Page 88 of Dead Wolf Walking (Bad Moon Academy 1)
Raven?
Yeah,I say, but the word comes out a soft rasp.
Are we going to be okay?
I don’t know,I whisper.
* * *
Everett
I feel the pulse of power seconds before I register who it’s coming from. My wolf howls in my head. Our luna is in trouble. She’s calling on those she’s chosen for help, probably without Raven even realizing it. Something’s wrong. Bursting out of my room, not caring that I’m only wearing basketball shorts, I run to the second floor, meeting Draco, Carter, and Brayden on my way to her.
“Is she okay?” We climb over the velvet ropes with ease and the four of us jog down the hall.
“What do you think?” Brayden flicks a speck of dust off his shirt. “Would it hurt anyone to clean?”
There’s no point in reminding him we had hired someone. We tend to avoid talking about it, especially when we all know what happened to the maid.
Draco pushes in front of us, entering the ballroom first and rushing to her side. She’s naked and splayed on the floor. My supe hearing picks up the soft but strong beating of her heart. She’s alive. Carter growls and Brayden shakes his head.
“What happened?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” Brayden says.
Damn it.
“I told her not to come here,” Carter says, gently laying his hand on her leg. “I warned her.”
Draco scoffs and sneers at him. “What made you think that would be the key to keeping her out?”
“Yeah, that sounds like a really bad plan,” Brayden agrees. “Oh, here’s this forbidden area of a giant mansion you’re suddenly forced to live in.”
Carter scowls at him, and I clear my throat, releasing a wave of power. Since I’m the alpha in the room, at least while Raven is unconscious, they all stop talking and avert their eyes.
“Not now,” I grit the words out. “Take her to my room.”
“Absolutely fucking not,” Draco says, shoving off the ground and storming toward me. “You hardly know her.”
“Neither do you. Besides, didn’t you say she’s terrified of you?”
He bristles. “Only a little. She should come to my room.”
Carter groans. “She can stay with me.”
I cut Brayden off when he opens his mouth to add his piece. “No, she will stay in my room until she wakes. Then we can discuss how to handle this situation.”
Fury rolls off of Draco, but I don’t give a shit. There’s no way I’m handing her over to him. Or to Brayden. I don’t trust either of them. Carter is all right. My wolf won’t let her go with another right now, and they’ll have to respect the ranks. Shoving past Draco, I kneel at her side and lift her, averting my eyes out of respect. This is different from her stripping in the forest before one of our runs. She’s so vulnerable. I cradle her closer, covering as much of her bare skin as possible. Raven doesn’t stir when I carry her out of the ballroom and away from the second floor.
The men trail behind me, stopping at the base of the staircase as I ascend and head to my room. They murmur amongst each other, probably complaining about my decision.
They can fucking deal.
My wolf won’t rest until hers is settled on my bed where we can hear her breathing. I know it’s a dick move to keep her to myself, but I’ll deal with the repercussions later.
I make it into my room and place her on my bed before I climb in and lie next to her. Placing my hand on her side, I close my eyes and focus on the thrumming of her heart, allowing it to lull me to sleep.
Chapter 19
