Free Blood Vow by Karin Tabke Page B

ignored Anja and looked at Lucien. He’d had guilt about it then, but he didn’t now. Not when he knew Falon had been and still was rightfully his. His brother’s eyes sparked furiously.
    “Lucien, I—”
    “Shut up, Rafael. Shut up before I break my promise to Falon, and mop this floor with you.”
    Lucien stalked out of the house, slamming the door behind him.
    Rafe turned back to Anja. He was done arguing with her. “There’s plenty of food—eat, then I want you to meet up with your pack and go north with them.”
    Anja moved into him. Her essence was strong; she was fertile and if he took her now, his seed would bear fruit. “Please, Rafael, give me a chance. I’m strong. My line is strong.” She grabbed his hand and pressed it to her belly. “My time is ripe. Make love to me, and tonight our dynasty will begin.”
    She was warm. Beautiful, and worthy of any alpha, but he didn’t want her. He wanted the woman down the hall, his first love, his only love. His true mate.
    “I’m sorry, Anja,” he said, pulling his hand from hers. “I didn’t mean for you to get caught up in my blood feud. I didn’t mean for you to get hurt, but even if I could change the truth I wouldn’t. I want Falon. I’ve always wanted Falon. I will always want her and only her.” He stepped away. “I was just in killing Lucien’s chosen one all those years ago, and so justified, Falon remains my rightful mate.”
    “
What about me?
I’m just supposed to say, ‘Hey, no big deal, the council made a mistake,’ and even though my world has been turned upside down and inside out, I’ll just skulk off into the forest and lick my wounds while you fight over her like a bone?”
    Frustrated, Rafe clasped his hands behind his head. “What do you want from me, Anja?”
    “Your brother.”
    Stunned Rafe looked at her like she was mad.
    “I come from a great line, Rafael. I deserve a great alpha. If I cannot have you because you insist on honoring your first mark on Falon, then I will take your brother.”
    Rafe shook his head unable to help himself from smiling at such a ridiculous request. Lucien would never accept Anja, though it would certainly solve Rafe’s problem. But Lucien and Anja? He threw his head back and laughed.
    She slapped him. “How dare you!”
    Rafe grabbed her hand and pushed her away. “Lucien will not take another mate if he cannot have Falon.”
    His words sobered him. Lucien would howl at the moon for the rest of his life if Falon were not by his side. Coldness shimmied through him. Part of Rafe wanted to ease his brother’s pain. They had both suffered so much for so long, but to ease Lucien’s pain, Rafe would suffer. No, he’d found Falon, he’d marked her and she’d returned the mark. By first bloodrights she was his. He vowed to keep her at all costs. And in that, Rafe would not ease his brother’s pain at the expense of giving up Falon.
    Suddenly feeling just as weary as Falon, Rafe’s shoulders slumped. “Eat, Anja, then go to your pack.”
    He walked away ignoring her soft sobs, feeling like a colossal dick. When had life become so damned complicated? Shit, when hadn’t it been?
    Rafael stopped outside the bathroom door at the end of the hall. Falon’s magical scent mixed with aromatic soap teased his senses. His blood surged, the urge to lift her all silky wet from the tub and lay her down on the big bed and make love to her overwhelming. Since they rescued her from Fenrir, Lucien had had a private moment with her, but Rafe had not. He wanted it now.
    Come in, Rafa.
    He grinned and opened the door, quietly shutting it behind him.
    He leaned back against the door and beheld the sultry vixen luxuriating in a steamy tub of white velvety bubbles.
    “You look like you’re enjoying yourself,” he said softly.
    She splashed bubbles at him and smiled shyly. “I am.”
    Rafe pushed off the door and strode across the slate floor. Bracing his hands on either side of her on the tile, he leaned