Wolf Touched (The Forbidden Mate Trilogy Book 3)

Chapter 1

My heart squeezed, and fear clawed inside my chest. I stood under the partially covered moon in the woods right outside the women’s apartments at Evergreen Elite University. My wolf howled in my head as she inched forward, wanting to be released.

The question I’d asked Octavia, the blonde-haired woman standing before me, hung thickly between us.

A question so simple but one she struggled to answer.

Are you my biological mother?

Silence blanketed the air. We were only feet apart, but with emotions strangling me, the distance felt like miles.

My blood jolted, and I could easily read her emotions, with one being the most dominant.

Fear.

“It’s complicated.” She licked her lips, and her brown eyes widened as she took in the mountainous outskirts of Portland, Oregon, surrounding us. “And I don’t have time to explain, not after the earthquake you caused. The nearby coven members will know where you are.”

Raffe wrapped an arm around my waist, anchoring me to him. Our fated-mate bond buzzed to life, reminding me that I wasn’t alone. His ice-blue eyes narrowed, and his jaw was set.

I’d never be alone again. There was no question that Raffe would always be at my side.

“It’s a yes or no answer, but this woman has a point,” he sneered, his disgust swirling so heavy within him that I shivered. “We need to move.”

Here was the thing. Her nonanswer confirmed that, even if she wasn’t my mother, she knew who she was, and she had chosen to leave me alone in this world without any knowledge or guidance about my powers. Going along with someone else’s poor decisions was as bad as making your own. I’d learned that the hard way while being bullied my entire life until I came to EEU and began to learn about myself.

I laughed humorlessly. “You know what? Forget I asked.” I waved a hand, eager to get away from her. “The answer won’t change the past.” I’d wanted answers, but now that they were possibly here, I wasn’t sure they mattered. I now had a pack, friends, and family.

Raffe tugged me behind him and stood between me and Octavia. With his six-and-a-half-foot frame, he easily blocked me, and his rage was so hot that it had to be palpable even to her. “I knew something wasn’t right with you.” His voice lowered so it sounded more animal than human. Dark fur that matched his hair sprouted along his arms, indicating that his shift was near. “This ends—”

“Wait,” I interjected, placing my hand on his back. With my palm on his bare skin, our fated-mate connection buzzed harder. “She’s not a witch.” I still didn’t understand what that meant. She barely had any power, but the faint traces within her felt exactly like mine.

What do you mean? Raffe’s jaw popped. You said something was wrong, and it was like you couldn’t let go.

“She’s human, but my blood recognizes something inside her,” I said out loud, hoping she would interject and clarify things for me. “It’s like she’s also arcane-born, though I can only feel a faint echo of power. She’s a little more than human.”

“My power was never activated, but I carry the genes.” Octavia rubbed her hands together. “And I’ve never experienced anything like that before. For a moment, I swore my blood jarred.”

I’m approaching, Lucy connected to us. Don’t attack me or anything.

With all the chaos, I didn’t blame her. Between Dave, Josie, Octavia, and King Jovian, I feared we were all about to lose our damn minds. There were too many active threats and strange occurrences going on at one time.

King Jovian had gotten Raffe and me to follow him into the woods for an unpleasant discussion. The last time I’d gone into the woods like that, a coven member had created a barrier to separate me from Raffe and the others, and three Eastern wolf shifters had attacked me. Raffe suspected his dad might be behind the attack.

I’ll get Josie’s clothes while you shift, I said to Lucy as I glanced at Josie. She was sweating even more, her bronze complexion pale from how much blood she’d allowed Dave to drink from her. Even her long, wavy dark hair seemed more limp. We needed to get her inside and fed and hydrated as soon as possible.

Surprisingly, Dave didn’t appear worse off despite drinking wolf blood, which was supposed to be deadly to vampires.

I didn’t hesitate, marching past Raffe and nearing Octavia, heading into the woods.

“Hey, where are you going?” Octavia asked, pivoting to block me.

My wolf inched forward and snarled, echoing through my head. “I’m getting my friend’s clothes so we can take her someplace safe.”

“You don’t need to leave.” She shook her head, the warmth in her eyes fading. “Someone could be out there, waiting to attack. You need to stay here with people who’ll protect you.”

Laughter bubbled from deep within my chest. “First off, you have no authority over what I do and don’t do, and second, Josie has lost a lot of blood. We need to stabilize her.”

Raffe’s rage cooled into icy tendrils of concern. Keith, keep an eye out for threats while we get ready to move Josie, and so Dave can recover enough to provide answers before he succumbs to his injuries. Lucy, shift and bring Josie her clothes. I can’t risk Sky leaving my side.

Keith’s dark wolf darted off in the direction we’d come from.

I twisted toward Raffe, placing my hands on my waist. What the hell? What was that?

Raffe’s olive complexion seemed a shade paler. Look, I don’t like her or trust her, but I agree that you shouldn’t run off on your own, even to Lucy. It’s best if we both stay with Adam. At least if she tries something and uses magic, we’ll be together. Remember what has fucking happened every time we split up? And we both can’t run to Lucy. It’s better if we stay where we know nothing weird has been set up.

