Page 39 of Wolf Bitten

Raffe sneered. “That makes it worse. You knew better and still said nothing.”

The elevator door opened, and for a moment, they didn’t even notice. Raffe wore his displeasure in the form of a frown like he usually did around campus. Keith didn’t seem fazed, standing tall and cocky. But Adam’s forehead was creased, revealing his concern.

The four of us marched out the door and went into the parking lot to meet Aldric. Raffe took my hand, the buzz simmering between us, but his anger didn’t ease.

Adam hurried up on Raffe’s other side. He exhaled noisily and said, “What would you have done? You hadn’t slept in days, and you hadjustgotten Skylar back. You would’ve been torn about what to do, and we were handling it.”

Jaw twitching, Raffe didn’t respond.

We passed a group of students heading in the direction I should’ve been going—to class. It was Tuesday, which meant I’d miss one day of every class. That wasn’t a huge deal for statistics and economics, but microbiology and chemistry were a whole different ball game. It was easy to get left behind in science, and I’d need to get notes from someone and read the material in detail. I couldn’t afford to let my grades slip, not with vet school on the horizon.

Keith caught up with me and rolled his eyes.

I suspected he blamed me for everything. In a way, I agreed. Until I’d come along, nothing likethishad happened, and I was driving a wedge between the three of them. Though I hadn’t intended to, it didn’t matter. Intentions didn’t mean much when someone caused problems.

“It was my right to betorn.” Raffe puffed out his chest. “I’m your prince, and you don’t get to decide for me.”

Adam tilted his head. “Aren’t I supposed to be your strategist? If I am, you need to trust me. What would you joining us have accomplished? Nothing. His scent had vanished, and not even a wolf of your strength could overcome that.”

Raffe’s car came into view with Aldric pacing in front of it. He noticed us as we approached.

“That probably changed when he decided to claimher.” Keith wrinkled his nose and spat. “I bet she’s been talking to him about how she should take our place.”

My blood surged, and the jolt went straight to a low fizz. I understood why Keith resented me. I wasn’t one of them, not really, but that didn’t mean he could talk about me like that. I stopped in my tracks and prepared to tell him where he could go.

But Raffe beat me to it.

He tugged me behind him and shoved Keith in the chest. Even though I couldn’t see his eyes, I had no doubt they were glowing.

In public.

Around humans.

Worse, in front of Aldric.

My lungs quit working.

“I’ve been more lax than I should’ve been with you.” A growl laced Raffe’s words, making them almost inaudible. “And it ends now. You’ve pushed me too far.”

Adam touched my arm, tearing my gaze from Raffe.

He mouthed the words,Calm him down.

Like I knew how to do that. If I did, he wouldn’t get flustered as often as he did. And since I’d returned, he’d been acting more erratic than before.

“Raffe,” Aldric warned. “Now’s not the time. You know that.”

The warning fell on deaf ears. Raffe clutched the front of Keith’s shirt and snarled, “Say one more negative thing about her. Idareyou.”

Keith flinched, the first sign of fear I’d ever seen from him. He mashed his lips together and shook his head.

I froze. Seeing Keith like this affected me more than I would have thought possible. With his cocky demeanor gone, my heart quickened. This situation was worse than I’d realized.

A few girls stopped on their way to class to watch the show.

“Tell Skylar you’re sorry.” Raffe didn’t release his hold; instead, his voice lowered to a more menacing tone. “And mean it, or I will kick your ass. She didn’t mean for anything like this to happen, and the way you’re trying to make her feel like shit on top of everything else is a dick move that I won’t tolerate. She’s my mate, so you either fucking accept it, or our friendship ends now. Got it?”

My stomach somersaulted and churned. I loved that he was standing up for me, but causing problems between childhood friends made me sick. The strange presence inside me squirmed while Raffe’s determination and anger sat heavy in its spot. I hadn’t had a friend since kindergarten when Lizzie had turned on me. I’d always wanted a true friend, and at EEU, I’d found three. The last thing I wanted was for Raffe to lose one because he’d chosen to be with me. “Raffe, he’s just worried—”

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