[unedited]

Rafael wandered into the kitchen upon returning from the hunt, with a slight spring in his step. Micah and Sandra jumped apart, the air full of sexual tension. An empty platter plate between them. Silence was the welcoming friend for his arrival. He was still covered in blood as he leisurely took his time to wash his hands. He could feel both their eyes on his back and he sifted through the kitchen, looking for something.

Settling on an apple, Rafael leaned against a counter, taking languid bites, chewing slowly. He didn't bother to hide his content smile as Micah raised his eyebrow. He had never Sandra but keeping her alive for a little longer wouldn't do any harm. Just as long as she didn't spill any secrets then he wouldn't have her disappear in a little accident.

Sandra just glanced between the two brothers. She knew better than to question the blood on Rafael. The less she knew the better when she eventually left. She was just stunned that Rafael hadn't made an attempt on her life... yet. The brothers never made any sense to her. It looks like she would need to make her escape soon.

"What?" Rafael innocently asked. He had taken the last bite of his apple, before disposing it.

"You don't even like apples," Micah commented. He knew his brother was up to something. That something was disturbing his small moments with Sandra.

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away, why are you both still here?" Rafael chuckled at his own joke as he left the room without a backwards glance. The underlying message was clear to the couple.

"Idiot," Micah replied, ignoring his warning. The reply only increased Rafael's laughter.

~*~

Rafael stood in front of his bedroom door. He knew she was inside, probably asleep. Before he had left for his hunt, he had demanded that she be sent to his room. His wolf had pushed until Micah gave in and allowed her to be moved to the luxury of his room. He would need to find somewhere else to sleep but for now he needed to get out of these clothes.

The door swung open silently. He took a few steps inside before he released that his bedside lamp was switched one. The soft light revealed Aiko sitting up. Rafael froze, unsure of how she would react to his blood soaked clothes. She just stared back at him. Rafael waited for his wolf's irritation to surface, but there was nothing.

"Why are you still awake?" He asked softly, relaxing as she had not started screaming or any sort of hysterics. The Japanese Mafia had raised strong individuals.

"I don't want to sleep..."

The unsaid reasons hung heavy in the room.

Rafael nodded, "I will be back."

He gathered clean clothes and rushed. The nightmares were at bay right now but they didn't need to spell their demons a loud to each other. Both of them laid bare to each other. They knew too much for anything to be ordinary.

Aiko shook away the sleep that was threatening her. This was reality, and even if there was a small chance that this wasn't reality, she rather stay here, away from her demons with the wolf. The wolf has proven to be benevolent but she had just caught sight of his malevolent side. The drugs had really clouded her mind. He was her only anchor at the moment. She didn't want to lose him.

"You're still awake." Rafael returned from his shower, dressed. He didn't want to frighten her off. There was something about her that called out to his wolf, his soul.

Aiko nodded.

"What can I do for you?" Rafael was unsure how to go forward. He was always in control but this time, he knew better than to take charge. He would do her bidding until she finally grasped that she was no longer in that hell. The drug had left both of them in disarray, but something has bought them together. Rafael knew better than to ignore the signs. For now he would be a servant to her.

"Stay."

It was a simple command. Rafael nodded, the underlying fatigue would have to wait. His body, mind, and soul had been through so much but this was the first time. He would perverse. His family were survivors, the only known wolves, the closest things to immortals that the world had even met.

"Lie down, you need to get some sleep. I will be here." Rafael went to move a chair to the bedside but Aiko shook her head and tapped the empty spot on the bed next to her. She wanted to know he was real. She needed to needed some contact. Just a little.

Rafael followed her summoning. He climbed onto the bed, staying above the covers., as she laid down and got comfortable.

Aiko felt the bed dip with his weight and took this as her chance to touch him. Just a quick tap. Skin to skin and nothing else. She turned around so her back was facing him, hint of smile on her face.

Rafael didn't bother hiding his smile.

"You need to sleep," he repeated. He took the chance to caress her long hair. Fingers tangled in her inky hair. His movement was languid and tender, slowly lulling her to sleep.

"Stay," she mumbled, before sleep took her away. Rafael didn't move from his place above the covers, sleep consuming him too.

Their eyes closed on a dark chapter, but when they woke, a new beginning would blossom.

~THE END~
~OF~
~PART ONE~