Page 13 of Wolf Mate

At one point, I pressed my purple pen down too hard and broke the tip out of mere frustration.

When the professor wrapped up the class, I tossed my things into my bag and hurried out the door.

“Skylar!” Slade called after me, but I was already marching down the hallway.

Outside, I had no idea where I was heading. I didn’t want to go back to the apartment in case Lucy was there, and I didn’t have another class today.

I marched to my car, needing to get away from here, even for just a few hours.

I was nearly at my car when a large, rough hand grabbed my arm and turned me around. A scream strangled me as I came face to face with a clearly annoyed Raffe.

His chest heaved, and he rasped, “What the fuck is it with you attracting danger?”

CHAPTER FIVE

Isnorted and tried to ignore my body’s demand to close the small distance between us. “I was in class, and now I’m walking to my car. I’m not sure what danger you’re alluding to, other than your hand gripping my arm.” I hated people who thought they could manhandle others, and my blood jolted as my emotions rose. Worse, I wanted the Raffe I’d met before we exchanged numbers. Notthisversion.

He snarled almost animalistically and released his hold on me. His face twisted as if letting go were painful. “I need you to besafe. And you’re making it hard by hanging out with people like Slade.”

My head snapped back. He was being domineering, implying I should avoid Slade when he’d been nothing but welcoming to me. “Are you serious? Slade’s been nice to me, even around other people.” I wouldn’t let him think I’d take this split personality thing in stride. Lifting my head defiantly, I stared straight into his eyes while keeping my emotions in check. “I have my own mind and will say no to something if I believe it’s dangerous.” My blood fizzed as anger replaced the shock of him being here with me.

Leaning forward, he inhaled and searched for something on my face.

The intensity of his stare caught me off guard, and his unique sandalwood-and-amber scent made me dizzy. My mind went blank, and something in the air between us pulled me toward him like a magnet. It calmed everything inside me.

What the hell?

“Is everything okay here?” Slade asked from behind Raffe.

Raffe stiffened, becoming as still as a statue.

Whatever had been brewing between us vanished as he turned away and stood between me and Slade.

The fizz returned in one huge burst.

“What doyouwant?” Raffe snapped, disgust and contempt dripping from each word.

“Skylar rushed out of class, and I was worried, especially when you followed her.” Slade stepped to the side where he could see me. “And it seems she’s very uncomfortable in your presence.”

Uncomfortablewasn’t the word I’duse, but I wouldn’t correct him.

“Seeing as none of this is your business, maybe you should head back to your own kind.” Raffe’s hands clenched at his sides.

“Interesting.” Slade crossed his arms and rocked back on his heels. “Are you saying she’s one of yours? Because—”

“I’m notsayingthat.” Raffe relaxed his hands. “You should know better than to insinuate such a thing. There’s something I need to talk with her about.” His demeanor relaxed though his tone hadn’t changed. It was as if he’d changed personalities a third time in the span of a minute.

They were talking about me as if I wasn’t here, so this was an excellent time to leave. I wasn’t comfortable around Raffe, nor did I want to be caught up in whatever was brewing between them. I had enough issues without adding theirs to my own.

I spun to leave, but Raffe somehow moved quickly enough to block me. How the hell was he that fast? No wonder he was the quarterback of the football team.

“We aren’t done with our conversation.” Raffe lifted a brow, his attention back on me.

“Uh … when you two started pretending that I wasn’t around, that was the end of …” I trailed off, unsure what to say. We hadn’t been having a conversation to begin with. More like accusations and glares. “Whatever it was we were having.” I couldn’t come up with a better alternative. “So, please, carry on with your posturing. Pretend I’m still standing here. It’ll be better for all of us.” My blood was so damn close to humming I couldn’t breathe.

Slade laughed. “Yeah, she’s definitely not one of yours.”

Why did they keep saying that like they owned people? I glared at Slade and said, “I’m no one’s.” My heart ached at that sentiment, which was ridiculous. But it would’ve been nice to fit in somewhere.

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