The Wolfing Way (Lifting the Veil) Read Online Free PDF Page A

whichever happened first—or he wouldn’t meet Rafe, and live the rest of his life with the certain, blinding knowledge that he’d turned his back on his soul mate.
    Sighing deeply and hating feeling so weak, Kris wiped his tear-soaked cheeks with the palms of his hands.
    A single phone call had changed his life forever.
     
     
    P INE and spruce trees swayed in the night breeze, and no windows needed to be open for Rafe to know the smell of sweet tree resin, fresh dust, damp moss, and trails of various day and night animals. All those familiar scents were imprinted into his sense memory. Clinging to his cell phone, his knuckles white, Rafe felt like sobbing but finally controlled the urge, taking a few calming breaths.
    Placing the cell phone on the desk, Rafe made his silent way to the corner of his bedroom where the floor-to-ceiling windows came together. Kneeling on the soft, dark pillow, Rafe steadied himself before his shrine to the Progenitor of the Lycan breed. To Rafe, the nook was really an altar of meditation, peace and quiet—his special center of serenity within the household. Lycans may have been wild, passionate, and on occasion savage beings, but they were the one class of creatures from the Unseen world who’d had to learn how to control their instincts, emotions, and reactions early on in their trek into the Common Earth, so lycans as a whole were far less animalistic than the myths portrayed them to be.
    Rafe meditated a lot. He found the ritual soothing, and he always slept more soundly after a session. Right now he needed all the support this reassuring custom held for him. Lighting the relaxing lavender incense and the candles, filling the room slowly with aromatic scents and smoke familiar to his wolf’s olfactory senses, Rafe went over the conversation he’d had with his mate. He wasn’t stupid and realized that it could definitely have gone better.
    Unlike his brothers who had indulged themselves in worldly pleasures and sensual delights while waiting and searching for their prospective mates, Rafe had mostly abstained from both relationships and sex. He wasn’t a virgin by any standards, but socially and emotionally, he was less experienced than his brothers. And his talk with Kris had reminded him of that unpleasant, awkward fact, especially when things had started to go awry and Rafe had just kept on proceeding to the yet-to-be-a-relationship wreck ahead.
    Shaking his head, Rafe was frustrated to analyze all the possible mistakes he’d made. Going over it all just depressed him further and distracted him from his meditations. Focusing on his breathing pattern and steadying his heartbeat, Rafe crossed his legs into the lotus position and began the low hum that vibrated from his belly, through his lungs to his throat, and out of his closed mouth. The tension in his muscles eased, the nervousness choking him relaxed, and the knot in his stomach began to untie.
    As his mind cleared away the emotional clutter, Rafe knew what he was going to do. It was a bit selfish but a bit selfless too, and most importantly, it might lure Kris into talking with him again. Yes, Rafe wanted his mate by his side now—but that would have to wait through the getting to know each other phase, even though they’d gotten off on the wrong foot.
    Yes, somehow Rafe had handled it all badly. He wasn’t sure exactly what he’d done wrong, but he wanted to make it right. And what he had in mind would go a long way to show Kris that Rafe was not only his mate but perfect for him in every way.
    Finishing his exercise, Rafe blew out the candle, watching the thin wavy line of smoke rise up toward the ceiling. And for the first time since ending the call, he felt tranquil and composed again—and he smiled softly into the smoke-scented darkness.

Chapter Three
     
    “I KNOW you’re curious, and I know you’re angry,” Dad said coolly, “but in case you want to meet this… Rafe…, I’ll personally guarantee and make