Epilogue

Rafe pinned Kellan to the ground, his fangs dripping with blood. Rage tore through the wolf, as he recalled everything that had transpired. During the battle with Asmodeus, Kellan had used glamour to disguise himself. As Rafe launched his final attack against the human, the fae revealed his true nature and opened a portal.

Undaunted, Rafe had launched himself through the gateway, determined to mete out justice. No longer would the diabolical fae continue his reign of terror on the Earth. Not one more person would die from his hands.

Rafe and Kellan had spiraled through the portal into an alternate dimension. They plummeted into a purgatory of souls, not yet Hell but not with the Goddess. In the barren wasteland, Kellan had planned on killing Julian but had miscalculated his own abilities to do so. Instead, the wolf he'd poisoned would deliver the ultimate revenge.

Kellan had underestimated Rafe's power to survive the journey. Infused with the blood of an Alpha and chameleon, Rafe's own dominance and strength had escalated. Without thought to his life, the hybrid wolf-vampire had attacked Kellan, with relentless fury. In the desolate alternative universe that the fae had created, he would meet his final death.

Injured by the wolf, Kellan's maniacal laughter gurgled with blood. Rafe, in the form of his beast, had pinned him to the ground with his paws, growling, refusing to release him.

Rafe shifted to his human form, his fangs dripping with the fae's blood. No longer did the hellfire poison infect him. Whether it was the magick of the Alpha and chameleon, or immunity built from exposure, Rafe couldn't be certain. But he no longer suffered the effects of the fae, and retribution for the fae's crimes were within reach.

"It's over, Kellan. Lucifer will keep you forever. Enjoy Hell!" Rafe's fangs sliced through what remained of Kellan's neck. Vampire, he shredded the flesh until he decapitated the fae, Kellan's head rolling onto the ground.

The foundation beneath Rafe's feet tremored as Kellan's blood drained from his corpse, staining the brown soil black. Rafe reached for Kellan's head, grasping it by the roots of his scalp and tossed it off the cliff into the belly of the abandoned badlands.

Rafe fell to his knees, his body and mind reeling with the victory of finally killing Kellan, knowing he couldn't ever hurt someone he loved again. Though the vengeance was sweet, he loathed that the fae had dragged him into a hellish nightmare, a dimension he'd never seen or known.

As he looked over the endless valley of scorched earth, there was no evidence of life. Not a sound or a scent existed in the vast wilderness of purgatory. He looked to the black sky and released a guttural scream of glory and desperation. "Ahhhhh!!!!!"

As if the Goddess herself plucked him out of the wasteland, Rafe disappeared into the ether. As he lost consciousness, he gave in to fate, praying he'd survive.

* * *

"It's settled.I've given you a chance to care for the hybrid. Once again you've allowed him to risk his life for others."

Rafe heard the woman's voice speak of him. Lost in his dream, he fought to awaken.

"Good on the wolf for killing the fae. Kellan started this nightmare. Rafe nearly died from the cambion," a familiar male voice commented. Greyson?

"It is time for him to continue his training," the woman's voice insisted, her tone serious. "His power is too great to go without the knowledge. He must learn of his destiny. They will come for him again."

"Feed him. Fuck him. He'll be fine." another voice instructed. Viktor?

"The prophesy must be protected. Kellan's death was predicted. We must keep Rafe safe until he is ready to reign."

Confusion swept through Rafe as warm skin brushed against his, the scent of a human woman registering in his mind. Lips grazed his neck, fingers exploring his chest. Rafe's senses awakened, his cock thickened with arousal as a hand moved to his inner thigh. The thirst of the vampire urged him to feed, his fangs descending.

What is happening? Where am I? Rafe struggled to wake, controlling the beasts within him. His eyes fluttered open, hazy vision beginning to clear. He looked up at an ornate, stained glass cathedral ceiling, moonlight streaming through a clear crescent-shaped panel.

As his gaze fell to the bed, something moved beneath the thick silk purple bedding. His heart beating in anticipation, he lifted the blanket. A beautiful, nude woman peered up at him, her lips brushing over his pelvis.

"What…who are you?" Though he attempted to sit up, she placed a gentle hand on his chest, settling him back onto his pillow. She smiled and brought a single finger to her pursed full lips, silencing his concerns.

The door creaked, murmurs and curious whispers in the distance, drawing his attention away from the woman in his bed. He retracted his fangs, curious about the conversation. As he looked up, his heart raced as he caught sight of the witch talking to two men in the hallway. Vampires. Greyson and Viktor.

Like an ethereal Goddess, Ilsbeth turned to look at Rafe, her long white silver hair braided down her back. "Rafe has learned from ancient vampires and wolves. He's fed from the blood of the mated Alpha and chameleon. With strength greater than most creatures, he will learn of his destiny before he returns to Julian. He will learn the way of magick under a High Priestess…his schooling will commence in the morning."

As the great wooden door closed behind her, Rafe fell back into the bed and stared at the ceiling in disbelief. On any other day, he'd race to escape but whether it was Ilsbeth's magick or simply his desire to get away, to explore life, far from the chaos, he silently accepted the invitation. An odd sense of calm and contentment blanketed over him, as he resigned his fate. He closed his eyes, calling on the power of his wolf and vampire and in that very moment, the magick flickered, thrumming through his body, his power greater than ever.

He sucked a deep breath as warm lips pressed around his hardened cock, his fangs descending. Destiny had a funny way of giving you what you needed when you weren't asking. He might not roll with Ilsbeth for more than a day, but for tonight, he'd try to appreciate the adventure.

Rafe's arousal amped as the donor sucked his cock, his body on fire with lust. The sound of her heartbeat pounded like a drum in his ears, tempting him, his thirst teetering on the edge. He reached for her and flipped her onto her back. The willing donor sighed, lying nude with her arms and legs spread open on the bed, submitting, offering her neck to the vampire. Wild with hunger, Rafe focused in on his target, his fangs slicing into her creamy skin.

His senses went on alert as a bloodcurdling scream echoed from the hallway. Rafe released the donor and leapt off the bed. His pulse raced as he tore open the door and caught sight of the unadulterated carnage. As he shifted into wolf, he prepared once again for the fight.