Page 63 of Wolf Touched

“I’m not trying to make you feel bad.” I huffed and fisted my hands. I kept doing this wrong. I wanted to make them see that my life hadn’t been horrible, yet I’d done the opposite. “I’m just saying you found good parents for me, but being here at this moment is my destiny. However, I do thank you for trying to protect me.” Meeting Raffe had been worth all the pain and confusion because, for the first time in my life, I had someone who truly accepted me, and I wouldn’t give that up for the world. “Maybe we can come up with a nickname until we figure out what sort of relationship we’re going to have.” They couldn’t be my parents, but they could be something else.

“Yeah?” Octavia smiled. “You think we can have a permanent relationship?”

“Honey, she didn’t say permanent.” Dru winced and closed his eyes.

The fact that they wanted me in their lives caused some of the baggage I’d carried my entire life to slip from me. “I meant that if you both want it.”

“Of course we do.” Dru’s eyes popped open. “We’ve missed you and wanted to know about you every day of your life.” He gestured at the picture over the bed. “You’ve been part of this family in any way we could incorporate you. We loved you before you were even born, and to have you here in the house, not hating us, means more than you’ll ever know.”

“We just wish we’d met under better circumstances.” Octavia nibbled on her lip.

I understood that, but the three of us had to face facts. “If it weren’t for these circumstances, I doubt we would’ve ever met.”

Dru rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s a fair point. We didn’t want this life for you.”

“If it makes you feel better, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I have Raffe and a pack, I can handle my power better, and now I’ve met you two and Fane. The good outweighs the bad.”

Both of them smiled genuinely.

Babe? Raffe linked, our connection warming. Then panic filtered in.Where are you?

I’d meant to sneak back into the room before he woke.I couldn’t sleep and came to talk to Octavia and Dru about earlier.

Oh, thank gods.The heaviness of our bond lightened as his relief pushed through.I thought something had happened again.

I winced. I did have a habit of disappearing on him and getting into trouble.I’ll be there shortly.

It’s almost noon, so we need to get moving to meet Priestess Caroline. I’ll find us some lunch.

Right. I’d almost forgotten about practicing with her. My power was still pretty much extinguished inside, and it probably didn’t help that I hadn’t gotten much rest. But between needing to reconnect with him and having this conversation with Octavia and Dru, I’d been restless.

I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “Well, I hate to do this, but Raffe wants to grab lunch before we meet Priestess Caroline. I just wanted to make sure that the three of us are okay.”

“Okay?” Dru chuckled. “We’re more than okay. I get that we don’t have the right to be your parents, but we’re ecstatic to be part of your life in any way you’ll have us.”

One question did haunt me. “If that’s true, why did you want to leave right after we met when Dave was injured?You said there’d been a mistake.” I stared at Octavia, needing answers.

“That wasn’t my finest moment, but it was because the royal shifters have never liked our kind, and I feared I would put a target on Fane as well as you.” She leaned her head back. “I’m sorry I said it, but the moment I realized Raffe was willing to sacrifice everything for you, I knew that Fate had gotten it right. I wish I could lie, but I don’t want to. You deserve better.”

That burned, but I had to appreciate her honesty. I did feel as if we’d forged a bond between now and then, and I hoped like hell I wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t sure I could take another betrayal, especially from my birth parents. “Okay.” I couldn’t say that was fine, but I could accept it and try not to hang on to the baggage I’d lugged around my entire life. “I’m going to eat with Raffe.”

Dru nodded. “Do you want us to come with you?”

“To eat?” I lifted my brows and felt the corners of my mouth tip upward. “I think I can handle that.”

“Fair, but I actually meant when you go see Priestess Caroline.” He beamed.

His offer warmed my heart. “Nah, I’d like to limit the number of people watching since I’m not sure what could happen. My power has a mind of its own, so I’m hoping she can teach me how to harness it. It’ll be safer if no one comes.”

“You should’ve seen her control those animals.” Octavia blinked. “There were over fifty raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, and owls that came to our aid before.”

My smile vanished. “I didn’t control them. Animals aren’t meant to be slaves. I merely asked for their help, and they answered.” My tone was a little sharp, but I hated when people thought of animals as less than them. “Animals are some of the most authentic creatures on earth, and that’s why I want to become a vet—to help protect them.”

“I … I didn’t mean it like that. The way they moved around you …” She trailed off.

And here I was, overreacting again. “You didn’t know. It’s just …when I struggled, the only time I felt at peace was immersed in nature. I’ve always had a connection with animals. It’s one reason I plan to apply to vet school.” However, considering how much school we were missing, that dream was probably shot. I had no doubt Olwyn would make sure nothing like that happened for me.

“You’re going to school to be a vet?” Dru’s eyes widened. “That means you’re a science nerd like me.”

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