Stronger as One (#1, Completed)

28. Where did that come from?

"The tattoo on your shoulder, you idiot. How long did it take you to come up with that?"

"With what?" He was trying to peek over his shoulder and clearly failing to see anything. "Fuck, Aiden- just tell me."

"No, you dumb arse. That's what your tattoo says, "How long did it take you to come up with that". Do you honestly not even know it is there?" Now it was my turn to be confused as I watched Rafe make his way to the mirror hanging above the sink close to us and look at the words etched on his shoulder. "What, you are next trying to convince me that it's a mating tattoo..." I laughed at my own joke.

I saw Rafe's eyes go wide like my words actually made him think it was a possibility. "You are one to talk. What the fuck is that on your torso?"

What the hell is he playing at? What on my torso? I looked down and there it was. The same cursive text but in gold and with different words.

Rafe laughed. "When this is over, I want my sanity back. Why the hell would you get that inked on your body?"

I stared at my own body in shock. This was not there before I left for the party, which could only mean one thing- I had met my mate. But how? There were no female dragon shifters there. There was no way that my mate was not one of my kind, right? My mind was having a hard time figuring it out right now. Then I thought about Rafe's tattoo and I realised that despite the fact I joked about it, he must have met his mate as well.

"Well, look at that. It seems that we have both met our mates tonight, Rafe. Apparently even an uncaring son of a bitch like you has been given someone by your Moon Goddess. Poor soul! Although, judging by her future words, it looks like she has already figured out your mental capacities." I grinned at him.

Rafe was looking unimpressed by now. "First of all, there must have been some mix-up as I neither need nor want a mate. Second, who the hell are you to laugh, Hayes? Have you seen your text- your mate sounds like she is stuck in a nightmare, losing her mind in it." 

Touché. Our mating tattoos didn't really reflect very well on either one of us and they gave us no clue as who our mates could be.

"Yeah, well, if she is not a dragon shifter, maybe my world might indeed seem crazy for her. I mean, can you imagine my mate having to put up with Cyrus? That in itself probably explains the words."

"Oh shit, man," the realisation had just dawned on Rafe, "It's true that there were no female dragon shifters tonight. So who the hell is your mate then?"

"Your guess is as good as mine, Rafe. I guess we will both have to wait and see." I opened the door of the sauna and walked in, seating myself on the hot wooden benches.

"I guess we will," Rafe confirmed as he joined me as well.

This was a problem to solve another day- now it was time to relax.

***

RAFE

"Hi, Nat. Where are you off to?" I said to my sister as she was practically running out of the house.

"Oh, hi Rafe. I'm going for a walk with Riley." 

Riley Moreau.

It had been a week since I met her at my father's party, the very same party where I had apparently met my mate. My wolf was not at peace ever since that night and it was starting to take a toll on me as I was becoming even grumpier than usual.

"What is it with you and her? Is she your best friend now? Are there no girls your age to hang out with? I am not sure she is a good influence." To be honest, I was not sure where all of that came from but it was already out of my mouth before I had a chance to stop myself from saying it.

My sister stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at me, giving me the most pissed off look that she could possibly come up with. But then again, this was Natalia and even when she was angry she looked cute and nice.

"Listen up, Rafe Macalister, you might be my big brother and I love you to the moon and back but you don't get to tell me who I can be friends with. Should I also remind you that Riley was the one that helped me the day that I got injured." Her last words got to me more than I cared to admit because we had still not caught the perpetrators and because I had not been there to protect my sister.

"I'm sorry, Nat. I didn't mean to sound like a prick."

"Well, you did. What's up with you lately anyway? Is it Amy? She keeps on looking for you around the pack's grounds."

Amy was the least of my problems but it was true that she was a pain as well. "Yeah, it's Amy." Lying felt easier than admitting that I had no clue what was really wrong with me. "She won't leave me alone and it's pissing me off."

"Well, tell her that you are not interested."

"You think I haven't tried? Anyway, I don't want to keep you from your walk. Just be careful, please."

"Relax, Rafe- I will be with Riley." She walked over to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek before she went out, giggling. "See you later, big brother."