Page 58 of Wolf Trial

I must’ve been kicking him, because his nose was broken and blood was everywhere.

I shook, staring at him, feeling more out of control than ever before. I was such a hypocrite, judging Leander for killing when I could kill just as easily, accidentally or otherwise. A life lost was a life lost, and I had no pedestal to stand upon. If he was going to hell for his crime, so was I.

“Walk it off,” Reed ordered, giving me a shove across the rain slick grass

Elix caught me before I could face-plant the ground.

“Are you okay,” Paige demanded. “What did that wesselly prick say to you?”

I shook my head, still lost the rage, the pain l. I didn’t want to take it out on my friends. “I’ll be fine. I just need some air.”

She squeezed my shoulder, reluctant to let me go. Elix squeezed me in a brief hug and stepped back, but I sensed her eyes on me the whole time I walked around the corner of the academy, worried. Strangely, unfamiliarly worried.

Had I completely fucked up back there? I’ve been so lost to their anger, not even seeing Lawrence. Did I let the wolf out? Did I show strength that a human shouldn’t have?

I flicked a quick look over on my shoulder as I walked, half expecting to see Reed running after me with handcuffs in her hands, ready to throw me in the dungeon. I didn’t know for sure Lunova Academy had a dungeon but no way did a building have towers and turrets and gothic flying buttresses, and not have a dungeon somewhere.

I froze when a different voice came around the corner, rough and male and unfortunately familiar. I pressed myself to the wall, making sure there wasn’t a window nearby full of students glimpsing my cowardice.

Careful not to be seen, I leaned around the corner and my suspicions were confirmed. Beaufort. I was ready to hear Morton’s crisp reply, but there was only silence, and then Beaufort’s voice.

“Grandmother wouldn’t like it,” he muttered.

I shook my head, watching him storm away from the academy and towards the back of the grounds. Jesus. Even the professors were lunatics here.

When he was out of sight, I hurried around the corner and through the academy to the House of Sun training room. I wanted more of that bright, alive feeling, and at least here, I wouldn’t hurt anyone else.

CHAPTER 32

SADIE

Abox arrived three hours before the Hunter’s Ball began. Elix and I stared suspiciously at it sitting on my bed. I hadn’t begun getting ready yet, even though most people had started from the moment breakfast ended.

It was more than a big deal, this ball, it was like Easter, Halloween, and New Year’s Eve all rolled together. Lunova as a realm celebrated the Hunter’s Moon, and they celebrated big.

The academy had gone all out, not just the marquee and the dancefloor I saw the professors erecting the week before. There were old-fashioned carnival games, their signage freshly revived in a number of bright jewel colours. A stage had been set up for poets, actors, and musicians to perform in the heart of the grounds. Booths and stalls were occupied by vendors from the nearby village, selling anything from dresses of cotton and velvet and silk to huge wheels of cheese to knives far more beautiful than the basic weapons in the academy stores. Strangest of all, a giant orange cake stood on a pedestal, reserved for the winner of the tournament that would take place at sunset, before all the dancing and revelry began.

I’d been watching them through the windows all day, my curiosity blotting out my anger at being trapped in this world, and overwriting the idiotic yearning I had to fight every day to resist going into the forest. For once, I didn’t want to run away from this place. I actually wanted to stay and see how tonight played out. For once, I was curious and even, dare I say, excited.

When I opened the box on my bed, and beheld the dress within it, a giddy rush went through my stomach. There was a note sitting on top, written in slanted cursive, at once pretty, elegant, and difficult to read.

You’re welcome, it read. Rogue.

When I lifted the dress out, it shone like moonlight in the dark, like the stars above my old home. Silver, but with navy blue and turquoise and pink and gold when the light hit in the right direction.

It fit like a glove, if the glove had a deep V and exposed way too much cleavage. Luckily, the skirt had enough volume to balance out the scandalous bodice.

The door opened, and Paige barged her way inside.

“Paige, I cried, aghast. “What if I’d been dressing?”

She took my hand and guided me into a spin so she could see the entire effect of the dress. “Damn girl, if I had tits like these, I’d have them out every day.”

Elix smirked. Well, that’s one way to pass classes.

“Hey,” she protested. “Are you calling me a hussy?” Before Elix could reply, Paige went on, “Thank you for noticing, great observational skills.”

Elix snickered. What’s that? she asked.