Page 72 of Wolf Mate

“Don’t.” I took a deep breath to get myself together. The sting was there, but I needed to explain why I was so upset. “I trusted him. That’s all. I thought he was my friend. The first one I’vehad since …” I trailed off, agony stabbing my heart again. “Since kindergarten.” I sounded pathetic.

“I should’ve punched his ass again,” he snarled, and I laughed.

The sound hurt my raw throat, but despite being a snotty, crying mess, I found myself smiling. Who would’ve thought someone wanting to hurt a person for me would make me happy? “You just want an excuse to hit him.”

His eyes warmed to the color that was quickly becoming a favorite. “I do regularly wish to kick his ass, but this is different. I want to kill him. He’s an opportunistic asshole, and I hate that he set his sights on you.”

I bit my bottom lip. “Why did he? I don’t understand.”

“There’s no telling with him.” He pressed his lips together and cupped my face. “It doesn’t matter. I won’t allow him to hurt you anymore.” He moved to kiss me.

I turned my head into the pillow, and he stiffened like something was wrong.

Crap. I hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings. I rubbed my face in my pillow, wiping off the excess tears, and turned back to find his jaw clenched.

“You don’t want to kiss me right now. I’m a snotty mess.”

He relaxed and arched a brow. “Ialwayswant to kiss you.” He moved toward me again, and his lips landed softly on mine.

The sizzle took over, and I was so glad he’d tried again.

A knock sounded on my door. “Hey, I’m coming in.”

The doorknob turned, and I tried to move away from him, but he held me in place. My eyes widened as Lucy stepped into my room, and Raffe lay on his back, keeping me in his arms.

Lucy snorted. “Why am I not surprised to find you two like this?”

My jaw dropped. “You’re not?”

Raffe tilted his chin. “You better not tell anyone else until I decide how to tell Dad.”

She lifted a hand. “I won’t say a word, but why tell me?”

“Because I’ll be around here a lot, and you would have figured it out anyway.” Raffe shrugged.

A huge smile spread across my face. I loved that he already planned on spending more time with me.

“Don’t interrupt our girl time.” Lucy placed her hands on her hips.

“If I want to be here—”

“He won’t.” I refused to limit my time with a real friend, and Lucy was definitely that. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Raffe blinked like he couldn’t believe what I’d said.

Lucy winked and said, “That’s my girl. All right, I’m heading back to bed.” She left the two of us alone.

“As fun as this is …” Raffe untangled himself from me and stood. “I need to run back to my apartment and change.” I damn near pouted, but he added, “I’ll meet you in thirty minutes at the edge of the tree line behind this building.”

I sat straight up. “Are we going into the woods?”

“You bet.” He pecked my forehead and headed to my door.

I jumped up and hurried to get ready, truly excited.

Yesterday had been amazing.Raffe had changed and grabbed some food, and we’d spent all afternoon in the woods. I hadn’t expected it to be as rejuvenating as it was when I was alone, but with Raffe, it was even better.

Slade had always talked or led the way, but Raffe was different. Half the time, we didn’t speak, just enjoyed eachother’s presence, and I got to lie on the ground, absorbed in nature with him beside me.

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