Page 21 of Betrayed Knocked-Up Mate

"Marcus."

Rafael's voice cuts through the room like a knife, slicing right into me. When I turn, he's standing in the doorway, his expression carefully neutral but his eyes heavy with complex emotions.

"Byron," he says, not taking his eyes off me. "Mind if I borrow him for a minute?"

Byron glances between us, obviously sensing the tension. "Sure. I need to check some algorithms anyway." He gathers his laptop, nodding to us both before slipping out.

The silence that follows his departure is heavy with unspoken words.

"Walk with me," Rafael says finally. It's not a request.

Outside, spring sunshine does nothing to warm the chill between us. We move through Rosecreek's streets in silence, past pack members who give us curious looks but keep their distance. Everyone can sense the tension rolling off us in waves.

"She finally told me," Rafael says when we reach the edge of town. "About California. About what happened between you."

Of course, she did. They're siblings, close in a way that transcends blood. Still, something in my chest tightens at the thought of Camila sharing that pain.

"Rafael—"

"No." He stops walking, turning to face me fully. "You're going to listen. Because that's my sister, and I deserve to know what kind of man is living in my pack's territory. What kind of man broke her heart so completely that she spent five years running from everything that reminded her of home."

The words hit like physical blows. "I never meant to—"

"To what? To make her think she wasn't good enough? To leave her with a half-formed mate bond and no explanation? To turn her into someone who throws herself into dangerous situations just to prove she can survive them?"

Each accusation lands with brutal precision. Because he's right—about all of it. About what I did to her. About what she became because of my choices.

"You don't understand," I say quietly but not softly. I won’t back down from this.

I’m not Rafael’s Alpha, but I’m still an Alpha.

"I understand more than you think." Rafael's voice softens slightly, yielding only a little to my anger, though his eyes remain hard. "Your history with Kane. Thalia and I have been trying to figure it out. None of your pack will talk—clearly, they know about as much as you do about secrets. But we’re putting it together.”

I go still. "How?"

"I have my sources." He starts walking again, slower now. "I want to understand why you pushed her away. Why you thought distance would keep her safe.” He stops again, meeting my eyes with an intensity that reminds me of Camila. "I hold no ill will toward you, Marcus, I don’t. But if you didn’t have a damn good excuse, I’ll never forgive you. You’re the reason my sister vanished and never came back, not for five years. I can’t let that slide.”

The truth of it cuts deep. Because I've seen it now—seen the warrior she's become, the battles she's learned to fight. It was a long five years, clearly, for the both of us.

"I know," I say finally. "Believe me, I know."

"Do you?" Rafael's scent shifts with something like pity. "She hates that you’re here. She wishes she could never have to see you again.”

“If I had other options, I’d take them," I insist with no small amount of anger. "What he does to mates, to families... you haven't seen it. Haven't seen what he's capable of."

"No, I haven't." Rafael glares. "But I've seen what losing you did to my sister. And I'm telling you now—if you hurt her like that again, if you make her feel worthless again..." He lets the threat hang unfinished.

I won’t be intimidated. But I know he needs to hear me agree. "I understand."

"Do you? Because Kane's not the only threat in this world, Marcus. Sometimes, the people who love us can hurt us worse than any enemy."

Before I can respond, my phone buzzes with an urgent alert.

The message from Elena makes my blood run cold:

Possible Kane sighting 50 miles north. Three of his lieutenants spotted at a gas station. They're getting closer.

Rafael reads the shift in my body language, the sudden tension in my shoulders. "What is it?"

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