Chapter 6
Before I could turn toward the apartments, shards of glass pummeled Slade, Supreme Priestess Olwyn, and the two other students standing behind them.
I looked around. The glass was coming from the women’s and men’s dorm windows and was circling Raffe and me, leaving us untouched.
“Holy shit! Something exploded!” someone shouted from midcampus, near the cafeteria.
Then I noticed the shards were in tune with my pulse.
My breath caught. I’d done this.
The coven members crouched, hands over their heads, blood trickling from where the glass had hit them.
I spun and linked, Run!
Raffe didn’t question me, and we took off toward the parking lot.
“They’re getting away!” Slade exclaimed, but I could still hear the glass attacking them.
Get on the motorcycle, Raffe ordered me, holding the keys in his hand. We’ll get off campus and put our helmets on then. We don’t have time for safety.
We ran to his black bike and slid on, and he started the engine. I wasn’t thrilled with riding the bike in the rain, but we had to get out of here. My blood still hummed, my heart racing in sync as I glanced back at the coven members, who were getting back on their feet.
The glass assault was over.
Raffe started the bike and backed up enough to shift into drive, then gunned it and wove around the cars to the exit, away from the apartments.
“Stop them!” Supreme Priestess Olwyn yelled.
I glanced back and cringed. All the windows I could see on both buildings had shattered, giving the place a dystopian look.
Yet another attribute I could add to my ever-increasing list of skills I couldn’t control.
Hurry. Slade and the supreme priestess can control water. I wasn’t sure whether Raffe knew that, but with how hard it was raining, I hated to think what they could do.
Two women appeared between the buildings; their wide eyes took in the sight. I hoped they were human, though I doubted that mattered. Supreme Priestess Olwyn would get Lafayette or another vampire to erase their memories.
Raffe pulled onto the road, and suddenly, we were hydroplaning. The bike tilted to the left, and a scream lodged in my throat. We were going to fall, and it would hurt like hell.
Hold on tight to me. Raffe growled as he kicked out his leg and pushed off the road to keep the bike upright.
I tightened my thighs against his body, but for once, his touch didn’t comfort me. I grew dizzy, and my blood increased in strength. Then I noticed something strange. All this time, what I’d assumed was my blood began thrumming faster than my actual heart rate. It swirled around me like my blood but was somehow separate. What the hell? It felt like my wolf magic but stronger and more in sync with me. Was that my actual power?
Not wanting to cause more balancing issues, I buried my head against the center of Raffe’s muscular back and wrapped my arms around his waist … as much as I could. Even though he played quarterback, he was way more built than he appeared because of his height.
The tires skidded again as we hydroplaned to the other side. This was definitely Olwyn’s and Slade’s doing because it hadn’t rained enough for the roads to be this treacherous.
“Fuck,” Raffe snarled as he shifted his weight to compensate. Had we been human, we would have crashed, but Raffe held his own. Pain radiated from within him.
The sensation I’d always thought was my blood increased to a new level. The best way to describe it was singing. The humming was louder and stronger than ever, pulling closer to my skin and causing it to buzz, similar to my fated-mate bond with Raffe. The power merged with my connection to Raffe and my wolf.
This time, when Raffe righted the motorcycle, the wheels remained level. Every few seconds, I felt something push against me, hurting my insides.
More jolts came as if someone were kicking my chest and intestines from within. I’d never experienced pain like this, and I swallowed to keep in my agony.
Why are you hurting? Raffe asked.
I … I don’t know. My power hadn’t felt like this before. Maybe this was what imploding felt like? My power has gone crazy. Every few seconds, it’s like it’s fighting me.
I lifted my head to determine what might be causing my internal attack and saw that we were driving past the brick administration building and the soccer fields. The iron gates to the campus loomed in front of us, and the rain eased back to a drizzle. I glanced back and couldn’t see the coven members. The attack within me eased.
I’m hurrying, but I can’t be reckless, not with you on the bike with me. He tensed more, and his worry added an extra edge to my hysteria, making me dizzy again.
I leaned my head against his back, not burying my face in it like before. With his body coiled so tightly, I felt like I was hugging a brick wall but one that smelled nice and was warm.
As soon as we breezed through the gate and were off campus, my lungs filled more easily. I focused on my breathing and the way my body tingled where it was pressed against Raffe.
