Page 32 of Dead Wolf Walking (Bad Moon Academy 1)
“You’re kidding me, right? How are you going to carry me?” My eyes skate over the hard planes of his stomach and his quads. Adler is strong, there’s no doubt about it, but his bird form is a hell of a lot smaller, and I’m not trying to plummet to my death.
“I’m stronger than I look. Perks of being a magical being.” He closes the distance between us, still covering his junk with his hands. This close I can see the panic in his gaze. He’s worried I’ll say no.
He wants to help.
It’s worth a shot, even if I end up breaking my neck, at least I tried to get back to Aunt Lou. If what he said is true, she probably thinks I’m dead in a ditch. I can’t let her think I was careless enough to do something so cruel to her. I’m not my mother. I’d never leave Aunt Lou in that way.
“If you drop me, I’ll castrate you.”
He winces, and his hands press more firmly against himself. “I swear I won’t.”
“Then let’s go.”
Taking a few steps back, he keeps his amber colored gaze on me and nods. Then in one fluid shift, he changes into his eagle form. He chitters and flies over my head.
“You better not crap on me.”
He makes a few funny noises, maybe a laugh in bird form, and I carefully wrap my fingers around his legs. His talons curl around my wrists. They squeeze me hard enough to secure me in his hold, but not enough to hurt.
With a chitter, he flies up, effortlessly lifting me off the ground.
Holy crap. It’s working.
When he reaches the top of the wall, he chitters and flaps his wings a few more times, going high enough my feet will clear it. My legs cross over the top of the fence and a fiery pain bursts through my veins, making me cry out. Adler squawks and immediately turns around, dropping toward the ground quickly. I whimper as a million needles prick my skin.
My fingers uncurl, and I land on the grass with a thud. Digging my fingers into the roots and pulling, I grit my teeth as another wave of agony washes over me.
“Raven? Raven, what’s happening?”
“Pack. Wards.” I groan and drop my forehead to the ground. “I can’t leave.”
He kneels next to me. “There has to be a way.”
I shake my head, probably earning a streak of green against my skin. “I tried yesterday and it did the same thing.”
Placing his hand on my back, he rubs small circles to help soothe me. It doesn’t do much to help with the pain, but the effort is appreciated.
“I’ll find a way to save you.” He speaks the words so earnestly I let out a sad laugh.
“Oh, Adler. I’m already damned. I’m a wolf.”
His palm stops mid-circle. “You’re not damned. I can teach you how to control the beast. Once I get you out of here, you’ll see. Lou needs you.”
I choke on a sob. “Tell her I’m okay, please.” Sitting up so I can look him in the eyes, I grab his hand as he pulls it from where it lies against my shirt. “Adler, you have to tell her.”
“Raven. I—”
“Please, Adler.” I’m not above begging when it comes to Aunt Lou.
He glances away. “I wish I could.”
I scoff and nod. “Sure thing. You know what? Fuck you.” Shoving off the ground and wiping my hand over my face to erase the tears, I race toward the building. Running away from him and the false hope he brought with him.
* * *
Adler
By the time I recover from her sudden departure, Raven’s inside already, racing upstairs if the pounding of her feet is any indication. More people are moving around, but her cadence is seared into my brain. I can recognize her steps from miles away.
