Wolf Bitten: Lunar Academy, Year One

by Snyder, Jennifer

  I swallowed hard, wondering how much Lionel had seen. Had he come from inside Last Call to ask us if we wanted a ride, or had he been coming from somewhere else and conveniently been parked close to where we were? I hadn’t paid enough attention to know the answer to either question.

  “I need something to drink,” Rich said with a moan.

  Teddy opened his door and slipped out. “Yeah, I don’t think you need anything else to drink tonight.”

  “Water. I meant I need some water. And something to eat. And apparently a new shirt.” His fingers played with the scraps of what used to be his shirt.

  “Let’s get you to the Wolf Bound dormitory. I’ll buy you something from the vending machine,” Lionel said as he slipped out of the driver seat.

  “You sure you’ve got him on your own?” Holt asked. “I don’t mind helping get him inside.”

  Lionel waved Holt’s words away. “I’m good. He’s up and walking now. So, at least that’s an improvement over how he was when you guys shoved him in my backseat.”

  Lionel was a good guy. I liked him.

  “All right, well thanks for the ride. Have a good night. I’m sure we’ll see you around,” Holt said. He placed his hand against my lower back and gave Lionel a small wave.

  “You too. And thanks again for taking care of this guy,” Lionel said as he nudged Rich with his elbow in the ribs.

  “Dude, don’t even,” Rich muttered. “I feel like I’m gonna barf.”

  “Thanks for your help.” Teddy started toward the exit of the garage. It was clear he was trying to get away from us. Probably because he knew we wanted to grill him about what happened and why he’d lied.

  “What was that all about back there?” I asked as I followed him. “You didn’t answer our questions.”

  Holt was at my side in an instant. It was odd how I didn’t even have to look to know he was there; I could feel him. When had that happened?

  “I think there’s some explaining that needs to happen,” Holt said when Teddy remained mute.

  Teddy crammed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans as he counted toward the Wolf Bitten dorms. “Not really.”

  “Why was he rambling on about a revelation coming? Is he religious?” Holt pressed.

  “If that’s what you want to believe, sure.” Teddy picked up his pace.

  “Um, we want the truth. Not some bogus lie.” My words were harsh, but I was sick of the back-and-forth already.

  Teddy paused outside the doors to our dormitory. He shifted to face us, his eyes skimming over us both. “Look, I already said I’m thankful you were there to help me with Rich. It would’ve been bad if he’d shifted in front of everyone. That’s something we all know. I can’t tell you any more than that. All I can do is ask that you don’t talk about this to anyone. Please.”

  The look on his face had my heart stalling. He was practically begging us to drop it and not say a word to anyone. Why? Was he afraid of something? Of someone?

  The Wolf Blood with the scar on his face outside Last Call floated through my mind. Was that who Teddy was afraid of?

  “You do know, whatever it is you’ve gotten yourself involved in, we wouldn’t tell anyone, right?” The words slipped past my lips before I could stop them.

  Teddy’s gaze locked with mine. “Just forget about tonight, okay?” He opened the door to the dormitory and slipped inside.

  Holt followed him and so did I, but he was quick. He took the stairs two at a time.

  “Okay, well, that was interesting,” I said as I stared after him.

  “Sure was.” Holt scratched his neck. “I’m not sure what we’re missing, but I feel like there’s a lot more going on than either of us know.”

  “I feel the same. Do you think Lionel was in on it too?”

  Holt shook his head. “I don’t think so, but I could be wrong.”

  “Have any theories on what they’re hiding?”

  “Nope. None. All I know is Teddy seemed scared of someone finding out what Rich did tonight, or what he tried to do.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, and I don’t think it’s the headmaster he’s scared of.”

  “I don’t think so either.” He faced me fully. “I’m not ready to call it a night just yet. Are you?”

  “Nope, my mind is spinning.”

  Holt flashed me a grin. “Do you like pool?”

  “I’ve never played.”