Needing to feel his skin, I slid my hands underneath his shirt, and the strong buzz of our connection sprang to life.
He fidgeted. You’re going to make this hard on me.
I snickered, my blood calming to a hum. I’d never imagined a day when I would consider a hum calm. I’m not opposed to making you hard.
His chest shook, his shoulders relaxing marginally. Nor am I, but not when we’re on two wheels speeding without helmets, and I’m carrying precious cargo. Besides, would you want me to wreck? My pretty face could get scarred.
My blood eased to a fizz, settling quickly with our banter. Oh, how I missed feeling carefree. It felt like it had been ages. It might make you look more rugged.
Hey now. He snorted. I’m already tall, dark, and mysterious. Why mess up what’s working for me?
I rolled my eyes, though he couldn’t see it, and Lucy linked with all of us, Please tell me you got away. I’m about to turn around.
The easy moment between us vanished, and Raffe replied, We did.
Thank fucks, Adam interjected. We were worried but didn’t want to link in case you were under attack and needed to focus.
When someone says thank fucks, is that singular or possessive? Keith asked, posing what he must have felt was a significant question. ’Cause I’m sorta torn. I could see it either way, so I guess it depends on how many fucks the person speaking has left.
Raffe growled. I have one fuck that I’m about to take care of if he doesn’t stop interrupting with stupid shit.
Possessive it is, Keith amended and went quiet.
“Sometimes, I wonder why I’m friends with him,” Raffe grumbled to himself and shook his head.
As entertaining as this is, where are we going? Do I have time for a nap? Josie linked. I’m exhausted and wound up riding with Lucy in Raffe’s car so I can keep an eye on Octavia and deal with the demon cat.
My body sagged against Raffe’s. I’d been so focused on making sure we didn’t leave Dave that I hadn’t even thought about Cat-Keith. If that wasn’t proof that Lucy was now his official owner, I wasn’t sure what was. Thank goodness you got her.
Wouldn’t have been upset if the mangy beast got left behind, Keith added. I’d rather that if you guys refuse to change her name.
And that right there is why it’s never changing, Lucy said. We know how much it infuriates you.
Raffe glanced in the rearview mirror. Head back to the pack. They won’t risk coming there to attack right away. We need to inform Dad and his advisors of what’s going on, but I don’t want to tell him before we get there, not after how our last meeting went. I need him to see us and smell we aren’t lying.
A shiver racked me. Though my body temperature was naturally warmer now, between the rain and having caused the chasm between Raffe and his father, I was an emotional mess. I wasn’t cold; it was all stress.
Raffe growled. We’re stopping soon to get jackets and helmets. I just want to put some distance between us and campus and make sure no one’s following us.
I hadn’t considered the possibility that they’d get into their cars and chase us, not with the injuries they’d sustained and the glass shards lodged in their skin from the exploding windows. With the shattering windows and the scared students who had to be racing from the building, not understanding what was going on, the coven members would be forced to handle chaos. But we had no clue how many members the Veiled Circle had. They might have the resources to send someone after us.
A Chevron appeared on the left, a little more run-down than the gas stations in the city. Raffe slowed and coasted onto the gravel road and parked at one of the pumps out of the drizzle.
He went to the back, opened the storage container, then removed two full-face helmets and two leather jackets, one of which seemed to be my size.
Should I be jealous about the second jacket? I didn’t like the icky sensation that crawled over my skin and the way my wolf edged forward, wanting to hurt whoever he might have bought it for. I wondered if it was Josie. She had pretended to be his girlfriend for years.
Raffe mashed his lips together. A raindrop fell from his dark hair and rolled down one cheek. “I ordered it when we were secretly dating.” He winced as the tightness of his shame flowed between us. “It got here while we were broken up, and I didn’t have a chance to think about giving it to you until now.” Then the corners of his lips tipped up, and a smile broke through. “I told you no one has ever ridden with me before, and the only other person who’s driven my bike is Keith. That was only because you were frozen and needed to get warm.”
Warmth swarmed my chest, and I stepped closer to him. I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him, linking, Right answer.
I’m glad I didn’t disappoint you. He leaned back and booped my nose. He then placed the larger jacket and the two helmets on our seats and held my jacket up for me. I hate to cut this moment short, but we need to get going. He frowned and said out loud, “We probably should’ve taken the car, but the bike is faster in case they followed us.”
