Page 7 of Wolf Touched

My breath caught, and despite everything inside me screaming not to, I found myself looking at her. “What do you mean?” Though I already knew, I just needed to hear her say it.

“At that hospital”—she hung her head—“we gave you up, hoping if you were away from us, your power wouldn’t grow. We wanted to keep you and your brother safe, but instead, I threw you into the arms of our enemies.”

Knowing she was a relative was one thing, but hearing her confirm that not only was she my mother, but I had abrotherripped my heart in a way I’d never imagined possible. I wasn’t sure what to lock on to, but Raffe didn’t have the same problem.

“I willneverbe Skylar’s enemy, but you … that’s a whole different story.” Raffe released me and got in her face. “You left mymatealone, knowing her power was activated. What did you fucking think would happen?”

“In…” She licked her bottom lip. “I thought it was best … forallof us. Her power would have put us on the radar and risked all of our lives.”

She tried to make it sound like she’d wanted to help all of us, but that wasn’t fair. She’d known my power was activated, and if she was aware of the history of arcane-born, then she also knew that Foster had imploded because of it. I murmured, “No, you thought it would be best foryou. My power was already activated.” I paused. “Do you know the hell I lived with growing up?” My voice was trembling. “Never fitting in, people calling me afreak?Do you know how many times people suggested I should kill myself, that the world would be a better place without me in it?”

White-hot anger rolled from Raffe into me as he linked,You never told me that.

It doesn’t matter.It was my past … my baggage. He couldn’t do anything to change it.Things changed when I got here … well, after you stopped being an ass.He had rejected me in front of everyone to get people not to hang around me.

Give me a list of those people. I’ll kill each and every one. Guilt clung to him, and he stepped up beside me and took my hand.And I’m sorry for acting like an idiot when you arrived.

My chest expanded. I liked that he meant it. Still, I didn’t want to live in the past anymore. I didn’t want anyone to have that power over me, though I’d have to take things day by day.

“Listen, I messed up—I understand that—but we need to focus on the pressing matter. You can’t trust the coven.” Octavia lifted her hands. “You need to keep your distance from this warlock, especially if he’s the priestess’s son.”

“It’s too late for motherly advice.” My breathing quickened, and the room spun. “So forgive me if I decide it’s not worth taking. Slade has tried to help me control the power in my blood, and he discovered what I am. No one else gave me the time of day when I arrived. Only Slade.”

Octavia flinched. “Of course he did. He could feel your magic as soon as you rolled onto campus. Supreme Priestess Olwyn knew exactly what you were when you arrived. I bet he didn’t tell you that right away.”

I hated that she knew that. What sort of contacts did she have? “Yes, but they did eventually inform me.”

She leaned forward. “Did they tell you about the role you’re predicted to play?”

“Role?” I asked.

She wrinkled her nose. “Of course they didn’t. They dangle information in front of you whenever you stray to keep you close and make you trust them.”

I froze. No. That couldn’t be what Slade was doing. He’d gone to the library each night to search through theBooks of Twilightfor answers. He’d given me information as he’d found it.

“Sky—” Lucy’s voice sounded strained.

Don’t,I linked to her and Raffe.Don’t give her any reason to think she’s right.

But hedidpull that card on you after he tried kissing you that night,Raffe interjected and clenched his hands at his sides.And you didn’t want to talk to him.

I hated that he was right.

Someone pounded on the door. “Sky, let me in.” It was Slade. “Someone said they saw you outside with Dave and a strange human lady.”

Shit. He was here, and he already knew everything.

CHAPTER THREE

My ears rang from how hard my heart was pounding, and if Raffe hadn’t been touching me, my blood would’ve been at hum level. Still, it was fizzing, on the brink of tipping over.

Of course a coven member saw us outside. We’re lucky Slade’s here and not Supreme Priestess Olwyn, though I bet she’s coming.Raffe squeezed my hand comfortingly, feeling the turmoil inside me.A coven is like a pack with how close they are, and Olwyn knows everything that happens pertaining to you.

Another round of knocking was followed by Slade saying, “Sky? I’ll call Mom so she can get the code from Lafayette if you don’t open up.”

He sounded concerned, easing some of the weight from my shoulders. He reminded me of the Slade I knew … my friend. He’d saved me to his own detriment, and maybe he wouldn’t inform his mom about Octavia if I asked him not to. I was letting Octavia’s manipulation get to me.

Will someone get the door?Lucy linked.I’m kinda busy here, and he already knowseverything.

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