Page 91 of Wolf Touched

“Sedona.” Her mom’s voice became louder. “You’re acting like you aren’t in the least bit of danger. You almost killed Prince Raffe’s mate. He won’t let you go unpunished. You saw what the arcane-born did to Jeff.”

“One of the wolf shifters is my fated mate.” Sedona closed her eyes like she was bracing for a storm. “And you know that’s something I wouldn’t lie about. He’s the reason they didn’t hurt me, and everything Supreme Priestess Olwyn told us isn’t true.”

“What are you saying?” the older woman asked with much more hesitation.

Sedona told her everything she’d learned last night about how we weren’t part of King Jovian’s pack anymore and how the animals obeyed my commands. As she neared the end of the story, her voice began to slur again.

She needs to eat something before she passes out.I moved to get out of Raffe’s arms, but Keith leaped up and ran past the half wall that separated the kitchen from us. Cabinets opened and closed as he searched for something for her to eat.

A minute later, he rushed back with crackers, cheese, and lemonade. As he sat down, Sedona slurred, “Mom, Keith brought me something to eat. I need to go.”

“Let me talk to Raffe, then, and yes, eat.”

My chest tightened from Raffe’s surprise and determination to do what needed to be done.

Keith took the phone from Sedona and handed it to Raffe, then sat back down and held the lemonade to her mouth. He whispered, “The sugar should help you.”

She didn’t even hesitate, trusting him, and took a huge gulp.

Raffe settled back into place behind me and said, “This is Raffe, and who is this?”

“I’m Ednah, the priestess over the Atlanta area coven. Is it true you left King Jovian’s pack? Because I feel like that’s something Aldric would have told Keagan.”

“Because Aldric is so trustworthy, betraying his alpha and king the way he is.” Raffe’s hot anger swirled through our bond. “Yes, I left King Jovian’s pack. He didn’t support me being with my fated mate, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.”

“Neither Aldric nor Olwyn told us that the arcane-bornhad become a shifter, and I do believe King Jovian would have a hard time accepting that. Dear goddess, I’m struggling to accept what my own daughter just told me. A witch and a wolf shifter? That’s unheard of.”

“We have a lot of strange pairings happening all around us, so we all understand.”

“I will give Sedona credit—she learned a lot during her time with you.” Ednah clicked her tongue. “Is what your mate offered true? Can you help us split from King Jovian?”

I regretted offering that now because I hadn’t considered the odd spot it would put Raffe in. I turned around, placing my hands on his chest.

“Yes, we will, as long as you and Keagan agree not to attack us. Olwyn is a threat to my mate, and believe me when I say she has no plans for any of you to be truly free.” Raffe glanced at me, arching a brow, and gave me a tight smile.You’re right. It’s better to make an alliance with them instead of having a whole other group wanting us dead.His warmth floated into me, easing my worry about him being mad at me.

“Are you proposing the Eastern supernaturals submit to you in order to free us from the current king?”

The walls closed in on me. I hadn’t considered how we’d free them, and I hadn’t considered the Eastern wolves submitting to Raffe as a valid option.

Jaw set, Raffe straightened. “No. I’d help Keagan get things settled, and the Eastern supernaturals could form whatever leadership they want as long as they promise to let my small pack live among you all unharmed.”

“How is that going to work with your father owning the real estate properties he’s holding over us?” She arched a brow.

“Dad owns forty-nine percent of the companyshares. My grandfather left me a trust, and when I turn twenty-three—in a month—I will receive forty-nine percent of the company as well, with the remaining one percent being owned by newer startups that will want to align with me, the future of the company. So we’ll have equal stakes, with Aldric having one percent ownership on the Veiled Circle side. We can make it a stalemate, and I can offer to give Aldric control if he agrees to sell the properties in the East to Keagan. But only if you promise that my pack and my fated mate will be safe.”

My head spun.Wait. You can’t do that.

If it means you’re safe and we end the Veiled Circle and can decide our own lives, I’m all fucking for it.Raffe’s eyes glowed.

But you’ll be poor, and—

Babe, we’ll both have amazing degrees. I’m not worried about money. As long as we’re together and free, it’ll all be damn worth it. You can be a vet, and I can … well, I can do any damn thing I want, like build motorcycles and own a garage. Yeah, maybe it won’t be the future I expected, but it’ll be better because you’ll be by my side.

“I can’t make the decision on my own.” Ednah swallowed. “I need to make some phone calls. I’ll get in touch when I have something to tell you.”

“Sounds good.” Raffe nodded.

“But Raffe,” Ednah spoke loudly. “If any harm comes to my daughter, everything is off the table.”

---