Page 27 of Dead Wolf Walking (Bad Moon Academy 1)
What is he trying to do with the panties and bra? Get a reaction?
Am I supposed to be flattered?
Frankly, it’s a little creepy.
I’m in the middle of putting the clothes into the dresser when someone knocks.
My heart skips, and I clutch my chest, battling down the sudden rush of fear. This place has me on edge.
“Who is it?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even.
A woman laughs. “It’s Morg. You’re doing a shit job of hiding your fear.”
Well, it’s better than it being Carter.
“Are you hungry? You have to be. I always am.”
Moving the chair out of the way, I open the door to see her grinning face.
“You used a chair? You’re smart.” She tucks a bunch of curls behind her ear, and a few spring free.
“What time is it?” I move to the bag with the black Converse and pull out a fresh pair of ankle socks, slipping them on before my shoes.
“A quarter to seven. I waited until the dinner rush was over before coming to check on you. Carter mentioned you might be a little overwhelmed.”
What an underwhelming understatement.
“Thanks.” I close the door behind me after we leave my room. “How many people live here?”
We walk toward the stairs.
“All together about twenty students and ten staff, though the numbers change when new people arrive or others leave.”
“So people can leave, right? It’s not a false hope?”
She nudges me with her elbow. “Already doubting the truth of what you’ve been told?”
I run a hand over my hair, fiddling with the ends. “I was bitten, brought here against my will, and they’re telling me it’s to keep the people I love safe. I have no option to leave, and if I try, the pack magic will attack me. None of that inspires trust.”
“Huh, well, when you put it like that, I get it.” She uses the railing to step onto the stairs. I grip the one against the wall as we descend. “But, yes. People can leave. You won’t be stuck here forever.”
“How long have you been here?”
Wrinkling her nose, she shakes her head. “A long time, but that’s different. I decided to stay because I like helping people.”
“Have you ever left?” I ask, jumping the last two steps and landing on the first floor with a soft thud.
“I’ve gone off campus a few times with Carter and some of the guys.” She shrugs as we head down the hallway which leads to the cafeteria. “I like it here. I was changed too, and I’m not really ready to live with a pack.”
“How many packs are there?” I ask, pretending like she didn’t catch me off guard. Earlier they made it sound like my only option was living with the pack which runs this academy.
She blows out a breath. “Hundreds, well, thousands probably if you count overseas.”
An interesting tidbit of information. I’ll have to ask Carter about these other packs later.
The cafeteria is fuller than it was this afternoon, but over half the tables are empty. A few people stare as Morg and I make our way to the buffet. I ignore them, but Morg growls low in her chest.
“Morg,” I say as I grab a plate. “I don’t hear her. Is that normal?”
