Page 80 of Wolf Bitten

How did you learn this? And how would they know about Skylar? Wouldn’t someone have picked them up from the airport? They shouldn’t have been here. Who was supposed to get them?

Josie looked down, picking at her nails.

My blood jolted. I’d never seen a nervous tic from her before. My heart pounded, and my mind raced a mile a minute.

Realization stole the breath from me.

No.

This couldn’t be possible.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Silence hung heavily around us.

Raffe remained focused on Adam, who hadn’t continued, wary of Raffe’s reaction.

Between my quickened heart rate and the way my blood jolted, Raffe must have felt my disbelief. He studied my profile, noting which direction I was facing.

The moment Raffe homed in on Josie, she dropped her hands into her lap and kept her eyes downturned.

“Are youfuckingserious?” Each word carried more of his anger, the last one sounding more like a bellow than anything. “Aldric picked up the wolves that attacked my mate.”

“Dude, calm down.” Keith pointed a finger at Raffe. “It’s not her fault her dad is involved. I told her she shouldn’t be here when you learned this.”

More hot rage flowed through Raffe, almost taking my breath away, but thankfully, my blood remained at a steady jolt. At least, Raffe’s emotions didn’t affect my blood like mine did; otherwise, I’d be screwed.

“Fuck you,” Raffe snapped. “I’m not mad ather.She didn’t have anything to do with it, but I’mlividabout what that means.” His anger switched to hurt. “I can’t believe Dad would do this to me.”

My chest squeezed tightly with his disappointment and betrayal, and my wolf urged forward, wanting to kill the person behind it all. I took a deep breath to calm down and remain rational. I turned and cupped his face, then linked,Just because Aldric picked up the wolves from the airport doesn’t mean your father was behind it. Maybe they were on their own mission, or the secret society manipulated them into attacking me. We aren’t certain what happened, and none of us can jump to conclusions.

He turned his face into my palm and kissed it.I love you so much for saying that, but if Aldric is involved, it’s very likely that he did this on my dad’s behalf.

Adam dropped his arms.Skylar’s right, though. Your dad could’ve invited the Atlanta alpha here to update him on your refusal to marry his daughter. King Jovian wouldn’t want to leave Seattle right now, and that’s the sort of news he wouldn’t want to share over a link or phone call. He also wouldn’t risk leaving after the turmoil between the two of you and the chaos that could explode if our people learned that the prince was threatening to leave the pack. Add in that if he went to Atlanta after failing to hold up his end of the bargain, he’d be walking into hostile territory.

And let’s be real, man.Keith lifted his hands in surrender.If I were the Eastern wolves’ alpha and wanted my daughter to marry the prince, I'd eliminate the obstacle to fix the problem permanently. Your dad wouldn’t even have to suggest it to me.

Lucy rubbed her hands together.Josie, did your dad say anything to you?

Nothing.Josie twirled a piece of her dark, curly hair around one finger.He checked on me last night, but he always does that.

I was so damn thankful to be able to pack-link with all of them because I doubted we could’ve had this conversation verbally. If people were watching us, we’d have to be more careful.

There’s one easy solution. I’ll call him.Raffe nodded, his emotions still volatile.If he’s behind this, I need to know.

And what? Add more tension between the two of you so he tries to kill Skylar again?Adam lifted a brow.If this was anyone but Skylar, you’d say we shouldn’t be rash and can’t tip our hand until we know more.

And Sky has a point, Lucy added as she crossed her legs.The secret society could be part of it. If they knew the Eastern wolves wanted to split, having them attack her would cause problems for all of us.

Not doing anything would invite him to attack my mate again.Raffe shook his head and wrapped his arms around me.I won’t.

We don’t know the real enemy behind the attack. If you accuse your dad and he’s innocent, it’ll create more tension between you two and possibly get me hurt again if he thinks I’m driving a wedge between you.I turned to him and pressed my forehead against his.

I had to believe his dad wouldn’t do that. Parents loved their children, right? They wouldn’t do something to hurt them, even in the name of duty. I shivered, hoping I was right and not misguided.

Raffe growled faintly.Fine, but you have to be with one of us at all times, and that means no traipsing into the woods near campus alone.

My wolf whimpered in my head.But …

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