Page 41 of Wolf Bitten

Raffe placed a hand on my back and said, “She’s right. Everything I’ve done has been of my own choosing.”

“Her mouth is going to get you both in trouble, especially with you enabling her.” Aldric crossed his arms. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing. She’s your mate and should be making things easier on you, not alienating you from your family.”

“She’s not alienating me from anything,” he snapped then kissed the top of my head. “That’s everyone else’s doing.”

My heart ached from the sweet gesture, and I slid into my seat.

Raffe marched around the hood while Aldric got into his sedan. The looks on their faces were of pure determination.

Both vehicles started, and Raffe backed out of the spot.

“What is all this about?” I asked. He had to know something. I had no doubt he’d been pack-linking his dad to get answers.

“I don’t know.” He glanced in the rearview mirror then drove to the road.

I stared at the apartments. Josie had joined Keith and Adam, who were still standing where we’d left them, watching us go.

A shiver ran down my spine.

Something was off. Or was that paranoia from being kidnapped and held captive?

“Hey,” Raffe said and placed his hand on my thigh. He squeezed gently and smiled timidly. “Everything will work out. Besides, the two of us will be there together. It’ll be good to get this meeting over and done with so my parents’ reaction to us won’t be hanging over our heads.”

I wasn’t so sure about that, but I wanted to address one thing. “Thank you for protecting me, but I don’t want to cause problems between you and your family and friends.” Unfortunately, I now understood why he’d struggled with our relationship. Given Aldric’s reaction, I feared what we would face in Seattle.

“Like I said, you’re not the one causing problems. Dad has a hang-up about wolves being the strongest species, believing we can’t risk diluting our bloodline. He’ll have to accept our mating, or we’ll figure something else out.”

The problem with powerful people was that, sometimes, they made others feel like they didn’t have a say in their own lives. I suspected that was what we were going to walk into and one reason the king had demanded Raffe be there in person.

With that said, it would be best if we presented a united front. “Raffe, what I asked about after you saved me … I want you to know—”

“Please, don’t.” He kept his hand on my leg. “We don’t need to talk about it. I don’t have the energy for it.”

I bit my bottom lip. “But—”

“Seriously, Sky.” He forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “We’re more than okay. I’m over it.”

A stench like eggs filled my nose, and I wanted to gag. Where was that coming from?

“Why don’t you take a nap? You need it.” He removed his hand and turned on Pink Floyd.

Not wanting to push him to talk, I sighed and did as he’d asked. I leaned my seat back and tried to go to sleep.

We turnedinto a long driveway on top of Cougar Mountain. Raffe’s pack neighborhood was nestled in a forest far from the main road.

A huge mansion appeared, the thick woods behind it. The house had stones around each window and tan siding for the walls. Various plants lined a stone sidewalk that led to six huge steps up to the wooden front door.

Raffe parked his car in front, and I noticed Aldric’s Bentley continuing down a side road, deeper into the woods.

Strange.

“Let’s go. Dad knows we’re here.” Raffe climbed from the car.

Following his lead, I headed up the stairs. My blood jolted then fizzed close to a hum. I wasn’t sure what sort of welcome we’d receive.

When we reached the covered porch, Raffe turned right toward a second door. He took my hand and opened it without pausing.

We entered an office, and my attention homed in on the man standing in the middle of the room on a fancy rug.

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