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

I was furious. “Where you go, I follow. If you drown, I drown. Your happiness, safety, and everything about you is my business from now until the end of my life. That’s the way it goes,” I said, hoping she would understand the devastation and seriousness of her choices. She didn’t speak, and I tucked some of her hair behind her ear. “It’s our blood bond. Don’t you feel it?” I was desperate to know that she felt for me what I was feeling for her.

We were treading water and my feet tangled with hers. She flinched and then relaxed as though something changed inside her. “I feel it,” she admitted. “But I don’t understand it. None of it. This! The tests. The Academy. The monsters. That I can shift and speak to them.” Tears fell onto her already wet cheeks. “I’m lost, Wyatt. There’s so much going on in here.” She tapped the side of her head. “I don’t know what to believe or even think. And now that everyone knows I can talk to them…” She let her voice trail off and looked away.

“Only I know you can do that,” I said softly, pulling her close to me. “And I won’t tell anyone.”

Her beautiful eyes searched mine. In my arms, she felt so fragile. Yet, I already knew she was stronger than most. “Why? Because of some stupid blood bond.”

“That is definitely part of it. But let me explain something. The blood bond is very rare. There are thousands of wolf bloods in the world. Of those thousands, maybe four hundred are bonded the way you and I are. It’s a connection stronger than anything else.” I stopped, wondering if she understood the magnitude of what happened. “Loneliness no longer exists now that we have each other. At least there doesn’t have to be.”

Her face softened, and she wrapped her arms around my neck. “Kiss me,” she said.

The request confused me, but I wasn’t going to deny her. Holding her like this, I felt more right than I had in days. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she said, leaning in, so our chests were touching.

I cupped her face in my hands, caressing her cheeks with my thumbs. Over the years, I’d had my share of girlfriends, but as I watched her watching me, I knew beyond doubt this was different and life-altering.

Diana pressed her hands against mine and leaned in.

Tenderly, our lips crashed into each other. And it was like magic. Fireworks and simmering heat and desire like I’ve never experienced. We separated, and she looked at me with wonder in her eyes. Relief and longing rushed through me. She felt what I did. This was real.

This time she reached out and pulled me to her, kissing me. I groaned, forgetting that I was trying to be careful around her. Trying to temper my feelings. They raced and bucked like wild horses. If we didn’t stop now, I doubted either one of us could.

Because I wanted her and she wanted me. With each kiss, each touch, the blood bond strengthened and solidified.

She deepened our kiss, pushing my mouth open and flicking her tongue inside. The sensation had me tightening and ravenous.

I wrapped my arms around her waist, so we were flush. Her legs wound across my hips. I kissed a trail down her neck to her collarbones, and she threw back her head. For the briefest moment, I froze, unable to help but admire her beauty and wanted to remember this moment.

Diana sensed my pause and looked at me, her eyes hooded with longing. “What?”

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” I said. My voice sounded strange, as though I was just learning to talk after being unable to for many months. Gruff. Rough.

She gave me a breathtaking smile, and it lit my soul on fire. If I could make her smile like that every day for the rest of my life, I would be content. “Thank you,” she said and kissed the side of my mouth. It was sensual, and I moved, so my mouth was against hers once again.

Until there was a ping.

The holographic screen appeared, and the woman’s voice asked all students to return to the Academy. Then it showed a list of the students and their ranking. Diana was in first, and I was in second. I was happy for Diana. Without doubt. Her win was my win. At the same time, I was curious about why she was given the top spot. My team had captured most of her team. By all accounts, we’d won our test.

Diana was confused too. “How is that possible?”

I didn’t want to believe her dad had pulled some strings, but it was possible. “I guess we better get back and find out,” I said, my voice still husky. Her legs were still wrapped around my hips, and we were naked. I was a man, and she was divine. There was no way I couldn’t respond to her. Still, I had to try and cleared my throat. “Let’s shift. We’ll get back much faster.”

She seemed to notice what I was going through and quickly untangled herself. “Do you know how to get back.”

“Always,” I said and pushed away from her. Then shifted. As soon as I was in my wolf form, I worried that she wouldn’t be able to turn. If not, she would ride on my back.

But I didn’t need to worry. She shifted, and her silver face was suddenly next to mine. She licked my face, and I whined, nuzzling against her.

I wanted her so badly, but my wolf wanted her even more.

When we reached the shore, she climbed out, and I followed behind. She nuzzled me, then took off.

Hey, let me lead. You don’t know where you’re going, I said, chuckling.

She turned and nipped at me playfully, then yelped. Lead, then, she said.

I took off.

She followed for a few minutes and then came up beside me. Partners, right?

Forever, I replied.

Chapter Sixteen

Diana

We arrived at the school, but instead of going