Page 17 of Dead Wolf Falling (Bad Moon Academy 2)

Chapter 5

EVERETT

“Let’s go make sure nothing happens to our luna.” I tap the pane of glass and head to the door.

Brayden smirks. “So it’s decided then? She’s ours?”

“We will be hers if she chooses us,” Carter says, shooting him a pointed look. “Lunas are not taken, Brayden. You know this.”

He lifts a shoulder and rolls his eyes. “Relax, Carter. No one is going to force her into anything.”

“Shut up, let’s go.” Draco storms from the room, shooting a sneer at his brother on the way out.

“Trouble in paradise?” I ask Brayden with a smile.

Flipping me the bird, he heads out of the bedroom, followed by Carter. Going to Raven’s dresser, I grab a shirt and shorts for her in case she shifts and doesn’t take off her other clothes. I know how she gets about being naked in front of other people. She’s still new to shifting and it embarrasses her.

Before I leave, I glance around the room once more, checking for any sign of Jinx. Satisfied the vile creature isn’t in here, I head after everyone, knowing soon enough Jinx will make her appearance.

I can only hope we’ll be ready for her this time.

* * *

RAVEN

We make it back to the school. The guys are waiting for us, each wearing their own version of a displeased frown. Everett tosses clothes in front of me, so I shift, landing in a crouch and quickly pulling on the shirt and shorts. Not that it matters. None of them are paying any attention to me since their eyes are all transfixed on the eagle.

I glance at Adler in Bea’s arms and grimace. He still hasn’t woken, and I’m not entirely sure how to go about explaining what he is and how I know him. I mean, obviously he’s an eagle shifter, but his other form presents some issues since the only shifters from Earth are wolves. Bea presses into my side, and I wrap my arm around her shoulder.

“It’s okay; I’ll deal with the men.” Shooting my gaze around them, I sigh and shake my head. “Let’s go inside, and I’ll explain.”

Carter’s eyes narrow. “How do you know a fae?”

With a shrug, I steer Bea around them and start inside. “I didn’t know he was a fae until about three weeks ago.”

We walk through the foyer and up the stairs to my bedroom. I glance over my shoulder on the way, taking in the way they eye Adler’s eagle form like he might attack at any second. This is going to be one of the longest days of my life.

Everett closes the bedroom door once we all filter inside and leans against it, crossing his arms and lifting one eyebrow. “How do you know we can trust him?”

Bea lays Adler on the bed and carefully sits next to him, taking care to make sure he doesn’t roll off. I run my hand over the soft feathers covering the eagle’s chest.

“Adler’s my friend. We can trust him.” I set my jaw in a firm line. There will be no debate about this. Adler is like family.

Draco and Brayden share a look which seems so inherently twin-like that I stare at them a moment before clearing my throat to continue.

“He works at Aunt Lou’s bar. He’s a fae, like Carter pointed out, and he’s the one who helped break the pack magic.”

Brayden snorts. “Pack magic? Is that the song we’re singing?”

“It was the easiest way to explain—you know what? We don’t have to defend ourselves to you.” Carter pinches the bridge of his nose and turns away from Brayden. “Why did he help you?”

I furrow my brow and sit next to Bea. “Because he wanted to save me from being held prisoner? What does he mean bythe song we’re singing?”

Scrubbing his hand over his face, Everett bangs his head against the door. “You’re in such a talkative mood, Brayden, why don’t you explain since none of us can.” Holding up his wrist, he flicks the bracelet.

Ah. More pack magic weirdness.

Brayden’s piercing gaze sweeps over me and a flush rises up my neck when I remember he’s the one who got me off in the ballroom. Not Draco, who I know, albeit a little bit, but Brayden, a virtual stranger. My stomach flutters at the memory, and the men inhale.

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