Page 54 of Wolf Bitten

Raffe jerked. “Don’t.” His words were muffled.That damn cat better not hurt her. I don’t care if it’s her pet.

The last few sentences had popped into my head. That was the third time it’d happened today. I had to be losing it.

Not wanting to analyze possibly losing my mind, I reached over and placed my hands on Keith. As soon as I touched her, I tensed, remembering I smelled like a wolf now.

She could attack me, I thought, but the damage was done. I pulled her toward me and whispered, “Keith, it’s okay. I promise.” I used the same soothing tone I had in the animal clinic when she’d become scared and aggressive around people she didn’t know.

I expected her to turn around and attack me, but instead, she retracted her claws from Raffe’s face, and I took her into my arms. Her body relaxed as I moved my hair over my shoulder, allowing it to blanket her and make her feel as if she was hiding.

Holding her tightly, I stepped away from Raffe, hoping she’d calm completely. I could only imagine the trauma she’d endured while I was kidnapped, being stuck with a wolf shifter she didn’t like and feeling all alone. I wasn’t sure if bringing her home had been the right move.

“Damn feline,” Raffe growled as he wiped blood from his cheeks. Luckily, she hadn’t dug her claws in as deep as I’d feared, but I still didn’t like seeing him hurt.

Rocking gently from side to side as if the cat was a baby, I nodded toward the bathroom. “You should clean those cuts so they don’t get infected.”

Huffing, Raffe bared his teeth at the cat. “I’m fine, but I want to get cat DNA out of my skin. Nothing good can come from that.”

As he headed into the bathroom, I went back into Lucy’s room. She would do better in here with Raffe spending the night in mine.

I shut the door and placed Cat-Keith on the olive-green comforter, which was neatly tucked into the bottom corners of Lucy’s queen-size bed. The wooden end table beside the window held a potted plant along with my phone.

Cat-Keith meowed as I snatched up my phone and looked to see if I had missed texts or calls. I had two texts from Mom, the first from around ten this morning.

Mom: Hey. I hope your classes went well. I miss hearing your voice but understand your throat has been hurting. Hope we can talk tonight.

Even though I hated that I’d have to lie to Mom, I could kiss Lucy for handling the situation for me. If they’d learned that something had happened to me, I wasn’t sure how they’d have reacted. They’d tried to have children for so long, and I had become their miracle child after several failed adoption attempts.

Meowing, Cat-Keith jumped onto the nightstand and rubbed against my side. I scratched behind her ear as the sink in the bathroom turned on.

The next message had come in about an hour ago, so around five.

Mom: Sky, I’m getting worried. Please let me know you’re all right.

Blowing out a breath, I pressed her number. She wouldn’t calm down until she heard my voice. As expected, she picked up on the second ring.

“Sky?” she said hurriedly. “Are you okay?”

It wasn’t meant to be a trick question, but it was just the same. “Yeah, sorry. It’s been a busy day, and I just checked my phone.” Though she wasn’t here and wasn’t a wolf shifter who could detect my lies, I still hated lying to her. “I saw your messages and figured I should call.”

“I’m so glad you did.” Mom sighed. “Your father and I have been so worried. Are you feeling better? Do you need me to drive down there and take you to the doctor?”

If only a doctor could solve my problems. “No, I’m feeling better.” That was true. Two days ago, I was drugged and locked in a room. “I didn’t mean to worry you two.”

“I know that things have been hard for you, but you’re still our daughter. We willalwaysworry about you, and if you ever need us, all you have to do is tell us.”

My vision blurred. “I know. And I miss you two as well.”

“Dad and I were thinking we should visit now that you’ve been there for a while and are settled in.” Her voice rose as if she wasn’t sure she would be welcomed.

“No,” I said way too quickly.

She sucked in a breath, her tell when her feelings were hurt.

Lovely.

“Oh, well. I mean, then, maybe …” she stuttered, searching for the words.

I was an awful daughter, and I wanted to kick myself.

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