Page 81 of Moon Kissed

“Isn’t this cozy.”

The hackles would’ve risen on my wolf’s back if she was out, but since she wasn’t, my body settled for standing my neck hairs on end.

“A couple of best friends,” Badr drawled, coming up beside us. “Looks like you’ve gotten over your hangups on getting buddy-buddy with a murderer, Nia.”

Nia stumbled back, losing her smile. “It’s not like that, Badr. No one’s forgotten Castor or what happened to him—”

“What shedidto him,” he snapped, correcting.

“—but Dagem ordered me to stay with her at all times. You can’t blame me for making the best of it.”

“Are you sure? Because I think I can. I like you, Nia, but no decent person laughs, and jokes, and plays mentee to a killer. You say you’re forced to hang out with her, but the least you can do is not enjoy it so much.”

“And what are you going to do about it, Badr?” I stepped between Nia and Badr. “Get her kicked out of the alpha track like you did to Paxton. Funny how your loyalty dries up fast when you’re not getting your way.” His frostbitten eyes seared into mine. “Remind me because I forgot, but is that howdecent peopletreat their friends?”

Badr scoffed. “Oh, please, spare me. If you’re so worried about that guy, why don’t you join him? Matter of fact, that’s a great idea. You never belonged in the alpha track in the firstplace. Fuck off out of my class, out of my dorm, and out of my life.”

“You first,” I growled, rearing up on him. “It’s you who doesn’t belong in the alpha track, and that’s not my hatred for you talking, it’s a fact. Alphas are supposed to respect their pack if they’re to command respect. While you treat everyone from your friends to your enemies like shit. You let personal grudges cloud your judgement. And, you’re a grown man who still pisses himself.”

A snarl ripped from his throat.

“You’re wasted here.” I put a finger on his chest, just a finger, and moved him back. “You’re not fit to lead a pack, Badr Divan, bastard son of the Sun councilor’s epsilon mistress—and you never will be.”

Silence fell on the field as everyone stopped kicking, punching, fighting, and breathing. They all gaped at me in disbelief.

Alpha wolves were born to lead. That fact was written on their souls. Telling one that they weren’t was like telling a bird they’re not meant to fly, or a rattlesnake that he would never grow up to terrify all in his path. To an alpha, there was no worse insult.

“Hmm.” Humming, Badr nodded slowly. “I see. Thank you so much for sharing your true thoughts with me, Volana.”

The hackles rose higher, crumpling my forehead. What was this? Why was he taking that so calmly? The guy flipped out on Paxton for trying to stop him selling my naked ass on t-shirts, but I tell him he’s destined to be a failure and he’s cool?

“So how about a challenge?” he asked, backing up farther. “A fight. If you lose, you’re out of the alpha track. If you win, I’m out.”

Slitted eyes beheld him. “Why would I agree to that? Of course I’m going to lose. I had to swear to Luame that I wouldn’thurt you just to get into the alpha track. I can’t win a fight when I’m pulling my punches.”

“No one said you’d be fighting me.” Badr turned on our audience. “Anyone? Anyone willing to be my champion. You’ll have my eternalrespectif you do.”

“I’ll do it,” Liza said, stepping forward. She was a short, stocky woman with freckles all over her body, wavy loam hair, and a large brown spot in her right eye that mesmerized you if you stared too long—and she’d punch you before you did. “But I want more than your respect.”

“Name it.”

Liza fixed on me. “I want her, the precious sainted mother wolf, to get on her knees... and bark.”

Laughs and howls battered my ears. I flicked to Allard who leaned against a practice dummy, grinning as he watched the show.

“Nope,” I said, cutting that shit off immediately. “I only get on my knees for Edric.” I blew him a kiss. “Right, baby?”

“What! No!” He shot back like I was going to chase him. “That’s not—”

“But if you get to pick a champion, so do I,” I continued. “I want Nia.”

“What? Who? Me?” she cried. “Daze, what are you saying! I can’t go up against”—she eyed the grinning alpha—“her!”

“Yes, you can, because that’s not the enemy you’re trying to beat.” I pointed to the rubber dummy man. “This is the part where you get stronger, Nia. Right here, right now.”

My speech crashed into her anger and died. “No! No way.” She tossed her head hard, backing away. “Fight your own battles.”

“Nia,” I hissed sharply, advancing on her. “You need to cut out this mouse shit, and start acting like a wolf.”

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