Raphael watched as the twigs he'd piled in the fireplace began to smoulder and catch. Small flames began to lick at the kindling as he fed a larger log into the fire. The witch and he had sat up talking most of the previous night and into the early hours of the morning. He still couldn't believe she had been living with his brothers, that she'd played chess with Gabriel and learnt to sword fight with Winston, it sounded so surreal. The pang of jealousy for the closeness she'd shared with his brothers made him feel ashamed. Almost as shamed as he felt that his brothers had spent years protecting his bride while he'd been living a peaceful quiet life. Her scent filled his cabin and was the only thing that didn't have him convinced it had all been a delusion. He felt so much guilt, how could he have just left her? Ok, she hadn't known about her brother's threat, but he shouldn't have just assumed she would reject him. Rejection was pretty rare after all. It was hard to reject someone your entire being was geared up to fall in love with on sight. They were soul mates after all even if they didn't really know each other yet. That was meant to be the fun part, the learning about each other.

After they had slept, her in his bed and him in one of his chairs, he'd saddled Areion and taken her to the village so she could take advantage of the bathhouse and get into clean clothes. He'd been fascinated by the wide-legged trousers she'd worn and the clean pair she'd pulled out of her bag. They were so like some his mother had owned. It nearly floored him when she said Gabriel had given their mothers to her and she'd had many more made over the years. He was so glad Duncan had chased down and retrieved her horse, it hadn't even crossed his mind at the time. If the wolf hadn't her clothes and other possessions she'd carried with her would have been lost.

He'd gotten some food from the storehouse as he never did make it on his hunting trip with Duncan and left Areion to bring Rouge back whilst he prepared a decent meal for her. His cabin suddenly felt small and lonely without her in it.

Once the fire was going he moved his copper cooking pot on its hook over the flames then he turned to get the meat and vegetables to make a stew.

Bryn was standing in the cabin doorway watching him, it made him visibly jump. He'd been so lost in his own thoughts he hadn't heard the she-wolf come in. He stared at her wide-eyed, his mind reeling.

"Is that for her?"

"What do you want Bryn?" She looked upset and hurt.

"She's a waif, she can't look after herself. She'll be a burden to you. It's not like something that small and weak can give you strong healthy sons." He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Bryn, please don't do this."

"We've watched each other for years. I know you like me. We'd be a better match." He opened his eyes and gazed at her angry hurt expression.

"She's my fated one Bryn."

"It's not fair. I've been here all these years. She hasn't."

"Bryn, there's never been anything between us, literally nothing."

"There should have been." She walked over to him and went to place her hand on his chest. He caught it before she could and gently pushed it away.

"When you meet your fated mate you'll understand Bryn." He turned from her and started placing the food he'd prepared on the table into the copper pot.

"If she was dead your bond would break." He felt his fangs lengthen and his vision sharpen as his eyes turned black.

"I'll say this once Bryn. She is my fated Bride. If anything happens to her I WILL kill you." His voice came out a feral snarl. Bryn leapt back and nearly crashed into the door frame in her hurry to leave.

***

Outside the cottage, Duncan was just lifting Rouge down from Areion's back as his cousin came running from the cottage mid-transformation. He stopped dead in his tracks as he and the witch watched the wolf disappear into the tree line on the other side of the clearing and her dress fall to the floor. The wolf put the witch down and they went into the cottage. He didn't have to ask what happened as he looked at his friend leaning over the table, his eyes black and his fangs on display.

"She pushed?" Raphael didn't answer and looked down in shame.

"I'll go after the lass." He nodded to Rouge and left quietly. She crossed the room and put her hand on his arm.

"Are you ok?" He took her in his arms and held her close.

"I'm fine Red. She just hit a nerve." He kissed the top of her head and felt himself calming. She wasn't sure what had happened exactly but she could guess. Had he and the wolf been lovers all these years? She felt her heart tighten and her breath catch in her throat at the sickening thought.

