Page 16 of Dead Wolf Rising (Bad Moon Academy 3)

Layla and Penelope share a look then nod and turn to the other shifters. “Why don’t we go look for some snacks?”

“What if the demon comes back?” a woman asks.

“She’s gone.”

“How do you know?”

The question throws me. I could saybecause Death told me sobut I’m worried that might freak them out more. So I settle on, “I can’t feel her, and we didn’t find her anywhere when we looked inside.”

“She could still be—” a guy begins, but Draco’s snarl cuts him off.

“The luna gave you an order!”

I didn’t actually issue one with my luna power, but I appreciate him interjecting because everyone scrambles away from him, and they make quick work of disappearing.

“Thanks.” I sigh as the knot between my shoulders eases a little. The weight of their hope was beginning to strain. Especially with them keeping watch.

He traces his finger up my spine, and I shiver in response. “Any time,” he rumbles, dropping his nose against the base of my neck and inhaling.

I groan and tip my head to the side. “Don’t make me send you away too.”

“Fine.” He nips my neck, and I yelp. A dark chuckle whispers across my skin. He moves toward where the other men are standing near the wall. Once he leans against it—totally safe thanks to his stupid bracelet—and directs his attention elsewhere, I take a deep breath.

“You got this.”

You’re talking to yourself.

I know that!

Joan snorts.All right, all right. Just thought you should know.

If you’re not here to help me break this, then please, be quiet.

Well, since you said please.

Thank you,I say to her.

I press my hands against the iron, gritting my teeth against the stinging sensation.

Also, Draco’s ass looks fabulous in those pants.

For fuck’s sake! Not now, Joan!

She retreats for real this time, which is a good thing too because the ward starts to prick my skin. Blood drips from my palm. I grind my teeth, trying to see through the pain, but it’s too much. A soft whimper passes my lips and the attack from the ward kicks up a notch, like they feed off of my reaction and want to make me scream.

Adler grabs my wrists. “That’s good enough for now.”

I shake my head, trying to keep my hands gripping the iron, but he’s stronger than me right now. He yanks them off and presses them to his shirt.

“You’re only hurting yourself.”

Tipping my head back, I meet his gaze. “It’s the only way.”

He grimaces. “Perhaps, but you’ve tried enough for one day.”

Draco murmurs his agreement, and I bite my lip and crinkle my brow. It shouldn’t be this hard.

That’s what she said.

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