Page 55 of Dead Wolf Walking (Bad Moon Academy 1)
She grumbles more, but I focus on what Everett’s saying.
“—shift over there if you want.”
I look at the big tree he’s pointing to. The trunk is round enough to cover all the important bits. “Thanks.”
He starts to strip where he’s standing, so I go behind the tree and toss my clothes onto the ground. Closing my eyes, I relax and shift. I’ve learned that’s the key.
Relax and shift happens.
Landing on all fours, we blink a few times, adjusting to the sharpened details.
Do you want me to take over?
Yeah. I’d rather not make a fool of myself.I have yet to figure out how to control this form.
We pad out from behind the tree and yip at Everett. He slowly prowls toward us, lowering his head but not in a threatening way. More like he’s trying not to frighten me. Stopping in front of us, he places his chin on the ground and leaves his butt in the air.
This gives a whole new meaning toface down ass up.
What’s he doing?I ask.
Bowing to his luna.
We lift our head and release a long howl, the sound echoes through the trees, and Everett rises from his submissive stance and joins us.
He lowers his head and pushes his nose into our shoulder then starts trotting away. We follow him, for now, and swing our head back and forth, taking in all the wildlife and losing ourselves in the adventure.
Everett yips when we pause as a bunny dashes away.
If you eat a bunny, I refuse to get snacks when you ask,I warn her.
The wolf in front of us lopes away, drawing our attention and we growl.
He thinks he can run from us?
We race after him, quickly closing the distance between us. He slows and we run side by side for a while. The ground gradually shifts to an uphill slope, growing steeper and more barren the farther we go. Everett brushes against us then kicks up his pace. We growl and do the same, catching up to him.
The alpha is fast. We are well matched.
Ignoring my wolf’s commentary, I focus on how she moves our body. It’s so fluid and easy for her. The time I tried, it felt like I was learning to tango with two left feet.
Everett begins to slow as the hill reaches its steepest incline, so we do too. When we reach the top, he stops. There’s nothing left but grass. The ground levels for about twenty feet before suddenly dropping off.
Everett yips, then he shifts.
You know, I’ve been eyelevel with penises for far too long now.
Hey, you didn’t grab our clothes!
Oops,she says, not sounding sorry at all.
“Are you okay, Raven?” His face lines with worry and he kneels in front of me, still oblivious to the fact that he’s free balling it.
I’d apologize, but I don’t want to lie to you.
It’s fine, a little awkward now that I can’t shift, but I can still enjoy the view,I tell her.
That’s not why I said that.
