Page 77 of Dead Wolf Falling (Bad Moon Academy 2)

“Time for the finisher.” Peter’s hand partially shifts into a claw.

He’s going to kill Howard.

“No!” I shout, stepping out of the line. “He submitted to you. Please, don’t kill him.”

Jinx whistles low, stepping away from her spot on the wall and strutting toward us.

“My, my, alpha. We have a fighter here. Perhaps she wants to challenge you? Or maybe we can pick one of her little friends to die? She has to learn a lesson somehow, right?” Her milky eyes bore into me, reminding me of every life on the line.

Dropping my gaze, I bite my lip and shake my head. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Peter chuckles. “You’re right. You shouldn’t have. Watch me kill him.”

My stomach cramps and revulsion rolls over me as his power tickles over my skin, trying to force me into submission. Lifting my gaze so he doesn’t think there’s anything wrong, I watch him swipe his claws across Howard’s throat. Heat sweeps up my neck, and my eyes grow damp, knowing part of this is my fault. I could have stopped him. My luna power could have overcome his. I know in the core of my being this alpha isn’t stronger than me, not even with Jinx’s magic helping him. I should have stopped him, but I didn’t.

Bea whimpers, and I have to dig my nails into my palms to keep from running to her and blocking the sight. Red pours out of the wound, spilling over the floor, and pooling around the zeta’s lifeless body. Swiping at my damp cheeks, I keep my eyes on the wound as I was told, hoping the alpha buys the act of submission.

We will never submit to him,Joan growls. She prowls back and forth, baring her teeth whenever she thinks he might be looking. Thank the moon he can’t see her.

“Do you want to challenge me?” Peter asks, standing and walking over to me. He grips my chin and yanks it up. His eyes are filled with so much malice it makes my skin crawl. He’s as bad as Jinx.

“No,” I whisper, holding his gaze for a beat.

Softening his hold, he runs his thumb over my lips, making my body tense. His touch leaves behind an empty feeling, and I want to reach up and scrub my mouth until it’s red and raw. Until I can no longer feel the vile promise lingering there.

His gaze hardens as he takes in my damp cheeks. “This is a human reaction. Shifters aren’t this weak.” Shoving me away from his body, he scoops up his shirt and pulls it on, glancing around the room of changed shifters. “You will never fit in. You cannot go home, and you will not join the pack. There’s no sense in wasting your lives if we can harness the power of your wolves. You will serve a purpose in death. You should be thankful for that.”

A squeak sounds behind me, and I glance over my shoulder, seeing Layla hugging Bea to her tight enough I worry about her being able to breathe. The shifter’s eyes meet mine, panic widening them.

Peter pauses, studying the two of them with his lip curled in disgust. “Weak and fragile.” Snapping his fingers, he points up the stairs, directing his men to go. “All of them, Jinx. I’m getting the class reports from Erron to send to the elders then I’ll be back on Monday. I expect it to be done.”

The demon spirit dips her head, but he’s not paying attention to her as he stomps up the stairs.

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