Page 46 of Dead Wolf Rising (Bad Moon Academy 3)

I pat her back and squeeze her as tight as I can without breaking her. “I didn’t.”

Her tears soak through my shirt, and I grin, feeling a bit smug that I beat Adler to the punch. He’s too patient, that one. He’ll have to keep up if he wants to be the favorite.

* * *

RAVEN

After making sure the rest of the pack would be okay on their own for a few days, and only after Layla practically shoved me out of the academy doors, do I feel confident enough to leave them to their own devices while I go see my aunt. Layla and Penelope promised me they’d find food without resorting to stealing, and a few of the men swore they’d protect everyone if needed.

We don’t have cars at the academy, so we travel in wolf form, carrying clothes between our teeth so we don’t give Aunt Lou a heart attack by showing up naked. Ever since Draco asked, my heart has been racing in anticipation of seeing her again. It’s only been a little over a month, but it feels like forever.

Slowing down when we’re about a mile away from her house, I shift and toss on my clothes. The guys make quick work of getting dressed too.

“Do you want us to come with?” Carter asks, lines creasing his forehead.

“Yes.” It’ll be weird, a bit of a shock for her, I’m sure, but I want Aunt Lou to meet all of them, and I’d feel awful making them wait in the woods while I go in first.

We do everything else together, why not this?

Walking toward the house, the men fan out behind me, and I stare at the old worn porch through the trees. The grass is overgrown. I haven’t been here to mow, and it doesn’t look like anyone has picked up the slack. Aunt Lou has a lot of friends but most of them are older.

What happened when the fae brought her back? How many memories did he erase? Does she even remember that I went missing?

I linger at the edge of the lawn, staring at the house. The men stand behind me, five pillars of strength feeding me certainty through the bond. I’ve never really been one to shy away from the unknown; it’s part of being a medium, you have to be ready to explore what you don’t know. But the problem is, what do I tell her?

This isn’t going to be just a reunion. This is going to be me changing her life if I tell her what I am. But how can I not? She deserves to know.

Aunt Lou is all I have aside from the men. I can’t see her and not tell her what happened now that I’m back. I hope it doesn’t matter that I’m a supernatural. I know it’s silly to think that she won’t look at me the same, even though, through all my drunken escapades, she still had that shine of kindness in her eyes and the twinkle of love that only belongs to someone you truly care about.

“It’s not going to get easier if you wait.” Everett nudges me with his elbow.

“I know that,” I say because I do. “It’s just, a lot…”

Carter clears his throat. “The conversation will be hard. You don’t have to tell her every piece, but based on everything you’ve said about your aunt, I think she can handle the truth. You know how much she loves you. She even came to try to save you after she found out you were at the academy. I doubt anything you tell her is going to change that.”

I nod. “You’re right.” I shake my hands and roll my shoulders. “Let’s do this.”

I lead the men across our yard and straight up the steps to Aunt Lou’s front door. I raise my fist to knock, but before I can, the door swings open. Aunt Lou’s eyes widen as they take me in, her hair is in a messy bun, and she looks like she hasn’t slept in days. Her eyes travel over my body, gaping at me. I’m thinner than usual, and even though I slept well last night, I’m still exhausted.

“Raven?”

Emotions clog my throat, and I can’t find the words to sayyes, I’m home. I can’t find my voice. Tears sting my eyes, and I let out a ridiculous half sob half laugh and fall into her arms. She holds me tightly as she stumbles back at my sudden weight, grunting when I squeeze her too tight.

“Where have you been?” Her arms hold me tighter than I’ve ever been held before, even when the men hold me with their supernatural strength, and the strength with which she loves me warms my heart.

“I have so much to tell you.” I pull out of her arms and glance back at the men.

“Who are your friends?” Suspicion colors her question.

Adler steps forward. “Lou, it’s so good to see you.”

I glance back at my aunt, seeing confusion written across her face in deep creases that have to hurt.

“Why don’t we go inside? That way I can explain everything.”

Aunt Lou’s hands are still clasping my arms, and she drags me inside the house, not caring that four complete strangers are coming in. Not even seeming to care that Adler’s also with me. He’s been missing a lot of work, but I guess right now all she cares about is me being home.

Once everyone is situated on the threadbare couches, and Aunt Lou is rocking in her rickety old rocker, I turned to her. I’m sandwiched between Adler and Carter. Probably the best people to be between in this situation. They are the most levelheaded, and the least frightening. Aunt Lou’s eyes stray over all the men, and her eyebrows hit her hairline.

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