Page 45 of Wolf Bitten

My breathing quickened. Once again, I was unworthy in someone else’s eyes, which shouldn’t have been surprising. After coming to EEU and feeling a sense of belonging, this felt like Lizzie in kindergarten all over again. The pain was worse because the price would be Raffe.

I knew of one way to calm myself, and maybe if I touched Raffe, he’d realize I was there for him.

I took his hand, wanting to simultaneously stomp and yell because I couldn’t think of a damn thing I could do to help him. I felt powerless despite the ground quaking, the family picture behind the desk crashing to the floor, the huge desk shaking as if it was about to splinter, and the wooden planks curling upward from the floor.

When my hand touched Raffe’s, a shock sprang between us, stronger than any buzz from before. Raffe’s discomfort ebbed as surprise took over, but he didn’t avert his eyes from his dad. If anything, my touch increased his determination tenfold, which was what I wanted.

With all my animal facts and the classes I’d taken, I understood why. Wolves were all about strength and dominance, which revolved around fights, stare-offs, and hunting.

The ground shook harder, and the wooden floor cracked and popped. The desk broke apart. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the odd presence inside me that was becoming more and more of a hindrance grew hotter. Strength pushed into my arm, easing my blood a bit, but not enough to keep the ground from quaking.

A door that led into the house opened, and two male shifters ran into the room. The taller one’s eyes widened when he took in Raffe and King Jovian glaring at one another while the shorter one hurried to turn off the lights in the room.

Then I heard the creak, and I glanced up to find the chandelier in the middle of the room dropping a few inches before something caught it. But it wouldn’t stay that way for long.

I jerked on Raffe’s arm, knowing we needed to step back. Not only might I implode, but there was no telling how many people I might kill along with me. One being Raffe, which was unacceptable.

“I won’tleaveher,” Raffe snarled, not fighting me and taking a few steps back. “Your alpha will won’t work on me.”

King Jovian marched toward us, either not noticing or caring about the chandelier swaying precariously over him.

“Leave,” King Jovian barked and pointed at the doors the guards had gone through. “I need to talk to my son and Skylar alone.”

“But sir, there’s an earthquake happening only in this room. You should—” the taller one started.

King Jovian shouted, “Leavenow.”

The two guards listened, not hesitating, and my blood calmed to a hum, which was ironic, given the situation. How my blood had increased to more than that without leaving me on the ground dying was beyond me, but the power swirling through me was still too strong.

As if some higher being had a morbid sense of humor, the desk splintered like the coffee table had in Lucy’s and my apartment months ago.

Still, the king remained focused on Raffe.

“You heard me,” he rasped. “You will leave her.Now.”

My heart sputtered. This was it. Raffe was going to leave me, and I’d never be able to apologize and beg for his forgiveness.

A cocky smirk spread across Raffe’s face. “No.”

I blinked, startled enough that my blood dropped to a high fizz. The floor quieted.

“What?” King Jovian croaked and blinked. “That’s impossible. Youhaveto bend to your alpha.”

Raffe shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you,Dad, but it’s not working.”

My eyes burned as relieved tears flooded them. I’d been so certain his dad would win, and a bitter taste filled my mouth. Once again, I’d doubted Raffe. What thehellwas wrong with me? He was amazing.

Mouth opening and closing, King Jovian reminded me of a fish out of water.

“What’s wrong?” Raffe tilted his head, his face slipping into the mask of indifference he wore on campus and around almost everybody. The look screameddon’t mess with me, which was an amazing attribute on the football field. “Giving up?”

I loved his confidence, but I didn’t want to antagonize Jovian into trying again and succeeding. “Raffe—”

“Stop,” King Jovian snarled. He jabbed a finger at me. “You’ve doneenough. I knew something was strange when Raffe avoided my questions about you, but I assumed he was focused on football and finishing his degree. Little did I know you were entrancinghim.”

I laughed then tried to cover it with a cough. But from the way his eyes narrowed, he wasn’t buying it.

Fair enough.

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