Page 37 of Dead Wolf Falling (Bad Moon Academy 2)

Chapter 8

CARTER

It takes a lot to surprise me. Learning that Morg was Jinx all along doesn’t surprise me. For some reason, I never really cared for the woman. She was reckless and obnoxiously loud. Not in a good way. Almost like she wanted the world to know how much she had to say, and she didn’t care who was around, what sort of mood they were in, and whether they wanted to listen.

“I’m so sorry.” Raven’s soft fingers wrap around my forearm, her eyes filling with sadness.

She thinks it’s her fault. Maybe not directly, but she feels like she has some blame in Jackson’s death. I swallow the lump in my throat, looking away from where he lies, though I don’t think I’ll ever erase the image of his slacken face from my mind. He hadn’t been here long, but he was quickly becoming a friend. His pranks were annoying, but all in all, Jackson was a great guy. Now he’s gone. So is Morris.

“It’s not your fault,” I say, pulling her into a hug. “This would have happened if you weren’t here. Shifters go missing all the time at Bad Moon Academy.”

Raven shakes her head. “She was trying to get a rise out of me.”

“Jinx is going to hurt shifters regardless of who her latest toy is. I’m more to blame than you are; we didn’t even try to gather the other shifters. I left them to fend for themselves.”

They died because I didn’t protect them. The woman in my arms rests her head against me and my chest shakes with fear of knowing I may not be able to save her.

We must protect our luna,my wolf growls the words.

We will do all we can.

If she dies, our life will have no meaning,he says.

I’d like to say he’s being dramatic, but my thoughts over the last few weeks have been centered around one person. Despite knowing my soul will be ripped to shreds if I lose her, I squeeze her tighter.

May the moon protect her.

You should be the one keeping her safe.

My wolf is annoyed with me, and I fully understand why. We’re inadequate. Unworthy. I’ve never had to fight a demon spirit. Draco’s frustrated words have never felt more true. My books can’t fix this problem.

Raven deserves someone who can help her fight the demon. Not someone who can’t do a damn thing to save her.

* * *

RAVEN

Carter is holding me so tight it’s hard to breathe, but I don’t ask for space. His chest shudders and my heart breaks. Jackson was his friend. Shifters are disappearing left and right, and he’s not able to stop it. I doubt he’s ever felt more helpless. For once, being able to connect with the other world doesn’t feel like a curse. I’m the only one aside from Brayden who might be able to actually do something. I suspect if he could, Brayden would have taken Jinx out already. Resting my head on Carter’s chest, I eye the shifter.

My phantom.

He stands with Draco, Everett, and Adler. They’re making plans to deal with Jackson’s body and gather the other shifters in the academy. I don’t know how we’ll protect them all, but there is strength in numbers. Layla and Bea linger in the hallway, having come up with everyone else. Bea hasn’t seen Jackson because Layla has kept her far enough back she can’t see in, but she’s heard every conversation happening in the room.

“All right. Draco and I will handle this,” Everett says, his alpha peeking through as he takes charge and starts solidifying the plan. “Adler and Brayden go together to get the others. We’ll meet back in the main library.”

Adler nods. Brayden slides his gaze my way, almost as though he’s waiting for me to approve the plan. Everett notices his straying attention, and his eyes flash to mine.

“I trust you to do what’s best,” I say, speaking to all of them. “The shifters in this academy need us. You know what we have to do.”

Tension bleeds from Everett’s shoulders. Adler and Brayden dip their heads and leave to start their task.

“Why don’t you and Carter take the girls to the library?” Everett suggests.

There’s no snarling from my wolf at being told what to do. This is teamwork pure and simple, and it feels so right. I trust them. The sudden realization makes my heart flutter, terrified it’ll only be crushed once more. There are only so many times one can be broken before pieces won’t fit back together.

“Come on,” I say to Carter. “Let’s go figure out how to set everyone up.”

He slowly relaxes his arms and steps away. The scarlet creeping up his neck is hard to miss, but I pretend like I don’t notice and grab his hand, linking my fingers with his and heading out of the room.

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