Page 43 of Wolf Bitten

Something more.

My blood fizzed, and I could read his disgust and rage clearly. If I’d been a bug, he’d have squashed me without hesitation. Between his disgust and the raw power he radiated, I wanted to step back, but I also wanted to march toward him to prove that I could. Once again, it was as if I had two personalities at war with each other. My mouth often got me into trouble, but I could usually control it when I knew saying something would go too far.

Then again, my mouth had a mind of its own. “Well, here I am.”

“If you don’t start talking, then Sky and I will go back to campus. We’re missing another day of classes because you demanded that I come here.” Raffe stepped closer to me. Our arms brushed, and the connection between us buzzed.

King Jovian grimaced and shook his head. “I should’ve known something was off when you pulled wolves from our pack and other packs on campus to find her.” He waved a hand between Raffe and me. “Butclaimingher? Have you lost your damn mind?”

“I know it’s not ideal,” Raffe started, and I gasped.

Pain squeezed my heart, and the presence in my chest jostled, mirroring my shock and hurt. He sounded like he had when we’d been dating in secret and Keith had walked in on us in my bedroom. He’d made it clear then that he’d wished hedidn’tfeel a connection with me, which was damn similar to what he’d said now.

Maybe my questions about the photos had done more damage to us than I’d realized.

“Notideal,” King Jovian parroted back. “That’s putting it way too mildly.”

“Let me finish.” Raffe cut his eyes to me, hurt reflected in them once more. I swore I heard his voice in my head say,Of course she thinks the worst.

Before I could question it, he continued, his irises burning a bright icy blue. “It’s not ideal, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. It took Skylar leaving me to realize I never want to be without her again, and her kidnapping taught me that I don’t want to live without her in my life.”

My face burned, and my heart galloped. Once again, I’d thought poorly of him without giving him a chance to finish. He’d said exactly what I needed to hear, but I didn’t deserve his loyalty after my horrible assumptions.

“There’s more at risk than just your place as my heir.” King Jovian pulled on the hem of his white button-down shirt, which was wrinkled. “I determined a way to appease the Eastern wolf shifters, only for you to ruin it the moment it was solidified.”

Now would’ve been a nice time to be able to pack-link with Raffe to ask what this was about.

Raffe pulled me to his side. The warmth of our connection settled my blood to a low fizz, and the presence inside me eased back. Even the rage and hurt in the spot where I could feel Raffe’s emotions lessened slightly. It was amazing how we both reacted to a simple touch between us.

“We need to put the East in their place. That’s what you’ve said before.” Raffe arched a brow. “Don’t use something that’s not a real threat as leverage to get between Sky and me. It won’t work, and you should know that, seeing as you and Mom claimed each other and have a similar bond.”

“I’ve sheltered you from the growing threat Eastern wolves pose.” King Jovian paced in front of us, his bare feet barely making a sound on the rug. “They plan to separate from us and name their own king. That’s why I was there—to mend the gap between us.”

That sounded ominous. A knot formed in my stomach as I waited for the punch line. Whatever it was would be something King Jovian thought Raffe would listen to.

Raffe tilted his head and remained silent.

“You’ve been betrothed to the Atlanta alpha’s daughter. You’re to claim her and move to the city to integrate into their society. You are to learn the struggles they face and find solutions for their complaints.”

A lump formed in my throat, making it impossible to swallow. I hadn’t seen that one coming.

“It wasn’t your place to make any such agreement.” The veins in Raffe’s neck bulged, and his arm clamped tighter around my waist. “You don’t get to choose my mate. Only I can decide that, and I’ve chosen.”

King Jovian’s nostrils flared. “Raffe, this isn’t about you. This is about our people. That’s more important than anything else, and it should be an honor for you to do something to benefit our rule.”

That presence inside me lunged forward again, and my blood fizzed so high it almost hummed despite Raffe’s touch. This man wanted to come between me and my mate, and the scary part was that it might work.

“There’s one problem you seem to be forgetting.” Raffe placed his fist to his chin. “I’ve already claimed a mate, and that can’t be undone. Not that I would anyway. You promised something that wasn’t yours to give.”

“LikefuckI did.” King Jovian marched across the room and got in Raffe’s face. “I’m yourfatherandking. Or did she make you forget that along with yourplacein our hierarchy?”

My blood inched a breath away from a hum. I couldn’t control it, not with King Jovian trying to come between Raffe and me. The urge to hurt this man surged along with the presence inside me.

Raffe released his hold on me and stepped closer to his dad, their chests touching.

I thought when Keith and Raffe got into an argument, it was a pissing match, but nothing compared to this. Their eyes glowed as their wolves surged forward.

“Shehasn’t made me forget anything, but none of this matters. The choice was made, and I have absolutely no regrets. Besides, she’s myfated mate,which trumpseverything.”

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