  “I can teach you. It’s easy. The hardest part is learning how to hold the stick, but I’m sure you’ll be able to catch on quick,” he said as he walked toward the pool table in the main lounge.

  I arched a brow. “Was that an innuendo?”

  “Only if you want it to be.” He winked, and I felt butterflies burst into flight in the pit of my stomach. I loved it when he winked at me.

  Holt

  A week passed. I’d been stalking Teddy, unable to get everything that happened with Rich and the awkward situation out of my head.

  Something big was going on, and I was determined to figure out what.

  Following Teddy had me learning things about him, and one thing for certain stuck out—he was a creature of habit. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday morning he laced up his sneakers and pounded the pavement with a morning run. Sometimes he did laps around the academy, sticking to the sidewalks and patches of grass. Others he ran through the woods. And once, I’d seen him do both.

  I also learned he was in the dining hall like clockwork for every meal. He seemed to favor beef stroganoff and sloppy Joe’s instead of pizza, hot dogs, or salads. Dr Pepper was his favorite soda, and peanut butter crackers were his favorite snack. He played cards with a few of the others from the house every Wednesday night. He didn’t have a girlfriend. And he had a couple classes in the academic building, which let me know he wasn’t just here to learn about his wolf side. He had an academic goal he was trying to achieve as well.

  It was amazing the things you could learn about someone if you paid attention. You didn’t even have to speak to them to learn the ins and outs of their life. All you had to do was watch.

  Even so, I still didn’t learn anything pertaining to that night.

  Teddy never attended group meetings in the library or met in any of the workrooms for a club. He had friends, but for the most part, he kept to himself.

  What was I was missing?

  I tapped my pencil against my notebook, thinking. My mind circled back to the same moment it always did when I thought about this so in depth—the time in the woods. I’d been tracking Teddy as he went on one of his runs. One minute he was there, and the next, I swore he was gone. Magic had lingered in the air, warming the space between two trees. Teddy was a Wolf Bitten, though. He couldn’t wield magic. Only Bounds could. This was why I thought someone else had to have met him in the woods.

  Who? Rich? Someone else?

  “What are you thinking about so hard over there? I know it’s not Moon Phases,” Tori said, shifting my attention to her. We were sitting in the library at her favorite table, which happened to be to the right of the entrance along the back wall. I wasn’t sure why she enjoyed this table more than any of the others, but I was glad she did because it gave me a perfect view of not only the entrance to the library, but the entire library itself. It was because of where we sat that I was able to see Teddy as he perused the shelves of the werewolf lore section.

  “Nothing,” I said before glancing back to the notebook in front of me. I was supposed to be researching the sixth moon phase, and studying the previous ones, in preparation for a big exam next week, but I’d hardly written two sentences worth of notes before Teddy walked into the library and I’d glued my eyes to him like a creeper. “I’ve been reading, and thinking about what I’m reading.”

  Tori shifted in her seat to face me. We’d spent a lot of time together over the last week, but she didn’t know I was still just as curious as ever about Teddy and Rich and whatever they were involved in. Teddy was easier to follow, since he was in Bit
ten, which was why I’d chosen to follow him over Rich. Plus, Rich seemed cocky. There was a level of arrogance around him that I didn’t care for and neither did my wolf.

  “Well, you better take notes on what you’re reading or else you’ll have to read it all over again. Just write down the key attributes of the sixth moon cycle. I remember from last semester that was what Professor Hale focused on with each phase,” Tori insisted.

  “Right, I forgot you took this class last semester. Here’s an idea—why don’t you give me your notes.” I wiggled my brows. “That’s a solid idea right there. I’m sure you took amazing notes. Then I wouldn’t have to read all of this crap and could focus on the key points that Professor Hale will touch on instead.”

  Tori shook her head. “Nope. Not happening. You wouldn’t gain as much if all you did was read my notes instead of the text.”

  I’d known she wouldn’t go for it, but it hadn’t hurt to ask. I leaned back in my chair and shoved the Moon Phases textbook away from me. “I’ll do the reading. I’ll take notes. I’ll study like I’m supposed to, but it would be so much easier if you’d let me have your notes.”

