Page 54 of Wolf Mate

Keeping with her personality, her bright-yellow comforter reminded me of the sun. She strolled to her closet, and I noted both an Xbox and a PlayStation under her television. She had a remote on her bed with a gamer’s headset. She’d told me she liked gaming, but this seemed way more intense than justlike.

“Here,” she said and tossed me an evergreen EEU sweatshirt.

Obliging her, I slipped it on then realized it was a crop top.

She clapped. “Perfect.”

I placed a hand over my stomach, feeling self-conscious. “I’m not sure—”

“If you don’t wear it, I’ll never help you get ready again.” She crossed her arms and leaned back. “That looks amazing on you, better than it does on me. Also, isn’t it important to show other women not to be ashamed of their stomachs? Flaunt it.”

I snorted, realizing she was right. Besides, I was young. It was okay to act like it once in a while. “Fine, but only tonight.”

“Works for me.” She grabbed my hand and tugged me to the door. “Let’s go. We need to get there before all the good seats are taken.”

My body felt light. I hadn’t expected us to walk over together. “Your friends—”

“—know the way.” She winked, opening our door. “They’ll be fine. I’ll let them know I’m meeting them there.” She tapped her head, and her eyes glowed.

I wanted to ask questions, but for once, the hallway had people in it waiting for the elevator. Everyone was decked out in their EEU clothes, no doubt heading to the same place we were.

Soon, we were walking outside in companionable silence, enjoying a cloudy night without a drizzle, making our way toward the all-brick Howling Stadium.

The gates were open, and people went through security to get inside. Lucy led us to one of the shorter lines.

I bit my lip as my blood jolted. “Are you sure about walking in with me? I don’t want to cause problems. I won’t have hurt feelings.”

Lucy scowled. “I’m sure. Look, Raffe and I might be close and family, but he doesn’t get to dictate every decision I make in my life, like who I’m friends with. You’re the most authentic friend I have.”

Blinking, I tilted my head back. “I see you with people all the time.”

“They’re my …friends.” She emphasized and tapped her head. “But they hang out with me mostly because of who I am. You don’t care about that. Even when you learned everything, you never tried to use me to get something for yourself.”

That was a sentiment I understood. “I get it but from a different perspective. Everyone’s always treated me like I’m a freak, but you don’t.”

“Who says we both aren’t and that’s why we get along so well?” She stuck out her tongue, and I laughed. “But we seem to have a few things in common.”

It was my turn to get her back. I leaned toward her ear, trying to keep from laughing, and whispered, “Yup. I like animals, and you turn into one.”

“Shut up.” She pushed me playfully as we reached the front of the line.

The security guards were all dressed in EEU colors, and after scanning our student IDs, they allowed us inside.

I stopped short when I saw a huge banner of a football player on the wall. Unfortunately, I had no doubt who it was with his muscular body and piercing eyes, even under a helmet.

Raffe.

A group of girls stood in front of it, taking pictures with him behind them.

For some reason, that made my blood fizz.

I had to pry my eyes away before I had a meltdown. I looked around, taking in the vendors and all the people milling around inside the cement walls that were standard for a stadium.

None of that helped because I wanted to fixate on the picture of Raffe.

“Skylar?” Lucy asked with concern.

I shouldn’t have come here. Raffe was playing tonight, and Josie would be here, wearing his jersey. Why had I thought this was a good idea? “I need to—”

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