He had a point, though I didn’t like it. Fine.

Branches snapped, and Lucy’s rose scent drifted in on the breeze.

She was here.

Thank God.

I feared that if we didn’t move Josie soon, she might not make it out alive. I couldn’t imagine her and Dave dying like this.

“You’re pack-linking with them, aren’t you?” Octavia gaped. “How is that possible? Unless you completed the bond, but even then …”

My breath caught. “How do you know all of this?” I faced her again. “You might have dormant power similar to mine, but that doesn’t explain how you know about supernaturals. I didn’t, and I grew up with weird things happening around me all the time.” It didn’t seem fair, her being aware of all this when I hadn’t been. How was it possible?

She crossed her arms and stared at the ground. “I was raised with knowledge about supernaturals. Though I don’t interact with all species, I know about their existence, along with the heritage of my ancestors.”

Her words were a punch to the gut. “That must have been nice.” A sour taste filled my mouth. “I didn’t have that luxury. Humans adopted me. The adoption was arranged while my birth parents were alive, so it wasn’t like I was orphaned.” I tried never to think about that part, but now I couldn’t ignore it. “How many of our kind are out there?” I’d assumed I was alone, and I’d hoped that my parents had known they were under threat and gave me up for love, but I wasn’t sure I believed that. What if they hadn’t wanted me because I was odd?

“Not many.” She mashed her lips. “But there are a few.”

“Where?” I asked.

Lucy burst through the firs, cutting off the conversation. Her haunting gray eyes focused on Octavia for a second as she hurried past with Josie’s clothes in hand. When her attention landed on Josie, the skin around her eyes tightened. “Shit! She looks awful.”

That was putting it mildly.

She rushed to Josie, and I followed. Lucy worked on dressing Josie’s top half while I worked on the bottom. As soon as Josie was covered, my wolf calmed. One less thing for her to worry about.

I straightened and noticed that Adam was gone and Raffe was looming over Octavia, not batting an eye. The way he had his hands clenched at his sides screamed that he was ready to attack her.

Did that woman hurt Dave? Lucy asked.

She said she didn’t, but when we found them, she was hovering over him, and there was a dagger in his chest. The image popped into my brain again. She’s not a witch, and I don’t believe she’s spelled, so I’m inclined to believe her.

That doesn’t mean we can trust her, Raffe added, then filled Lucy in on everything.

When he finished, Adam joined us in human form. He was about four inches shorter than Raffe’s six-and-a-half feet, and his loose, curly brown hair had a few twigs in it.

Now that he was here and Josie was dressed, we had to determine our next steps. What’s the plan?

I don’t fucking know. Raffe ran a hand down his face, his muscles tensing and on display due to his bare chest.

I tried not to let his muscles distract me, but my stomach fluttered.

I want her to come with us. I needed to make that point clear. She knows about the arcane-born, and I have so many questions that maybe she can answer.

Don’t worry. She’s not going anywhere. Raffe pursed his lips. Let’s take them to Adam and Keith’s apartment. They can stay in the extra bedroom, and we can take turns watching them.

You mean your room? Keith linked, adding to the conversation even though he wasn’t here. The one you’ve clearly forgotten about?

Growling, Raffe snapped, It hasn’t been my room since Sky and I bonded, so make sure you get that shit straight.

I swore Keith just liked getting a reaction out of people. So, take Josie back to her place and Dave and Octavia to the men’s dorm. How do we get Dave inside in this condition?

Adam removed his shirt. He can wear this. It’ll cover most of the blood, and people might think he passed out. Luckily, a lot of students are drinking since tonight was a home game. Most will still be at the bonfire.

The bonfire. I’d forgotten all about that. It was a campus-wide event held at night after home football games. I’d gone to one with Slade the night he’d pressured me to kiss him. It’d been awful and awkward, but it had helped Raffe and me get to this point.

You’re right. That’s our best bet, Raffe agreed and scowled at me before continuing, You can stop staring at him now.

I blinked, coming back to the present. I hadn’t noticed that I’d zoned out while staring at Adam. He strolled past, and I couldn’t help but notice that his body was leaner than Raffe’s more muscular frame.

I arched a brow, refusing to feel guilty. At least he wasn’t completely naked, I shot back.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Adam squatting by Dave. He ripped the vampire’s shirt off and kept my shirt wadded in place. He slid the shirt over Dave’s head.

The vampire’s eyes cracked open, and he rasped, “Josie?” He lifted his head and locked on her still form beside him. “Is she all right?” His voice was hoarse, concern laced throughout.

None of us replied.

Dave opened his eyes wider, his head wobbling as he tried to look around. “Josie?”

“She’s here. She let you drink too much from her,” Adam answered, his voice growly. “We need to get her back to the apartment, which will go a lot quicker if you stay fucking calm.”

Lucy bent down to lift Josie into a sitting position. Her bottom lip quivered. Sky, she feels cold … abnormally cold.