He had a point, and honestly, I didn’t mind the bike, though I wished we were riding it for pleasure rather than fleeing for our lives. At least I could snuggle into my mate and feel him between my legs for the entire ride to Seattle. Best of all, I didn’t have to share him with anyone. Now look who was being possessive, but I didn’t feel a bit of shame for it.
As I slid into the jacket, he asked, Do you want to see if we can meet up with Lucy and you can ride with them?
I shook my head so hard that my neck popped, and I wondered if I’d given myself whiplash. Being parted from him was the worst thing I could do. That never turns out well for either of us.
He exhaled. You’re right. But I still—
Stop. I placed one hand on his chest and, with my free hand, snagged the helmet. There’s no getting rid of me. Now, let’s go to Seattle and talk to your dad—and maybe finally relax for a moment.
He glanced over his shoulder and tensed. Yeah, you’re right. He quickly put on the jacket and his helmet, and we climbed on and took off, barreling out of the parking lot.
I glanced over my shoulder and saw a car getting smaller as he pushed the bike faster. Is that someone from EEU?
I’m not taking any chances.
With that, I leaned against the backrest, not wanting to crowd him while he drove, and settled in for the long ride.
Three hours later,we were swerving up the twisty roads of Cougar Mountain, and my ass was sore—a little fact I hadn’t expected. All I was doing was sitting on the back of a comfortable bike made for long rides, but my butt was numb and aching.
I’d expected to dread pulling into the long driveway that led to Raffe’s pack home, but I was practically panting. I was ready to get off this bike, even if that meant King Jovian glaring at me.
I shifted and groaned. I thought you said this was a cruiser bike.
You hurting? Raffe turned the bike onto the road.
Let’s just say there’s no way we’re having sex like I’d hoped. I dreaded getting off the bike.
Raffe wiggled. You should’ve told me. I felt your discomfort, but I thought it was from coming here. It increased the closer we got.
I’ve only felt like this one other time when I went horseback riding, and it wasn’t even half this bad. I’d been sore for days, and I didn’t want to think about how long it would take to recover from this.
I’ll rub you down when we get to our room.
I guess that will do. Desire knotted in my stomach, making me reconsider my stance on sex.
The huge mansion towered ahead, thick woods of maple, cedar, and hemlock behind it. Stones framed each window with tan siding everywhere else.
Octavia, Keith, Josie, Lucy, Dave, and Adam stood on the stone path in front of the six stairs leading up to the gigantic wooden front door.
Aldric stood across from his daughter, looking every inch Marcel Gerard from The Originals. I still couldn’t get over how uncanny his resemblance was to the vampire on that show. He stood in front of five other men, all giving off strong alpha vibes. But one key person was missing.
King Jovian.
Instead of slowing down, Raffe sped up and parked the bike between his black BMW and a white Porsche. Tension radiated from him, and the spot in my chest where we were connected shrank, giving off dread.
What’s wrong? I linked, removing my helmet. As soon as I did, I regretted it, feeling how my wet hair had dried underneath it. I must look like a train wreck.
Lovely.
Raffe replied, bringing Lucy, Josie, Keith, and Adam into the connection, I’m not sure, but I’d like to know what’s going on as well.
The king isn’t here, and Dad and the advisors want to talk to Raffe. Josie glanced at us, biting her bottom lip.
I noticed how close she and Dave were standing, their arms just brushing. Clearly, Aldric had noticed the same thing because his scowl flicked between them and us.
And you guys didn’t think to inform me before we got here? Raffe replied, his jaw clenching. He took my hand and led me toward them, making it clear we were together.
Somehow, that made me fall more in love with him.
My ass ached with every step, but I stood tall, keeping my strides confident, even if I looked straight out of a horror flick.
Raffe stood tall and radiated alpha wolf power, which was stronger than any of theirs. He seemed more powerful than before, but maybe that was because I was a wolf shifter and could finally notice it.
“What’s going on here?” Raffe asked, his voice deep and commanding. “Where’s Dad?”
Puffing out his chest, Aldric sneered. “Why are you here?” He acted as if Raffe hadn’t asked a question.
I swallowed. Something was off.
“Why am I here at my home?” he rasped.
“It’s not your home anymore.” Aldric pointed at Raffe. “You need to leave.”