Page 51 of Wolf Mate

“Please don’t.” The corners of her lips tipped upward. “I meant if you feel bad, strange, or need amazing company, message me. Don’t just tell me all the annoying things Slade does. I’d get no rest.”

His forehead creased, and he tilted his head. “You know I’m right here, right? Or did I become invisible in the last few seconds?”

“Oh, believe me.” Lucy rocked back on her heels. “You didnotbecome invisible. Or mute.”

Okay, maybe she wasn’t as forceful about her dislike, but she had no qualms about making it clear he wasn’t her favorite person.

“Go, take a nap while you still can.” I made a shooing gesture. The longer these two remained together, the snippier they got. “I have you on speed dial.”

She yawned. “Okay. See you later.”

As she walked off, other people watched her as well, although they weren’t gawking like they had with Raffe. Still, they kept flicking their gazes back to me.

Yeah, this was something I was all too familiar with. They wanted to know what had happened but weren’t willing to talk to the outcast that someone popular had shunned. Good, they could remain clueless for all I cared.

When Lucy was far enough away, Slade muttered, “Damn wolf shifters.”

We didn’t have much time, but with him referencing the species as a whole, I had a question. “Isthatthe problem, or is it those particular people?” From what the vampire in the bookstore had said, it seemed to be Raffe and his group specifically.

“That species in particular, but thatgroupis the worst of them by far.” He clutched his latte again but didn’t raise the cup. “They’re the ones who call the shots, but most of them go along with it, so …”

I couldn’t blame Slade for feeling that way. That was how popular kids and bullying worked. The ones who let it happen and didn’t stand in its way were as bad as the antagonists. “What do they do that’s so bad?”

“Raffe and his family aren’t supposed to have authority overallof us.” He scanned the room, likely looking for any eavesdroppers. “But they do.”

Thatwas interesting. I opened my mouth to ask more questions, but he subtly shook his head and glanced over my shoulder toward the cafeteria.

That was all the hint I needed to close my mouth tight. I didn’t need the supernaturals watching me more closely. I shivered, thinking about how Edward had attacked me.

“Even though that’s true, Raffe is acting moodier than usual.” Slade played with the cardboard sleeve around the cup. “Did anything strange happen before I joined you three?”

“Nope.” I popped thep,wanting to end this conversation. I felt like the moment Raffe and I had shared last night had made today’s encounter more volatile, but that was something I wouldn’t share with anyone … not even my two friends. I needed to forget it even happened.

At that thought, my mouth tingled faintly, remembering the way his lips had felt as they’d brushed mine.

We needed to change the subject pronto.

“From what I’ve heard, King Jovian is putting a lot of pressure on him.” Slade tapped the table with his free hand. “Apparently, shortly after Raffe graduates, a transition is expected to happen.”

That would be quite a burden to carry. I struggled to keep my blood under control. I couldn’t imagine taking over a position with that level of responsibility, especially when all the other supernaturals resented it.

I laughed bitterly. “My volatile ass must be making it harder on him.” Maybe that was why he’d joined Lucy and me. He was afraid I’d lose control and cause another scene, one he’d have to clean up.

“Don’t worry about him.” Slade reached across the table and placed his hand on top of mine. “Raffe is a jerk, and that’s putting it politely.”

His touch was warm and comforting, but that was all. I wished my skin would tingle or buzz when he touched me. It would make things so much easier, especially since he liked spending time with me. I smiled, and the gesture eased some of my pain. “You’re right. That is putting it mildly.”

When he didn’t remove his hand, the warmth vanished and changed to discomfort. I slid my hand out from under his and removed my phone from my back pocket. We had ten minutes until class began. “We need to get moving, or we’ll be late.” Though I felt better, I wasn’t back to one hundred percent, and I doubted I could walk quickly.

Thankfully, the caffeine and Advil were kicking in, so I should be able to make it through our classes.

“You’re right.” He stood and grabbed my backpack and his own.

I held out my hand to take mine from him, but he took a step back. “Let’s not push it. You’re pale and a little shaky. Let me carry your backpack to our first class.”

Once again, I didn’t understand why Raffe kept warning me off him. He made it sound like Slade wasn’t a nice guy, but here he was, offering to take care of me. “Okay.”

He winked, and we headed to class.

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