***

Duncan felt conflicted as his paws pounded the ground. He knew if Bryn had pulled the usually even-tempered vampires demon to the front she'd crossed a line but at the same time she was his cousin and he wanted to protect her. Spying her laying on a crag ahead of him he slowed and sat on the ground nearby. Reaching out with his mind he poked at hers.

"Bryn?"

"Go away Duncan."

"What happened?"

"Nothing!" Her voice in his head sounded like a petulant child's.

"Bryn? What happened? He didn't vamp out on you for no reason." She glanced over at him and whined, her ears pulled back against her head and her tail tucked low.

"I just asked him if he was sure about the witch."

"Raphael wouldn't lose it over that. He'd be more likely to feel guilty. So what did you say?" She whimpered again and covered her eyes with her paws.

"I was upset. Why are you defending him? I'm your family."

"Bryn!" Her evading his question told him she had been completely out of line. She was a good lass but she could be nasty when she wanted. "What did you say? Or do I need to get my father involved?"

"I said if the witch was dead their bond would break, ok?" For a moment all he could do was stare at the wolf as the breeze ruffled her tawny fur.

"You what?" She stood up and made to run off. He pounced on her and easily pinned her with his much larger and stronger wolf form.

"Get off." She squirmed and struggled but it was useless.

"You threatened his bride? You're lucky he didn't kill you. What the Hades were you thinking?"

"That I waited for him for five years and she just rides in and takes him from me. It's not fair. I didn't threaten her anyway, I never said I'd kill her"

"She didn't take him from you Bryn. He was never yours."

"He could have been." She whined like a child.

"No cousin. He was always hers. Just as you would have been your fated ones had Raphael accepted your advances and he'd then shown up."

"You're assuming I have one. I'll be alone forever while that bitch gets my happy ever after."

"Bryn, leave it out. Your true mate is out there somewhere. Don't chase after someone else's. It's beneath ya." She squirmed and looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears and a hint of fear.

"I knew you'd take her side."

"There's no side to take. You need to find your own fated one Bryn."

"I don't want to leave the Isle to find him." Duncan listened to the pain in her voice and slowly stood up and shook his shaggy red coat before backing off.

"What if I promise to leave with ya? I have nay found my own Mate. We could search for them together." The she-wolf looked up at him, tears on her furry cheeks.

"I wanted Raph."

"I know ya did lass. But he is nay yours. We'll go search for our Mates together." The she-wolf's ears began to prick up as she considered what he'd said.

"But we might not find them."

"Aye. We might not, or it might take years of searching. You've a big heart Bryn. I can nay see the Fates not giving you a loving mate to fill a home with puppies." They sat in silence for a while, she leaned her head against his furry shoulder.

"Do you think he'll be a wolf?"

"Will it matter if he isn't?" She thought quietly for a moment.

"No. But it would be nice if he is as handsome as Raphael." Duncan snorted. "I shouldn't have said what I did. I didn't really mean it"

"I know."

***

Rouge looked at Raphael's barely touched stew as she finished her own.

"You're not eating?" He pushed his bowl away and smiled at her. She studied his face for a moment.

"When did you last feed?"

"Earlier today, we had bread and cheese together." She frowned at him.

"Raph, I spent the last five years living with two full and one-half vampires. When did you last feed?" He looked uncomfortable.

"I'm fine." Winston had mentioned more than once how uncomfortable Raphael was about his need to feed. The dwarf mentioned once how uncomfortable it made his mother which was likely where his unease came from.

"You don't need to be embarrassed or ashamed, I know you need blood." He shot her a repulsed look then looked away. Just as she was about to reach out to him someone knocked at the cabin door. Raphael practically leapt up from his chair and dashed over to it. Duncan stood behind it looking awkward.

"Sorry, I know..."

"Yes, our hunting trip. I was just about to tell Rouge about it." He turned to the witch. "I'm running short of provisions. Will you be ok if I go hunting?" She looked from the vampire to the confused-looking wolf and nodded.

"Of course." Raphael seemed to grow a little easier and gave her a small smile

"There are books on the shelves and Areion and your horse is grazing out here if you get lonely. I won't be long." With a brief smile, he left the cabin and shut the door. Rouge pulled a face, he was keeping a distance from her which she could understand as it had only been a day but he couldn't not feed because she was here.

