Page 52 of Dead Wolf Falling (Bad Moon Academy 2)

“I’m not thinking about biting her.” A cruel smirk twists his lips.

Sitting back, I try to convince myself he didn’t do it. He’d come back last night a bit wild-eyed and bloodied. I’d written it off as a good night of hunting. Is it possible he bit her? Changed her even though he knows better?

He keeps glancing at her, like an addict looking for his next hit. I press my lips together, my annoyance growing with every passing second. I get ready to say something, but stop when he sits a little straighter and looks me dead in the eye.

“The weather is nice out here, don’t you think?”

Scrunching my eyebrows together, I try to figure out what he’s getting at. “What?”

Tipping his head to the side, he laughs softly. “Yeah, today’s been pretty intense.”

“Draco, what the hell are you talking about?”

He picks up his beer and sips, eyes sparkling with mirth. Then it hits me. A delectably sweet scent, like ripe strawberries sprinkled in sugar, or peach cobbler, wraps around me in a warm hug. I take a deep breath, swallow my frustration, and smile at the woman as she places the food in front of us. The rare steak smells delicious, and my mouth waters when I see a small pool of blood under the slab of meat.

“Should I get your friend’s water?”

Moons, her voice is like a siren’s call. Some women have a slightly higher pitch to their voice. While not grating, it can be a little annoying. Her voice is like a robust wine. Rich and a little bitter. Dark and tantalizing with a slight huskiness coating every syllable. Her electric green eyes sweep over us as she sets the last plate down. Glancing over her shoulder, she searches the room. I flit my gaze over her body. She’s wearing black pants and a shirt but there’s enough curving to hint at what lies underneath the fabric.

I’m so distracted by her that I don’t notice Draco reaching toward her until she glares at him.

“Don’t touch me.” Her words hold so much command, I wouldn’t be surprised if she already shifted. I can’t smell her wolf, so I know she hasn’t.

Draco pulls away from her, and I glare at him.

“He didn’t mean anything by it, did you?” I kick him under the table.

“I’m sorry,” he growls, face flashing with violence.

He doesn’t intimidate me though. I’m just pissed. I keep my grin on my face until she leaves then scowl at him.

“You bit her?”

Popping a fry in his mouth, he shrugs and looks at her as she goes around the bar. “Yup.”

“Well, congratulations, you just sentenced her to death.”

He turns toward me in an attempt to avoid looking at her, but his eyes keep slipping back to her as I lecture him about what he’s done. I don’t even think he hears a thing I say.

I still get irritated when I think about that night. Raven’s face lights up when she sees Draco with the guys. There are no vestiges of annoyance and there’s no trace of resentment. She’s forgiven him already like she did with Layla. She continues to surprise me, and I’m not sure any of us deserve her, but I’m determined to do whatever it takes to keep her safe and make her ours. If that means swallowing my pride and forgetting my annoyance with Draco, so be it.

* * *

DRACO

Finally Brayden and I have time to be alone. I corner him in the library when we come back to grab fresh clothes after hunting. The edge of my brother’s mouth lifts, and he draws his lower lip between his teeth. He knows I’m irritated with him, and he’s enjoying it.

“What were you thinking?” I ask, running my hand through my hair and sitting on my cot. “You forced your way back. What if she’d been mad? What if she rejected the bond because of it?”

Spreading his hands in front of him, he gives a small shrug. “She didn’t, so I don’t see the problem.”

“The problem is that, once again, you didn’t think about the consequences.” I let him connect the dots, watching as his eyes soften, and he swallows when he gets my meaning. Moons, I’m pathetic for feeling so hurt about him stepping in to try and save Alice.

“I didn’t know what would happen.” He doesn’t try to tell me that knowing he’d be killed would have changed his mind. “I’m sorry for leaving you.”

My face pinches, and I look away. “It’s fine.”

“Then why are you mad?”

---