We didn’t have time to lose. My blood jolted as I hurried to Lucy. She needed help getting Josie back to the apartment. We need to move, I linked with everyone.

Just like Lucy had said, Josie’s body was cold and clammy. Lucy and I worked together to lift her.

Is anything out of the ordinary? Raffe linked with all of us despite directing the question at Keith.

Looks normal here, he replied.

Head back. We need you close as we make our way to the apartments.

Adam tugged Dave to his feet and murmured, “It’d go a lot faster if you’d help me.” But Dave’s eyes were closed, his body limp again. He was out cold. Luckily, Adam was taller and stronger than the vampire, and he didn’t seem to have issues helping Dave, especially since Raffe remained in front of Octavia, watching her every movement.

The sound of paws approaching indicated Keith had reached us.

“Let’s go,” I said. Josie was taller and heavier than me, and I didn’t want to drag this out longer than needed, especially if we could be attacked again.

“You should help them.” Octavia waved a hand from Raffe toward Lucy and me. “They’re struggling. I’ll just head out and—”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Raffe gritted out and snagged her arm. “You’re staying with us.”

Octavia’s nostrils flared, and she jerked back. “I’m human, and you’re not my alpha or leader. You don’t make those decisions for me. I’d hate to inform the other supernaturals that yet another wolf shifter has stepped out of line.” The disgust in her voice was evident, reminding me of the secret society.

My stomach churned. Raffe was right that this could be a setup, but Dave was injured and needed help. That wasn’t an act.

“Inform them, and I’ll point out how you, a human, were holding a dagger lodged in a vampire’s heart,” Raffe snarled. “Your awareness of supernaturals changes your position here, especially your knowledge about arcane-born heritage. You don’t have a fucking choice but to come with us, and then I’ll decide your fate depending on your answers.”

“Dru told me not to come here, and I didn’t listen.” Octavia sighed. “Don’t do this. Don’t force my hand and make us enemies.”

Raffe chuckled darkly. “You act as if I don’t already view you as a threat.”

A low growl came from behind her as Keith returned. He hunkered down, ready to strike Octavia.

My blood jolted. We couldn’t let her go, but I didn’t want anything to happen to her. She might have answers.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want it to be like this.” She glanced at me, a deep frown on her face, then reached for something at her ankle and straightened, holding a small gun. She pointed it at Raffe’s chest. “Let me go, and I won’t harm any of you.”

Fear choked me as my blood hummed. My wolf howled loudly and tried to inch forward, but I pushed against her, not wanting her to interfere with my blood.

Shifting would take too long.

Fur sprouted on Raffe’s arms as his wolf fought for control. “And risk my mate’s life? Not happening. I’d rather die and have Keith kill you than risk any more harm coming to her.”

“Fine, we’ll both die,” she gritted out.

I yelled, “No!”

My vision darkened, and my power funneled through my feet and pushed into the ground. The earth began to quake right underneath her.

Her attention flicked to me, and her eyes widened, telling me everything I needed to know. She feared me as much as I did myself.

Keith lunged and bit the hand holding the gun. Octavia cried out. Keeping his teeth in her flesh, he jerked, and the gun dropped to the ground. Keith released her, blood coating his chest.

It wasn’t enough. She’d tried to take my mate from me. She deserved a worse punishment.

“Skylar, let me take her,” Lucy whispered in a shaky voice, taking the brunt of Josie’s weight and freeing me as my power ravaged me.

Now, I could get closer. The ground shook harder beneath Octavia with my every step as my anger at her attempt to kill my mate took control.

The ground cracked underneath her feet, and Raffe linked, Babe, you need to calm down. He pushed calmness toward me. I don’t want you to implode. I’m okay.

He was right. If I used too much power, it could kill me, and she’d dropped her weapon. But my rage clung to me. My wolf was angry. Not only had she threatened Raffe but my pack as well.

Raffe took my hand. His touch ebbed my power back to a high fizz, and my head became clearer. The ground stopped shaking, and Octavia raised her uninjured left hand as she held her right one close to her chest.

“Skylar, I’m sorry. You need to calm down before anyone realizes you’re out here.” Her voice shook.

Now she was acting like she cared? “You tried to kill my mate. Why should I believe you?”

“You don’t understand.” Her eyes widened, and tears streamed down her cheeks. “I wouldn’t have come here if I’d realized you completed the mate bond to the wolf prince. I thought you were in trouble. I came here to take you back with me, but he can always find you now, and I can’t stay.”

I laughed, though I could read she was speaking the truth. “Why come? It’s not like you know me. You don’t owe me anything.”

“But … I do.” Her body quivered from shock, fear, and pain. “I’m the person who did this to you. There’s a reason your power recognizes me. I can’t abandon you again, knowing that my decision made you this vulnerable. I thought it would keep us safe, but I was so wrong, and I’m sorry. Either way, I have to go.”

My heart panged as I sensed her true sorrow, but we couldn’t let her leave.

I shook my head. “You’re not going anywhere.”