Sexting With A Vampire
Chapter 62

Stella

I've spent more than a month living in Raphael's packhouse. We haven't done the deed, and neither are we dating.

My life has drastically changed, though. I've joined the Bloodmoon pack and been to a couple of hunts with them.

I'm still treated like a zero since I'm entirely fresh and green, but that might change starting tomorrow. I will get to join the morning practices, and I can't wait to have a reason to leave the mansion. Raphael always leaves to do alpha stuff every morning, and he often fights with Elias during the day.

I dislike Elias. He is a jerk and a total vampire hater. The i***t also wishes to steal Raphael's pack.

But Raphael, on the other hand, has turned into a great friend. He is a good listener, something I wouldn't have expected.

It baffles me how I could have ever cheated on Raphael in the past. Of course, I've told Raphael about my dream from the past, and oddly enough, it brought us closer.

He knows I cheated, yet he is still my best friend.

And Leonora doesn't hate me since I'm not flirting with the alpha she is crushing on. I still replace her creepy, though.

"You're fine being on your own today, right?" Raphael asks me while putting on his tennis shoes. He is heading out to care for a demon problem in the woods.

"Yeah," I lean against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest. "I'm the one who should ask if you're fine."

"Oh?"

Raphael's dimpled smile is hard to resist. There is chemistry between us; I'm not dumb. But the bald truth is that an alpha who looks like Raphael wouldn't bother with me if we weren't mates.

I still fear he is only interested in me for that reason. That there isn't any deeper meaning behind his occasional flirting.

Whatever the case, I'm both unsettled by his presence and annoyingly interested in the alpha.

"And why should you ask if I'm fine?" Raphael asks.

I take him in. The long workouts at the gym make him seem larger than life, his shoulders broader as he peers down at me. He has definitely grown in size since he started his defeat-Arachne plan. "Because..." I somehow peel my eyes off his thick biceps. "Elias is constantly challenging you, and he has found his mate. It is only a matter of time before they mate, and then he will take over YOUR pack." "You think that will happen?"

"Yes."

Raphael gives me a big, dimpled smile. Damn him. How is anyone supposed to resist that?

"Are you underestimating me?"

He steps closer while I stand taller-it makes Raphael bite back a smile. I'm still this tiny little thing compared to him, no matter how hard I try to act tough and brave.

"No," I tell him. "But I'm not old enough for the mate-bond to kick in between us, and your magic doesn't appear until we mark each other. So far, you can only reflect spells and wouldn't win against Elias." "We don't know if I would lose."

My lips quiver. "You would be stupid to challenge a mated Elias!"

Raphael places his big hand on my shoulder. It slowly travels up to cup my cheek, and he delivers me a dopey grin. It looks cute on him, and I blush in response.

"How cute; you're worried about me."

My cheeks turn molten. I want to deny it and tell Raphael I'm not worried, but he looks hopeful.

His eyes are warm, and that kind heart I've seen on him? It makes him a hundred times more beautiful.

f**k, I don't deserve him.

Here I am, the rotten mate who cheated on him in the past, and here he is, giving me a roof above my head.

Raphael is a great guy.

We stare at each other in silence, his heated gaze drilling into me, waiting for my response. It's surprisingly effective because, I swear, my heart is pounding inside my ears. "Maybe I'm a little bit worried."

"Oh yeah?" "Mhm..."

His smile gives me butterflies. It also makes me feel guilty because Raphael is so much more than a best friend, and here I am, unwilling to go the needed length with him.

It just feels wrong, and the worst part is that Raphael understands my situation. Like, how nice can a guy get?! It makes me want to cry thinking about it. It would be easier if Raphael hated me.

"You can be so cute when you want to," Raphael messes up my hair and laughs at the hairstyle he has created. "You might want to book a time at the hair salon, though."

I glare up at him. "Why?"

"Because..." Raphael is trying not to laugh at me. "Your red hair is starting to match your personality, Stella. You have a mane and look fierce like a tiny little lion."

I growl at him, and he burst out laughing.

It angers me further. Raphael always teases me like this while remaining calm, and I decide I've had enough-I jump at him!

"This is for calling me a tiny little lion!"

Raphael's eyes widen in shock, and despite him being much bigger than me, he is a total clutz. We land in a heap on the floor, all according to my plan of punishing him. "Prepare to die, alpha!" I exclaim as I lift his white t-shirt with a diabolical plan to tickle his sides.

I already know Raphael is highly ticklish from the number of times I've accidentally poked him in the ribs. But I haven't seen him shirtless in quite some time and freeze. Oh-my-god.

His chest and muscles are like stepping stones, and a happy trail of blonde hair leads into his white Calvin Klein boxers.

His skin is bronze.

His muscles are perfect.

"You checking out my abs, Stella?" He sounds amused.

I meet his eyes and replace them sparkling, those ridiculously long lashes practically touching his cheeks when he blinks. It's not fair that a man has such pretty eyes. "Y-your t-shirt is up, and since you're not covering yourself, it's fair game for me to study your body."

His grin is quick and charming, with his little dimples carving into his skin and then fading with his smile. "I didn't say I minded-I simply asked if that's what you were doing."

Unfortunately, his words shoot heat between my legs, which terrifies me. I get off him faster than lightning as if touching him burnt me.

F**k-f**k-f**k!

I take several deep breaths, which does nothing to quench my arousal.

Raphael is studying me in silence, definitely able to tell that I want him in ways that I shouldn't since... Well, since I'm not sure if that's okay! Evan is out there, suffering while I'm here... While I'm here and...

And falling in love with Raphael!

Tears spring to life.

I'm such a terrible person! I'm not sure what is wrong or right in this situation...

"Stella?" Raphael asks when he hears the first sob.

"No, please don't say anything..." I'm blinking away tears. "You're too nice, and it confuses me even more."

He tilts his head. "Can I say something?"

I sob and give him a nod.

His smile is gentle. "You were given two mates for a reason, and even though Evan might not like it, he realizes that too. I'm also sure he would rather be with you regardless of that fact than without you."

I swallow thickly, whispering. "That's not it... I'm conflicted because... Evan is out there, fighting his bloodthirst or trying to... And I'm here playing house and chilling." "You're training."

"But I'm not suffering like him!"

Raphael sighs. "Stella... I think you're allowed to be happy since we might or might not die within a year. But if you desperately want to replace Evan, how about we leave tonight?"

"Huh?" I blink in surprise. "Leave?"

"Why not?" Raphael shrugs. "Elias will take over my pack, and I can't stop him. He has already won the heart of my pack members since they hate vampires as much as him. I'm also pretty sure he wouldn't let us live after he has become the new alpha." "But... But what about Leonora?"

He grimaces. "I will figure something out, but... Just take it easy today, okay? I will take care of some stuff, and then we will leave. Don't pack anything. Leonora will know something is up then."

I hesitantly smile. "Okay."

"Great."

I'm given a hug before Raphael leaves. I walk up the stairs after he has left the mansion. But before I even open the door to my room, I can smell it-the scent of Evan!

I quickly open the door and freeze. Evan is on my bed, I can tell it's him, but his skin is greyish and mummified. Wrinkly.

He is down on his stomach and shivering like he is dying. Suffering. As if his body is in great pain.

"Need... Blood..."

My heart shatters, and I sob when I realize what is happening. Evan has resisted drinking blood for the entire time he was gone.