Page 61 of Wolf Mate

My back straightened. He was pressuring me, and even drunk Skylar knew that. “No.”

“Just once.”

Fear clawed at my chest, and I stumbled back to gain distance. But he countered my move, pulling me closer.

A snarl came from behind us. Then suddenly Slade was gone.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Istumbled forward, reeling from the sudden loss of Slade’s support. The ground tilted under my feet, and for once, it wasn’t from my blood.

“She saidno,” Raffe growled.

My heart rate picked up, but my blood didn’t jolt or fizz. It was like it was broken, not attuned with emotions for once.

The fir trees closed in around me. I balanced myself on a trunk and looked to my right to find Raffe gripping Slade’s shirt collar. Raffe’s free hand was fisted, and the veins in his neck bulged.

Once again, Raffe was here to help me out of a horrible situation.

Slade puffed out his chest despite Raffe clutching his shirt and towering half a foot over him. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Slade spat. “What are you even doing here? You’re supposed to be with your friends, not spying on me.”

“I wasn’t spying on you, dickhead.” Raffe’s jaw clenched, his muscles working. “I was keeping an eye on Skylar.”

My heart pitter-pattered. I liked the idea of Raffe watching out for me a little too much, but even in my drunken haze, Iunderstood it was less about his feelings toward me and more about making sure I didn’t cause a scene.

After all, he had Josie and had never been an option for me.

“You don’t need to. Besides, you made it clear you don’t want to associate with Sky.” Slade glared down at Raffe’s hands. “Release me.”

For the first time since coming here, IhatedSlade using my nickname.

“Fine, but if you make one comment or evenlookin Skylar’s direction, I’ll kick your ass.” Raffe’s chest heaved, and his irises glowed. “Do you understand?”

“Why don’t you go back to your friends andJosie?” Slade sneered. “Sky and I were doing fine until you appeared.”

I laughed then cringed when Raffe’s eyes flashed at me and the glow grew brighter. I swore dark fur sprouted on his arms, and then he punched Slade in the jaw. Slade’s head snapped back, and he groaned.

Shit. Being drunk and in this situation was a nasty combination. I’d officially become one ofthosegirls I judged.

“What thefuck,” Slade rasped, clutching his jaw. “Wait until the school board learns about this.”

School board? A chill ran down my back. I didn’t want Raffe to get into trouble with the board or his father for protecting me.

“I hope you do tell them.” Raffe bared his teeth, and they looked sharper than normal. “I’d love to tell themexactlywhat I stumbled upon and why I felt the need to intervene. No one, human or supernatural, should be pressured into anything, especially something physical.”

My face burned, and I wrapped my arms around my waist. The thought of having to stand up in front of the university board and detail what had happened turned my stomach into knots. I didn’t want to get Slade into trouble, especially since I hoped that alcohol was partly to blame for his actions, butI absolutely refused to throw Raffe to the wolves, no pun intended, for getting me out of the situation.

“And what exactly is that, mutt?” Slade stood straight, but it didn’t make a difference because Raffe was larger than him in every way.

“I’m the mutt?” Raffe laughed harshly. “You’re the one trying to force a woman to kiss you. She told you no two times, but you were still going for it. That’s what a real dog would do, warlock or not. At least my morals aren’t fucked.”

Slade’s hands quivered. “You traipsed after us instead of keeping an eye on the bloodsuckers?”

“Unlike you, I have friends I trust.” Raffe tilted his head. “But that’s what happens when you burn every relationship to the ground by doing shady things and getting information to makeMommyhappy.”

“Don’t speak as if you know us.” Slade shook his head, but his gaze landed on me.

Raffe shoved him back, and Slade tripped over his feet and landed on his ass. Raffe took the opportunity to tower over him and rasp, “I said don’t fucking look at her.”

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