Page 56 of Dead Wolf Falling (Bad Moon Academy 2)

“Let’s get ready,” Adler says to me, jerking his thumb toward the showers.

I don’t answer him, but I do turn and strip out of my clothes before jumping into one of the private shower stalls. The hot water beats against me, and I scrub myself harder than necessary, frowning as I stare at the wall. If he’s stronger than me, what does that mean for the pack dynamics?

Does it matter?My wolf asks.

You’re the one who wanted to rip his head off for trying to tell us what to do.

The fae is a good fit for our pack. The luna chose wisely, and we shouldn’t question her.

I turn and let the water wash away the soap from my hair and back.I wasn’t questioning her. More wondering what it means for us as alphas?

Things will change a bit, but when we join with the luna, our power will grow. The unit will be strong together.

Finishing my shower, I can’t help but wonder why he’s suddenly so calm. Adler’s show of force must have been stronger than I thought. Since my wolf knows the most about what the bond means, I groan and run my hands over my face.

Seems like Adler was right. Time to put aside my pride.

* * *

RAVEN

After a simple dinner of rice and rabbit, Layla, Bea, a few other women, and I go for showers, rotating shifts between bathing, hair drying, and keeping watch. Bea goes last. I help blow dry her hair, feeling a little motherly and silly, but she smiles the whole time, so it’s worth it. Between the six of us, we get done in about an hour and fifteen minutes.

My stomach begins to knot as we make our way back to the library, beating the men who also went to clean up. Since they’re gone, we sit together at one of the large tables, talking about our past lives but not going too deep into them so as not to make anyone cry.

“I was a veterinarian. When I saw the wolf so close, I assumed it must’ve been injured, but boy was I wrong.” Jasmine releases a soft laugh, making light of it.

“Well,” Layla says, saving her from an awkward conclusion, “I was on a hike with a date. The wolf ran out in our path. Get this, the guy turns and bails, leaving me with the wild animal. Talk about one hell of a way to end a date. Needless to say, it didn’t work out.”

We all laugh at that and the door to the library opens; pine scented soap fills the room, coiling around my heightened senses. I take a deep breath. There’s something oddly appealing about a freshly washed man. Like the water somehow strips away everything but their raw masculinity.

As they filter in, our table grows quiet and Penelope and Layla shoot me curious looks. We talked briefly about the ritual, and I’m more than embarrassed to learn essentially everyone is waiting for me to get railed. Crass, but honest. Everyone knows I’m about to have my mind blown. I’m not a virgin, but damn, this whole situation makes me feel like a blushing bride on her wedding night, which isn’t entirely far off of what tonight is. It’s basically the shifter version of a wedding.

My men gravitate to each other, as if they’re pulled by an invisible force, and as one, they turn their gazes to me. The hair on my arms rises, gooseflesh rippling over my skin. With a sharp breath, I shove away from the table, driven by the same urge, and wave bye to my friends, ignoring the small smirks they all share.

At least they didn’t make me feel like a slut for this. They didn’t even care. That’s how you empower a woman. Let her live her life free of judgment. If I want to take five men, who the hell is going to tell me no?

There you go, now you got it,Joan whispers.They grow up so fast.

I swear to the moon if you embarrass me for this, I’ll never forgive you.

She chuffs.Relax, Raven. I’m going to sit back and enjoy my spoils. Once the ritual is complete, their wolves will meld with mine. Trust me, while I’m excited to feel the pleasure they’ll bring you, I’m more excited about being connected to my wolves.

Right. I keep forgetting this is about more than me. It’s about Joan. It’s about the guys and their wolves. It’s about the beginning of our little pack.

“There she is,” Brayden drawls, eyes straying down my body. “Damn, boys, what did we do to deserve this?”

His words draw a flush up my neck and the other’s chuckle, giving me their own searing looks. All of this attention is going to make me nervous, so I wave off his comment.

“So, where is this happening?” I raise an eyebrow and place my hands on my hips. “I refuse to become a real luna in the ballroom.”

Carter shakes his head. “I think you’ll be surprised.” He extends his hand, and I stare at it for a beat before slipping my hand inside of his. Adler snatches my other one, placing a kiss on the back of my hand. My breath hitches.

“Come along, Little Red.” Draco swaggers out of the library with his hands in the pockets of his leather pants. Brayden and Everett hold the door for us, and we all leave the library together.

“Get some!” a guy I don’t know calls, and Everett snorts.

This is a horrible idea.

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