Page 75 of Dead Wolf Falling (Bad Moon Academy 2)

Chapter 19

RAVEN

A dark wave washes down the bond, funneled through our pack link and fueled by five variations of rage, each tainted with the promise of violence. I think of the beach and the calming waves of the ocean, sending how at peace I feel when I sit in the sand through the link and hoping it’ll help.

“Do you know why you’re here?” Peter asks, pity flashing over his face.

Pinching my eyebrows together, I slide my gaze his way. “To learn about shifter society so I can go live with the pack.”

His eyes are a soft brown, not full of the complex colors Everett and Adler’s irises contain.

“Hmm. How are you finding your studies? Learning a lot?” He edges closer to me as we walk into the foyer, invading my space. “I’m sure you’ve been having a hard time keeping up.”

If my guess is right, he’s only trying to intimidate me. If I’m wrong. . . Well, I’ll think about that when the time comes.

“It’s interesting,” I say honestly. “There are so many things they don’t teach us in public school.”

Clicking his tongue, he shakes his head. “Humans and their fear of knowledge. I’ve never understood why they’re so against teaching more about shifter society. Your kind has a lot they can learn from us.”

I don’t really feel like debating the merit of public school agendas, so I shrug and glance toward the stairs. Jinx is standing at the second-floor landing, grinning like a maniac. Today she has her black hair in pigtail braids, and she’s wearing a simple white shirt and skinny jeans. If it weren’t for the milky white eyes, she’d look normal. Human almost.

“There she is,” the alpha’s voice booms through the room. “Raven, have you met Jinx?”

He’s looking at her so he doesn’t see the flash of panic and the widening of my eyes. Do I say yes? Does he expect me to know her?

“Uh—” I begin but Jinx cuts in.

“We haven’t had the pleasure, Peter, you know that. I don’t meet the shifters until the full moon, after they’ve passed their classes.”

Peter cocks his head to the side, stopping at the base of the staircase. “How are you, Jinx?”

With all the grace of a countess, she sweeps down the stairs as though she’s floating and holds out her hand for the alpha to take and kiss.

Ugh. It’s disgusting. They both act so above us. Even when he talks to me it’s like he doesn’t expect me to have enough brain power to piece together an intelligent response. Condescension is so ugly.

Jinx giggles, and I want to vomit at the sound. She’s vile.

“Now, Peter, behave yourself.” She smacks his chest, and he throws his head back, barking out an obnoxious laugh.

I squint at a picture on the wall to keep from glaring at them. He may have his back turned, but his men can see my every reaction. Better them to think I’m studying art than thinking about murdering the alpha.

He stops laughing and moves away from the stairs, walking back toward me. The essence of his power rolls over me, and every footstep makes Joan’s hackles rise. I know something is seriously wrong with this guy because she’s never had this sort of reaction, not even with Everett who is an alpha as well.

“Is everything prepared for the ritual?” he asks, running a finger down my arm.

Gooseflesh rises in response, but not because I’m excited. Repulsed is more accurate. He inhales, a low growl working its way up his chest.

“Fear has such a lovely taste.” He grabs my wrist and yanks me against his body.

My heart thumps in response, and I nearly lose control of Joan, but I suck in a hard breath and grind my teeth when my chest slams into his.

“Peter, she’s mine,” Jinx says in a soft warning, stepping toward us.

He snarls at her in response. “They’re all mine! You keep what I allow you to keep, do you understand me?”

Another sickening punch of power crashes into me, and my stomach turns. Bile rises in my throat, but I swallow it down, taking another deep breath to keep control of my emotions. He still thinks I’m a beta. More importantly, I’m not breaking the agreement I made with Jinx.

Running his nose up the column of my neck, he groans and squeezes me. “So sweet.” Then he shoves me away from his body so hard I stumble, trip, and land on my ass against the marble floor. “Too bad you’re a half-breed.”

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