Page 10 of Wolf Touched

Great, no wonder she was freaking out about him. She couldn’t think quickly on her feet, and I doubted she wanted me to use her full name.

I came up with a nickname for her becauseMomwouldn’t cut it. “Her name is Vi, and she came to visit. You know, today was a big football game for the school, and there are a ton of people here who aren’t normally on campus.”

“She’s part of our extended family,” Raffe added, and my stomach clenched.

I understood what he’d done—because he and I weremated and she was my biological mother he hadn’t lied, yet he’d made it sound like she was a wolf shifter.

“Great. More royal shifters on campus.” Slade rolled his eyes.

He needed to go, and quickly. I forced a yawn to illustrate that I was tired. “Is there anything else you need? It’s been a long day.”

Slade tapped a foot like he was delaying. “But I’m calling Mom first thing in the morning.”

Whatever it took to get him out the door. We would fight the next battle in the morning.

“Call me if you need anything,” Slade said, patting my arm and then heading out the door.

As soon as it shut, a weight pressed even heavier on my shoulders.

The four of us stood in silence as Raffe, Lucy, and I listened to Slade’s footsteps grow fainter.

Octavia frowned. “What’s the plan?”

“You sleep in Lucy’s room, and we’ll tie you to the headboard so you can’t escape or harm us.” Raffe’s eyes glowed, and when he didn’t connect with me, I realized he had to be talking to Adam and Keith. “Lucy, are you okay sleeping on the other couch?”

“That’s fine. I want to be close to Josie anyway.” Lucy stretched. “There’s only a small window in the room, so she can’t get out.”

“There won’t be any chance after I tie her up.” Raffe kissed the top of my forehead and linked,Why don’t youtake a shower and get ready for bed?

A shower sounded fantastic.

I glanced at Octavia, whose shoulders slumped. She knew she couldn’t get out of this.

I won’t be far behind. Promise.Raffe’s concern engulfed me, and I felt the magnitude of his love all over again.

Needing a moment to myself, I went into our room and grabbed some clothes before taking a quick shower to wash off the blood, grit, and dirt.

When I came out dressed in my favorite lilac pajamas, Raffe breezed past me into the bathroom. I glanced inside Lucy’s room to find my cat, amusingly known as Cat-Keith, standing on the end table, staring at Octavia, who lay on her side with her hands tied to the headboard. Raffe had left enough slack for her to be comfortable.

Octavia’s attention flicked to me, but I pushed away and went into my room. I needed the comfort of my own bed.

As I lay on my lilac comforter, listening to Raffe showering, I stared at the butterfly chandelier I’d made at home before coming here. It dangled from the light fixture, the darker purples at the top fading to lilac at the bottom.

I tried to push all thoughts from my mind, including the way my parents and King Jovian had reacted to Raffe and me being together. Both sets of parents disliked it, though mine thought our relationship was too intense, not understanding the supernatural, while King Jovian wanted Raffe to mate with the Atlanta alpha’s daughter to fix the divide among their people. Instead, his son was mated to me, a human turned wolf shifter, which should’ve been impossible. I believed King Jovian feared me and what I was.

Our time together had been one disaster after another, culminating in the appearance of my birth mother, who’d abandoned me. How had my life changed so much in two months? Even though I wouldn’t trade Raffe, Lucy, and the others for the world, I wouldn’t complain if life got a whole lot easier.

The water turned off, and within minutes, Raffejoined me in my room. His dark hair was damp, and he wore black sweatpants, remaining shirtless.

He slid into bed with me and pulled me into his arms.

I sighed. After today, I was so damn tired.

Are you okay?He cupped my face, watching me as I answered.

No, but I will be.I kissed his lips, needing to feel him all over me.With you here by my side and pleasuring my body.

He groaned, responding to my kiss, but when my hand went to his waistband, he caught my wrist. His tongue swept into my mouth before he pulled back and rasped, “You don’t know how badly I want to do that, but I can’t lose focus.” He tapped an ear.I need to listen in case Octavia tries something, and I’m pretty sure she will. Your safety and getting you some answers are more important tonight. That, and holding you.

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