Page 45 of Wolf Mate

It was his turn to blink. “I’m not comfortable with the turn this conversation took, and I think I might want to erase it from my mind. Please tell me that ninety-nine point nine percent DNA match was you talking out of your ass like Keith does.”

I giggle-snorted because, you know, snorting wasn’t embarrassing enough. “Nope. I’m pre-vet, and that’s a fact. But I’m sure your DNA isn’tthatclose a match, with your human side and all.”

“First off, it’s wolf shifter.” His shoulders shook. “Second, let’s get back on topic. You’re making it really hard to stay mad at you, which is unusual for me.”

A shiver shot through me. Even if it wasn’t the same sort of effect he had on me, at least I’d challenged him. “Look, I’m not trying to be rude or mean, but what I’m saying is true. You have a wolf pack hierarchy, and you, as the prince and all, are at the top. If Adam and Keith are the ones you lean on, that means they’re strong too. You expect everyone to fall in line. That’s not how I work, nor do I want to. I’ve met enough bullies in my lifetime.”

“Everything I’m doing is to protect you.” Raffe stood and turned to me. “Don’t you see that? Yet you’re determined to get yourself into trouble.”

“You’re protecting me by trying to control me and my blood issues?” I understood others called what I had magic, but that didn’t feel right to me. The power felt like a lifeline, just like the blood running through my body. “Slade is helping me so I don’t lose control in front of humans. You shouldsupportthat.” That was the part I didn’t get. Raffe didn’t want me to risk being around humans, but he didn’t want me to learn how to control the ancient power flowing through me.

He placed a hand on his chest. “I do support that, but you don’t needhimto help you.”

“Maybe not.” I shrugged. Now that I’d had some guidance from Slade, maybe I could figure things out on my own. He hadn’t found any more information, so it wasn’t like he had inside knowledge of how my power worked. “But I do need a friend, and with your little temper tantrum about not being associated with me, Lucy and I can’t hang out, and none of the other supernaturals will approach me. So maybe I don’tneedhim to help me, but Iwanthim to as afriend.”

Raffe rubbed the back of his neck. “Is that all you two are? Friends?” His bicep bulged with each stroke of his hand, and the muscles in his jaw twitched. He bit his bottom lip, and the show of insecurity made my mouth go dry.

The yanking between us strengthened more than ever before. The only reason I remained sitting on my bed instead of crawling to him was, if I moved too much, I’d get dizzy.

For some reason, he seemed invested in my answer. I could’ve just said yes, but my relationship status shouldn’t matter to him. “Why do you care?” He had Josie. I needed to know if what I felt was one-sided. Needed it confirmed so I could take the rejection and move on.

His hands fell to his sides, and he sat back down on the bed. He’d moved closer to me, and our faces were a foot apart.

“I shouldn’t care.” His focus settled on my lips. “But seeing you and Slade together like that earlier … it tore me apart.”

Without thinking, I licked my lips. His minty breath hit my face, and I had to fight to keep myself from leaning toward him and pressing my mouth to his.

I needed to keep a clear head. If I already felt this strong of a connection with him, I didn’t need to add a kiss to the mess. That could ruin me.

Still, he had someone, and I refused to reassure him about Slade when Raffe and I meant nothing to one another. “What are you saying? You told everyone you didn’t want to be around me.”

“I wish that was the problem, Skylar.” He sighed, and his face inched closer.

Theyankbetween us was so palpable that my chest ached. “Then what’s the real problem?” He needed to say the words. He loved Josie. It was the slap in the face I needed to wake me up.

“Wecan’tbe together.” His features twisted in agony. “No matter how much I want it.”

Wait. My heart fluttered even though it needed to remain cool and calm. All it heard was that he wanted to be with me. It didn’t comprehend thecan’t be togetherpart. “Why not?” I tensed, waiting for the barrage of insults. I was a weirdo, a freak, unworthy. All the things everyone had told me my entire life.

“You’re human, and I’m a wolf shifter.” He winced. “It’s forbidden for shifters to be with anyone who isn’t supernatural and frowned upon for us to date someone outside our own species. I’m the future king, so we …us… it can’t happen.” But even as he said the words, he inched closer. “If I wasn’t the king’s heir and hadn’t been preparing for the transition my entire life, things would be different.”

My eyelashes fluttered. His mouth was inches from mine. I wanted him to close the distance.

He must have read my mind because his lips brushed mine. Electric sparks sizzled on my lips, the shock enough to make one word flash into my mind.

Forbidden.

He’d never be with me. This would only demolish my already fractured heart.

I touched his chest and pushed him back slightly. As his eyes opened, a subtle glow within them hinted at something supernatural that I couldn’t quite grasp, but at least I understood his position.

“I can’t.” I shook my head. “We can’t. It’s not fair to either one of us.” I couldn’t bring myself to mention Josie.

“Yeah.” He climbed to his feet and tugged on the hem of his shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles. “You’re right. I should go. It’s not smart for me to be here.”

A stupid part of me wanted to beg him to stay, but the survivor in me said he needed to leavenow. “You should.”

He frowned like he’d hoped I’d have a different answer. “Lucy’s bringing you something back to eat. You should get more rest.”

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