Page 17 of Dead Wolf Walking (Bad Moon Academy 1)
“No, you can’t.” He releases his grip on the gate and walks toward me. “At least not yet.”
Fighting off a panic attack, I curl my fingers into fists at my sides and sigh. “What do I have to do to leave?”
He smiles. “Let’s go meet the headmaster.”
“I’m a little old for school, don’t you think?” Lifting my hand, I work out a knot or two in my hair before deciding I don’t give a damn what I look like.
“Maybe by human standards, but you have a lot to learn about shifter society before you even have a shot at getting out of here.”
“We learned about supes in school.”
“Human education is not adequate.” He glances at the gate, shakes his head, and starts off toward the academy.
The building is a lot bigger than I initially thought. It looks more like a mansion than a school. I catch a glimpse of someone standing in a window on the second floor. There’s a strange film on the glass muting his features, but I’d recognize his face anywhere.
Draco. He’s watching me with a frown, almost like he’s sad for me.
That’s crazy, right?
“Are you coming?”
Pulling my gaze from the wolf I’d like to punch, I jog to catch up with Carter. He glances at the window and furrows his brow.
A big bird swoops overhead, chittering as he passes. I stare at the creature, wondering what the hell it’s doing so close to the ground.
“That’s weird.”
“What’s weird?” I ask Carter, still staring at the tan and white feathers as the bird coasts on through the air.
“Golden eagles don’t normally get so close to humans, let alone shifters.”
The eagle changes directions, turning and heading straight toward us. His wings are huge. I’ve never seen a big bird like this up close, and it’s hard to look away. A few feathers stick out as he shifts his feet forward and swoops his wings back.
It almost looks like he’s going to grab something.
I move my gaze along his intended path. My eyes widen when I realize he’s aiming for Carter. The man looks annoyed. He yanks his shirt off, revealing a solid six pack.
“What are you doing?” I ask, voice rising an entire octave.
His eyes flick to mine, and he grimaces. Then he shifts, shredding his pants in the process and saving me from having to avert my eyes because it’s not every day you see a stranger’s penis.
The wolf snarls and jumps, snapping his teeth at the bird who screams in response. I volley my gaze between the creatures, thoroughly confused.
The eagle slides past the wolf’s mouth, digging its talons into Carter’s back.
A gunshot cracks through the air. I cover my head and drop to the ground, trying to remember all the rules public school taught me about active shooters. There’s really nowhere to hide out here.
I’m fucked.
Another shot sounds, and the bullet smacks into the wall of the building behind me.
“Shit, shit, shit.”
Carter snarls and starts running toward the eagle who’s hovering a few feet away, staring at me.
“Go!” I’m not sure why I scream at the bird—maybe because it attacked Carter or maybe because its gaze felt human. Either way, I don’t want to see it shot.
The eagle lets out a high-pitched squawk before flying off.
