Page 53 of Wolf Mate

My blood jolted, the peace I’d found at the shelter already in my rearview mirror.

I put the car into drive, knowing I didn’t have to answer right away. I didn’t want to do something stupid, but I wanted to scream at the idea of being alone in the apartment when I had a chance to hang out with Slade and others who were as similar to me as I could find.

Hands tightening on the steering wheel, I followed the roads back to campus. With every mile, my decision became clearer.

Why was I letting Raffe control my life? I wasn’t a supernatural and hadn’t I allowed enough bullies to control me? That’s essentially what he was. He wanted to keep me isolated while he got to be with friends and Josie. In other words, he got to live his life.

None of it was fair.

It ended now.

When I pulled into my spot in the parking lot, I replied to Slade.

Me: You know what? I’m in, but I’ll meet you at the stadium.

I didn’t want him to get the impression it was a date. He’d been touching my hands and arms more often, so I had to make sure I kept my boundaries.

Slade: Fine, I’ll save you a seat.

Noting I had an hour to get ready, I hurried into the apartment. I’d been around animals all day, so I wanted to take a shower.

Forty-five minutes later, I was frowning at my makeup. I rarely wore any, so when I tried, it never looked right.

Lucy came out of her room and stopped at the bathroom door. Her hair was pulled into a twist, with pieces of hair framing her face, and she wore an EEU crop top that stoppedabout an inch from the top of her jeans. She arched a brow. “What are you doing?”

I’d hoped to sneak out before she caught me. I dreaded her reaction, but she’d know if I lied. I’d learned that the hard way with Raffe. “Slade told me I didn’t have a choice but to go to the game and bonfire, and I said okay.” My voice rose onokay, turning my statement into a question.

Her face softened. “That’s excellent. You need to have a life.”

My jaw dropped, and she rolled her eyes.

“I know what Raffe says, but despite what peoplethink, he and his dad aren’t always right.” She shrugged. “Slade will be there, and though I don’t love that you two are so close, I will be too. You’ll have two people who’ll make sure nothing bad happens. You deserve to have friends and do things like the rest of us.”

That was what I’d been thinking. I blew out a breath and looked at myself in the mirror. “You don’t think I’m being crazy or reckless?”

She entered the bathroom and picked up my foundation. “Let’s not go wild, but I will agree you aren’t being reckless.” She got a sponge and squirted makeup on it. “Since you’ve been staring at this like it’s foreign, I’m going to do your hair and makeup.”

“You don’t—”

Before I could finish, she began working on my face, biting her bottom lip as she applied each layer. I almost wanted to complain but didn’t want to ruin the first girl moment I’d ever had.

When she was done, I was afraid to look in the mirror. But after a moment, I did and couldn’t believe what I saw. She’d made my makeup look so natural I could barely see it, except my features stood out more.

My cognac-brown eyes seemed to glow, and my lips were painted a light red that wasn’t overbearing. Add in the way she had my dark hair waving down my back and I almost wouldn’t recognize myself.

She laughed. “Were you expecting to look horrendous?”

I cringed. “You were putting a lot of makeup on me, so I wasn’t expecting this. Thank you.”

“For someone who doesn’t normally wear makeup, less is more, so I opted for a natural look to start you off.”

“You did amazing. I never could’ve achieved this.” I let my sincerity lace each word.

“We aren’t finished yet.” She took my hand and dragged me into her room. “I have a shirt you can borrow.”

“But …” I sighed, not wanting to put her out.

“No buts.” She wagged a finger. “Of any kind. I want to do this, so come on.”

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