Touched My Alpha King

Chapter 5

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 f*****g 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 f*****g 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.