Page 27 of Wolf Mate

“Uh …” Slade stuttered.

I raised my head and saw a deer fifty feet away from us.

My heartbeat evened out as the animal took a timid step toward me. It wasn’t the same deer as the first night. This one had large antlers. He didn’t get close, likely because Slade was with me, but the two of us stared at one another.

It was a good thing since I’d rather no one else knew of my bond with animals.

When my blood calmed to normal, my body sagged. I’d managed to avoid a chaotic morning.

Slade cleared his throat, and the spell between the deer and me disappeared. “I hate to interrupt, but I need to head to class.”

My head jerked upward. “What time is it?”

“Ten to eleven.” He bit his lip. “But I don’t want to leave you out here.”

I stood and put on my backpack. “I have class too. I need to get going.” When I glanced at his hands, I noticed he’d picked up the cup I’d tossed aside. I flinched. “Sorry, but the part I drank was really good.”

“You have a lot going on. It’s fine.” He gestured for me to follow him. “Let’s go before we’re late.”

We walked in comfortable silence, and when we crossed the road to the academic buildings, I waved. “I’ve got statistics, so I’ll see you around.”

He snorted. “No way. I do too. What are the odds?”

“Three classes together.” I bobbed my head. “Those are strange odds, but I’ll take them.” It was nice to know there’d be a friendly face in class.

We headed into the Evergreen Building, and I followed Slade to the second floor, fourth door on the left.

As we reached the door, he grinned. “How are you in math?”

“I hold my own.” A vet had to be good at math, chemistry, and biological sciences. “Why?”

“Because I suck at it, and I may need a tutor.” He shrugged. “Sounds like I found the perfect one.”

I rolled my eyes and smiled just as a tingle ran down my spine.

My attention immediately shot to the back of the room where Raffe sat, Adam on one side and another guy whose demeanor screamedjockon the other. Several girls sat around them.

We locked gazes, and Raffe’s eyes glowed faintly, reminding me of the wolf inside.

Luckily, a desk in the front row was open, so I hurried over and claimed the spot.

“Seriously?” Slade chuckled and took the spot beside me. “The front again? Why not the side? I left my bag earlier, at the desk in the back corner, and there’s an open spot beside me.”

My eye caught the lone black backpack. So that was why he didn’t have a bag.

But I wanted to be in the front row where I’d have to pay attention because the professor would see me. “Go for it. I’m sitting here.”

“Fine.” He chuckled as he walked over and grabbed his bag. I was surprised when he returned and slid back into the seat beside me.

I thought I could feel Raffe’s eyes on me. It had to be my imagination. That wasn’t actually possible.

Slade tapped his fingers on his desk. “You know what? I was thinking about what we were talking about earlier. Maybe I could get more information and meet up with you later. I might be able to help you with your problem.”

“No.” That was hard to say because I wanted to say yes. “You’ve done enough. I don’t want to burden you.”

“It’s no burden,” he said and leaned closer to me.

A groan that sounded damn close to a growl reached my ears.

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