Page 71 of Wolf Bitten

A menacing growl emanated from deep within Raffe’s chest. “I’m taking her home so her wolf can focus on healing is what’s going to happen.”

Hecate crossed her arms. “Can I finish now?”

“I just need to make sure no one plans to object.” He squatted beside me and wrapped his arms gently around my chest and backside. The buzz between us sprang to life, easing some of the pain and calming my blood.

“Iwasn’t.” She scoffed. “I was about to suggest that I go with you so I can hide her from sight. I’m sure people seeing you—the elite, untouchable, mysterious quarterback—carrying a wolf into the women’s apartments might cause problems on campus for supernaturals.”

He sighed. “You’d do that?”

“Forher, yes.”

I tried to smile at her, but all I managed to do was open my mouth and let my tongue hang out.

Then Raffe decided to lift me. My back burned slightly, but not as bad as when I’d been walking and favoring my foot. I realized he’d tied my healthy back leg to my injured one, preventing it from dangling wildly. Overall, being in his arms wasn’t that much more painful than when I lay still on my stomach.

“Go. Gavyn and Cade texted and are on their way here to help.” Slade frowned. “Sky needs to be safe. She’s been through hell.” An odd emotion wafted from him, but I couldn’t quite make it out.

I wished my blood was fizzing so I could decipher it.

Hecate lifted her phone. “Call me if you need anything.”

The three of us made our way back toward campus. The cool air blew, ruffling my fur, but with one side plastered to Raffe’s chest and his arms around me, I stayed warm. I was also thrilled that I was covering his chest so Hecate couldn’t steal a peek at my man, though I couldn’t blame her if she tried. He was amazing.

Should you tell me how to shift so you don’t have to carry me all the way back like this?I wasn’t sure how it worked, but carrying me must have been awkward for him.

His arms tightened.You can’t, not with your injuries. It’ll make them worse. You’ll have to rest and heal enough so you can shift back without suffering more blood loss.

My breath caught.Wait, I’m stuck like this?I didn’t mind being a wolf shifter because it made everything so much easier for us, but damn, I didn’t like not having the option of turning back into human form right away.

Just until you scab over. That’s another reason I needed you to stop bleeding. Shifters heal faster than humans, so it won’t take long.

Why scabs?If an injury meant I couldn’t shift, I would’ve thought I’d have to heal completely before trying.

He kissed the top of my head, and butterflies took flight in my stomach. I never would’ve imagined wolves could feel them! An interesting fact I wish I could share with my microbiology class.

As long as your wound isn’t fresh and gaping, the magic that shifts you back into human form will heal you in the process, like with scabs. If you do it too soon, though, you risk making the injury worse and, at times, life-threatening.

Made sense … well, as much as anything did with the supernatural.

When we neared the tree line, Hecate stopped. She wiggled her fingers as if to warm them. “Okay, I should spell her now.”

Even with the cloudy darkness surrounding us, I could be seen. Many students would be arriving back late from the away game and throughout the night if they’d gone out instead of coming straight home.

“Fine.” Raffe huffed. “But I swear if you try anything funny—”

“I won’t.” She rolled her eyes. “Sky and I might have gotten off to a rough start, but when the supreme priestess claimed her as one of her own, she became my coven sister, and I will do right by her. Got it?”

My chest expanded. Things had changed between us when I’d been accepted into their coven, and her loyalty to her people and leader spoke volumes about her.She’s sincere. We’ve become friends.We’d spent a lot of time together, especially while Raffe and I were broken up, and we’d forged a bond of our own.

Even though Hecate’s words made me feel loved, they’d done the opposite to Raffe. The spot in my chest where he lived shrank with distrust and frustration.

“Let’s get her inside the apartment,” Raffe rasped.

That was all Hecate needed. She lifted her hands, and this time, I felt her magic cover me. It was hot, like fire, the element she could conjure, but it didn’t burn.

She gritted her teeth, and her bones popped as she pushed more of her magic toward me. Sweat covered her face, and she blanched and lowered her hands. Her eyes widened. “Something’s wrong.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

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