Page 8 of Dead Wolf Walking (Bad Moon Academy 1)
This has to be a dream.
I’m imagining this.
A nightmare caused by the attack the other night.
But even then, I know it’s possible. Supernaturals are real; we learned about the genetic mutation in school. Then there’s me and my medium abilities.
Still, I can’t turn into—a low growl rumbles deep in my chest, and I push onto all four paws.
Wait. Paws? Red fur?
What the fuck?
Something bursts from my body, exploding out of me in a gust of wind. Pebbles and leaves fly away, carried on the current of whatever just happened. A howl rips through the air, making my heart stutter. Lifting my head, I release an answering call, letting whoever is stalking me know not to mess with me.
I don’t understand. What is happening? This is a dream. No, a nightmare. It has to be. No way did I turn into a fucking wolf. Unless. No. The wolf from the other night bit me. Does that mean I’m a shifter now?
A whine fills the air, and it takes me a moment to realize it’s coming from my wolf. Or me? Part of me wants to curl into a ball and cry for my mommy, but the more logical side remembers she’s not here to save me and I’ll have to handle this on my own. Testing my new form, I try to glance at myself but end up spinning in a circle before falling over. Then all control of my body is wrenched away from me. I can’t even turn my head.
I will protect you,a smoky voice says in my mind.
Is this the wolf?
Who are you?I ask as my wolf form begins to race toward the trees.No. No! Not there.
Easy, child. They will not hurt you.
I don’t know who this voice thinks she is, but I refuse to become a wolf’s dinner. We’re outnumbered. Two to one is horrible odds, especially when it comes to fucking wolves.
Yips bounce around the trees, making my wolf snarl.
They think to test me,the wolf in my head says.
They think to eat you! Fucking run!I think to the crazy animal.
The smoky voice chuckles in my head, and I can see the owner shaking her head and giving me one of those pity looks—the kind that says you’re helpless and not worth dealing with.
No. They aren’t strong enough.
Wow. She’s confident. Reaching with my mind, I try to snatch control of my animal body from her, imagining pulling strings from the dark space she occupies in my head back to my side. The human side.
Her mouth, my mouth—fuck, our mouth opens and she howls in protest.
If you won’t fucking run, I will,I tell the voice.
There’s a slight change in our canter, and we stumble. Yes! It’s working, I’m gaining control.
YOU WILL NOT RUN,she rages at me. Any traction I’d gained is ripped away, and I’m helpless once more, trapped inside my head and a body that isn’t mine—but is at the same time.
Two wolves, one jet black and the other tawny brown, dash in front of us. We snap our jaw and release a deep, rumbling warning. The black wolf prowls toward us, sniffing the air. It’s the same one that bit me last night; I feel it in my bones.
He will pay for hurting you.
Well, okay then, can’t say I disagree with that plan.
Suddenly, we lunge for him, knocking him down. He tries to bite us, but we bat his mouth with our paw. The black wolf snarls, and we attack, biting his side before latching on to his throat and holding it between our teeth. He goes unnaturally still, turning his head to the side and curling into himself. Our canines pierce his skin, drawing a bit of blood.
Ugh, fucking gross.
