Page 45 of Dead Wolf Walking (Bad Moon Academy 1)
I finish lacing my shoes,grateful I opted for a smaller snack since I’m going on a run. The detour distracted my wolf long enough that she forgot all about the luna conversation and trying to convince me having five boyfriends isn’t so bad.
Well, I mean, it might be nice, but there’s no way I’m considering something like that right now. I leave my jacket behind and head downstairs, making a beeline for the door. No one stops or follows me, so I go around to the back of the building where the woods are. It’s four in the afternoon, but there’s a nice breeze and the temperature isn’t too hot.
Once I get close to the tree line, I scan the grounds.
I don’t see anyone. Glancing behind me, I check for any spies.
Paranoia is a bad look.
Ignoring my wolf, I set off at a light jog, entering the thick of the forest. I love getting lost beneath heavy canopies, shielded from onlookers and at one with nature. Once I find a well-worn path, I pick up the pace, pushing my legs and muscles to go faster.
You’re not utilizing your full potential.
What do you mean?I ask her.
You’re a supe now. Tap into my strength.
She says it like it’ll be easy.
I don’t know how to do that.I listen to her instructions, reaching for her essence and clutching it.
Good. Now, absorb it.
I don’t want to hurt you.
Her laugh is husky.This is natural. Accept me as yours.
I thought I already did?
Jumping over a root, I continue running.
You accepted that you have to tolerate me. We have not become one yet.
Oh.I tighten my mental grasp on her essence but hesitate.What will happen to me?
Nothing bad. Accepting me makes living together easier, our bond will solidify, and there will be less tension when we disagree. I will have access to your mind and you will be able to see into mine. We will understand each other.
Not arguing with you would make my life a lot easier. How do I know this isn’t some trick? A way for you to take control of my mind.
My breathing is strained since I’m sprinting, but it feels so good to work this hard. Sweat begins to pool on my lower back.
You will have to trust the process. There’s nothing I can say to make you feel safe. Again, this is you accepting me.
What happens if I don’t?
She sighs.We will continue as we have. I will need to force shifts. You will fight me. Eventually, we’ll hate each other.
I appreciate the explanations and space she’s given me, but I can tell she wants me to accept her. She isn’t forcing me to do it, though. If it’s as she says, then I may have been hurting her without even realizing it. Having to live my life battling her for control sounds… awful.
Okay,I say, focusing on the images in my mind of me holding her essence.I accept you.
She howls and I stumble, barely catching my footing before I crash to the ground. There’s a slight shift inside of me, almost like when I was little and practiced piano. Whenever I made a breakthrough, my head buzzed and I almost felt a physical high.
Good. Now run.
Her voice is less distinct in my mind, almost like her conscious joined mine and our thoughts have melded. Listening to her on instinct, I push myself to go faster, and damn, does it work. The trees begin to blur as I run faster than I ever have.
I almost feel like Edward and Bella running in the forest… I mean, minus the sparkles and vampires.
