Chapter 2
“Adam, take her to the extra room with Dave,” Raffe commanded. “She’ll stay there until we figure out what the hell to do with them.”
“If you’re forcing me to stay, I want to be with Di—Skylar.” Octavia’s shoulders slumped. “We need to talk alone. There are things I’m not comfortable with everyone hearing.”
I arched a brow, feigning indifference. The nagging questions I’d had throughout my childhood appeared, but I pushed them away.
“No.” Raffe’s fingers dug into my side. “You don’t get to make demands. You held a gun on me. You’re lucky to be alive.”
“Maybe, but I have answers that no Book of Twilight or history book contains,” Octavia countered, lifting her chin high once again. “So … if you’re willing to take a little risk in exchange for the help I can give to your mate, let me go with her. But let me guess—that doesn’t matter to you.” Her irises turned damn near black. She tilted her head at me as if to send me a message.
I wasn’t sure what she was getting at. Raffe was an amazing mate. Let’s bring her back to our apartment. We can get Slade or Hecate or someone to spell the perimeter so she can’t leave.
He cut his eyes at me and frowned. I don’t like this.
Me neither. Before tonight, if anyone had asked me if I would love to meet someone like me, I would’ve said yes without a second thought. But I was with Raffe. I didn’t trust Octavia, and the timing was suspicious. If she doesn’t follow through on her promise, we move her to the guys’ apartment.
“Fine, you can stay with us unless you don’t follow through on your promise,” Raffe said and turned to Keith. “Watch us until we’re out of the woods. Once we’re on campus, shift and join Adam at the apartment.”
Octavia’s mouth opened, but she didn’t say anything. Keith shook out his fur, and spatters of Octavia’s blood hit the forest floor. He linked, Got it.
With things settled, I hurried over to help Josie and our group. Raffe stayed close to Octavia, never taking his gaze off her.
I remembered how I’d felt the first time I saw him.
He was intense, sexy, and had a dangerous edge. Even then, he’d saved me multiple times, showing me there was more to him than his careless demeanor, and boy, had I been right. Once someone earned his trust and loyalty, he was the most amazing person anyone could know.
Do you think that’s your mom? Lucy linked with me as we tried to walk in sync so we didn’t jostle Josie too much. Her head bounced with each step we took, and there was no doubt that she and Dave would have sore necks when this was over and done.
I tried cradling Josie’s head against my shoulder and sighed. I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, she left me to struggle on my own. There was no telling how many arcane-born existed, even if their magic wasn’t activated, and I wondered if they all lived near each other.
My eyes burned as the void inside my chest reemerged—the void I hadn’t felt since Raffe and I had completed our bond, but clearly, the completed bond didn’t take away my baggage.
Babe, what’s wrong? Raffe asked, his concern causing his spot in my chest to tighten.
Even though it wasn’t the best sensation, it reminded me that he was there and loved me unconditionally. I’m just ready to get home and crawl into bed with you. There was no lie there, and Raffe’s body had a way of taking my mind off everything.
Same. He sighed loud enough that I could hear him. This day feels like a fucking year. I woke up thinking it would be amazing, and it crashed from there.
At least you guys won the game.
I’d rather lose every fucking game than have you feel like this. The warmth of his love cut through the cold.
Despite Josie’s body getting heavier and my back aching, my cheeks lifted, proving that even in the worst situations, Raffe could make me smile.
Josie moaned and shivered. Dave?
Adam’s carrying him, Lucy replied. We’re taking you both back to campus so you can rest.
He’s alive? Josie lifted her head, but her lids were heavy. He’s still here?
I don’t know how, but your blood helped him. I chose my words carefully, not wanting to give her false hope. We need to get you both settled, and you need to eat and drink orange juice or something. We needed to get sugar in her fast—before she crashed.
The trees thinned, and the apartment buildings came into view. As expected, no one was on the lawn. Now that darkness surrounded us, most everyone would be at the bonfire. In fact, I could smell the hint of smoke in the air.
We were bound to run into a few people because not everyone hung out there. What are we going to do when someone sees us?
Just pretend they’re drunk. Keith laughed, and in animal form, it sounded like he was choking. Everyone will believe that.
As long as they don’t see the blood on Dave’s chest, Adam added.
With my focus on carrying Josie smoothly, I couldn’t check.
I’m going to shift, Keith added, and he trotted off as we stepped out of the woods.
The end was in sight. Lucy and I kept a steady pace, heading toward the double-door entrance to the women’s apartments.
Do you have it from here, Adam? Raffe asked. Or do you need Lucy to help?
I wasn’t surprised that he didn’t offer to go with Adam. Raffe wouldn’t leave me alone with Octavia.
I’m fine, man. Go be with your girl and keep an eye on that woman. Something doesn’t feel right. If I need anything, I’ll let you know, but Keith shouldn’t be far behind.
