Page 76 of Dead Wolf Falling (Bad Moon Academy 2)

I bite back my response and stare at my shoes. If I fight, it’ll only provoke him more. This is not the time to be a smartass.

“She can’t even harness her beta energy. Look at her, she looks more like an omega.” One of the guys spits on the marble. “Pathetic.”

“Pathetic indeed.” Peter scoffs. “I expect a full reaping this time, Jinx. Every shifter. No excuses.”

“Understood, Alpha.” Jinx curtsies. “Every single one.”

“Good.” His eyes track to the hallway. “Carl, go get Howard. Let’s see if he still wants to fight his alpha.”

One of the guys takes off to the cafeteria with purposeful steps, driven by the power the alpha forced into the command. I frown, forgetting about keeping my unfazed mask in place, and Peter squats in front of me, gaze skating over my body.

“Such a waste,” he says with a shake of his head.

“Why? Because I’m changed?” I ask, keeping my voice soft so as not to challenge him directly. More like I’m still learning the rules and silly little me forgot I’m not supposed to question him.

“Ha. The bitch wants your dick, Peter.”

Like hell I do. Joan will rip his head off before he gets a chance to touch me in that way. My stare is focused on my shoelaces, and Peter waves his hands in front of my shoes, forcing my attention to him.

“Because you’re not really a shifter. You were raised human. Sure, you can turn into a wolf, but you’ll never be a shifter. You’re not natural. You’re an abomination.” He smirks when my face lines with annoyance. “And I don’t fuck monsters.”

I’m saved from having to answer the mess of hate he’s spewing because the guy he sent returns, dragging an unwilling Howard after him. Chancing a glance at Jinx, I check to see if Howard’s struggle will be a point against us, but her lips curl, and she claps.

“Let me have him, Peter.”

His eyes narrow then he looks at her over his shoulder, standing and stepping away from me.

“You’re being greedy, Jinx. I’m giving you everyone in this building, except for Howard, for the reaping. Don’t be ungrateful.”

The demon spirit pouts but nods. “You’re right.”

Peter scoffs. “Of course I am.” Then he turns to face Howard. “Now, let’s go see those fighting skills, Howard.”

* * *

The alpha hashis minions gather the rest of the students in the basement gym so we can watch the fight between him and Howard. We stand in a semi-circle around the soft mats. I’m the closest to the fight, by order of the alpha, and Bea and Layla stand next to me. The men kept their distance so as not to reveal the pack bond we’ve formed. Frustration sizzles through the link, popping like hot bacon grease and burning me every so often. They’re not happy.

“On the mats, Howard.” Peter rips off his cotton shirt, tossing it aside. His pants are loose enough he can get in a good kick if he wants.

The zeta resists the order for a second, eyes swinging to meet mine, like he somehow expects me to stop this. I’m not in control here, at least not with Jinx’s threat. Screwing my face up in apology, I try to let him see why I’m not helping. His body deflates when he realizes I won’t be stepping in and using my luna power to counter the alpha’s command.

“Now, Howard.” The alpha’s bouncing back and forth on his toes, throwing jabs in quick succession. He’s so focused on showing off he doesn’t notice why the zeta hesitated.

Clearing his throat, Howard steps onto the mat, tugging his shirt over his head and throwing it aside. “I don’t want to fight you.”

Peter laughs. “Well, it’s a little late for a change of heart, isn’t it? You challenged me in front of the pack.”

“I did, and you beat me into submission. I don’t want to fight you again.” Howard stops a few feet away from the alpha.

Size wise, they’re almost equal, but Peter has an edge of wildness about him that Howard doesn’t. Alpha power explodes through the room, and he growls at Howard.

“Fight me.”

There is no choice for Howard. The punch of the command rips a snarl from his lips, and he charges the alpha. Peter swings his fist in a fast uppercut, hitting Howard square in the jaw and launching him into the air. While his body is airborne, the alpha spins and kicks, shoving his foot into Howard’s stomach.

The shifter flies back into one of the mirrored walls, his body cracking the pane before slamming into the mat with a hard thud. A few of the women cover their mouths with their hands or glance away, but the rest of us, Bea included, watch as Peter kicks the shit out of Howard, pummeling him over and over. Forcing him onto his back every time he tries to recover. Kicking his ribs hard enough that sickening cracks fill the air. By the time the fight—if you can even call it that—is over, Howard is black and blue, bleeding, and scarcely breathing. He coughs, blood splattering over the mat where he lies.

Lifting one hand, he bangs it against the mat in forfeit. I wait for Peter to acknowledge his tap out, but he doesn’t. The alpha curls his fist up, pointing his elbow over Howard’s stomach and drops to his ass, digging the point of his arm into Howard’s torso. Howard howls, so high and pitiful my heart skips for him, then he begins coughing again, crimson liquid seeping out of his mouth.

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