Page 73 of Wolf Bitten

That was risky.

“What about the elevator?” Raffe asked.

She arched a brow. “Your hearing’s decent, right?”

Raffe didn’t respond, which spoke volumes.

She smirked, and I believed if we hadn’t been in such a dire situation, she would’ve patted herself on the back for goading him.

Mirth twinkled in her eyes before she turned serious again. “I can spell the area and hold the elevator to make sure it doesn’t go down until you get her into her room. The only thing is, with how much magic I used trying to conceal her, I won’t be able to hold the aversion spell for long. Maybe a few minutes. You’ll need to move fast and get her inside before it wears off. Even if that makes her uncomfortable.” She focused on me, saying more with her glare than she had aloud.

She might as well have pack-linked because I understood.Keep my pain to myself, or he’ll worry more about me than getting me inside as quickly as possible.

I nodded and cringed. Even the little head movement caused me pain. All my muscles seemed to move through my back.

“Fine, as long as her pain isn’t unbearable.” Raffe tightened his hold on me. “Let’s do it. With wolves and witches going missing, I want to get her somewhere with walls and fast.”

Hecate nodded. “Go through the woods to where you can see the other side of the building, and watch for me to open the stairwell side door.” She took off toward the front entrance.

During my entire time at EEU, I’d never seen anyone use the stairwell. The school wasn’t crowded, and the elevator was so quick that no one minded waiting. This late, no one could enter the stairwell from outside, so we had that going in our favor.

Raffe linked,If I move too fast, tell me. I’ll slow down.He took off at a quick walk.

I swallowed the whimpers that wanted to escape and closed my eyes, focusing on the cool rain as he continued his path toward the stairwell door.

After a short while, Raffe slowed, and I opened my eyes to find us between the men’s and women’s apartments.

A group of drunk guys and girls were hanging out between the buildings, almost right in front of the door.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

I shouldn’t have been surprised that we were facing another damn obstacle. This night had been one disaster after another.Maybe you should leave me here. I’m close enough that it’d be foolish to attack me, and I can link with you if something happens.I didn’t like feeling like a burden.

If you sleep out here, I will too. I can shift. But after you’ve been attacked twice in these woods, I don’t think I can handle you staying out here.

His worry and frustration knotted in my chest, holding me hostage. I was getting so damn sleepy after everything and feeling this pain constantly.

The stairwell door opened, and Hecate’s head popped out. She frowned, taking in the group standing in front of her. Then she raised a hand.

Even though we weren’t close, I could feel the heat of her magic faintly.

One of the girls visibly shivered. “It’s getting cold. We should go somewhere else.”

“Oh yeah.” The guy closest to her wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Why don’t we go hang out in my room?”

The group reached a quick agreement and headed toward the men’s apartments.

Raffe and I were silent as we watched them go indoors, and my wolf surged forward, listening for others outside.

I could hear TVs playing and people laughing, but I didn’t hear anyone outside. Behind us, small animals like raccoons rustled close by.

Hecate scanned the area then waved us on.

Not hesitating, Raffe moved quicker than he had been to get here.Let me know if you’re hurting too much.

It felt like razor blades slicing through me, but I wouldn’t tell him that. I couldn’t lie, so I just remained quiet. My heart pounded, and my blood fizzed until we got inside the door. I held my breath until the door shut, and Hecate muttered, “I didn’t have magic to spare, so once we get upstairs, move fast.”

“Not if—” Raffe started, but I interjected,I’ll be fine. I just want to go home.

---