Page 104 of Dead Wolf Walking (Bad Moon Academy 1)
Hello?
Her smoky voice never fills my head, and I whimper.
Come on, where are you?
There’s a hollowness within me that wasn’t there before. Almost like a piece of me is missing. I don’t like it.
Not one bit.
Everett drops to his knees in front of me and buries his fingers into my fur, placing his head against my snout. “Luna, I am yours to command.”
With a huff, I shake to get him off of me and nudge him with my nose.
He chuckles and scrubs his hands up and down my neck. “What? You didn’t like my declaration? Should I find another luna?”
When I growl, he snickers.
“I didn’t think so.” He leans in and kisses the spot between my eyes. “You couldn’t make me leave even if you tried.”
Trying a few more times to rouse my wolf and failing, I give up. Shifting without warning, I end up crouched in front of Everett, entirely naked.
His nostrils flare and his gaze slips down my body. “Warning,” is all he manages.
I scramble back and snatch my clothes from the floor. He watches as I yank on my underwear, frowning when I do the clasp on my bra, and finally takes a hard breath when I slip my shirt on.
“Sorry,” I mutter.
“Was she there?”
I groan and tug on my pants. “No.” I’m beginning to worry something is truly wrong. Joan isn’t back, there’s no trace of her in my mind. It’s almost as if she’s vanished or was never even there to begin with.
“What the fuck is that?” he asks, pointing at my neck from where he is kneeling.
Aw, crap. I forgot about the bruises.
“Nothing, I’m fine.” I wrap the scarf around my neck, covering the marks which hurt a little less now that I’ve shifted. Making a note to shift again to finish the healing, once I’m alone, of course. Everett’s rage is pressing against me. He’s not going to let this go.
“Who did that to you?” His eyes flare with rage and he fists his fingers when I shake my head. “Tell me who.” A demand, not a question. Irises flashing yellow, he rises. “Who did this?”
“No one,” I say with a frown and step back, making his eyes pinch in frustration. “It’s hard to explain. Please, let’s talk about Joan.”
“Moons, Raven, I can’t. My wolf…” Trailing off with an angry huff, he goes to his dresser, pulling out a bottle of whiskey and two tumblers. “You want some?”
The word yes is on the tip of my tongue, so I bite down hard enough to draw a bit of blood and shake my head. “I’m good.”
“Suit yourself.”
As soon as he cracks the lid and the oak and coconut scent hits my nose, my stomach tightens and my fingers clench into fists. I really want some, but I have to stay strong. I watch as he pours the amber colored liquid into his glass and tosses back a two finger pour before refilling his cup.
He glares at the scarf, and I press my lips into a firm line. I can’t tell what’s bothering him more. The bruises, seeing me naked, or me not being able to connect with my wolf. A low growl fills the room, letting me know if I continue to let him focus on the scarf, his wolf is going to flip out.
“I couldn’t hear my wolf.” I redirect his attention to the most important task.
“Okay,” he bites out after another sip, jaw twitching as he holds back whatever it is he really wants to say. “You can shift, so that’s good.”
I lie on his bed and bury my head into his pillow. “But I can’t hear her,” I mumble.
The edge of the mattress dips. “I think I know why.”
