Page 53 of Wolf Bitten

He turned, kissed the top of my head, and answered, “Because Skylar needs answers, and that’s the best place for her to find them. I would never risk havinganyone, including my own species, destroy something that could give her knowledge about how to control her magic and not die. That’s the most important thing to me even though you’ve broken the law.”

My heart felt so full I feared it might implode.

“No way.” Slade shook his head. “I’m not buying it. You bit her for a reason. It wasn’t for love—it was so you could track her wherever she goes. Either you’re using her to rebel against King Jovian, or you need her for something else. You’ve been an entitled, self-absorbed asshole the entire time you’ve been at EEU. Do you expect me to buy that you suddenly had this drastic change of heart because ofher? Ahuman? I call bullshit.”

The rage that slammed through Raffe caught me off guard, and my knees shook. Raffe tried to charge Slade, but I held his hand firmly.

“Don’t,” I murmured, knowing everyone could hear me. “He’s not worth it.”

The muscles in Raffe’s jaw twitched, and his teeth ground together hard enough that I could hear the creak.

“You two need to leave.” I understood the irony of me asking the head board member of EEU to leave my apartment, but we weren’t accomplishing anything. I hadn’t even been free for twenty-four hours yet. Raffe and I had had little sleep. Raffe had had a huge fight with his father and might have to leave his pack. And nowthis.We needed to rest so we could start thinking levelheadedly, and that included Slade. “It’s been a rough day. We should regroup later in the week.”

Standing, Supreme Priestess Olwyn smoothed her skirt. “You’re right. Between your abduction, Slade’s disappearance and one of my most trusted priestesses’ involvement in this secret group, everyone is on edge. Let’s take some time to get life back to normal, and I’d love for us to meet and talk again.” She bit her bottom lip, not appearing like the strong woman she portrayed to the world. “I want you to know I’m truly sorry for hurting you. That was never our intention. We only wanted to help you find your place, put you at ease, and surround you with people similar to you. You’re in this delicate place between the human and supernatural world. With your magic, you understand the struggles of our world, and I thought it might feel inviting for you. Hurting you was never our goal.”

Raffe sniffed, and I knew why. He was trying to smell if she was lying.

Slade moaned as he awkwardly climbed to his feet. His face paled.

He probably shouldn’t have sat down.

Despite her son’s struggle, Supreme Priestess Olwyn headed to the door and waited for him impatiently. She didn’t hesitate, and I wondered if the thought of helping him had even crossed her mind. What sort of mother was she? Mom would’ve been at my side, pestering me about breathing too deeply.

Speaking of which, I needed to call her.

Finally, Slade was on his feet. “Sky, I’m sorry, too.”

He didn’t add a list of excuses, thawing my anger toward him. “Just get some rest.”

Raffe’s hand tightened on mine, and we watched them walk out the door.

When we were finally alone, I sat on the couch and patted the spot next to me, then winced. “I should call home.” I hadn’t gotten around to doing that.

“Did you leave your phone in the car?” Raffe edged toward the door. “I can get it.”

“Lucy never gave it to me this morning.” I yawned, not wanting to get up from my spot on the couch.

Raffe winked. “I’ll get it. I know where it is.”

I smiled sweetly, batting my eyelashes. “You’re the best boyfriend ever.”

He pretended to scowl. “That’smate. Get it straight.” He leaned over and brushed his lips across mine. “Find us something to watch on TV. I’ll be right back.” He strolled into the hallway and added, “But none of thatCriminal Mindsshit.”

I laughed. “Never. That’s my show with Lucy.” I swiped the remote from the cushion on the other couch. When I turned on the TV, I heard a bedroom door open, followed by a hiss and a loud, “Holy shit!”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Ileaped to my feet and hurried after him. I should’ve realized he was going into Lucy’s room and not mine.

Another hiss sounded as Raffe snarled.

If I hadn’t known better, I would’ve thought I was at the animal clinic. But no. The snarling wolf was the man I loved.

When I reached the room, I stopped in my tracks. Cat-Keith had her underside plastered to Raffe’s face as she clung to his temples. Raffe’s hands gripped the cat’s stomach to tug her off. With each tug, my cat dug her claws in deeper, and blood trickled down Raffe’s face.

The scent of copper had my stomach churning, and my humor vanished. I hadn’t realized she was hurting Raffe, not with how gentle he was being with her.

“Keith,” I chastised and reached for her.

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