Page 64 of Dead Wolf Falling (Bad Moon Academy 2)

Chapter 15

RAVEN

Going back to the library where everyone else is together is the last thing I want to do, but because I have a conscience, I can’t stay with the guys in this comfy, oversized bed and its mismatched sheets. So, I climb out from under Adler and Carter’s arms, scoot to the edge of the bed and search for my underwear, only to remember someone stole them.

“You can’t have them back,” Carter says, crawling up behind me and wrapping his arms around me.

I sink into the hug for a second, soaking up all this free affection while I can. The marking and ritual has made them all more willing to give their touch, and I’m worried once we leave the little cocoon of love, they’ll begin to hold back.

Things have changed now,Joan says softly.It will be hard for them to resist the urge to be near you or to kiss you. You don’t need to worry.

Trusting her not to lie to me, I sigh, looking up at Carter. He drops a kiss on my forehead then grins like a little boy who stole a piece of candy.

“Fine, you can have them.” I roll my eyes and pat his arm before tugging it away so I can stand and get dressed. “I don’t want to go, but we should get back to the others.”

“The good news is we aren’t on guard duty tonight,” Draco says, rising from the bed and pulling on his pants. “Howard will take care of it tonight.”

“Thank god. I’m exhausted.” As if to prove my point, a yawn rises up, and I’m helpless to fight it off.

Brayden, Adler, and Everett are the last ones to get out of the bed, and it’s all I can do not to stare at each of them, devouring every inch of naked flesh like I may never see it again. Carter nudges me with his elbow before pulling on his shirt.

“You’re drooling, Luna.”

I scowl at his use of the name. “It’s Raven. I don’t want to be called Luna.”

“Why?” Adler rubs his scruff, standing nude and in no hurry to get dressed as he studies me.

“Because. . .” I trail off, trying to come up with a good reason. “I don’t want to be called Luna,” I finally say.

Squinting at me, he nods and lifts his shoulder. “All right.” Then he bends over and picks up his shirt, choosing to put that on before his pants.

Turning to face away from him, I stare at the flickering candles on the desk. Luna. I’m officially an alpha. Does it matter that I don’t feel like one? Sure, Joan has made me strong, but who is going to listen to me? What happens when they realize I have a hard enough time keeping my own life together and I can’t care for a pack like they expect me to? My eyes catch on Draco’s. He skirts around the group, sliding next to where I stand by one of the clusters of candles.

“You have that look in your eyes, Little Red.” Lifting a finger, he drags it through the flame, slow enough to make my heart spike in alarm but not enough it actually burns him.

“What look?” I finger comb some of the knots out of my hair and side-eye him. “I don’t have a look.”

His lips press together, and he pinches his thumb and forefinger to the wick, snuffing out the flame. “You do. What are you worried about?”

“Aside from the demon spirit who wants to eat us all?” I give up trying to get rid of the knots and drop my hands to my side. He’s staring at me, not letting my sarcasm distract him from getting his answer. This is part of the dangers of letting someone in. They learn to read you, and now he has access to my strongest emotions with the pack link.

“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do now. I know we have to take care of Jinx, but after that? What does being luna mean? Do I have to be responsible for shifters?”

He hums and moves his fingers to another candle, extinguishing that one with a pinch as well. “You’re worried you can’t handle it.”

Obviously.

I nod instead of snarking out loud.

“There is no you.” He swings his gaze to mine, brow furrowing. “Weare a unit. You may be the official leader as far as power goes, but we share the burden of responsibility now.” Jerking his thumb in the direction of the others, he shakes his head. “Do you always let people in then retreat into your shell like you’re all alone?”

“No,” I say just as Adler says, “Yes.”

I scowl at him over my shoulder, and he lifts his hands in surrender.

“When you arrived at Lou’s, you let me in a little, then shut me out time and time again.”

Opening my mouth to protest, I try to think of the times I shared pieces of me with him, or with any of the team, only to realize I hadn’t. I worked with them for so long, but I never told them much of anything. Shooting the breeze with the crew is a whole lot different than letting them in. Anyone can pretend to care when it’s superficial.

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