My arms began to scream, but I swallowed my complaint. Raffe wanted to watch Octavia. Not only that, but the thought of him carrying Josie didn’t sit right with me. Damn the possessive wolf inside me.
When we reached the doors, Raffe nodded for Octavia to go first. She scowled but didn’t say anything as she obliged. Raffe then held the door open so Lucy, Josie, and I could get through.
Within a few minutes, the five of us were entering our hallway. A couple was making out a few doors down. We’d have to pass them to get into the apartment. And here I’d been hoping luck was on our side.
“Say one thing, and I swear, you’ll wish you had shot me back there,” Raffe whispered into Octavia’s ear. “One wrong move and I won’t hesitate to kill you.”
Octavia scoffed, and she marched past Lucy and me toward the couple.
My stomach clenched.
Raffe followed close on her heels. She cleared her throat rather loudly.
The couple froze before jerking apart.
“What are you two doing out here?” Octavia placed her hands on her hips and tapped her foot, looking every inch like a mom. “This isn’t the place for you two to be mauling each other. No one wants to see that, especially me.”
The guy’s jaw dropped, and Lucy and I used the opportunity to continue past the couple. Raffe remained beside Octavia, and Lucy and I got Josie into our apartment before the altercation ended.
I didn’t know why Octavia had covered for us, but I was glad she had.
Leaving our front door open, we placed Josie on the couch. I heard a door down the outside hall shut and then a threatening growl. Raffe murmured, “Don’t do anything stupid.”
With my wolf ears, I could hear the exchange. If I’d still been human, it would’ve been a different story.
Lucy dropped onto the couch next to Josie, holding her torso up, and I hurried into the kitchen to the refrigerator. Though we didn’t have orange juice, I had a twenty-ounce Dr Pepper I hadn’t opened yet.
Snatching it and a pack of peanut butter crackers off the four-seat table, I rushed back to Josie. Raffe and Octavia walked in as I handed the items off to Lucy, who worked on getting Josie conscious again.
I removed my phone from my back pocket. I had a missed text from Slade from two hours ago.
Slade: Hey, you coming to the bonfire? Hecate, Zella, and a few more coven members are here, wanting to hang out.
Such a simple question but one that held so much significance. The wolf shifters, coven members, and vampires didn’t get along. Even though most species kept to themselves, the coven members and vampires were more likely to hang out together because both groups had a common enemy—wolf shifters. And I was caught between species. I was a wolf shifter, but before, I’d been accepted as part of the coven because my blood worked similarly to that of the witches.
I’d planned on asking Slade to help us, but if he learned about Octavia, he’d probably want to alter her mind. I couldn’t risk it, but I still had to reply to him.
I sighed and typed a reply.
Me: Sorry, just now seeing this. I’m tied up.
My phone dinged within seconds.
Slade: Thank goddess you replied. I was worried. Okay, see you soon.
I put my phone back into my pocket and looked up to find Raffe scowling at me with his arms crossed. His unhappiness radiated so intensely that I didn’t have to feel it in my chest to sense it.
“Let me guess… you texted Slade, and he’s rushing here to help.” Raffe grimaced.
Octavia lifted a brow and glanced between the two of us.
“Stop. You’re my mate. He knows it. We’re just friends.” Even though Raffe was being silly, I couldn’t blame him. Slade had tried to kiss me and had wanted to date me. “He never stood a chance even before that, and he helped me escape the underground bunker and trained me with my power. And no, I didn’t ask him to come over, though I thought about it.” I walked over to my mate and placed soothing hands on his chest.
Some of his tension eased as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him. His chest rumbled with a growl. “Yet, if you did, he’d run here without a second thought. Anytime you ask, he’s like a dog at your heels. Son of the supreme priestess or not, I’ll kill him if I suspect he’s up to something.”
“Wait. You’re close to a coven member?” Octavia tensed. “Why?”
“He helped me when no one else would. He saved my life.” I hated how even the stranger didn’t like the fact that I was close to supernaturals. “What did you expect? For me to remain alone and misunderstood all my life?”
She averted her gaze to the laminate wood-like flooring, avoiding mine.
Not wanting to analyze her reaction, I watched Josie sip the Dr Pepper. Her movements were still sluggish, and Lucy had to help her, but she was getting sugar and caffeine in her. That should help.
Octavia shook her head, her voice cracking. “We were so wrong to leave you.”
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 a brother ripped 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 will never be Skylar’s enemy, but you … that’s a whole different story.” Raffe released me and got in her face. “You left my mate alone, knowing her power was activated. What did you fucking think would happen?”
“In…” She licked her bottom lip. “I thought it was best … for all of 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 for you. 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 a freak? 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 the Books of Twilight for 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 he did pull 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.