Chapter 192

“You need to get yourself in shape before the Moon Ceremony,” Sideburns sneered with a vengeful smile at my confused look. He flashed his perfect white teeth. “It happens in a week.”

“What does the Moon Ceremony have to do with me?” I asked.

“Every student in the Academy must shift into their animal forms and join the hunt,” Sideburns said.

I blinked again. “Shifting and hunting?”

That didn’t sound good. I’d been hunted as recently as two days ago, and I didn’t want history to repeat itself.

He ploughed on, “And lots of battles where failure is unacceptable. A couple of accidental deaths are always expected during the hunt.”

Was he fucking kidding? Did he want me to end up dead in the hunt? I’d be the most inexperienced shifter during the barbaric ceremony—if I could even shift. “Accidents” could easily happen to me.

But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me unnerved.

“Cherry on top.” I grinned. “You almost got me worried for a second there, Alpha Heir.”

He narrowed his eyes, a bit pleased with himself. “So you do know how to worry.”

 

 “Yes, Your Highness!” I said. “I was anxious to know what color my wolf will be after I shift. Size doesn’t concern me though.” I winked at him. “Size isn’t everything. You know what I mean? But being a wolf of color will mean the world. I want to be a rainbow wolf.”

Shade had been quiet during the battle of wills between his brother and me, but now he couldn’t help but roar with laughter. “That’s what got you in a bind, Catnip? I hate to disappoint you, but there’s no such thing as a rainbow wolf.”

Sideburns, however, wasn’t amused.

His eyes burned with silver fire, as if he couldn’t decide if he wanted to punish me or whether he desired me more. Even though I wanted to kick him to the curb, a stream of heat also rose in my belly.

The Alpha Heir turned to sniff at me.

Nope. Nope. No way would I let him take in my scent again.

With nimbleness that surprised even myself, I leapt up, twisted my torso

in the air, and landed on the passenger seat, all in one smooth move.

Shade arched an eyebrow. “How did you learn that kind of move, Pip?” Sideburns bellowed behind us, making both Shade and me nearly jump

out of our seats.

“Watch the fucking road instead of flirting, Shade!” he snapped. “Will

you ever grow up and learn to be responsible? At least try to be a good influence instead of being influenced!”

“Yeah, Canary. Look ahead instead of at me.” I punched Shade in the arm jokingly. “Sideburns—so sorry, with all due respect, I meant Alpha Heir—is right about responsible driving. And please, please don’t let bad influences get to you.”

“Who’s the bad influence? You?” Shade chuckled. “You’ve got some strength in your punch, Pip girl.”

I punched him again with a big grin