Page 50 of Dead Wolf Rising (Bad Moon Academy 3)

She shakes her head. “Don’t downplay it. Maybe your parents aren’t dead but not feeling loved hurts.”

Damn. I did not come up here to get all emo and sound like a whiny punk, so I nod and turn to face her.

“What are you going to do about Blaze’s offer?”

“Your deflection is less than subtle,” she says, narrowing her eyes. “I haven’t thought much about it. Being responsible for so many shifters is a lot to handle.”

For a second, I thought she’d push me to talk about my feelings, but she simply sighs and shrugs.

“You won’t do it alone.”

She bites her lip.

Tweaking her nose, I say, “You know, if we weren’t in your aunt’s house, I’d already be tearing your clothes off.”

With a gasp, she shoves my hand away and smacks my chest. “Pervert.”

I smirk and grab her thigh, dragging her closer. “Tell me you hate it.”

She presses her mouth into a thin line, refusing to say the words. I knew she liked me. Sliding my hand farther up her leg, I murmur a hundred dirty things to her, reveling in the way her cheeks flush and her arousal blooms in the air like the most fragrant of flowers.

This. This is why I followed her up here, and I’d do it again if only to hear her heart skip a beat when I faintly trace her slit over the top of her clothes. Watching her try to control her own desires makes diving into my family history worth it.

Once we’re back home, I’m going to find some alone time with her because I want her attention solely on me.

* * *

CARTER

Later that night, after Lou feeds us until we feel like bursting, I go out and sit on the porch. I stare across the green grass and into the trees. Raven had a great home before Draco ruined it for her. Lou is amazing, and we all but fucked up her life. I curl my fingers into fists and bite the inside of my cheek.

Speaking of the devil, Draco comes out, the screen door screeching to announce his arrival. He leans against the railing by the stairs and kicks one foot back. “Lou is nice.”

I bite back every angry word I have for him and simply say, “Yeah.”

With a heavy sigh, he shoves off the railing and sits next to me. The steps are wide enough he doesn’t touch me, and it’s a good thing because I’m half-ready to punch him. I thought I’d gotten over my frustration with him, but now that we’re here in her home, I’m mad all over.

“You’re pissed.”

“How observant of you,” I retort, grinding my jaw.

Lightning bugs light up the darkness, the faint yellow glow of them providing something to look at. I’d look at shit if it meant not having to face him.

“I fucked up.”

Out of my peripheral, I see him shove his hands into his hair and drop his head.

“We made a pact, and I broke it. I’m sorry.”

“You destroyed her life.”

Draco releases a sour laugh. “You know nothing about her life before the academy.”

I glare at him; the porch light behind us makes sure he sees it.

He cracks his knuckles, face contorting in annoyance. “I found that girl drunk and miserable a year ago. She begged me to take her with me, but I didn’t.”

Schooling my face so he doesn’t see my surprise, I wait for him to finish his story. Here I’d thought he bit her on an impulse, some sort of twisted desire to find someone to fill the gaping hole of loneliness inside of him.

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