Page 86 of Dead Wolf Walking (Bad Moon Academy 1)
“Shifters can be born though, right?” My public school taught me that.
“Yes. The naturally born shifters are a little stronger and faster than us, but that’s about the only difference. Though most think they’re a lot better than we are.”
Morris snickers, and Carter shoots him a smirk. “So those are the fundamentals of a low pack. Then there’s the high pack hierarchy which consists of Greater Alphas who rule over regions of a country and Elders, or those who make laws for shifters and who represent us when dealing with human governments, witches, or vampires.”
Carter explains more of the minor details of pack dynamics for the next hour, and I take notes, losing myself in listening to the lesson and forgetting about how crappy my situation is for a little while.
Chapter 18
Raven
Cold, invisible fingers wrap around my ankle, and I stifle the urge to gasp as they slowly skate over my leg, track over my stomach, and up my neck until one lone finger traces down my cheek. I shiver in response to the touch. He—whoever he is—always does this. There’s an odd sense of comfort in his phantom caresses. The psychological issues surrounding my enjoyment of his touch is something I’m not going to think about.
Like a phantom, touched for the very first time.
You’re absolutely ridiculous,I tell Joan before focusing on my visitor.
“Hello.” I sit and lean against my pillow. I’m dressed in one of the gym outfits and ready to go. I’ve been wearing regular clothes to bed in hopes that he’d come visit me. After the incident in the classroom last week, I knew it was only a matter of time before he showed up while I was sleeping.
Should I bite him in the ass?
You always ask that. How exactly do you plan to bite something you can’t see?I ask my wolf.
I’ll figure it out.
At least she’s confident.
I move from under the blankets and place my feet on the floor. “Do you want to go for a walk?” I ask even though he can’t answer me. I’ve been turning over possibility after possibility of how to get out of here. One part of the plan was the same for every scenario I ran through.
Figure out what the hell is haunting this place and why.
It’s Tuesday, five days since Carter told me I’m not getting out, but I’m not one to give up easily. There has to be a way. They’re able to leave, so I have to find out how the wards work, but that’s a problem for another day. Right now, I need to focus on my phantom friend.
Bending over, I slip on my shoes then stand and extend my hand. I hold my breath and wait to see what he’ll do. The freezing air grows even colder seconds before an icy hand clasps mine. I suck in air, surprised by how intense his touch is. Moving to the door, I open it and we step outside. Then I let him lead, following as he draws me down to the second floor, past the velvet ropes, and into the ballroom.
There’s something foreboding about the dark in here, like there’s more to it than the colors being absorbed and disappearing from sight. Something distinctlyother.
A gentle touch on my chin draws my attention to the phantom. His finger leaves behind a ripple of gooseflesh.
“Do you want to show me?”
The orbs are usually the easiest way I can connect with the past and see whatever torments a spirit and makes them linger on this plane.
This phantom doesn’t offer me a memory sphere, but the shadow shifts and morphs, almost like a video on rewind. Oh, he’s strong. Time winds back, and with it, light fills the ballroom, illuminating sparkling chandeliers and beautiful decorations.
The entire room is vibrant, so at odds with how it is now. I spin around, taking in all the extravagance, nearly missing the group of women standing at the entrance. They can’t see me since this is a memory, but I’m able to shift closer to listen in on their conversation.
“The alpha is growing impatient. When will the culling come?” This comes from a petite woman with violet colored hair.
“Preparations are in place, but I must ask again, are you certain this is what’s best for the pack? This type of magic is dark and can cause—”
Something smacks into my body, and I’m ripped from the past and tossed into the present, literally landing on my ass. I get onto my knees, keeping my hands on the floor as I glance around for whatever crashed into me.
There’s no one there.
Not even my phantom so far as I can tell. I begin to rise to my feet but stop short when the shadows shift and a low hissing sounds from within the dark depths.
“Who’s there?” I ask. My hands tremble as I finish standing straight, so I tuck them behind my back.
