Page 76 of Dead Wolf Walking (Bad Moon Academy 1)
We’re sprinting toward the sound, neck in neck with Everett when a large bird swoops across our path. Everett skids to a stop and growls, snapping his jaws at the eagle.
Adler!
We growl and keep running. Ignoring Adler and challenging Everett to keep up makes him forget about the bird altogether. Our attention is split between the two. Adler swoops through the trees, following us from high above, and Everett is intent on beating us. The rushing sound has grown louder, and the path begins to decline, revealing a pool of water at the base of a waterfall. The cliff is steep and the river plummets off the ten-foot drop and slams against the pool, misting the air around it with the spray.
Everett dashes toward the water and shifts midjump, plunging beneath the surface in human form. Show off. While he’s still under, Adler swoops closer, sitting on a branch hanging over the water. He’s watching us, so there will be no privacy to shift and pull on clothes. Everett bursts through the surface of the water, grinning like a fool.
“Come on, Raven. Are you scared?”
Hardly.
Let’s get in and then we shift?Joan suggests, picking up on my dilemma.That way neither will see?
Oh, now you support my need for privacy?I snap.
I’m only trying to help, but by all means, strut around naked.
Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. I like your plan.
Dropping the clothes near the bank, we ease into the dark blue water on all fours. We get in deep enough so the water hits the bottom of our stomach. Pulling my human form forward, I relinquish the wolf back to Joan and crouch in the water. It covers enough, but I’m definitely flashing them both. I dive under the water and swim farther into the pool. I come up and Everett pops up next to me, making me gasp.
“Give a girl a warning, would you?” I steady my racing heart and ignore Joan who’s drooling over his ripped body and pretty smile. The water makes it hard to make out anything past his chest, but it means he can absolutely see my boobs.
Well, not much I can do about it now, and I’m not going to freak out and slap my arm over them. It could be worse. At least he can’t see all of me.
Everett swims around me with lazy strokes. “What do you think? Worth the trip?” He jerks his thumb toward the waterfall.
I glance around, taking it all in. The pool of water flows to a narrow continuation of the river and the bank is covered in bright green grass and moss. Wildflowers are sprinkled around as well. The cliff face is jagged and there’s a semi-circle of rocks at the base, marking the outline of the pool. Since the trees break apart near the river, enough sunlight filters in to warm the water.
“Definitely,” I say with a smile. “It’s so pretty here.”
Everett stops in front of me and swims a little closer. “You did good with your wolf earlier. I expected her to leave your clothes behind again.”
“The only reason she listened is because I told her I wouldn’t feed her.”
He chuckles. “Yup, that’ll do it. They do love their food.”
“So Joan’s not the only one crazy about eating?”
“Joan?” he asks.
“She picked the name, not me,” I say, holding my hands up. “I take no responsibility for it.”
“It’s a little strange, but it works for some reason.”
I nod, knowing exactly what he means. My wolf picked a fitting name.
Gee, thanks.
I send her an apology before blocking her out. She’s distracting.
“What’s your wolf’s name?” I tread water, spinning to follow him as he circles me.
“Erik.” Everett stops swimming and faces me, moving his arms and legs to stay above water.
“Ha. Well, does Erik beg you for food like Joan does me?”
“Incessantly,” Everett says with a sigh. His gaze flicks to the trees, and I stiffen, glancing toward Adler.
