Page 70 of Wolf Bitten

“What are you two doing?” Slade asked uncomfortably.

Raffe’s breathing turned rapid, and his eyes glowed brightly. The power inside him surged forward. “She’s trying to submit like you suggested.”

My blood’s instinct was to push back, but my wolf howled loudly in my head. As soon as she quieted, my gaze lowered to the ground of its own accord, then a myriad warm spots popped into my chest. The sensation was less intense than the connection I felt with Raffe, but a piece of my wolf also seemed to float out.

Skylar?Raffe tilted his head.

Hope jolted in my chest, but his speaking to me had never been the issue. So I tried again, using the same method as with the animals,Raffe?

His jaw dropped, and he exhaled.How the hell is this possible? What happened? And why didn’t you wait for me before running into danger? I told Lucy to stop you, but clearly, she didn’t.

So many questions, and I was still processing that I was talking to him with my mind. It sounded like someone was in trouble, and Lucy was with me. That’s why she gave you a heads-up. It wouldn’t have made a difference if you’d been with me—the wolves that attacked me must be working with a witch who created a magical barrier like the one in the underground bunker. Slade was the only one who could walk through it then. This time, Lucy couldn’t follow me, and I couldn’t go back. Then, three wolf shifters attacked.

Whoever did this to you, I get to kill with my bare hands.Raffe’s face tensed, making the angles of his sculpted face sharper.And slowly so I can watch them struggle until they take their last breath.

That promise had me feeling all sorts of warmth that I didn’t want to analyze.

And Slade got here right when the barrier went down on its own.Raffe shook his head.He and Hecate weren’t on campus—we had to wait for them to come back. Adam, Josie, Lucy, and Keith shifted and ran along the barrier, looking for a break in it while I waited for Slade and tried to bust through the damn thing.

My heart stopped.The witch must have run off when Slade showed up.

They didn’t want to be caught by the supreme priestess’s son. That tracks.He scooted closer, leaning carefully against my side.

“I take it my suggestion worked.” Slade tapped his foot.

Raffe scowled. “Yeah. I guess since she was turned instead of born, she was like a rogue.”

I didn’t want the two of them arguing over something pointless.He needs to find the coven member who spelled the area. They can’t be too far if they’ve just taken down the barrier, right?I had no clue how that worked, so I could be wrong.

Raffe repeated what I’d said, but then his body tensed.

What’s wrong?At least I could talk to him now like this.

He turned to me, and his eyes glowed.

They can’t find anything back there,Raffe linked.

Keith replied,Yeah, I know, man. That’s what Adam just told you.

Wait. No.That’s not possible. There were three wolves. One was killed, and the other two were knocked unconscious.

Oh my gods,Josie linked with a faint hint of shock.I thought Keith was messing with us when he said you were a wolf.

Josie, focus,Raffe snapped.My mate is injured, and we’ve got to find the bastards responsible for it. Keep looking while I take Skylar someplace safe and warm.

I flinched at his tone.

Okay, we will, but their scents vanish at a certain point,Adam said slowly, like he hoped to prevent Raffe’s ire.But we’ll scout farther. See if the scents pop back up.

Raffe stood and frowned.I need to pick you up and carry you. We can’t stay out in the open.

The thought of moving made me want to cry, but he was right. If we loitered, that would give the enemy time to bring reinforcements.Okay.

“Is everything all right?” Slade asked, rubbing his hands together to get warm.

“No. The scents vanished, which means your coven was definitely involved. You need to help the wolves pick up their trail while I take Skylar somewhere safe and warm.”

“Do you think that—” Hecate started.

---