Page 82 of Wolf Mate

Relief had my body giving out. I slumped back. I hadn’t killed Slade, but I’d hurt him. I couldn’t believe my blood had dominated me all over again, especially when I thought I’d made progress.

“Yes, dear. He’ll be fine,” Priestess Olwyn assured me. “He probably had the wind knocked out of him and passed out. Nothing appears to be broken.”

“That’s a damn shame,” Keith grumbled loud enough for me to hear him.

A faint growl rumbled from Raffe, and when I looked up, his eyes were glowing.

There was no telling what Raffe was saying to the other two.

“She’s exhausted.” Priestess Olwyn sighed. “Why don’t you take her back to her apartment, and I’ll take care of my son.”

I should have demanded to stay here and make sure Slade was okay, but I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open. “I’m so sorry, ma’am.” I had no doubt my ass would be thrown out of this college tomorrow, and I would bow out gracefully. I’d have to explain to my parents what I’d done, which would be problematic, but I deserved it.

“Stop. I’ve already told you I’m not angry.” Light footsteps headed our way, and Slade’s mother crouched in front of me. Her lips pressed into a line, and she patted my arm. “You have immense power, and no one taught you how to use it or harness it. Of course you’re going to be unbalanced. I’m just glad my sonwas able to help you until he got stupid this past weekend.” She rolled her eyes and frowned.

From her comment, I realized Slade had been updating her about me, and he hadn’t told me a damn thing about her. He’d told me we shouldn’t share what I was with anyone, but she’d made those comments so nonchalantly that I suspected she knew more than she let on. After all, she was in charge of the library that housed the books Slade was researching.

“Keith, help Priestess Olwyn get Slade to his room.” Raffe stood slowly, helping me up with him.

I put a little weight on my legs, and my knees almost buckled. Raffe bent to pick me up, and I shook my head.

If he picked me up, I’d melt into his embrace, and we were supposed to keep our relationship status secret. Keith already seemed alarmed enough about Raffe’s actions toward me. We were under scrutiny already without adding more to the mix.

He frowned, unhappy about my refusal, but huffed in surrender.

Raffe respected me whenever I said no. He didn’t push even if he was unhappy with what I wanted.

“Adam, can you walk on Skylar’s other side to make sure she doesn’t fall over?” His neck tensed as if that had been hard for him to say.

“Sure.” Adam flanked me, and we started walking.

Keith and Priestess Olwyn were talking, but all I could focus on was putting one foot in front of the other as we headed back toward the apartments.

Our pace was slow but steady, but suddenly, my right ankle gave out, and I fell toward Adam. He clutched my arm, steadying me.

“Dammit, Sky,” Raffe growled, and he slipped an arm around my waist, anchoring me to his side. “You should let me carry you.” His jaw was clenched as if in anger, but I had no clue why.

“Man, it’s fine.” Adam lifted his brows. “I caught her.”

Raffe’s chest rattled. “If I’d been carrying her, you wouldn’t have had to.”

Wait. Was he mad that Adam had caught me? That was strange. But my stumble had answered one of my questions. When Adam touched me, I felt no yank, tingle, or buzz. Not even a hint of one.

As if sensing Raffe’s anger, my chest yanked me toward him, pressing our bodies more firmly together. At that adjustment, he relaxed.

After a few steps of silence, Adam blew out a breath. “Look, I’m not trying to be a jerk.”

“Then shut up,” Raffe snapped. “Problem solved.”

I snorted, catching myself off guard. But I had to agree with Raffe—whenever someone said that, they were about to act like one.

“Nah, it’s better coming from me than Keith.” Adam cleared his throat. “Man, I understand what you said earlier about the witches needing her for something. Priestess Olwyn’s reaction just proved it. But if your dad finds out that Skylar had another magical meltdown—”

“Dad’s not here, and I’m your alpha.” Raffe’s arm tightened around my waist. “I get that he’s nervous about what she is and doesn’t want her to make humans aware of us, but his plan isn’t working. That’s why she was meeting with Slade today. He said he had answers.”

My pulse skipped a beat. Raffe was standing up for me like he’d promised. He wouldn’t force me to remain a recluse, and I could’ve kissed him—if the world hadn’t been spinning so strongly and I could actually find his lips, that was.

“Did you learn anything?” Adam asked.

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