Page 84 of Wolf Bitten

Mom cleared her throat, but Dad brushed past me.

His face was flushed as he extended a shaky hand. “Are youJovian Wright?”

Holy shit. My dad knew of Raffe’s father. How was that possible?

“Yes, I am.” King Jovian flicked a tentative glance at me and asked, “Why?”

“I’m Skylar’s father.” My dad kept his hand extended. “Robert Greene. I’m the finance manager at Piller Commercial Groups, so meeting the CEO of Wrights Property Group is a little surreal. The way your company moves so quickly despite its size and scoops up properties that no one knows are on the market has everyone intrigued about your methods. It’s pure brilliance and, truthfully, legendary.”

My dad was fanboying over my mate’s father, who could very well be trying to kill me. If this wasn’t proof that Fate was real, I didn’t know what was. Not only that, but she had a wicked sense of humor.

“Oh, honey.” Queen Tashya patted the king’s chest. “We get to meet Raffe’s, uh, fiancée’s parents. How lovely.”

Mom choked. “Fiancée?”

I wanted to die. Right then and there. I didn’t know what to do, but I noticed Aldric sneaking away in the chaos.

“You’reengaged? And you didn’t think totellus?” Mom clutched my arm, forcing me to face her. Her gaze homed in on my bare ring finger. “Are you hiding the ring? Haven’t you been dating this boy for only a week? What—”

“Wait. Raffe is your son?” Dad’s admiration fell from his face, and he blanched, almost resembling a vampire. “I knew his last name was Wright, but it’s a common name.”

“We’re not engaged.” I raised both hands, wanting the chaos to stop and to get the hell out of here. “Absolutely no engagement has happened.” Just an unbreakable fated-mate bond, which made us more committed than marriage ever could, but I woulddefinitelybe leaving that out.

Raffe’s voice popped into my head, and somehow, I felt Lucy in the connection.Dad is refusing to leave and wants to talk to Skylar and me later. Lucy, don’t let Sky out of your sight. Not even for a second. If she needs to pee, you go with her. Got it?

Don’t worry. But when the game is over, we might need to switch to protecting you instead of her.Lucy snorted then tried covering it up with a cough.

I didn’t need her stressing him out more than he already was. I glared at her and linked,Everything is fine. I’ll behave. A witch couldn’t risk putting up a barrier spell here with all the humans around. Just focus on the game.

Easier said than done when I don’t give a shit about anything but your safety,he grumbled, his concern flowing into me.If it wasn’t for the pack link with you, my ass wouldn’t be down here. Ifanythingseems strange, you tell me immediately. I’m tuning in to your emotions.

“Your silence speaks volumes, Skylar Jane Greene,” Mom spat, forcing me back to the verbal conversation going on around me.

A lump formed in my throat. She hadn’t full-named me since I was sixteen and accidentally ran my car into a ditch. I had no idea what had been said to know how to answer.Shit.

“Clara, this was a misunderstanding on my end.” Queen Tashya laughed, a little high-pitched, and clasped her hands in front of her chest. “I misspoke. I meant to say girlfriend, not fiancée.”

Dad lifted his chin. “That’s quite a mix-up. I know that neither Clara nor I would accidentally say fiancé when speaking about Skylar’s boyfriend.”

He had a point, but I could understand how the queen had gotten there. She couldn’t saymate, so she’d said the first thing that popped into her head to convey the sort of relationship Raffe and I had.Boyfrienddidn’t even come close to what we shared.

“We should take our seats.” Lucy pointed toward the opening that led to our section. “The game starts in less than twenty minutes, and we don’t want to miss the football team’s entrance!”

I latched on to the valid excuse to get us out of this situation. “You’re right. Let’s do that.” My heart stopped.Please tell me we won’t be sitting next to them.

Lucy shook her head.They have box seats. Don’t worry.

Some of the weight on my shoulders lifted. At least, that was a silver lining, though considering how my parents kept flicking concerned glances my way, the damage had been done, and I couldn’t blame them. Mom had only learned about Raffe last week, and she would never understand the bond he and I shared. This seemed superfast to them.

“Well, it was great meeting you.” Queen Tashya shook my parents’ hands and placed a hand on my cheek. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing you soon, dear.” She turned to Lucy and hugged her.

Oh yes. We’ll be talking soon.King Jovian nodded.I have some things the three of us need to discuss, and I need you to explain to me how this full bond and her mind-speaking with me is even possible.

He was already suspicious of me; I couldn’t imagine his response when he learned I was now a wolf shifter.

The king didn’t shake my parents’ hands but told them goodbye. When the four of us moved toward the opening and away from Raffe’s parents, oxygen filled my lungs again.

Both my parents were abnormally quiet, Mom’s earlier carefree demeanor gone and replaced with the concern that Dad had been trying to hide all morning.

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