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I don’t voice the second part of that statement, but the spike of irritation I sense from Elena is so intense that I might as well have.

Elena is human.

She’s always resented the way Rafael treats her, which is why I choose my next words carefully. “But Elena’s a big girl,” I say to Raf. “I’m sure she can handle herself.”

Raf shakes his head and drags a hand through his hair, which is the same raven black as his sister’s. “I don’t like it.”

Of course he doesn’t.

Rafael is an alpha, and alphas like to control everything. It’s the reason he went from being her big brother to being her prison warden as soon as he came of age.

“I’d feel a lot better if one of us was there . . .” Raf continues.

Suddenly, it’s as if a lightbulb has just gone off in his head. “Youshould go with her.”

“What?” Elena and I speak at the exact same time. Our eyes meet, and we both look away.

“A bunch of your pack brothers will be there,” he says. “AndIcan’t go.”

“You’re not invited,” Carmen grumbles.

Rafael ignores her. “It would look like I’m trying to exert my authority as alpha, since the wedding’s in my territory.”

“Not to mention that bringing your brother as your date to a wedding issuperfucking weird,” Carmen adds.

“Raf, stop,” Elena snaps, stepping between me and her brother. “I don’tneeda bodyguard. It’s just a wedding. Besides . . . maybe I alreadyhavea plus-one.”

Inside, my wolf lets out a low growl. He can’t stand the thought of Elena walking in with another man on her arm.

“Better not be that Derek fucker,” Raf grumbles.

“Heisgoing to be there,” says Carmen in that annoying, teasing voice of hers. “He’s Rowan’s best man.”

My wolf gives a menacing snarl. Derek is the shifter guy Elena was dating around the time she had her accident.

“Do you already have a plus-one?” Raf asks his sister.

“No.”

She sounds a little disappointed at the admission, but my wolf relaxes.

“Perfect,” says Raf, clapping his hands together. “You can take Jake.”

A mixture of horror, embarrassment, and anger flits across Elena’s face. “I’m not taking Jake!” She glances awkwardly in my direction. “I already told you I don’t need a chaperone. Anyway, I’ll be busy Thursday throughSunday. I’m sure Jake has better things to do than babysit me all weekend.”

I cringe inwardly at her use of the word “babysit,” but I guess it’s not reasonable for her to consider it a date.

“Nope,” I say quickly, smiling despite my disappointment. “No plans.”

Raf raises his eyebrows at Elena as if to say all their problems are solved.

Heat blooms on her cheeks, and I can scent the frustration pouring off her. It’s a little insulting, but I’m so excited by the prospect of an entire weekend with Elena that it’s difficult to care.

“I’ll go,” I say before this can escalate into World War III. “I love weddings.” Not true. “It’ll be fun.”Possiblytrue — if Elena can loosen up and see me as something other than her chaperone.

She crosses her arms and lets out a petulant huff.

“Either you go with Jake, or you don’t go at all,” says Raf.