Page 26 of Dead Wolf Rising (Bad Moon Academy 3)

Mazzikin.

It’s not possible, is it?

It can’t be, but there’s no other explanation. What isshedoing here?

The Heir to the Underworld can only be here for one reason, and that reason is my entire world. I swear, if she takes Raven from me, I’ll find her and rip her to pieces. Never mind that I’m not nearly powerful enough to do so, but I know Death wants to go head-to-head with her, and I may be able to persuade him.

Between the two of us, perhaps we can defeat her. Though he’s been waiting for his three brothers to rise to actually take her on, so I doubt I’ll be much help. Regardless, I’ll destroy the Underworld if Mazzikin wants to try and take Raven.

“Hold on, Raven.” I shift back to wolf form and howl, alerting the others and sprinting toward the gate.

Faster!My wolf snarls at my command, but he listens all the same. His thoughts are the same as mine.

We have to save her.

Chapter 10

RAVEN

Hearing Brayden’s shout gives me strength to push off the ground and lean against the gate. It takes me a second to realize that there is no dull vibration warning me that the ward is about to attack. There are no more invisible stabbing needles. No more bleeding to try and get out.

The ward is gone.

My gaze slips across the lawn, which is now brown and brittle, in desperate need of a good watering. The academy itself is more worn than before. Front door hanging ajar, a broken window, thick films of filth over the other panes of glass. A crop of weeds sprouting near the steps to the entrance. Of course the only flourishing plant life is weeds.

“Raven,” Brayden says my name again, drawing my attention to where he stands, a foot in front of me. His black hair is in disarray, and he’s naked from his shift. “Are you okay? What happened?”

Those blue eyes call to my wolf, and she whines in my head.

Pack.

I shove off the gate and launch myself at him, crashing into his body. His arms wrap around me, and he stumbles back, catching his balance to keep us from falling over.

“Whoa, it’s okay.” His deep voice makes my chest tighten as I cling to him like he’s the last thing keeping me tethered to this plane.

Burying my nose in the crook of his neck, I inhale his masculine scent, using it to ground myself and Joan.

“Bray,” I whisper, hugging him tighter. I don’t entirely understand what happened, and I have no idea who that was, but his presence pushes some of the uncertainty away. It’s not enough though, something is missing. The bond flares to life all of a sudden, or I’ve only just noticed the way it’s pulsing with panic. Four pieces of my heart are rushing toward where we stand, and with every step they take, my body starts to feel more normal, though I fear it will never be the same again. I can sense the Underworld, a roiling sensation deep in the core of my being.

It’s not right.

“Is she okay?” Carter’s out of breath when he reaches us, and I turn my head to the side and reach for him too. He moves on instinct, wrapping his arms around both of us.

“We’re here!” Everett yells, and three more sets of feet pound across the yard.

Three sets of arms come around us, all of them sensing my need for them to be close. They don’t ask any more questions, and we stay together for a few more minutes until we can hear the approach of a group of shifters.

“It’s okay. I’m okay,” I tell the guys. The four of them step away and Brayden gently sets me on the ground, his hands lingering on my hips.

“We need to talk.”

I nod. I suspect we do.

“Did you do it?” Penelope asks, voice light with hope. “Did you break it?” Her cheeks protrude more than they used too, and her skin is a little too pale. I guess the little bit of food we’d been eating hadn’t been enough to get everyone healthy. Though now that the ward is down, that will change.

She’s also naked. Oh Moons. So much naked flesh. Everyone was running through the woods when that woman appeared, I’m the only one with clothes on. Adler glances around and notices what I do, not in a leering way, more in a surprised way. He whispers to two guys and they take off toward the school to get clothes for everyone. Penelope glances down and squeals, covering her chest and vagina. Some of the other women do too. There’s no way any of us can concentrate if they’re all naked, so I wait to answer.

Once they’re all dressed a few minutes later, I finally respond to Penelope. “The ward is down.”

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