to wrap her head around all of this. It was just too much... Only two days ago she'd been a single city woman, worrying about things like work and money and her social life. Now she was bombarded by all these foreign feelings and had been thrown into a world of chaos and the supernatural. Werewolves? Really? Was this some twisted dream or did all this actually happen? All Liesel knew was that she had to get out of there and think.
"Can I please borrow your phone Rafe?" She pleaded, holding her hand out.
Rafe was hesitant. And something else... A feeling he wasn't used to. It took a moment for him to realise he was actually afraid. Was she going to leave him? He didn't know. But despite his forceful words and arrogant manner, he wouldn't ever actually make her do anything she was against doing. If she wanted to leave, he would let her go. But he'd always be near, in the shadows. Waiting.
Reluctantly he handed his cell over, brushing his fingers through his hair and sitting down on the gazebo steps to wait.
Liesel didn't waste any time dialling her brother's number, holding the mobile tightly to her ear and pacing impatiently as she listened to the constant ring of the dial tone.
"Hello? Edouard DuBorque speaking." Her brother's deep voice answered. He sounded sleepy, yet alert and anxious. Almost desperate.
"Edouard?" She answered, concerned.
"Leece? Fils de pute, where are you?! Oh my God, do you have
any
idea how worried I've been? How worried
mom
has been?! You almost gave her a heart attack! The police have been combing the entire city looking for you! Le cerveau il était en option chez toi?! I can't believe how irresponsible you are,
two days
Liesel! What the hell happened to you?!"
"What?!" She yelped, "The police?? Already??"
"Yes
already
. The second dad heard you'd disappeared he transferred money over to get a PI to investigate. Mom pretty much forced him to, screamed at him over the phone. It would have been hilarious if you weren't missing."
"Oh my gosh, call it off Edouard! I'm fine! Well, I was attacked my some mugger but my... a friend stepped in and saved my life. I've been staying at his house and, I guess I lost track of time and everything... I'm so sorry but I'm coming home right now and I'll explain it to you both then."
"Where are you Leece? I'll come get you. We've been worried sick and there's no way I'm gonna let you run off again. Stay where you are and I'll pick you up." He ordered, questioning her for directions.
"Um, I don't really know where I am... Hang on a second," Liesel pressed her palm to the phone, mouthing to Rafe for the directions.
Rafe rolled his eyes, deciding his mate's twin could do no harm to the whereabouts of his pack and held his hand out for the phone. It pained him deeply to have to let her go, but he knew holding her here would be a severely wrong move on his part. For now, he had to play it cool and let her free.
After going through the directions and confirming Liesel's safety, Rafe hung up the phone and slipped it back into his pocket.
"Your brother will be here soon, I suggest taking a shower and having something to eat before you go? You've barely had anything since you've been here but a few sips of soup and you're thin enough as it is." He chuckled, tugging her out of the luscious garden and towards the house.
"Hey I do eat! It's not my fault I've not had anything. Obviously your hospitality cuts short where food is concerned." She grumbled, glad he'd been so flexible in letting her go.
"Oh quiet you, I'm not used to this host job and you've been unconscious for the majority of your time here." He chastised teasingly back.
She smiled softly as they rushed to his rooms, careful not to wake anyone or bump into anybody else. Neither of them felt like a confrontation right now, and Liesel didn't have the time to sit and chat. Her stomach was grumbling like crazy and she was in desperate need for a shower and a change of clothes.
"I'll leave some fresh clothes out on the bed once you're done in the shower. I'll be in the kitchen when you're finished." He told her, passing her a clean towel and closing the slides to the magnificent bathroom with a small smile.
Liesel quickly hopped into the luxuriously large shower, tuning the taps until the room was filled with hot steam, just how she liked it. After a quick shower she wrapped her dripping body in the towel, padding out into the bedroom and spying a neatly folded pile of clothes at the foot of the bed. This time he'd left her a pair of acid-wash skinny jeans and a loose yet fashionable grey sweatshirt with a white tank top to go underneath. She had to hand it to him; he did know how to dress in style. After pulling her legs through the tight jeans and pushing the sleeves of the sweatshirt up to her elbows she slipped on the pair of plain black flats left on the floor and walked hesitantly into the lounge room.
A mouth-watering, spicy smell assaulted her senses the second she stepped into the room. Liesel followed the source of the smell into the kitchen where Rafe was adding the final touches to a delicious looking stir-fry.
"Rafe?" Liesel questioned, eyebrows raised.
He turned to her, flashing a smile at her expression. "What? Didn't think I was capable of cooking for myself?" He asked, feigning hurt as he held a tanned hand to his chest. Liesel noted that he'd changed also, into a deliciously hugging navy blue cashmere sweater and dark jeans. His hair was loose, curling sexily around his gorgeously lashed eyes.
Gulping, Liesel turned her eyes to the food he was cooking, chuckling at his teasing. "Well I must say I am surprised. It looks and smells great."
"I am a man of many surprises," He teased, winking at her as he turned back to the sizzling contents of the pan. Liesel bit her lip softly as she was provided with a very enticing view of Rafe's incredibly sculpted ass. Shaking herself mentally, Liesel crossed to the small yet stylish glass table and sat down on one of the chairs.
"I've noticed." She answered dryly, a little bit late. He turned holding two bowls of steaming vegetable stir-fry, offering her an apologetic smile as he set one bowl in front of her and presented her with a fork.
