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

through the front doors, Wyatt took us around to a side entrance. After scratching, a woman opened the door. She had long, light blond hair and wore glasses with black frames. As soon as we were inside, she immediately directed me to a curtained room where I could change. There were different colored sweats and then plain gray. I chose those after shifting.

When I came out, Wyatt took my place behind the curtain.

The woman had a light smile on her face. She wore a white coat with the name Dr. Nonna sewed in red lettering near her right shoulder. “Welcome to the Academy. I’m Dr. Nonna.”

“Thanks. I’m Diana.” I shook her hand.

“How are you feeling? Any injuries after the final test?” She indicated I should hop up on the table.

I glanced at my hands and bare feet. “No. I’m fine.” I wasn’t a fan of doctors. My anxieties over them probably stemmed from when I was thirteen and got my period and had cramps so bad I passed out during my Foods and Nutrition class. When I woke, I was in the hospital. There were people in white coats whispering to others in green scrubs. A needle was in my arm, and a tube leading up to some clear liquid hung beside my bed. I later found out it was for hydration and some pain medicine. Nothing scary, but the feeling wouldn’t go away.

“Good. Well, if you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to call on me. I’m here to help.” She put the ends of the stethoscope into her ears and listened to my heart. “Sounds good.” She smiled again. “Strong.”

“Thanks.” I appreciated her help, but I wanted to go.

When Wyatt reappeared, my cheeks got hot, and Dr. Nonna and my worries were forgotten. He had on gray sweats like me, but somehow he still looked hotter than hell. I couldn’t help but think of our making out in the water, the waterfall roaring nearby. Had there been more time, we might have done more than make out. My wolf hungered for more, but my brain and my heart weren’t ready. I hardly knew him. And hot or not, I wanted to make sure he was worth my time.

“You okay?” he asked, giving me a strange look.

“Never better,” I said, glancing from him to Dr. Nonna and then down at my hands. After I jumped off the cliff, I remembered hitting the water. Beyond that, there was darkness until I was kicking and sputtering in the pool below the waterfall. And then there was Wyatt. It was strange how I suddenly longed for him. Before our kiss, I had an inkling of feelings. Now, I was desperate to be touching him.

Wyatt seemed to feel the same way as he came to stand beside me. His nearness brought calm to my mind, but my heart raced even faster. There was still a part of my brain that pushed against what was happening between us. But the doubts were no longer the loudest things in my head. I reached out, putting my hand over his as my longing increased. Every moment was about Wyatt. Each breath a tribute to the need I felt for him.

Dr. Nonna studied the two of us. “Interesting,” she said, tucking the stethoscope around her neck and moving back. “You two best be getting to the placing ceremony.” She glanced at the clock. “It starts in ten minutes.”

“Right.” I hopped off the table and, without knowing why, reached over and hugged her.

“Oh.” She hugged me back, patting me lightly until I let go.

Wyatt took my hand, and together we started for another door, one that I guessed was to the interior of the Academy.

The door burst open before we reached it, and one of the Rasa Keepers came through, carrying someone in his arms.

“She isn’t breathing,” he said.

“Nick, what happened?” Wyatt asked, worry on his face.

“Put her on the table,” Dr. Nonna said, pushing him out of the way.

“I don’t know. I found her like this,” Nick said. By his dress, I knew he was one of the Rasa Keepers.

“Damn, she doesn’t look good.” Wyatt touched my shoulders, holding me steady.

“Penelope,” I breathed, going toward her. I recognized her immediately.

Dr. Nonna shooed me out of the way and got to work. She checked her pulse and started CPR.

Wyatt came up behind me and held me close as I watched in horror, wondering what had happened. Blood covered her shirt, and there was some spattering on her pants.

After several excruciating minutes, Dr. Nonna looked up, her face a mask. “Wyatt, go get the dean and hurry.”

He started for the door, my hand still in his. We rushed down corridor after corridor until we arrived at the main entrance. There sat the old man with the wispy hair. But we didn’t stop, not even when he called for us to wait. We hurried through the enormous double door and to my father’s office. Fallon sat opposite the dean. When they saw us, they looked surprised.

“What is it?” my dad barked, recovering first.

“It’s one of the students. Penelope Smythe. She’s— Dr. Nonna needs you to come right now,” Wyatt said.

My father’s eyes narrowed as they focused on mine and Wyatt’s intertwined hands.

He didn’t like us together. That one look told me everything. Mine, my wolf said, and I didn’t care what my father thought. He lost the right to have a say in my life when he walked out.

“Very well. I’ll be there in a moment. You may leave.” My father made a face like he had a bad taste in his mouth. “Get cleaned up. You are expected to be at the ceremony.”

When we were outside the office, Fallon joined us. His eyes were red, and it looked like he’d been crying.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, fear racing along my veins.

“Nothing.” Fallon crossed his arms.

That was such a lie, but I didn’t call him on it. I was too worried about Penelope. Did he know about Penelope? “Are you sure?”

He pushed past