Page 58 of Wolf Touched

They needed to stop calling me that. I’d hoped it was temporary, but now the coven was using it. However, I wasn’t in any state to address it now.

“What’s hurting her?” Raffe’s head jerked toward the table.

Thankfully, he’d asked the question. I wanted to but couldn’t gather my wits to speak. The onslaught came harder, and I sagged against Raffe.

He wrapped his arms around me, anchoring me to him, but it only added to the discomfort. Still, I’d never complain about being in his arms. They were my safe haven during a storm.

Unable to hold it back any longer, I sensed my power humming inside me. The intense pressure focusing near the top of my skin collided with the magical presence attacking me. I didn’t know what sort of hell Supreme Priestess Olwyn was inflicting upon me, but I had no doubt she or Slade was the source of this pain.

Slade.

In all the chaos, I hadn’t been able to grieve the loss of someone I’d considered my first real friend. Nonetheless, the lesson he’d taught me would last a lifetime, however long or short that was.

“You should take her somewhere else. Her blood—” Dave gritted out, and Raffe snarled.

“If you don’t control yourself, I’ll kill you,” Raffe rasped and tightened his arms. “I don’t fucking care if you’re mated to Josie.”

“I can’t help what her blood does to me.” Dave cleared his throat. “Believe me, I’d rather not react to it.”

“Josie, get him out of here.” Keith spoke low and threatening. “She’s in pain and can’t control herself. If he’s struggling, he needs to remove his own ass while we deal with her.”

Deal with her.

Those words added to my agony. That was what so many adults had said whenever my classmates had come to them, scared about me.

“Come on,” Josie said urgently. “Let’sgo.”

They shuffled off, and I tried to regain my composure.

Still, Keith’s words repeated in my mind, crushing me,and my power increased.I … I need to go outside. My power… it’s unstable.

Raffe lifted me like a princess and ran to the door. The room spun, adding to my upset stomach, but I placed my arms around Raffe’s neck and held on.

Where are you taking her?Adam linked, footsteps pounding behind us.

Everyone was following us outside, and I wished they’d all stay behind. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I trusted my power wouldn’t attack Raffe, but the rest I couldn’t count on.

He adjusted me in his arms, and soon, we were out the door and into the cold drizzle of the foggy morning. Raffe ran down the stairs as my power bubbled to the surface. The sharpness of the magic collided with my power, the two strong sensations fighting.

If this didn’t stop, I’d be ripped wide open.Put me down.I didn’t want him caught in the cross fire.

I wasn’t surprised when he shook his head.I’m not going anywhere. We figure this out together or go down together fighting. I’ll always be by your side. I can feel your power through our bond, and if being near you helps, I’ll never let you go.

My heart skipped a beat. Even in a moment like this, he made me feel damn special.

Despite wanting to argue with him, my power rose even more. Sparks flickered off my skin, although when I raised my head and looked at my arm, I didn’t see any. Each pop and sizzle singed like I’d been burned.

Lucy, where the hell are you?Raffe linked.

We’re on our way back,she replied.She was in a car and heading here before we reached her.

An engine grew louder, confirming her words.

They wouldn’t get here in time.

Not given how the heat was rising.

I felt as if I were being burned alive.

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