  She gave me a playful shove and rolled her eyes. “You are such a whiny baby. I don’t even know how my notes are going to help you any. It’s not like I went back and circled what each test was about. They’re just notes. Summaries of the chapters.”

  “Exactly. Summaries of the chapters. Chapters I’d rather not have to read in full.”

  “Doesn’t it fascinate you, though?” Bewilderment danced through her eyes.

  “No, not really.” It didn’t. Learning the moon phases only made me realize how much change my body was going through each month thanks to the wolf inside me. It was a reminder I didn’t need that all of this was real.

  “Moon Phases was one of my favorite classes last semester. I can’t believe you don’t find it even a little interesting. I thought it was cool to learn the different factors guiding our wolf through the transitions of the month.”

  “I don’t need to learn about it when I can feel it.” My words came out harsher than I’d intended but I tacked on a slight smile to soften them.

  Tori smirked at me. “Fine. I’ll give you my notes.”

  I arched a brow. “Seriously?”

  “Yep.” A devious look entered her eyes, and I wondered what was going to come out of her mouth next. Excitement tingled through me. “Under one condition.”

  I licked my lips while holding her stare. I hoped it was something sexy. “Name it.”

  She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms over her chest. “I’ll give you my notes if, and only if, you agree to take me to see that romantic comedy at the theater.” A wicked smile twisted her lips. It was sexy as hell combined with the devilish look glinting in her eyes.

  “The one with that guy I told you I can’t stand?” I asked, even though I knew which movie she was talking about. Summer, Paris, and Tori had been talking about it all week.

  Summer and Paris had gone last weekend, but Tori hadn’t because she’d gone out with me for Mexican food and froyo instead.

  Her grin grew. “That would be the one. Since tomorrow is Saturday, I figured we could go to the one o’clock showing. A day date.”

  I chuckled at the label she’d placed on it. Day dates seemed to be her favorite. She wasn’t a night owl and studying was how she liked to spend most of her evenings.

  “I thought we were going on a hike, though,” I said, suddenly remembering another hike she’d found she wanted to check out. This one was supposed to have a scenic overview of the mountains, and she wanted to photograph it.

  “Oh, we’re still doing that, but I want to go see that movie too. This is the last weekend it’s playing.” She recrossed her legs beneath the table, brushing hers against mine in the process. My dick twitched at the sudden contact with her. “Do you want the notes or not?”

  I shifted in my seat. “Fine. We’ll go to the movie.”

  “Awesome.”

  I hated we were going to see some stupid romantic comedy, but I was excited to see Tori smile so big. She was absolutely gorgeous when she smiled.

  “Since there’s no need for studying now that I’m getting your notes from last semester, want to get out of here?” I stacked my notebook on top of my textbook and shoved my pencil behind my ear.

  “And do what?”

  I had a few things in mind we could do tonight besides study, but I’d wanted to surprise her with something all week. Now seemed like the perfect time.

  “It’s a surprise,” I said, noticing how her smile wavered. “Just trust me, okay?”

  Tori wasn’t one for surprises. She’d made it clear when she flipped out on me for buying her a houseplant three days ago. I hadn’t had any reason to buy it other than I thought it would be nice to give her something that would bring nature indoors for her. She was always photographing plants and animals, so I figured she might like houseplants. She’d accepted the gift, but only after some serious coaxing.

  “What are you up to?” she asked. “You know I don’t like surprises.”

  “I know. Just trust me. You’re going to love it. We need to head back to the dorms, drop off our stuff, and make sure you grab your camera. You’ll want to take pictures of this. I guarantee it.” It was killing me not to tell her what my surprise was, but I couldn’t wait to see her reaction when it was revealed.

  “Okay.” She licked her lips. A wide grin spread across her face, and I knew it was because I’d mentioned she should bring her camera.

  “Come on. Let’s go.” I gathered my stuff and stood, waiting for her to do the same.

