Initiation (Wolf Blood Academy Book 1) by RaShelle Workman (best book club books for discussion txt) 📕

I didn’t know much about the man who was supposed to be my father. He left when I was little. As I got older and understood what his absence did to my mom, I was angry. He didn’t want to know me, and the feeling was mutual.

When my mom still hadn’t come down after an hour, I went up to check on her. “Mom,” I knocked softly.

She sniffled. “Come in.”

The room was dark, the curtains closed. She lay on her bed.

My heart sank. “What is it?”

On her stomach was another envelope. Even in the low light, I saw that it had my name on it the same as the first one.

“Where did that come from?” I asked, my voice shaky. I moved over to pick it up.

Mom wiped her eyes and sat up, encouraging me to sit by her. Then she took my hand. “There are things I’ve kept from you,” she began.

I leaned back, as something within me snarled. Finally, the truth.

“I’m listening,” I said.

Chapter Five

Wyatt

When my father found out Moonlight, whose full name was Moonlight Diana Valene, wasn’t dead, all hell broke loose. I was kicked out of the Keepers before I was officially inducted.

What was the big deal? She was young and beautiful, but the Keepers shouldn’t care about that. What consequence could she be to the wolves or our community? Yes, she was the daughter of the dean, but so what. When I brought that up, my dear old dad refused to explain. My guess was he didn’t know. Even though he was a general, he still had superiors.

The worst part was he decided to make an example out of me. Since I failed, that meant he failed. After a couple of days without speaking to me, my father gave me new orders, even though I wasn't one of his Keepers.

I was to return to the Academy as an initiate. Basically, start over. I would go through the initiation process once again like I did my first year. The reason? Again it had to do with Diana. This time, I was to succeed in fulfilling my obligations, or I would be banished. Dad didn’t say what would happen to my pack, but I had a feeling my banishment was a kind sentence and that the others wouldn't fare as well.

Death, my wolf growled. He would have them killed. I knew it, and I couldn't let that happen. At least for now, the others got to retain their status in the Keepers.

I was alone again, but whatever. My objective? I was to keep an eye on Diana. When the time was right, Dad would reveal the next step. Easy enough.

Those in my pack were in a rage that I saved her and ruined everything. We were supposed to climb the ladder together, but I could tell they were relieved, especially Logan, that they still held their position. They didn’t want to go back to school.

I still didn’t completely understand what happened. Physically and emotionally, I hadn’t had a choice. Then, when I bit into her shoulder and dragged her from the river, something happened between us. Something unexplainable. I would never tell anyone this, but it was like the sun lost its brightness compared to her. Each morning when I woke, I thought of her. Each night before I went to sleep, my dreams were filled with her.

That was one plus in no longer being part of a pack. My brothers couldn’t hear my thoughts any longer. No one could.

I knew what happened between Diana and me. A blood bond. Such occurrences were rare between wolves, especially when we were still so young. It was weird to care so deeply for someone I didn’t know. But it was a fact. If I were ordered to kill her or my old pack would suffer, I was screwed.

“What if she ignores the Academy’s invitation?” I asked my dad. Secretly, I was torn. On the one hand, I really wanted to see her, but I was also worried about her. At first, she was supposed to die. Now maybe not? Mine, my wolf howled. Just because I wanted her didn’t mean she would want me back. Not when she found out I had tried to kill her once already. It didn’t matter that I’d saved her. Even if she never found out what I did, I knew, and the guilt ate at me.

No matter what, I wouldn’t be able to kill her. Nor would I let anyone else do it. Whether Diana wanted me or not, I was tangled in her life and would protect her or die trying.

“Oh, she’ll be here.” He leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. “We got her father’s approval to send a second request. One less cordial and more threatening. Either she attends, or we kill her mother. Simple as that.” He leaned forward and picked up a sheet of paper. “She knows nothing of this world thanks to her Familiar mother.” He rolled his eyes. “That’s good for you. It’ll allow you to teach her the right way to deal with her abilities and her wolf.” He winked. “You’ll teach her to submit, and then no matter what happens, she’ll accept her fate.”

I wanted to rip into him. “Great,” I said between clenched teeth, taking the paper and tucking it into the pocket of my sweater. I wasn’t a sweater guy, but it was part of the uniform and required on initiation day. “Anything else?” I asked, standing. He wanted me to exploit her, seduce her if necessary. For the briefest moment, I thought about telling my father what I believed had happened. The blood bond was sacred to our kind. But I resisted. If he knew, he might just have me killed too. If I kept the secret, I could protect her.

My father’s features became severe, and some of his wolf came out, his eyes