Page 78 of Griffin Food

“I want to see him,” I say, dashing the tears from my cheeks. “I want to see him right now.”

“Let her,” Fenix says, surprising me that he takes my side.

Atlas is quiet and thoughtful. Yet I am still terrified for Rafe. I’m convinced he is naught but a beta, and I would love and want him no less that he is. He doesn’t need to be more. He is already perfect to me.

The silence stretches. Lark whines. I stroke the fur on his chest, so luxuriously soft, and take small comfort from it, even as desolation waits for me.

“I beg you,” I say. “Let me see him. He needs to know that I love him. He needs to know that whatever happens, he is always and forever my mate.”

Atlas nods. “So be it. But know that what has been started cannot be stopped.”

And with those ominous words, they lead me out of the room.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Rafe

They leave me alone, heading off to the call of the bell while I remain chained to the wall. My thoughts move fast and slow. I think of Violet, of her sweet scent, of her giving body, of how much I love her. How she is slipping through my fingers. Despite Atlas’s determination that I am her mate, the fear is still present and real.

There was a time when I did not know this woman beyond the fact that she was a bookworm and the sister of a Queen. And then one fateful ride on a stallion far beyond her skill set, and everything changed. She is pretty, clever, willful, and bedding her is a revelation of the highest order. If I live to be a hundred, it will not be enough. But I’m a beta, ordinary, and my inadequacy looms like a disaster on the horizon.

Pete turns up, breaking the monotony of my rumination. Even without Atlas’s warning, I would give him no trouble. But I do ask him what is happening, and he explains that the bell warned of an attack on a village, and all the griffins and soldiers here have gone.

He leaves food and drink for me. I take some of the water, but I cannot touch a bit of the food. I just want to see her. Maybe if I see her, everything will be all right. The chains are long enough for me to sit, and I do so, and then I fall into a fitful doze.

The rattling of a key in the door rouses me. I surge to my feet, straining to see who will come in.

“Impatient bastard,” somebody grumbles.

As the door opens a crack, a huge white wolf pushes his way in—Lark. Right behind him is Violet.

“Rafe!” She runs across the room and throws herself into my arms.

I am filthy from this morning’s work and feel wretched for my position in being chained to a wall. But her sweet scent fills my nose, and her softness pressed against me brings a catch to my throat and a sting to the back of my eyes.

“What are you doing in this filthy place, lass?” I say gruffly.

She doesn’t hear me, or perhaps she doesn’t care. Swift, urgent kisses are peppered to my throat, cheeks, the open collar of my shirt—anywhere she can reach. My hands go under her as she launches herself at me, wrapping her legs and arms around me so that she can bury her nose in the crook of my neck. I hold her tightly, my heart is thudding so wildly in my chest it drowns out all other sounds.

I just want to pull her inside me. To keep her fucking safe. Only there are others better placed to do that than me.

Fuck. I need to be strong. I need to not make whatever this is harder than it already is, for her sake.

When I lift my eyes, I find Lark sitting expectantly to one side. He is still in direwolf form. The three griffins stand to his right. All three of them wear stern expressions.

All three of them have their wings on full display, stretched wide around them.

“The village is safe, I presume?” My voice is a croak, like I have not used it in a long time.

“It is,” Atlas confirms.

“Take his chains off,” Violet says. She fidgets to get down, and I reluctantly release her. She does not move far, still pressing tightly to my side, her hand against my chest.

“I already explained,” Atlas says implacably. “I cannot.”

Recent tears ravage her face, and more pool in her eyes. I want to gut the bastard for upsetting her. “Why the fuck did you let her in here?”

Atlas arches a brow. “Because she insisted.”