Page 22 of Moon Kissed

“You’re all alone I see.” Badr dropped on the seat in front of me. “Just how it should be.”

I didn’t look up from my nails. “Something I can do for you?”

“Yeah, I was listening to that pathetic boo-hoo sob story you were spinning for the omega.”

“Which one?” I replied conversationally. “Was it when I was moaning about Luame’s shit taste in mates?”

“No, that wasn’t the one.” Badr’s tone was just as light and friendly as mine. “It was when you were doing that piss-poor impression of a normal person and fake crying over Mommy.”

I kept my reaction off my face. That’s what he was looking for. “You think I didn’t care when my own mother was murdered?”

“You didn’t feel a thing,” he hissed, getting in my face. “How do I know? Because you’re the soul-sucking leech that rips good people out of this world. If you really knew how that felt, you’d never have done it to Castor.

“He was the best of people. We both had a claim for alpha of the clan, but our father wanted Castor. Castor fought against him.” Badr’s voice shook. “Knock-down, drag-out fights all to back me up. Said our claims were equal, and if we both graduated on top, we’d be co-alphas and he’d accept nothing else.

“Co-alphas. Can you believe that? Nothing like it had ever been done before.”

That was hard to believe. As hard as it was to believe mundane USA would ever have co-presidents. Power didn’t like to be shared.

“But Castor was willing to do it, because my brother wasn’t going to let me get anything less than my due.” There was barely a sliver of distance between us. “That was the man you killed, leech, and I swear on the goddess, you will not get away with it.”

I blew out a gusty sigh. “You know what, Badr? Let’s settle this right now, so that all the people listening can know why you’re really mad.

“It’s because I saw you piss your pants.”

Nia choked from across the room, hacking and spraying water on the table. Our many, many listeners gasped, reeled, or had to keep their bulging eyes in their head.

“What the fuck— No I didn’t!”

“That nasty, ripe yellow stain is there for everyone to see,” I breezed. “You peed yourself, I saw it, and you’re desperate that no one finds out you’re incontinent because how can anyonerespect a wolf who wears a diaper?” Badr flushed deeper purple with every word. “Look, it’s not a big deal, man. Just make sure to change it out more frequently. Might feel nice to have a warm sack of piss against your balls, but that’s how leaks happen.”

“Ugh, eww,” someone whispered. “That’s gross, B.”

“It’s a lie! I didn’t piss myself!” Badr toppled his chair shooting up. “Paxton did this!”

“Oooh,” I crowed. “Paxton peed on your crotch? That’s super kinky, fate. I’m not into that, but you guys have your fun.”

His expression was terrible to behold. I couldhearhis hating me over Paxton’s sputters and denials.

“You think you’re funny, don’t you?” he hissed. “You think that just because you’re the mother wolf, nothing and no one can hurt you.” Badr dropped his fists on the table, leaning over me to make my eyes cross. “You’re wrong.

“I’m going to wipe that smirk off your face. Permanently.”

I looked him dead in the eyes. “And how exactly do you think you’re going to do that?”

Inexplicably, Badr smirked. “Oh, I’ve got a few ideas.” He flicked off me. “Trip.”

Badr shot back. I didn’t have a second to understand what was happening when my skin lit on fire.

“Ahh!” Screaming, I bolted up as the nice server hit the floor. The coffee she was bringing soaked my head, neck, back, arm, and chest—burning the flesh raw. Raucous laughter roared through the mess hall, almost as loud as my screams.

“Guess what, bitch? That is my dress”—Ava spun me around, claws sprouting from her nail beds—“and I’ll be taking it back now.”

She ripped the dress clean off my body.

I ran.

Covering myself best I could, I took off amidst raining books, pens, and notepads. Most of them didn’t have food to throw at me, so they threw everything else.

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