Page 7 of Wolf Mate

Unable to stop myself, I mirrored his motion, the two of us a couple of feet apart. His focus flicked to my lips as he continued, “Maybe you should go back to your room like I suggested earlier.”

My head jerked back. “Did you three find anything?”

His face creased. “No, unfortunately. But don’t worry. We’ve alerted the school board that students aren’t feeling safe in the woods.”

He seemed like he genuinely cared. “Thanks for everything,” I forced out, physically restraining myself from moving closer to him.

A worker strolled from the far side of the store through the door that led to the counter.

He rang a bell that was probably meant to alert customer service. “Bookstore is closing in ten minutes.”

Of course. The worker must have done something to cause the books to fall. I was being stupid and paranoid. This was what happened when weird shit always followed you around. You considered unexplainable things instead of thinking through the actual cause.

I bit my bottom lip, and Raffe’s gaze moved there again. His eyes glowed faintly, and the intensity of his stare had me finding the thin gray carpet underneath meveryinteresting. “Thanks for saving me twice today.” He hadn’t hesitated when he’d thought I might be in danger. “I’ll try not to cause any more scenes. I swear it’s not intentional.”

“Look, let me give you my number in case you get into another situation where you don’t feel safe.”

My head snapped up. Okay, I hadn’t expected that. He stepped closer to me, leaving only a sliver of space between us.

“Or you can give me your number since you aren’t taking out your phone.” He pulled his phone from his back pocket and arched an eyebrow.

If I hadn’t been in a complete trance, I would’ve laughed. He was so sure of himself. As if I wouldn’t even consider not giving him my phone number. Worse, he was right. I rattled off my number,prettyconfident he couldn’t hear me since I was damn near breathless, but he typed it in with confidence.

Like he did everything.

My phone dinged.

“There. If you ever find yourself in trouble, call or text me. Don’t hesitate.” He tilted his head and winced. “Even if you think I’m a jerk, please know that your safety is important to me.”

With everything he’d done for me today, I couldn’t imagine why I’d think he was a jerk. “Okay.” Thetugwas becoming too damn strong to resist, and I leaned forward, about to close the distance between us.

“Raffe!” A voice echoed down the hallway of the student center. Keith. “I thought you were going to be quick.”

Raffe tensed and took four large steps away from me, moving into the political science section.

The abrupt change left me reeling.

He turned and snatched a book from the shelf just as Keith and Adam walked into the store. Their attention landed on me.

Keith snorted and elbowed Adam as they strolled to their friend.

“Looks like the lost pup from the woods is nipping at your heels.” Keith waggled his brows at me, still looking attractive despite his over-the-top antics.

I spun away, not wanting to engage with him. When Raffe didn’t tell him to back off, my heart ached with disappointment.

Adam sighed. “All the new girls think they have a chance with you or any of us. She’ll learn like the rest of them.”

That stung, even though I knew it was true when Raffe remained silent. My blood jolted, and I snatched a microbiology book from the bottom shelf, not caring anymore if it wasn’t used.The school had said they’d cover the cost of my books, and my effort to be frugal was going out the window, thanks to their snide remarks.

“This is my last book.” Raffe yawned as if he was bored and wanted to be anywhere but here. “The rest of them are at the counter.”

It was as if he’d taken on a different personality. Though he wasn’t being cruel, he wasn’t stopping his friends from making fun of me either. In my world, not speaking up for someone was just as bad, if not worse, than doing the actual bullying.

Wanting to gain distance, I moved down to the chemistry section and grabbed my advanced chemistry book and accompanying lab notebook.

“Hurry up, man,” Keith said. “Josie is getting tired of holding the table and said your ass better hurry up or she won’t be wearing your jersey at the game on Saturday.”

Pain exploded in my heart, catching me off guard. My blood fizzed to damn near a hum. The thought of Raffe with someone else bothered me more than should have been possible. I didn’t even know him, and developing a super unhealthy obsession with him wouldn’t bode well for anyone, especially notme.

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