  My gaze drifted to the stacks, searching for Teddy. He was no longer there. A quick glance around the library let me know he wasn’t sitting at one of the tables either. He’d disappeared, but for the first time all week, I was okay with losing him. All I wanted to do was spend time with Tori.

  When we stepped outside, my stomach buzzed with anticipation. The sensation intensified as we walked hand-in-hand passed the faculty and staff building toward the Bitten dorms. I couldn’t help it when I glanced at the oval-shaped windows along the top of the building.

  That was where I was taking her—to the tower.

  She’d mentioned on multiple occasions that she wanted to get up there and take photographs of the academy grounds. From those windows, a person could see the entire campus. Who knew how far the view into the woods went.

  I glanced at her, knowing she was going to be excited. She loved looking at things from different angles, and getting her up there would be the perfect way for her to take pictures of things she already had from a new angle.

  I was a genius.

  Also, photography wasn’t just a hobby to Tori; it was her creative outlet. It kept her balanced and happy. It brought her peace. This past week each of those things had been drained from her thanks to the weight of exams. She needed a break. A moment to recharge. And frankly, so did I. I’d allowed Teddy, Rich, and the altercation that happened between them in front of Last Call to occupy my mind more than I should have. It was time to only think of Tori, and for her to refill her creative well.

  Visiting the tower would be good for both of us.

  At least that was the hope. Walker had been my right-hand man when it came to getting a key for the place. He’d created a crazy plan that actually worked. It involved snatching the keys from the annoying TA, Fletcher, figuring out which one was for the tower, and then making a duplicate before Fletcher realized his keys were gone. It was a crazy intense plan, one that had the ability to get us in loads of trouble, but thankfully it had all worked out. I wasn’t sure how, but it had.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me what we’re doing?” Tori asked as we slipped into the Wolf Bitten dormitory behind two guys. Tori waved to a girl standing in line at the vending machine before shifting her full attention back to me. I didn’t glance at her. Instead, I kept my eyes straight ahead. If I looked at
her, I might cave. “Are we leaving campus? How late do you think we’ll be?”

  The worrywart in her was showing, and I loved it. She was cute as hell when she tried to figure things into her schedule, especially when it was something she couldn’t control.

  I squeezed her hand in mine, hoping to reassure her. “Don’t worry about it. Just trust me and go with the flow.”

  Tori

  My teeth sank into my bottom lip as I tried to do as Holt asked. I wanted to just trust him and go with the flow, but I couldn’t. It wasn’t how I was wired. It wasn’t how my mind worked. I was always in a constant state of turmoil. There were only two things in my life that ever seemed to dull it—photography and Holt.

  Even though this seemed to involve both, I couldn’t relax. No matter how much I wished I could.

  “I’ll try,” I said, flashing him a small smile I hoped was believable. He seemed happy and excited about whatever it was. The least I could do was pretend to be the same.

  “Good.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips across mine. The slight stubble along his upper lip and jaw tickled my face. “That’s all I’m asking.”

  I stared at him, loving the way he looked at me. How had I ever resisted him before? Why? I had deprived myself of so many moments like this one. It saddened me.

  “Let’s head upstairs to drop off our stuff, then we can meet back at the top of the stairs,” Holt insisted.

  “Okay, but this had better be good. Not telling me where we’re going has allowed my mind to wander. I’ve thought up some amazing things this could be; hopefully, your surprise stacks up to them,” I teased.

  A lopsided grin twisted his face. “Amazing things, huh?”

  “Yep. Epic.”

  “I think I’ll be fine.”

  I arched a brow. “Confident much?”

  “Definitely.”

  He kissed me on the forehead before moving to start up the staircase. I kept pace beside him, my heart forcefully beating in my chest. What could he possibly have planned for us that he thought was so good? Where were we going? Was it within walking distance, or would we be driving? My wolf paced, the feel of my unease bleeding into her brain as well. She was just as uncomfortable as I was. I pulled in a deep, steady breath, but it did little to calm either of us.