Page 70 of Wolf Mate

They were going to make a scene if they didn’t cool it. The last thing we needed was humans witnessing this confrontation.

“You two get in here,” I demanded, grabbing Raffe’s arm and tugging him farther back into the living room.

His head jerked in my direction, his nostrils flaring as he stared at me. The buzz between us spurred to life and calmed my blood to a jolt. “What?” he gasped.

And people said women were the dramatic ones? I rolled my eyes. “Unless you want to make a scene.” I gestured to Slade and the hallway.

“Sky—” Lucy started.

Raffe huffed. “Fine, but he comes in only enough to shut the door.”

Slade smirked. “You heard her.” He entered the apartment, his shoulder slamming into Raffe’s in afuck-youmove. He must have thought he’d won with me.

What was it with these two? Slade had more animosity toward Raffe than anyone else, and I still hadn’t put all the pieces together.

Slade tried to come farther into the apartment, but I dropped my hand from Raffe and stepped in front of Slade as Raffe closed the door.

As soon as I stopped touching Raffe, my blood started to fizz. Dread pooled hard in my stomach. Slade emanated triumph and confidence, and I regretted letting him in. But I’d done it more for Raffe than for him, and he needed to know that. “To be clear, you’re not staying. I only invited you in so you two didn’t cause a scene in the hallway.”

Slade flinched, and shock and anger took over. “Are you serious? You’re going to let him boss you around too, like you’re one of his pups?”

Wow. He’d never talked to me like that before, and it stung.

“You son of a bi—” Raffe started and moved to get between Slade and me.

There was no way I was letting Raffe interfere, especially afterthatcomment. I stepped forward and poked my finger into Slade’s chest.

I spoke slowly and clearly to make sure he understood my words since whatever asshole had taken over his body last night had struggled with that. “Me not wanting you here hasnothingto do with Raffe. It has to do with your lack of respect last night and how you showed up at my door uninvited, demanding to talk to me. You say he’s arrogant and expects to be obeyed—how do you think you’re coming across right now?”

Slade’s expression changed, but the emotion wasn’t remorse. In fact, he looked more calculating. “We’refriends. I didn’t think that—”

“Are we?” I crossed my arms, noticing Raffe’s deep frown. “I’m pretty sure last night changed that.”

“Anyone going to fill me in?” Lucy asked from behind me.

I glanced over my shoulder at her. “Slade tried to kiss me.” I’d leave it at that. I didn’t need to embarrass him or myself further with more specifics.

“Tried to force her to kiss him is more like it,” Raffe growled.

Slade huffed. “She wanted to. She just—”

In a blur, Raffe had Slade pinned against the wall by the neck before I could blink. Raffe’s entire body was as rigid as a statue.

“Do not even attempt tofinishthat sentence.” Raffe took a ragged breath. “She said no twice, and you ignored her. Now you come here after I told you not to look at her? You should be gladyou’re not fucking dead. I’m about to change my mind if you keep pushing.”

My blood came close to humming. I needed to get it under control, but I wasn’t sure how with Raffe about to snap as well.

“That was you?” Lucy asked as she came to my side, blinking. “Raffe didn’t name names, just said he had to get involved.”

My heart ached, and Slade laughed.

His emotions changed to vindication and bitterness. “Why am I not surprised that he’d leave that out? We can’t disappointDaddy.” He threw a parental reference at Raffe like he had last night. I wondered if Slade was pushing Raffe to make him snap.

I touched the center of Raffe’s shoulders, my skin buzzing and my blood calming a notch. “He’s not worth it.” I wished I could pack-link with Raffe so Slade couldn’t hear our conversation.

Raffe’s breathing evened out, my touch impacting him as well.

“She’s right.” Lucy cleared her throat. “He’s a punk, and if you do something, you’re the one who’ll get into trouble, especially since Skylar’s human.”

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