Page 88 of Wolf Mate

As soon as their eyes connected, she forced her head forward. “We should hurry. The guys are here.”

I was about to ask what that was all about, but she sped up and found the guys already at a table. They had food and drinks spread all over it.

I went to go get food for myself, but Lucy grabbed my hand and said, “They got enough for everyone.”

I noticed a spot open by Raffe, but Josie hurried over and took it. I expected him to tell her that the seat was saved for me, but she leaned over and touched his arm, her eyes glowing.

They were pack-linking.

He glanced at me and waved then turned back to her, dismissing me.

Little things like that happened whenever Raffe and Josie were both hanging out at the apartment, but I’d escape to my room. I couldn’t ignore them in the middle of the student center as easily.

Lucy frowned, taking my hand and tugging me into the seat between her and Adam, putting me directly across from Raffe.

At least it wasn’t Keith.

I understood that Raffe had to spend time with his friends so they wouldn’t suspect why he was spending time alone with me, but I wondered why I needed to be part of the equation. At first, I’d thought it was to get them used to seeing us together so we could come out with our relationship, but so far, he’d barely acknowledged my presence.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want him to have friends, but I’d like for him to include me.

“What is she doing here?” Keith grumbled from his spot across from Lucy.

“Friends, remember?” Lucy smiled too brightly and took a hamburger from one of the trays then started stuffing her face.

I felt weird, but I took a sandwich just as Raffe and Josie burst out laughing. She laid her head on his shoulder, and Iexpected him to tell her to stop, but all he did was laugh with her and push her back.

Something unusually strong surged through me, and my blood jolted.

It slipped right into a fizz, the magnitude taking me by surprise. I clutched the table, trying to rein it in.

Adam leaned toward me, worry creasing his brow. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I forced myself to take a bite of the sandwich. I wasn’t even sure what was on it. I just needed to do something to forget about my rage. The bread stuck to the roof of my dry mouth, and the others continued to talk.

Once again, no one included me.

I tried not to watch Josie and Raffe, but it was hard with them sitting right in front of me. Occasionally, they would join in on the conversation, but Josie would say something that focused his attention right back on her. She touched him, and he always moved away from her, but he didn’t tell her to stop.

It was driving me insane.

After ten minutes, I wasn’t just angry but upset too, and my blood was rising nearly to a hum.

I had to leave.

Leaning over to Lucy, I swallowed to get the last pieces of bread down my throat. “Hey, I need to head out.”

She nodded, taking my hand in hers and squeezing comfortingly. She understood. Of course she did. “I’ll bring you something back in a bit.”

Even though the last thing I wanted to do was eat, I needed to. Slade and I were training tomorrow.

Not bothering to say anything to Raffe, I saluted Adam and scurried outside.

I’d hoped to make it to the apartment before I cried, but as soon as the cool evening air hit my face, the tears fell down my cheeks, and the magic hummed within me.

I wrapped my arms around myself and headed across the road to walk into the tree line for coverage. I didn’t want anyone heading to and from the student center to see me like this.

I’d been feeling off, but tonight, being in public with Raffe but not beingwithhim really hit home. I felt lonelier than ever before and somehow more pathetic than that girl I’d hoped I’d left behind.

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