***

"What was that about?" Asked Duncan as they moved away from the cabin.

"I'm starving." The wolf frowned.

"Have you not fed?"

"We never went hunting and I've fought since then." As they reached the tree line Duncan unbuttoned his trousers and threw off his shirt as he morphed into his wolf form. Raphael let his fangs and claws elongate and his eyes turned back as they both took off at a run through the trees. Duncan paused and scented the air before turning to the left. Raphael was close on his heels. They darted through the trees before soon slowing as Duncan scented again. The wolf tipped his head towards a thicket where one of the many stags on the Island was standing. As one they tore into the thicket, Duncan reached the animal first and sunk his teeth into its shoulder and barreled it to the ground. As he pinned it Raphael sunk his fangs into the creature's throat and began drinking as he stroked its fur. The animal bucked for a moment but the odd soothing sounds the vampire made as he fed calmed it and it went oddly still. Raphael drank and drank. He hadn't been so hungry in so long, he'd been overdue a feed when Rouge showed up, now he was starving. Releasing the deer Duncan dropped back and let his friend feed. He found a mossy area and stretched out to snooze in the cool evening breeze as he licked the blood from his own teeth.

When the stag's heartbeat was almost gone Raphael released it and stroked its fur until it took its last breath.

"Duncan?" The wolf stretched and yawned then wandered back over and looked at the vampire with his shaggy head cocked to one side.

"Guess I'm carrying him back then?" The wolf grinned at him and yipped.

"Hmm." Huffed the vampire as he hefted the animal over his shoulders. Duncan took off at a run ahead of him as Raphael took a leisurely stroll back to the village. After a time Duncan re-emerge in his human form and dressed.

"He's a biggun."

"Yep. Should get some nice steaks off him."

"Going to join us for dinner?"

"I'll take two to go if that's OK? I want to see how Rouge is."

"I don't know," said the wolf as he fell into step beside his friend. "Find your bride and drop your friends. She's got you whipped already." Raphael laughed.

"I just want to see how she is, I kind of ran out on her."

"You're going to have to feed in front of her sometime you know." The Vampire snorted and handed the carcass off to the wolf.

"Maybe."

***

When Raphael returned to his cabin he found Rouge sound asleep. She was so beautiful sleeping on his bed, her red hair fanned out about her. He wanted to bury his face in it and inhale her scent.

"Hmm?" She muttered as she stirred.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." Her emerald eyes fluttered open as she stretched.

"It's OK, I just grabbed a nap, you look better."

"I fed." She noted the way he looked away from her as if embarrassed.

"So you were hungry?" He nodded. She could see he was uncomfortable and dropped it for the time being. He moved to stand by the fire and watch it crackle and dance as she got up from the bed and moved to join him.

"Raph?"

"Yes?" He didn't look up from the flames.

"Do you wish you had a different fated one? The she-wolf that was here earlier?" He stared at her in horror.

"What? Bryn? Why would you ever think that?" She licked her lips as her mouth suddenly felt dry.

"She... you..." she took a breath and started again. "She was very upset as she ran out of here and you were... shaken." He made as if he was about to reach out for her then stopped himself.

"Bryn is Duncan's cousin. She is interested in me, but there has been and is nothing between us." It was her turn to stare into the fire.

"Would you like there to have been?" Her voice sounded small and distant. He sighed heavily.

"What do you want me to say Red?"

"The truth." He ran his hand down his face and let out a shaky breath.

"We talked last night."

"I talked, you mostly listened."

"Would I have liked to spend the last five years in the warm embrace of a woman who wanted me? Yes, of course. I won't lie to you." Rouge felt tears prick at her eyes. "Bryn is a good-looking woman. But as soon as I laid eyes on you, you were all my demon wanted. I spent five years avoiding her advances because you became the only woman for me. I spent my waking hours trying not to think of you and my sleeping hours fantasizing about being in your heart, your arms, and even your bed. I spent five years thinking I was destined to be alone and lonely because I wasn't good enough for a creature as fine and beautiful as you." Rouge looked up at his handsome tortured face as a tear rolled down her cheek. He looked broken and all she wanted to do was hold him tight and try to pull the pieces back together.

