Page 103 of Wolf Mate

Different. Weird. Outcast.I’d heard all the various synonyms tossed around to describe me.

One of the most common words directed at me throughout my childhood. I’d thought I’d grown immune to people calling me that, but no. After feeling somewhat accepted here, being labeled that way had tears sprouting in my eyes like they had the first time Lizzy had tossed the word at me, ending our friendship.

“So what if she’sdifferent?” Lucy spat, her nose wrinkling. “Not any more than any of us. She has magic. She’s just not supernatural.”

Now I was teary for another reason. Lucy was coming to my aid.

“Oh, gods.” Keith shook his head. “She’s gotten to you too. I wonder if manipulation is part of her magic.”

“Shut up, man,” Adam said and shoved him in the shoulder. “You’re making this way more dramatic and acting like an epic ass … even for you.”

“Yeah, talk about her like that again, and we won’t be friends.” Raffe cracked his knuckles, stepping in front of me. “I get this isn’t ideal, but I care about her.”

The fizz calmed as some of my pain eased. I’d needed to see Raffe invested in our relationship; otherwise, we wouldn’t have made it beyond this moment, and that scared me.

“I get it.” Adam blew out a breath. “Skylar is a nice girl. Yeah, we don’t know what her power is or if she can ever control it, but she’s never done anything to purposely jeopardize our world or harm us.”

Adam saying nice things about me was unexpected, but I’d take it. With his and Lucy’s support, maybe Keith would follow suit and accept us. My chest expanded with hope.

“But man.” Adam moved right in front of Raffe so I could see his face. He placed a hand on Raffe’s shoulder and said, “Yourdad will never accept this. Is she worth risking your relationship with your father and the throne as well? No one will follow you if you’re in a relationship with a human.”

Raffe went still.

And my heart shredded into pieces. He cared about me; that much was clear, or he would’ve denied me as soon as Keith had burst in on us. But he wasn’t willing to risk alienation from his people for me. And could I live with myself if I asked him to? Even if he agreed, that ultimatum would lead to resentment.

“Adam’s right.” Josie edged into the room. “I like Skylar too, and I don’t think we should ignore her. I want you to be happy and find someone, but you’ll be riskingeverythingif you commit to a human. A human you’ll outlive by at least a century. You’ll wind up alone.”

Raffe groaned and covered his face.

That was my answer.

Though my heart had shattered into shards so small I doubted I could ever repair it, I blew out a breath. “It’s not only up to him.”

“Figures.” Keith barked out a hateful laugh. “Here we go. Make the decision for him. Please, ruin his life.”

I stepped aside so I could see Keith when I said this. The truth was, I would be the only one ruined. Raffe would be just fine. “Raffe and I aren’t together.”

“Please.” Keith rolled his eyes. “I know what I walked in on.”

“You’re right.” There was no point in lying. They’d all smell it, and Josie’s truth had merit. What sort of selfish person would I be to want him to choose me—barely—and expect him to, what, be alone after I died? I wasn’t sure how the aging thing worked, but it made sense that supernaturals would live a lot longer than humans.

Besides, who was to say we’d even stay together long term? Maybe Raffe didn’t feel the same connection I did, the one that told me he wasitfor me.

“Since Raffe is having a hard time deciding, I’m doing it for us. You won’t have to tell King Jovian anything because as of this moment, there’s nothing to tell.” Black spots filled my vision, and the walls closed in on me.

Raffe’s head jerked around to me. His face twisted in agony. “Sky—”

“Don’t.” I held up a hand, not needing to hear the end of that sentence. He was conflicted, and being unsure about a huge decision like this wasn’t fair. “Don’t make this harder than it has to be.” I had to get out of here, or I might change my mind and beg him to pick me.

I snatched my keys from the nightstand and breezed past Raffe. The fizz was again close to a hum, and I needed to get out of here before I caused the building to collapse on us.

Adam and Josie pressed their lips together as I passed them while Keith beamed in victory.

“Sky,” Raffe groaned, grabbing my arm and tugging me toward him. The buzzing grew more intense, as did theyankin my chest. But his touch calmed my blood, which I desperately needed.

When our eyes met, his glistened, and his face twisted. The confident man I always saw wasn’t there, and that destroyed me further. “Please don’t. You’re not sure, and I need to go.”

His bottom lip quivered.

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