Before Rafe even opened his eyes, he could already hear sounds around him.
Voices.
Low murmurs.
And the steady, rhythmic beeping of a machine somewhere near his head.
The air smelled sterile, like herbs and medicine.
But beneath that—
There was another scent.
Faint.
Sweet.
Familiar in a way that made something deep inside him stir.
His wolf suddenly spoke inside his mind.
“Our mate is here.”
Rafe frowned slightly even before opening his eyes.
“What do you mean?” he muttered internally.
“Our mate is dead,” he snapped back mentally. “She was killed by that stupid bitch.”
The memory of Hazel’s lifeless body flashed in his mind, and rage surged through him like poison.
But his wolf did not retreat.
“Not that mate.”
There was excitement in his wolf’s voice.
“Our second chance
