Page 40 of Wolf Mate

“Hell no.” I lifted a hand. “But we’re science majors, so we should make sure we get terms right. I can’t have you tainting my degree and all.”

“Skylar, we’re science majors, not psychologists.” He patted his chest. “I get a pass.”

I booped him on the nose and scrunched my face. “Nope, you’re with me. That means the bar is set way higher.” I almost choked, realizing how those words could be taken. I opened my mouth to clarify what I’d meant, but before I could mitigate the damage, Keith cooed from behind us, “Aww.”

I tensed, hoping he was talking about someone else and not adding to my faux pas, but then the nape of my neck sizzled. I hated that I knew Raffe was there and his attention was on me. It made my stomach feel funny and quickened my breathing.

“It looks like Slade finally found a girlfriend,” Keith continued. “I never thought he’d find someone he enjoyed spending time with as much as himself.”

A lump lodged in my throat, and I couldn’t swallow.

A group of guys walking by snickered, reminding me we had an audience. I glanced around, noting that the grassy area between classes was filled with students heading to and from class.

“Don’t be a douchebag,” Slade muttered as he turned in their direction. “You three made it clear that you didn’t want to hang out with Skylar, but that doesn’t mean no one else does. She’s cool, and you’re the ones missing out on getting to know her. Now, you better run along before someone thinks you’re talking to us. They might get the wrong idea.”

I mashed my lips together to keep from smiling. I loved how he didn’t give a shit about these three. He was one of the few who always stood strong in front of them. The smart version of me would have kept my back to them, but that damn yank tugged me around, and my eyes immediately found Raffe’s.

His nostrils were flared, and his hands were clenched tightly into fists. He stood between Adam and Keith, rage rolling off him. I could sense it without my blood humming.

Something had pissed him off, likely Slade, and worse, a part of me was thrilled that he was fuming. My attraction was taking on a life I hadn’t experienced before. If we’d been alone, I’d have been rubbing my body all over him.

“Leave them alone.” Adam pinched the bridge of his nose. “Do you want something to happen?” He gestured at me, referencing my wonky blood and not Slade’s mouth.

I huffed, the insinuation hurting, though I hadn’t been able to control the magic until earlier today. I had to believe that was progress. “Come on, Slade.” I wouldn’t stand here while they ridiculed me. I’d done that enough my whole life.

“Yeah, run off like a scared—” Keith started, but a deep rasp cut him off.

“Don’t finish that sentence. It’s in your best interest to shut up,” Raffe said.

“What thehell, man?” Keith jerked back and crossed his arms.

With Raffe’s angry gaze on Keith, I placed my hand on Slade’s forearm. I nudged him and whispered, “Let’s go.”

As soon as my hand touched Slade, Raffe’s gaze homed in. His breathing sped up, and he took a hurried step toward Slade.

My ears rang as theyankbetween us intensified.

“You’re right.” Slade wrinkled his nose. “Raffe needs to get a handle on his guard dog.”

He took my hand in his and started to lead me away. The way our hands molded together didn’t feel right. In fact, it felt as if I was doing something wrong.

“That’s not who I need to get a handle on,” Raffe damn near growled, and my head snapped back toward him.

Guilt crashed over me, suffocating me, and I released Slade’s hand. The moment I stopped touching Slade, Raffe’s body relaxed marginally.

The damage was done. Adam pressed a hand to Raffe’s chest, holding him back and stepping between Raffe and me.

Slade grabbed my wrist and pulled on me harder. Finally, my feet moved as if whatever trance I’d been in had eased enough for me to move away from Raffe. My heart pounded, and my blood fizzed.

I’d been so caught up in Raffe, his anger, and my insanely wild attraction that I hadn’t been aware of how close I’d beento combusting. Adjusting my backpack, I moved quicker, not needing to be dragged anymore, and Slade released his grasp on me.

Every cell in my body wanted me to look over my shoulder, but I fought the instinct. If I glanced back, chances were good that I would try to head back to him. I had to move forward in all ways and stop pining for a guy who was with another girl.

“You four don’t get along.” I shook my head, trying to say something, anything, to keep me from spinning and making more of an ass of myself.

“Uh … yeah, but Raffe has never acted likethat.” Slade bit his bottom lip. “Normally, he would’ve stepped in like Adam to shut Keith up, but I wasn’t sure who Raffe was more upset with, Keith or me.”

I’d noticed that too, though for the last little bit, I’d been convinced he was going to kick Slade’s ass. “But it was weird. They all stopped talking despite Adam blocking Raffe.” The back of my neck tingled again, and I took another step away from Slade. I didn’t understand why, but the urge was so strong I couldn’t fight it.

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