Page 39 of Dead Wolf Falling (Bad Moon Academy 2)

My nose twitches, and I sneeze, hating the layers of dust in this room. “We’re going to the cafeteria,” I say loudly, letting the shifters in the library know.

Howard sets to work getting everyone moving so we can go as a unit. The new plan is basically no woman or man left behind. We move in groups and we eat and sleep in the same places. My need for privacy is going to be pushed to its limits, but I’m more worried about what happens if we stay separated. The men said twelve shifters have gone missing over the last two years. That means more than half the people in this library are at risk.

* * *

BRAYDEN

Placing the rabbits I killed on the table, I eye the shifters who came with, trying to pick out which one I want to have help me. Draco’s an awful cook, so he’s already out. Twins aren’t identical in skillset, and I like to think I’m better at everything.

Pointing to a delta who holds his own score of rabbits, I tip my head to the side. “You’ll do. And you”—I swing my gaze to the shifter who found the apple tree—“set those on the counter.”

“Don’t forget to say please.” Draco’s wearing a shit eating grin, and I shake my head.

It’s good to be back in the flesh. I’ve missed having him near. The strange thing about twins is when you’re away from the other for too long, it almost feels like you’re incomplete. My other worldly visits weren’t the same.

“Take your bad food luck out of here. Our luna is in the cafeteria.” I head to the rack with old pans, snatch two, and head to the sink to rinse them. “Delta, start skinning those.”

There isn’t much to work with, but I spot olive oil, salt, pepper, and a few other spices on a shelf above the sink. Pushing into the pantry, I grab some potatoes. There’s a bit of fruit, rice, pasta, and crackers, so I save those for another meal. Who knows how long it will take before we get more supplies? As long as I can add some flavor to the meal, have protein, and a little bit of starch, we should be able to keep everyone happy. It’s been so long since I last cooked, but I’m determined to make a lunch worthy of a luna with the limited supplies.

“What’s your name?” I ask the delta.

“Trey.” He flicks his eyes to me before quickly dropping them.

I’m a beta, so he’s being respectful. Part of me hates the timidness since I’ve been stuck in another realm for so long with only the dead to play with. Well, the dead andhim.I wonder if he’ll come for me, or if he’ll even notice I’m gone. Who am I kidding? Death is well aware of how many minions he has. Raven snatched me from his hold, and I don’t think Death will take kindly to her stealing his soldiers.

“Ever cooked a rabbit before?”

“No.” He goes to wash his hands which are covered in blood.

It sounds gross, but this is survival. The food Jinx has been pretending to feed people isn’t going to cut it. These shifters are being starved and don’t even realize it. We’re all going to need real food.

“Okay, I’ll handle that. Why don’t you cut up the apples while I prep this.” I go to the stovetop and switch the burners on to test them. When the flames turn on without a problem, I release a sigh. I half expected them to be broken. “After you do that, you can help get this place cleaned up so we’re not cooking in filth, sound good?”

Trey pauses, like my question surprises him, then nods and sets to work.

“Good, let’s get cracking.”

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