Page 125 of Moon Kissed

I nodded slow. “Well, if your father is an abusive bully, he’d be right. You’re exactly like him,” I returned, snapping his head up. “But don’t mind me, that’s just the opinion of Pinata de Bitch. Another victim of your bullying that you have yet to apologize to.” I sidestepped him. “Goodbye. Nyx. Have fun in Europe.”

“Daciana,” he cried, grabbing my hand. That was the first time he said my name. “Wait, please, let me—”

“—enough!”

“Whoa, man, chill out!”

“Turn it off!”

I snapped up, landing on the commotion happening on the stage.

Badr grabbed the deejay and threw him. He crashed onto a dining table and flipped it, raining glasses, plates, and macaroni and brie on himself.

The party ground to a sudden, crashing halt.

If I thought Nyx looked bad, it was nothing compared to Badr. His clothes were shredded as if he shifted in his closet and went wild, tearing and ripping everything to confetti. Wild, bloodshot eyes glared at the slack-jawed faces looking back at him.

Badr snatched up the microphone. “What the fuck is wrong with all of you!? You’re dancing and partying like nothing happened. Like our school wasn’t just taken over by a twisted, psychopathic murderer that’s blackmailing you!

“How am I the only one who remembers what she’s done to you, to our people, to my brother!” he roared, eyes bugging. “Wake up, people! Volana is no queen. She’s nothing at all! What she is is one person”—he fixed on me—“and she can’t take us all.”

I tensed, lips peeling back from my teeth.

“Fight with me,” he called, raising his fist high. “Let’s take back our academy. Let’s take back our lives! Alphas! Betas! Wolves! Fight with me!”

No one moved. No one breathed.

“Come on,” Badr cried, desperation leaking into his voice. “Come on!”

Nothing.

“This isn’t who you are. You’re wolves, not sheep! Wolf up and fight!” Badr flicked to my left. “Nyx, you’ve got her. Hold her down!”

Nyx dropped my arm instantly, backing away. Looking from me to Badr, he met his friend’s eyes, and shook his head.

“Sorry, Daze,” Nyx murmured, and walked away.

“Nyx? Nyx!”

The door swung shut on him, echoing through the silent ballroom. Badr’s chest heaved, eyes wild. He clutched his head like it was going to explode. “She killed my brother in cold blood, don’t you get that? Why does no one care!”

Turning on my throne, Badr ripped it off and flung it at the wall, showering a bellowing group of beta guys in wood splinters.

“Whoa, calm down, Badr.” Edric appeared at the side of the stage, slowly approaching his friend. “Listen, I understand what you’re going through—”

“The fuck you do, traitor! You’re with her now. You’ve made your choice.”

“I know it looks that way,” Edric said, reaching into his pocket. “But this is all more complicated than you think. It mightnot look like it but I am on your side. You, Paxton, Nyx, and Orion.”

Badr’s eyes flashed. “Don’t talk to me about Orion. You just stood there while she framed him! Everyone thinks he’s a psychopathic murderer now, and you don’t even care.”

“That’s not true! I can prove it to you.” Edric took out his phone. “I have—”

Badr pounced.

There wasn’t time to shout, blink, or move. One moment he was snarling in Edric’s face, and the next Badr was punching it in—blasting Edric off his feet.

“Nice try,” Badr growled, “but if your girlfriend wants more material for Loop-Garou, she’ll have to get it herself.” Lifting his feet, Badr stomped Edric’s cell to bits.

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