Page 71 of Wolf Mate

Her insinuation was clear—If King Jovian learned that Raffe had been here, protecting me, he’d know we were spending time together. Raffe had asked for time to figure out how to tell people about us. I could give him that.

Releasing his hold, Raffe took a step back, allowing Slade to land hard on his feet.

I couldn’t believe how much I’d misread Slade. I’d thought he was a good guy and trustworthy, and in the blink of an eye, everything had changed. “You need to leave. I don’t want to talk to you. Today or any time in the future.”

He huffed. “Sky, can we talk without an audience?” He gestured at Raffe and Lucy as if I didn’t know who he was talking about.

Like he thought I was stupid.

“It’s Skylar to you,” I corrected, and the corners of Raffe’s mouth tipped upward. “And no. We have nothing left to say to each other.I’m too upset to talk to you. You need to go.” Not wanting to drag out this visit any longer, I dropped my hand from Raffe and turned to my room.

Lucy stood a few feet in front of me, her eyes on the hand that had stopped touching Raffe.

Not even twelve hours in, and I might have blown our secret. I’d have to be more careful.

“You heard her.” Raffe sounded so happy. “Leave … or I’ll fucking make you.”

I heard the sound of a scuffle as I reached the hallway that separated Lucy’s room and mine. When I turned right to go into my room, I glanced back. Slade was brushing off his shirt with Raffe hovering over him. Slade said, “I’m going.”

I went into my room and shut the door. I needed Slade to see I was serious. He’d know Raffe would never let him anywhere close to my room, especially after last night.

Now that I was alone, the sting of betrayal attacked my heart, and my vision blurred. All this time, I’d believed that Slade was my one loyal friend. At times, his friendship had been the only reason I didn’t feel so alone here, and I’d trusted him implicitly. To have that ripped away made me feel exposed.

My blood fizzed close to a hum. I didn’t want Raffe to see me like this. Not after he’d decided that he wanted us to be together. He might take it all back if I lost control again … and I couldn’t handle that after Slade.

The front door opened and closed, and I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes. I needed to pull the image of the deer and the woods into my mind to calm myself down.

Footsteps headed toward my room, and Lucy called out, “Raffe, what the—”

My heart clenched. She was going to ask questions, and he didn’t want anyone to know about us.

“Not now, Lucy,” he commanded. Then his footsteps were outside my door.

“Don’t—” I started just as the door opened.

I opened my eyes, but I couldn’t see anything through my tears.

“Sky—” Raffe closed my door. “Dammit. Don’t cry.”

I wished that was my only problem.

He was at my side in seconds. He lay down next to me, scooping me into his arms, and anchoring me to his chest. The danger level of my blood lessened in his embrace as the buzzing soared to life between us.

Surrounded by his touch and scent, I felt safe and comforted, which made me cry harder. How did that make sense? I was a complete and utter mess in front of Raffe, but I didn’t have it in me to pull away.

I was a train wreck.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Raffe kissed the top of my head. “Why are you crying? Did he do something I didn’t see?”

His concern and tenderness made the emotions pour out more. “No,” I croaked.

“Then what?” His fingertips trailed up and down my back.

I sniffled and wiped the tears from my cheeks, but more replaced them. I managed to clear them enough to see Raffe’s face.

His forehead was creased, and his brows were furrowed. He was worried, and I wasn’t answering him.

“That’s it. I’m fucking killing him.” Raffe blew out a breath. “He doesn’t deserve to live after hurting you like this.”

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