Page 30 of Dead Wolf Rising (Bad Moon Academy 3)

“What?” I snarl at Evelyn, but it only makes her grin in response.

“What was the demon doing to the changed shifters?” She claps her hands in front of her chest, and her eyes flash with interest.

Pausing before I answer, I share a look with Carter. His eyes narrow, and he screws his lips to the side. They’re impossible to read, but the alpha looks thoroughly confused… it could be an act.

Ask him with power.Leave it to Joan to solve our dilemma.

“Tell me why you let Jinx kill shifters.” There’s a powerful bite to my voice, and the alpha’s eyes flare and flash a deep golden color in response to my demand.

“You’re strong,” he says, grinding his teeth in an effort to keep his wolfish side contained. There’s no missing the threat in his gaze; the wolf is close to the surface, and he wants to force me into submission.

“Why did you do it?” I ask again, stepping closer and forcing luna power toward him. The men behind me growl in warning when the alpha takes a deep inhale.

“Keep it in your pants,” Evelyn bites out, and I swing my gaze to meet hers. There’s unbridled emotion flashing across her face, and she does nothing to conceal the murderous rage she feels when she sneers at Blaze.

“It wasn’t what you think,” he says between gritted teeth. “I was checking on something, and it seems I’m correct. The luna has a harem. It’s why she’s so strong.”

With a huff, she takes a few steps away from him and toward the tattooed men. The one who kissed the pregnant woman shoots daggers at the shifter, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know there’s unresolved conflict between them.

“Answer my question!” I snap at Blaze.

A savage growl rips from his lips, and he advances, looming over me, but I don’t back down. Joan wouldn’t let me even if I wanted to. I’ve seen too much death in the past week to be fazed by this guy, even if he is scary as hell.

“You will not win this battle. Back down before I’m forced to hurt you.” A wave of brutal strength crashes into me and steals my breath. The wind kicks up, whining through the trees as if to mock my weakness. Clouds must cover the sun, because everything darkens, but it’s not enough to distract me from the challenge in front of me.

Joan howls in my head as I try to stand strong against the invisible wall pressing down on me, but it’s no use. My lungs refuse to move. I can’t breathe while he pierces me with fierce yellow eyes. No words pass between us but there’s enough of my future written across his face if I choose to resist him. Blood and possibly death is all that awaits me if I continue to push him.

I know he’s stronger than me; I felt the full force of his alpha power moments ago. This is a losing battle, and though it pains me to no end, I hunch my shoulders and let my gaze slip to his nose. Barely submitting. As soon as I do, the pressure relents, and Joan curses at him. I’m really glad he can’t hear her because I doubt he’d be happy about being called a douche-canoe.

“Touch her and I will rip your intestines out and hang you by them.” Brayden’s arm brushes against mine, and he slides his eyes over the alpha. “Your bones would make a lovely decoration for the yard.”

“Or perhaps a lovely table?” Draco drawls.

“If you hurt him, I’ll kill you all. Since we’re sharing warnings and all.” Evelyn flashes to Blaze’s side, evidently forgetting she’s annoyed with him.

“Enough.” That whip crack of a voice slams into me, and I have to bite my cheek to keep from whining out loud.

Brayden stumbles back, and Draco holds him upright. His fingers curl into fists, but the twins keep their gazes low. If I’m outmatched, so are they. None of us have a death wish, it seems. Except maybe Adler, because when I look at him, he’s staring straight at the alpha.

Everett and Carter reach for him when he steps toward me, but he yanks out of their hold with ease. If Thor were a man, I suspect he’d look like Adler, because thunder sounds with every footstep he takes, as if he’s drawing the beast from the middle of the wild storm with him. Evelyn sucks in a sharp breath, hissing low and long like a feral cat.

“Do not threaten my mate.” Adler’s voice is almost unrecognizable, and Blaze’s chest rumbles in response.

Fur ripples down the alpha’s arms. “Unseelie fae,” he rasps through the partial change taking over him. Not allowing his wolf to slip past his control is a testament to his power.

Adler gently pushes me aside and shoves into Blaze’s space, making the man lift his chin in order to stare him in the eyes. The two glare at one another, silent threats filling the air with tension as the seconds tick by. Evelyn’s eyes are blown black, a complete contrast to the woman behind her with glowing red irises.

What is she?I wonder, and Joan scoffs.

You’re kidding, right? Aren’t you the one who was obsessed with hunters? How do you not remember they have red eyes when their bloodlust takes control?

A hunter?But Carter said—

I know what he said, but the evidence is right there, Raven. Think about it. She doesn’t feel like a vampire. She’s definitely not a shifter. What else could she be?

A witch,I point out.

Bah. She’s too strong. Focus on her, you’ll see.

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