"5 minutes ago..."
Rafael drove up to The Scratch. His blood hummed with the thought of Jadyn in his arms again as well as the sour look of murder on Daunte's face. But the hairs on his body stood on end feeling the presence of another shifter. Holland hit the hood of Rafael's car, looking in and fixing the young tiger with an accusing glare.
"Jesus, Holland," Rafael stepped out of the car, his good mood dimming. "You shouldn't sneak up on people. I might have taken you for an enemy."
"It's still early," Holland retorted.
Rafael narrowed his paradise blue eyes. Holland wasn't shaken. He was in his late 40s but still in great shape that even 20 year old girls flushed at the sight of him. His salt and pepper hair made him more distinguished with an air of authority and a small amount of life's bitterness that made him irresistible to girls with daddy issues.
"I'm here to pick up Jadyn," Rafael went to walk past him but Holland pressed a hand to the young shifter's chest keeping him from venturing further.
"She'll be out in a minute," Holland's voice was low. His dark eyes like two obsidian stones sent apprehension shivering through Rafael's bones. "In the mean time I think we should have a chat."
Rafael smirked, his smugness returning. "Am I in trouble with Dad?"
Holland's face didn't change. He crossed his arms, his biceps tensing, projecting an air of dominance that made Rafael a little nervous but he had a well full of confidence to match.
"I knew your father, Rafe," Holland said. "I'm going to tell you what I told him: Leave it alone. Let the feud die and we can all finally have peace."
Rafael's whole body tensed, trembling with indignation. He ground out, "So I should just let that murderer go?"
"When it's in a duel de sang it isn't murder," Holland shrugged. "Salvatore knew that. But I could care less about your pointless vendetta. My concern is Jadyn getting caught in the crossfire."
Rafael's fists clenched, flexing with thoughts of Jadyn lying in his bed the morning before, her body writhing against him in joy. He felt a tug in his chest and a spiral in his stomach.
The older shifter softened. "Rafe, there are things about this feud you don't understand."
It was as if Holland had twisted a knife in Rafael's gut.
"I know all I need to know. Jadyn's a grown woman who can make her own decisions," Rafael reasoned. "You're not her guardian, Holland."
"I owe her father a debt. He saved my life."
Rafael smirked wickedly, his royal blue eyes jeering, "Are you sure that's the only reason? Not because you were in love with his wife? Jadyn has her eyes doesn't she?"
Holland's eyes grew black with rage. Rafael had to take a step back from the force of the older shifter's rage. It was an open secret that Holland was a wild youth in his day who fell head over heels with a human woman but she married another human. However, the tiger shifter might as well have been her love sick lap dog the way he hovered in the background behind her.
It took everything Holland had to restrain himself from ripping Rafael apart right there. A snarl erupted from his mouth, his eyes glowing yellow. He stepped closer while Rafael stepped back. Holland was in the youngster's face, snarling, "Listen, cub. That girl is innocent. If she gets hurt in your stupid idea of revenge I will personally see to your misery for the rest of your worthless life. Understand?"
That's when they both smelled it. The Heat was stronger than it ever was. Both men were affected in a primal way and both knew the cause. They rushed into the bar to see Jadyn disheveled with Daunte stalking towards her.
The look of total surrender on Jadyn's face had Rafael's stomach coiling with the hissing snake of jealousy. His chest tightened as the tiger within him wanted to pounce on Daunte and fight him for her. Daunte and Jadyn both turned to the intruders.
"Daunte, do I need to get the hose?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
She had gone home and soaked in a lavender bath, rubbing herself alternating her thoughts between Rafael and Daunte. She was dripping wet in every sense of the word when Moira had popped in.
Moira had finished with her family emergency and was at Jadyn's place as soon as she called. Rafael had left her all alone. The look of hurt on his face hurt Jadyn, mostly because he knew she didn't feel guilty about what she had done.
"And why the fuck should you be?" Moira threw her hands up, exasperated. "You're not dating him and how can you help The Heat?"
Jadyn pulled her shirt down, pausing briefly at the claw marks that were still scabs. Her clit pulsated against her panties with the memory of being pressed against Daunte, his maleness in her hands. Her skin still held a rosy glow from the arousal.
"Rafael will get over it," Moira popped a bottle of vodka and poured her friend a shot.
"Is there really no way for me to be free of that jaguar bastard?"
Moira shrugged. "Maybe you should just give in."
Jadyn spun around, facing her friend with wide jade eyes, her lips compressed yet her pussy spasmed happily at the prospect.
"Look," Moira reasoned, after drinking her own shot of Grey Goose. "The Heat is a bitch but it heals faster when the couple consummate it. Your randy feelings for Daunte will disappear and when the mark is gone you and Rafael can give it a shot."
Sounded reasonable. Jadyn sat on her lumpy couch, slumping into the old cushions. It was 3 AM and she should be in bed but The Heat wouldn't let her sleep. Her body was rioting with feelings of lust for Daunte but also for Rafael. Yet she had always wanted Daunte even before he marked her. She doubted the feelings of want for him would go away.
