Page 88 of Wolf Bitten

“Oh, I know what has,” Dad cut in. “Him! There’s no doubt what they were doing this morning, and whatever brainwashing he’s done on her since she got here is working.”

“That’s it.” Raffe stood, taking my hand and pulling me out. “We’re leaving. I won’t let you talk to or about her this way. It’s disrespectful, and I won’t tolerate it. You say you’re so concerned with her well-being, but you’re making her feel as if you see her as a weak woman and a fool. It’s gone on long enough.”

“Listen, this isn’t a healthy relationship. You’re both so possessive of each other, and Skylar just threatened to kill you if you look at another girl.” Mom blinked like she was trying to choose her words.

Raffe shrugged. “I’d deserve it, and it won’t be a problem because I will never see anyone but her ever again.”

We couldn’t keep dragging this out. I didn’t want to leave things like this, but they didn’t understand. They couldn’t. This wasn’t an unhealthy human relationship, but that was all they could see. They didn’t understand that we were fated and made to be with only one another forever. They couldn’t understand our world.

Ourworld.

I’d always felt like an outsider, and after coming here, I finally understood why. I’d been neither fully human nor supernatural. Each species saw me as different from them. With Raffe, I finally fit in. But being with him had put a gap between me and my parents. I couldn’t explain this to them without putting them at greater risk. It was safer for them if they left.

“We should go.” I stepped into Raffe’s side, needing the comfort of our connection buzzing between us. My heart ached at leaving things like this, but it was the right call. “I know all this seems crazy and intense, and I can’t explain it, but I promise I love him, and your fears are truly unwarranted. Either way, just know that I love you even if it seems like I’m not listening.” I forced a sad smile, not wanting them to think I wasn’t the person they knew. Human Skylar was still there, just a little different.

I’m sorry, babe.Raffe’s regret swirled inside my chest, making it constrict more tightly.Had I known, I wouldn’t have pushed you to tell them about me.

No, this was inevitable.I forced myself to turn my back on them.My life has gone in a different direction than theirs, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be beside me.

“Robert, I hope you’re happy with yourself,” Mom muttered. “You had to push her. I told you not to bring this up until later. It’s the first time we’ve seen her in months.”

We were already halfway across the room, but I might as well have been sitting with them, given how clearly I could hear them.

“You want to say nothing and let her fall for him more?” Dad scoffed. “She needed to hear the truth. How else are we supposed to protect her?”

“Yeah, that’s protecting her, all right. You just pushed them closer, and she’s leaving with him, not us. I can’t take this.” Her hurried footsteps became louder behind us. “Sky, wait.”

My feet slowed of their own accord, and I hoped like hell we could salvage the way we’d ended the conversation. Raffe stiffened but didn’t urge me forward.

We turned toward her, and Mom’s face creased with worry.

“Look, this got out of hand.” Mom licked her lips. “The last thing I’d ever want is to cause a rift between us, so I’m sorry.”

My lungs worked a little easier. She was as upset as I was. “Mom, I get that what Raffe and I share is intense, but I need you to trust me. He takes good care of me and makes me happy.”

“Okay.” Mom pressed her lips together, but I could see the wariness in her eyes. “But this is your first relationship, so your dad and I have a right to be concerned. We’ll try to be more open-minded.”

I smiled, hope growing in my chest and making room for my heart to beat normally once more. “That’s all I’m asking.”

“And Mrs. Greene, I do love her.” Raffe gazed at me adoringly. “Her happiness will always come before mine.”

Mom pushed some hair out of her face. “Now I understand why your mom saidfiancée.”

I giggled. Not only did I like the sound offiancée,but I also liked watching Mom try so hard to accept Raffe and me even though she didn’t like it.

“If you give me a real chance, I swear I won’t disappoint you.” Raffe held out a hand to her. “You’re important to Skylar, and that means something to me.”

Some of the lines on Mom’s face eased as she arched a brow. “You really are sweet on her.”

Raffe chuckled, his own relief uncurling more of the knot in the bottom of my stomach. “You havenoidea.” He covered one side of his mouth so I couldn’t see and whispered loud enough for Mom and me to hear, “She completely owns me.”

Dad remained at the booth, shooting daggers at us.

I pursed my lips. “And I hate that Dad isn’t even willing to listen.”

Mom rolled her eyes. “You know your father. He worries about you and overreacts. We were surprised to learn you were dating someone. Then to come here and find you … the way you were, to see how serious the two of you are, and to learn who he’s related to … well, it was unsettling. Your father needs time, and I’ll work on him.”

That was the thing with Mom. If anyone could get Dad to change his mind, it was her.

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