Page 32 of Wolf Touched

Footsteps scurried downstairs as Adam and Keith rushed to back up Raffe.

“What are you three doing here?” Raffe gritted out, blocking the doorway so the three of them couldn’t enter.

Aldric, from his spot in the middle, looked over Raffe’s shoulder and straight at me.

A chill ran down my spine.

“Not going to invite us in?” Aldric arched a brow, yanking his attention back to my mate. “That’s rude, don’t you think?”

I moved next to Raffe, showing that I wouldn’t hide, just as Adam and Keith strolled into the room behind us.

“We’re just returning the favor.” I smiled sweetly, looking as innocent as possible while making my point.

“She’s right.” Raffe placed an arm around my waist. “At least we aren’t kicking you out of our pack and home.”

Aldric winced. “That’s fair, and that’s why we’re here.”

“You need to come home.” Valor stood in front of me, but his attention was behind me, on his son. “It should not have come to this.”

“Yet it did,” Keith deadpanned, emanating the resentment and malice he used to reserve for me. “And not by our own doing.”

Scoffing, Valor shook his head. “You left the pack. I didn’t make you do that.”

“By not accepting Skylar and Raffe, you drove a wedge between us,” Keith said, taking the other spot beside me. “I pledged my allegiance to Raffe years ago, and I will stand by my friend andalpha.”

A lump formed in my throat, and my eyes burned. I never would’ve imagined Keith standing up for me, presenting a united front.

“Son, you and I can be the voice of reason.” Finley sidestepped to see Adam. “Raffe’s relationship with this girl isn’t ideal. You must see that.”

“All I see is a woman who grounds Raffe and makes him stronger,” Adam replied stiffly. “I still love you, Dad. But my decision stands. Raffe is my alpha, and Skylar is my alpha’s mate. I stand behindbothof them the way you always taught me.”

“Not when he takes a human as a mate. That was bad enough, but now she’s somehow changed and has magic.” Finley dragged his hands through his hair.

Raffe growled. “We had this conversation, and we left. Why come here in the middle of the night to rehash it?”

He had a point. I stood taller despite being several inches shorter than every man here. “A phone call would’ve been easier. And how the hell did you find us?” The latter question had my stomach clenching.

Ifthese men had found us that easily, who else could?

“You don’t think we’ve been trying to call?” Aldric scowled. “All your phones are turned off. Luckily, Josie used her credit card to pay for this place. I made a few calls since it’s technically under my name and got the renter to provide the address.”

Raffe’s frustration put pressure in my chest.

None of us had considered that. Our funds were limited, and now we wouldn’t have any unless we wanted to risk more ofthishappening.

“Well, you wasted your time.” Raffe shut the door.

Before it could close, Aldric caught it with his hand. His jaw clenched, and he strained against Raffe’s strength.

“Don’t think I won’t shut it,” Raffe growled. “This is your one chance to move your hand before it gets slammed in the damn door.”

Aldric sighed. “Your father linked with me, and he told me to come here and ask you and the others to come home.”

“Did he now?” Raffe snorted bitterly. “The answer is the same. Skylar is my fated mate, and I won’t marry anyone else. She isitfor me, and she’s a shifter, so her being human is irrelevant. You can tell Dad where to shove it.”

“If it’s not clear where he’s referencing, he means good ol’ Jovian can shove it up his—” Keith started.

“Keith Barren, you’d better not finish that sentence.” Valor glared and puffed out his chest. “King Jovian was your alpha your entire life until not even twenty-four hours ago. You will show him respect.”

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