Page 73 of Dead Wolf Falling (Bad Moon Academy 2)

Chapter 18

RAVEN

A strong presence brushes over my skin, and I can’t help but turn around to get a glimpse of the infamous alpha who offers up changed shifters for power. Standing at just over six-feet, he’s smaller than I expected, but based on the punch of power when he walked in, his looks are one-hundred-percent deceiving. His short blonde hair is spiked with an ungodly amount of gel, and if it weren’t for the nasty sneer and glint ofpossessivenessin his cold brown eyes, he’d probably be decent looking.

A handful of men spread out behind him, scowling at the lot of us in the cafeteria like we’re nothing but scum. The alpha’s eyes sweep over the cafeteria before resting on the buffet behind us. I tense, waiting for the moment when he realizes we’re all eating something different than what Jinx tried to serve us, but he simply glances to the side, studying Howard.

I glance at the buffet, noticing it’s empty save for a pan of chicken. Why did she make her food disappear? Is she worried what he’ll think? Of course, if he thinks she’s lost control somehow, he won’t be happy.

“Howard, it’s been too long! How are you liking your position at the academy?” The alpha’s voice is a deep baritone, but it’s not smooth like Brayden’s or Draco’s—it’s full of gravel and sharp objects. Threatening and not one bit soothing.

One of the guys sets a few bags of food on a table near him, scowling at us all before falling back in line with his buddies.

“It’s good, Alpha. The students are learning a lot.” Howard doesn’t seem excited to see him; if anything, he looks terrified. There’s a story there, but I’ll have to figure out what it is another day.

“Is that so?” The alpha makes a noise of surprise and glances around, eyes pausing on me. Knowing it’s the smart thing to do, I force my gaze to my lap.

Joan growls in my head, but I’m the only one who can hear it.

Don’t,I warn Joan when I feel her creep forward.

Leave it to me to fuck things up.

He’s a threat,she says like it’s a simple give and take.

An idle one at the moment, but if you provoke him, he’ll become a very real danger to you and everyone in this room. What about Bea?

I sense more than hear his approach, the weight of his attention growing even heavier with each step he takes toward me. When he stops near the table, I can see the edges of his shoes.

“Hello,” he says, a gruff rumbling of the word. “I’m Peter.”

“Nice to meet you.” I don’t look up, too afraid of how Joan will react if I do. She’s not happy with my submission, but right now, ensuring no one is hurt because of me is more important than keeping her satisfied.

“Look at me.”

The command slams into my chest, and even though I don’t feel a pull to comply with his demand, I lift my gaze because of it.

His lips are drawn back in a cocky sneer, and his eyes flash yellow, his wolf looking hungry enough to strike at any given moment. Peter doesn’t merely want my submission, he wants to devour it.

“What’s your name?”

Pulling my shoulders back, I set my chin high and meet his stare. “Raven.”

The alpha takes another step toward me and picks up a strand of my hair, spinning it around his finger. “Such a pretty thing, aren’t you?”

I don’t dignify him with an answer, and while I know I can’t react, I imagine unleashing Joan so she can show him exactly how ugly we can be when provoked.

“Strong too.” He sniffs. “A powerful beta.” Tugging on my hair, he sighs. “Such a shame you’re a half-breed.”

“She can still be useful for something,” one of his lackeys says, winking at me.

The shifters who came with him snicker, and he glances over his shoulder and joins them.

If he touches you anywhere else, I’m killing him.

Thank you, but let’s try to keep control of ourselves. They’re trying to intimidate us.My words do nothing to help calm Joan down, so I give up trying to reason with her and place a simple mental wall between her and me.

“Come for a walk with me Raven.” He struts away with all the swagger of a man who thinks he’s god’s gift to women.

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