Page 48 of Wolf Bitten

“What do you consider taking her from campus?” Olwyn countered, straightening her shoulders. The breeze blew a stray piece of light-blonde hair that had fallen from her bun into her eyes. Normally, I had a hard time believing that this woman was Slade’s mother, but with her face tense and lines creasing her forehead, I could see now that she was older.

My blood jolted, and that damn presence that plagued me swirled uncomfortably in my chest. I wasn’t in the mood for fighting. All I wanted to do was head inside the apartment and justbeand see Cat-Keith. “I don’t see how staying on campus could be considered safe.”

Lafayette chuckled. “Because I’m here, making arrangements with security to keep an eye on things, and the priestess is setting up perimeters to ensure that, even when people from her coven visit the campus, she’s alerted.” His golden eyes twinkled as he stared down his nose at me. His gelled, light-brown hair didn’t budge despite the windy day, and he didn’t look as stressed as Olwyn. I wondered how old he actually was. He appeared to be in his thirties, but after meeting Warin, I knew how inaccurate that might be.

“I’m with her.” Keith nodded his head toward me. “A fucking student onthiscampusdruggedher, and you witches did some sort of spell to prevent us from getting to her when we heard her screams. So, beingoff campuswithRaffeis probably the safest place for her.”

Silence.

My shoulder blades tensed, and I waited for Keith’s head to start spinning to prove he was possessed. Any second now, he’d laugh at us for even considering he’d be on my side.

Instead, Raffe moved beside me, placing a hand on the small of my back. “Exactly. She was with me the entire time, and she’s my mate. If anyone can protect her, it’s me.”

That presence inside me flinched, and without thought, I turned to Raffe and said, “I’m not completely helpless, you know.”

“Thank you for saying that so I didn’t have to.” Hecate held out her hands toward me. Her thick, wavy hair swayed with her movement. “What is it with wolf shifters thinking a woman can’t protect herself?”

The muscle in Raffe’s jaw twitched, so I stepped closer to his side. My nearness calmed him marginally, though his stare shot daggers at Lafayette and Olwyn.

“In fairness, Raffe saved her several times, including her first day here when someone was spying on her in the woods.” Adam shoved his hands into his jeans pockets.

“So?” Hecate narrowed her jade-green eyes at him. “Things have changed since then.”

“Did she not know what she was when she got here?” Zella rocked back on her heels, her arm brushing Lafayette’s while she turned to him. “Dad, you were the one who first experienced the draw of her blood. Right?”

Dad?I bit the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from reacting. This whole supernatural aging thing confused the hell out of me. They could pass as siblings rather than him being herfather.

“Not the first, but the first tosurvive.” Lafayette’s nose wrinkled. “Unfortunately, the first vampire died at Raffe’s claws and teeth.”

The memory of Glinda and Warin informing me of how wolf shifters dealt with a vampire’s first loss of control flickered through my mind. Even though I understood that Raffe had reacted out of fear of seeing his fated mate hurt, I wondered if Edward had lost his life because of my special blood. He’d been in control until I’d come snooping around.

I pushed away that concern and focused on thebiggestissue. “Should we be talking outhere?” However, I couldn’t fathom a place where everyone would be comfortable, especially with how divided these three species were.

With all the mist and cloud cover, it seemed close to twilight, despite the time being a little after three in the afternoon. Humans were out and about, though they gave us a wide berth, with not even a handful heading toward the parking lot for after-class jobs and activities.

“Don’t worry.” Slade kept his arms close to his sides and spoke quieter than usual. His face was still swollen from whatever the Veiled Circle had done to him, and I appreciated him that much more. He tried to smile but grimaced. “Mom and Hecate cast a diversion spell, so no one can hear us.”

Of course, I should’ve known that I could trust him to make sure things were handled. He’d always taken care of me, even when I might not have understood his methods. “Right. I’m still getting used to all this.”

Raffe’s hand clung tighter to mine, and the icky sensation of jealousy filled our bond.

Despite everything, he felt threatened by Slade. Part of me was annoyed, but between the way I’d made him feel since he’d found me and what had happened with his father, I understood him feeling insecure. After all, he might lose everything because he’d chosen me.

I also couldn’t turn my back on Slade, not after he’d risked his freedom to help me.

“Everyone is tense and tired.” I had no doubt that Supreme Priestess Olwyn had been up all night, worried about her son. “Slade should be in bed resting.”

“So shouldyou,” Raffe rasped, his concern swirling in my chest. The deep edge in his voice had a shiver running down my spine.

“You’re right.” Olwyn scowled as if agreeing with Raffe caused her tremendous pain. “But you need to tell us when you’re planning to take her off campus. The worst thing any of us can do is make the secret society think she’s siding with the wolves. In fact, it probably would be best if she stayed with me at my house, away from everyone.”

Hot anger pulsed from Raffe. “She’ll be with meeverynight. Besides, one of your most trusted was behind her capture. She’s no safer with you than me.”

“But sheis.” The supreme priestess sneered. “If they think she’s aligned with yourkind—”

“Don’t forget your priestess and vampires kidnapped your son.” A growl laced Raffe’s words, indicating he was losing control.

This had to end now. This wasmylife and future that everyone was trying to decide on my behalf. “As much as I love how everyone is weighing in on my safety …” I placed a hand over my heart, noting that the vampires hadn’t offered their assistance, which was for the best. My blood had a mind of its own. “Iwant to sleep inmybed inmyapartment where allmystuff is. Being apart from Raffe will only distract us, and the secret society already knows he’s claimed me as his mate.”

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