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

nearly a foot taller than my five foot two inches, not to mention his weight. I weighed a buck ten soaking wet. Wyatt was one-ninety pounds of what looked like solid muscle. It was like my father wanted me to fail.

The door to my cage or enclosure or whatever it was called, flicked open, and I slowly walked out. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, each step bringing me that much closer to humiliation. Maybe if it was human me against human Wyatt, I might have stood a chance, but the point of this duel was shifting into our wolf and fighting that way. I blew out my breath, causing a puff of cold air to blow around my face. Not that I was chilly. In fact, since entering the coliseum, I’d forgotten about the snow outside. Inside, there was none of that. The only hint that the outside was cold was the crispy air filtering in from the opening above.

A quick glance at the sky revealed it was close to mid-day and lunchtime. At the thought of food, my stomach turned.

I stepped into the cage first. The door clanged shut behind me. I gritted my teeth, working to fight my nerves, and wishing the test didn’t cage us like wild animals.

Wyatt sauntered over and entered from the opposite side. “We meet again,” he said, his eyes never leaving my face.

I shivered at the look on his face. No anger evident. Only desire, like he wanted to claim me more than he wanted to fight. I wanted him too. Or did I? Again, my insides were at war, and I didn’t get why. Clearing my throat, I decided just to speak my mind. “You might as well shift and show everyone you’re the dominant wolf. I don’t know how to make myself transform into a wolf.”

Wyatt chuckled softly as he came forward. He tugged on my belt with a finger. “I’m well aware of your… issues,” he said, winking. “The better to eat you with,” he added, his voice sultry and smooth.

I gasped at his nearness, at the need building in my body. All coherent thought rushed out of my head.

“It’s my job to make you shift.” Wyatt’s eyes narrowed. “No matter what, I refuse to let you fail.” One side of his lips quirked up. “There are cameras inside the cage, so let’s make this a good fight and don’t go easy on me.” His features became serious, and I almost saw the gears in his brain turning. “Soon enough, you’ll know who I am and what I did to you.”

Okay, that was cryptic and made no sense.

He backed up a few steps, and before I knew what was happening, he sent a right hook slamming into my cheek.

My head snapped to one side. Searing pain shot through my face and nose and up into my head as I stumbled back. In the past, had someone hit me like that, I would’ve ended up on the ground, probably unconscious. Now though, my wolf growled beneath my skin. I could feel her, but I didn’t know how to set her free.

I shook my head, blinking several times to get rid of the tears blurring my vision. My hands went up, and my feet spread apart as I prepared for another hit.

Vaguely, I was aware of the crowd cheering, but the noise sounded far away, and I focused on Wyatt.

The look on his face said he was surprised, and he shook his head and chuckling. “I punched you hard. You should’ve shifted, or you should be unconscious.”

I tasted blood in my mouth where I’d bitten my cheek, and I spit it on the ground between us. “You’re going to have to do better than that.” I was angry because I wanted to change into my wolf, too. Also, because I’d been fighting opponents in karate for years. That he got the advantage on me was irritating as hell.

Wyatt straightened and turned, lifting his arms as though telling the crowd he couldn’t believe I hadn’t fallen.

My father spoke in his commentary voice. I didn’t listen to what he said but took the opportunity to use Wyatt’s arrogance against him. Without a sound, I kicked him in the side. When my foot connected, there was a snap. I’d broken one of his ribs. I flinched and was about to apologize.

But he turned, his eyes flashing yellow and his face shifting. Seconds later, he was a wolf. But not just any wolf. I recognized him as the black wolf who saved my life. The one that pulled me from the river and licked my face. I was alive because of him.

“You,” I whispered.

Wyatt’s wolf lowered his head and growled menacingly. Then he launched at me. I was used to full-frontal attacks in karate class, but he’d caught me off guard. Was he the wolf who saved me? If so, he was my hero.

Wasn’t he?

I couldn’t really consider before he knocked the wind out of me, and I fell to the ground. His front paws were on my chest while his back paws straddled me. He bared his teeth and got so close I could feel the heat from his breath.

What should I do?

I couldn’t think it through before he bit my shoulder, in pretty much the exact place he had before when he saved me from drowning.

Pain lanced through my shoulder, and red hot lightning shot through my body. Amid the ringing and fiery haze came a thousand bee stings.

There wasn’t time to consider the pain. Before I could, I shifted.

All around me came gasps, including from Wyatt, who jumped off.

A silver wolf! Even in wolf form, I could see his animalistic shock, like he was staring at a ghost. 

I glanced down at myself. Sure enough, my fur was all silver and shimmered a little against the glare of the lights. “Is that bad?” I tried to ask with my wolf mouth.

He didn’t answer, just came at me.

In my mind, it felt like