Page 81 of Wolf Mate

But then Raffe stepped from the trees behind the woman, and my blood calmed some. The last person I wanted to harm was him, but I needed to keep the woman distracted.

“Sky,” he rasped and stood beside the woman. “She’s not here to attack you. She came here to help us reach you.” He stepped in front of her, his attention on me.

“What the hell, man?” Keith shouted from somewhere behind them, still hidden by the trees. “She’s unstable and will hurt both of you now!”

My strength gave out, and I dropped from my hands onto my elbows. The fatigue was hitting hard again. The trees were still swaying, but the ground had stopped shaking. My blood jolt petered out as if it also didn’t want to hurthim.

The information I’d learned from Slade emerged in my head. I’d drained myself again.

Raffe didn’t pause. He continued to close the distance between us, and the closer he got, the more my blood settled within me.

“Raffe, are you trying to get yourselfkilled?” Keith snapped.

My blood fizzed, and I could read Raffe clearly. He was concerned but not scared.

He continued as if Keith hadn’t spoken. “This is Slade’s mom, Priestess Olwyn. I called her to come and take down this perimeter since you asked us to be nearby and you’re uncomfortable being alone with Slade.”

Not wanting to meet the head of the school board as a limp mess, I tried to sit up, but all I could do was lift my head a little more and scan her over.

Now that Raffe had revealed her identity, I could see the resemblance to Slade. He had the same eye color as her, and they shared high cheekbones. I could hardly believe she was old enough to have a son my age because she barely looked forty, but that had to be due to her supernatural genes.

She nodded, a faint smile on her mouth. She radiated awe and intrigue.

A shiver ran down my back.

“Like Prince Raffe said, I’m not here to harm you or my son. I came to check on you.” She spoke as if I were a child.

I frowned, not liking the tone she’d taken with me.

Raffe squatted next to me, blocking her from my view. His scent filled my nose, making me feel like nothing bad could ever happen. When he touched my arm, my blood settled into a jolt. I leaned my head on his arm, unable to hold myself up any longer.

“Thank goddess, she’s calm.” Priestess Olwyn sighed and hurried past me.

Wait. Slade.

He hadn’t said or done anything since his mom arrived.

Concern gave me the strength to look over my shoulder, and I wished I hadn’t.

Slade lay on his side, unmoving.

His mom dropped to her knees beside him and ran a hand over his head.

My body sagged even more. “Oh my God. What happened to him?” Even though I was mad at him, I still cared about him. I didn’t want him hurt, and I was clueless as to what could have caused him to collapse … unlessIhad.

“I don’t know.” Priestess Olwyn pursed her lips as Keith and Adam stepped into the clearing. She placed her hands in her lap. “What was he doing when he fell? Me taking down the perimeter spell wouldn’t have done this to him since we’re part of the same coven and blood. Something else must have happened.” She glanced at me and back at Slade.

I remembered him saying my name and coming toward me. “I think it might be my fault.” A sob built in my chest. “I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to feel bad about, dear. It was a mere accident.” She smiled tightly at me and turned her attention back to him.

He didn’t move. Fear strangled me, cutting off my air.

“Hey,” Raffe said gently. With his free hand, he reached out and turned my face toward him.

He was being kind and gentle, everything I didn’t deserve. I’d lost control of my power again, and I’d hurt Slade and almost hurt his mom. I’d attacked people who weren’t a threat, and Slade wasn’t moving.

Warm cobalt eyes met mine, and Raffe said, “He’s breathing, and his heart is beating. He’ll be fine.”

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