Reaching out she stroked his face with her hand as he closed his eyes and turning his head kissed her soft palm.

"Let's start again, let's do things how we should have done when we first met, had I not been hurt and my brother hadn't threatened you." Raising her other hand she gently pulled his face down so she could press her lips against his. His hands snaked about her waist and pulled her so their bodies pressed together. Their tongues danced as they kissed deeply and desperately. Lifting her from her feet he carried her the short distance to the bed, setting her down gently without breaking the kiss. Her hands began to explore his body as his arms held him above her. She let her fingers roam across his taut shoulders and down to his muscled chest. Wanting to feel his skin she let her hands trail lower and started to tug at the hem of his shirt. He finally broke the kiss long enough to tug his shirt over his head and come back to her. His skin felt so good under her hands as she began to trace his muscles with her hands. She reached down and tugged at the lacing on her blouse exposing her bare breasts to him then pulled him back to her for another passionate kiss.

As her small round breast pressed against his chest it was all Raphael could do not to dip his head down and take one in his mouth. He kissed her desperately as his cock began to swell so painfully he was growing desperate for her. Years of want were flooding through him. She pulled back from the kiss and he felt her hands stroke their way down to his trousers. He pulled back and looked at her beautiful face, her breathing was shallow and eyes dilated with lust, he could smell her desire and it was driving him insane.

"Are you sure?" She nodded and absently licked her lips. Supporting himself on one arm he tugged at his fly so the buttons popped open and shimmied the garment down his hips before kicking them off. As he did she unbuttoned her culottes and arching her back pulled them down. Her breasts came up and he couldn't help but duck his head to catch one in his mouth. She gasped as he began to suck and lick at her swollen nipple, the sound only served to make him need her all the more. Moving his mouth to her other breast he let his hand slide between her legs and stroked her soft red curls. She groaned and her legs fell apart as if of their own volition. Finding her folds already wet for him he stroked her gently, revelling in the way her hips came up to meet his touch and her breaths came in small gasps.

Letting go of her breast he positioned himself between her open legs and met her lust-drunk gaze as her hand snaked up around his neck. He thrust deep into her and froze when she whimpered and gasped in pain.

"Red?" Afraid to move, his cock remained motionless inside her as he stared in horror at her pain-filled face. "You're a virgin?"

"Yes," she whispered and swallowed hard.

"I... I didn't know." He made to pull away from her but her thighs tightened around him.

"Just... give me a moment." Seeing her in pain was breaking his heart, if he'd known he would never have just taken her like that. Why hadn't he asked, why had he assumed she would have been with someone else before. His cock was throbbing and his demon was screaming for him to take her. She reached her hand to his and interlaced their fingers to hold his hand tightly as she let out a breath.

"Slowly?" She asked in a whisper. Every so gently he began to pull out of her and just as slowly began to push into her again. She wiggled a little under him as he set the slowest pace he could manage. It was pure torture, he was inside his beautiful witch and couldn't just take her. Slowly she relaxed more and more and began to move in time with him, coaxing him to go faster. He was beginning to lose himself to this beautiful creature as their pace quickened and she pulled him closer to her again. His fangs were beginning to elongate and he could feel his demon coming to life and hear it screaming for her. Burying his face in the pillow he held her tighter in his arms as she began to thrash underneath him.

Rouge felt a strange pressure building inside her then arched her back and screamed as it exploded. She had never felt anything so intense. Clawing at Raphael's back with her free hand she didn't even notice how much it hurt her arm and squeezed his hand so tight with her other hand her nails clawed into the back of his hand she groaned and whimpered.

Raphael's hand was burning as she squeezed it hard and dug her nails into it but it was more like the memory of a burn as his own climax built. He soon joined her as he came hard and bit into the pillow to stop himself from sinking his fangs into the soft white flesh of her slender neck.