Page 76 of Dead Wolf Rising (Bad Moon Academy 3)

“What happened?” Adler demands. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard him be harsh with her, and her head snaps in his direction.

She shields whatever she’s thinking from us with a carefully controlled mask. “I took care of Death.” So nonchalant, as though it was an easy feat.

“You killed him?” Carter asks, gaze searching the room for any hint of danger.

“No.” She licks her lips and clears her throat. “I used my necromancy powers on him and made him human. Mazzikin came and took him away.” Her eyes move to meet mine. “You’re free. He won’t be back to bother you.”

My jaw drops, and I make a half scoff half hysterical laugh sound that I’d normally be embarrassed about. “Little Red,” my words are thick with emotion and husk, but I don’t give a damn.

I spent too many hours, too many days and months reaping for Death. Waiting for him to show up and breathe down my neck to make sure I delivered. Death is as possessive as they come, and while we may not have fucked, he wouldn’t give me up without a hell of a fight because he doesn’t lose. He simply doesn’t.

I’m so wrapped up in my head, I miss the tear tracking down her cheek until Carter wipes it away. He whispers something tender and good, being everything I’m not in the moment that I needed to be all of those things. I can feel all of my self-loathing flooding into the bond because I’m shit at controlling my emotions.

Spinning on my heel, I move to bolt, but Draco grabs my arm and stops me. “Let me go,” I snarl. I don’t want to hurt him, but I will if he refuses.

“You don’t have to run.”

His words are quiet, but they bounce around the room, weaving between our little pack and slamming into my chest. I grind my teeth, but before I can lay into him, frail arms wrap around me from behind, and Raven lays her head on my back. Her hands rest over the top of my heart, and it thumps in response to her touch.

“You’re perfect.”

I close my eyes and wish it were true.

* * *

RAVEN

I don’t have to know everything about his past to know Brayden suffers from low self-esteem. He hides it behind his manic personality and intimidation, but the bond doesn’t lie. He doesn’t think he’s good enough. For me or for the gift I’ve given him.

“Little Red,” he begins, but I shush him.

“I’m exhausted, and Joan is hangry. You don’t have to say anything. You don’t have to be anything, Brayden. I chose you for who you are, not who I wished you’d be.”

His chest shakes under my palms, and I think if we were alone, he might cry. As it is, he chuckles darkly and nods.

“Of course you wanted me.”

I roll my eyes and place a kiss between his shoulders, letting him keep his dignity instead of telling him to stop hiding from himself. He’s already exposed so much of himself in the last minute, I doubt he’d appreciate more humiliation.

“Let’s go get you some food.” Everett starts down the hall leading to the dungeon, and the other guys follow, giving Brayden and me a moment of privacy.

He spins as soon as they’re gone, backs me into a wall, and claims my lips in a bruising kiss. His touch is so desperate and needy, I moan and wrap my arms around his neck. I give him everything he needs in order for him to know I meant every word, and he takes it all with a throaty groan. We don’t go any further because it’s not about sex right now. It’s a broken soul attempting to fill another broken soul with misshapen pieces. It’s not perfect, but it’s more complete than it was before.

I need him as much as he needs me, and he’s the only one who understands anything about Death’s power.

Pulling his lips from mine, he rests his forehead against mine. “How bad is it?”

“It’s nothing I can’t endure.” I swallow and lick my lips, tasting him on my skin. “I couldn’t lose you.”

He nods. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be,” I whisper and run my thumb over his cheek, an exact imitation of his signature move. “You’re mine.” The words come out harsh and angry, but a slow, devilishly cocky grin tugs at his lips in response.

“Damn straight.” He kisses me again, this time languid and slow.

Listen, normally I’m all about the D, but you nearly drained us of all of our energy and my Spidey-senses tell me if you don’t feed me, I’m going to fucking kill you.

With a giggle, I break away from Brayden. “We should go eat. Joan is pissed.”

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