Page 101 of Wolf Mate

I wished that was the only problem, but my heart was turning to mush at his sincerity. “Fine. But you seem intent on making this a habit.”

“In fairness, I didn’t expect to meetyou,so we have to figure this out together.” He leaned over and kissed my forehead. “I’m just so damn glad you’re willing.”

Together.

He knew the word to use to breach my defenses, but I couldn’t ignore what had happened to Edward and almost to Dave. “Did you kill Edward?”

He flinched and straightened. “I see Hecate and Zella didn’t waste any time filling you in. Frankly, I was surprised Slade hadn’t.”

I crossed my arms, my blood skipping the jolt and heading straight to the fizz. “That’s not an answer.” I didn’t like him speaking in riddles. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He ran a hand over his face. “I didn’t want you to blame yourself for Edward’s death. You were already exhausted afterdamn near imploding. I wasn’t trying to hide it or lie to you. I just wanted to protect you.”

Some of my anger thawed. Unfortunately, he was right—knowing what really happened could have tipped me over again. “Still, why did you kill him? It was the first time he’d ever gone crazy like that, and my blood made Dave struggle.”

He lifted both hands. “Babe, when a vampire loses control like that, it’s easier for them to do it again and risk exposing our entire world. We can’t chance that. I know it seems brutal and believe me, it brings me no joy. But if a vampire becomes blood-crazed and we don’t end them, we risk not only outing our world but humans getting hurt horrendously and becoming blood slaves.”

When he put it like that, it created a different image. I could read his sincerity and regret.

I exhaled. “But still—”

“You weren’t thrilled about vampires feeding on humans, remember?” He tilted his head and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “We understand that they need food, but if we let one vampire get out of control to save someone who can’t be saved, the vampires with control will start slipping. Wolf shifters are in charge of protecting humans and the secrets of the supernatural. I’m not saying our methods are perfect, but they are necessary.” He stepped toward me again.

I placed a hand on his chest, still needing one question answered. “And Dave? What about him? You threatened to kill him, and he didn’t lose control.”

“He was going to hurtyou.” Raffe’s nostrils flared. “He was damn close to stalking you, which is when the predator in them comes out. The thought of you being in that situation again …” He trailed off, his emotions so strong I could feel them. Devastation, fear, and anger. He moved to me again, and I let him wrap his arms around me. “I’d do anything to protect you.”

“But I need you to promise you won’t unless someone actually harms me.” All the reasons I had to stay away from Raffe had slipped my mind. He was being honest, and if he was playing me, he could’ve called them liars. “Dave was trying so hard not to hurt me, yet you still threatened him.”

He snorted. “Not ending him goes against my very nature and wolf when it comes to you.”

I smiled tenderly, placing my hands on his chest. “But that’s what I’m asking.”

“Fine.” He kissed my forehead. “For you, I swear to try.” He moved to my lips and kissed me softly and sweetly.

His scent mixed with soap made my head swim, and I deepened the kiss. He opened his mouth, allowing my tongue entrance, and I pressed my body against his.

Growling, he grabbed my ass and lifted me against him, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. My body buzzed and my heart pounded. Each kiss was better than the last.

He cupped my breast as he pulled away from my mouth and kissed his way down my neck. I hadn’t even realized we’d moved until he laid me down on my bed and hovered over me. I unwrapped my legs and began pulling at his shirt.

He chuckled and removed his shirt then tossed it on the floor.

I would never tire of this view. His bare chest was muscular and beautiful, and his six-pack curved in dangerous ways. I wanted to do things with him that I’d never done with anyone before. He edged my shirt up my torso, the faint glow in his eyes surging, which turned me on even more. I loved the idea of him needing me so badly that his wolf peeked through.

He slipped his hand under my bra and rubbed my nipple, and my body arched just as I heard steps heading toward my door.

I hadn’t heard the front door open.

Raffe jumped from the bed and had reached for his shirt when my bedroom door burst open. He stood in front of me and blocked the person’s view as I adjusted my clothing.

Someone barged into my room, and I shrieked as Keith snarled, “I fuckingknewit.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Iyanked my top down, and Raffe’s back tensed. I could see every muscle before his shirt covered him again.

This was bad.

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