Werewolf Academy Book 3 Page 14

  “Are you okay?” Alex asked quietly.

  The chains rattled slightly, and a small smile chased the sorrow from the dean’s face. He stepped back. “Someday when things calm down, we’ll raise William here,” Jaze said. Alex didn’t know if the dean was speaking to him or just talking aloud, then Jaze turned with another smile. “It’s a good place to grow up. The schools are good; we could use Meg and Roger’s house for other werewolves.” His voice caught, but he pushed on, warming to the idea as he left the bag and walked to the fence. “Nikki would like that.”

  “She lived next door?” Alex asked, joining him at the fence.

  Jaze nodded. “We had the luck of moving in next to two Hunters.” He chuckled. “That made life exciting for a while.”

  “I can imagine,” Alex said, thinking of his own experiences with Extremists.

  He smiled. “It could have been far worse. We eventually worked things out.”

  “I’m glad,” Alex said. “Nikki’s wonderful and William may be the most amazing baby in the world. He’s named after Jet, after all.” He smiled at the thought of the name his mom and dad had given their baby before he had been kidnapped.

  Jaze grinned. “And you’re not biased.”

  “Neither are you,” Alex replied.

  Jaze laughed and ruffled his hair. “We’d better get you home. I don’t want to worry your sister any more than we already have. She’s probably waiting at the gates right now.”

  “You’re probably right,” Alex agreed.

  When they walked back through the house, Jaze held his head a bit higher as though imagining a future in the place helped alleviate the pain from seeing it in its current condition. He waited for Alex to pass, then shut the door almost reverently. Alex heard him whisper something that sounded like, “I can’t wait to bring them home,” before the dean stepped off the porch.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “You’re back!” Cassie kept exclaiming as she set a piece of welcome home cake in front of her brother.

  The rest of Pack Jericho sat around the common room grinning and joking as though they couldn’t believe it, either.

  “Hospitals aren’t my favorite,” Alex said, careful to keep a smile plastered on his face.

  It felt strange to be back at the Academy and to know that classes began the next morning as if nothing had happened. He felt different, changed, as though spending the night in the hole of bodies had taken something from him. He hesitated, then admitted that it had given him something as well.

  Everywhere he looked, he kept seeing things that reminded him of Siale. The color of the dove’s feathers in the painting near the door was the exact shade of her eyes. The brush of Kalia’s hand against his reminded him of the softness of Siale’s cheek on the backs of his fingers.

  “I’m so glad you’re back,” Kalia said, her blue eyes lit with joy. “You scared us so badly.”

  “Yeah,” little Caitlyn exclaimed, bouncing around on the couch and jostling everyone on it. “They said you were hurt, but you look okay to me.”

  “I am okay,” Alex reassured her.

  The little girl wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a tight squeeze before letting him go to bounce on the cushions again.

  Alex balanced his cake in an effort to keep it from spilling on the ground. Cassie and Kalia had somehow convinced Cook Jerald to let them attempt their hand at cooking; the uncertain odor wafting from the said object made Alex question whether the cook had made a wise decision.

  “At least Cook Jerald said we kept the kitchens clean,” Kalia explained.

  “Yeah,” Cassie put in. “She said she would hire us, then she tasted the cake and said we better put our skills to use in something unrelated to the culinary field.”

  Kalia shrugged her shoulders. “I think it tastes just fine.” Yet the cake on her plate had one bite taken out of the corner. Half of that bite still remained on the fork in her hand.

  A glance around confirmed that everyone had barely nibbled at the cake.

  “Cake good,” Amos declared.

  “You can have mine,” Marky said quickly.

  Amos stabbed the boy’s cake with his fork and shoved the whole thing in his mouth. He grinned around it. “Cake good,” he repeated.

  A chorus of pack mates willing to share with the giant werewolf rose. A hurt look crossed Cassie’s face. Alex took another bite of his cake and forced a smile.

  “It’s really not that bad,” he said, though a bitter powder coated his teeth and tongue, clinging like chalk that refused to go away.

  Cassie fought back a smile. “It’s horrible,” she admitted. She set down her plate. There wasn’t even a bite taken out of her slice. “You’d think with the smell you wouldn’t have put it in your mouth. You should have a bit more self-respect than that.”

  Alex laughed and set his plate down beside hers. Amos had already eaten half of the pack’s pieces. “At least it’s not going to waste,” Alex told his sister.

  She sighed. “Oh well. At least we tried.”

  “It means a lot to me,” Alex told her.

  She smiled at him. “I’m just glad you’re back.”

  “All of us are,” Tennison put in, leaning over the back of the couch near Cassie. “It’s too boring around here without you.”

  “So I’d better come up with something interesting to do?” Alex asked.

  “Actually,” Cassie replied, her eyes sparkling. “There’s something you don’t know.”

  She and Kalia exchanged excited glances that made Alex wonder if he really wanted to know.

  Unable to stand it any long, Cassie blurted out, “We’re going to have a dance!”

  Alex stared from Cassie to Kalia to Jericho. “A dance?” he asked the Alpha uncertainly.

  Jericho shrug, his expression touched with sympathy. “That’s what Professor Nikki announced at breakfast this morning.”

  “When is it?” Alex asked; his voice might have squeaked slightly at the end. He swallowed past his dry throat.

  “For New Year’s Eve,” Kalia said. “Couples can ask each other to go. It’s going to be so much fun!” There was no doubt about the smile on her face and the way she hovered close to him. She expected him to ask her.

  A week ago, there would have been no question of Alex asking Kalia. He would have expected it, she no doubt would have, and apparently, by the smiles on the rest of the pack’s faces, so did they. But things had changed. Alex couldn’t explain it, and didn’t want to chase the joy from Kalia’s face, but the draw he had felt toward her was completely gone.

  She was still the same sweet Kalia he cared about as a best friend. Her icy blue eyes creased with her smile that was becoming more of a constant since she had been with Pack Jericho. Her honey and clover scent tickled his nose within the smells of the rest of his pack mates, but the aroma didn’t pull him in like before.

  He knew by looking at her that his altered feelings were one-sided. She went out of her way to brush his hand when she took his plate, and when she returned, she sat near enough that their knees touched.

  Alex remembered the feeling of Siale’s head resting on his knee and the way her hair had fallen across her cheek. He had brushed it back softly, careful not to cause her any more pain with unnecessary movements. His fingers tingled with the memory of touching her skin.

  Cassie’s voice jolted him back to the present. “I think he needs to rest.”

  Alex blinked and willed his eyes to focus on his sister. “Sorry. I wasn’t listening.”

  She smiled and Kalia patted his knee. “It’s okay. I was just saying we should see if Professor Nikki needs help planning the decorations. Christmas is only a week away, and New Year’s Eve will be right after the break, so she might need all the help she can get.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “That’s something Cassie and I can check on. I don’t think boys like to deal with decorations anyway.”

  “Nut-uh,” Marky said. He was licking frosting off his fingers. At
Kalia’s look, he shrugged. “The frosting’s good at least.”

  Kalia swatted at him. “Get cleaned up. You look like you’ve been playing in the mud.”

  “But it tastes better,” Marky said with a chocolate smile.

  Cassie rolled her eyes and turned back to Alex. “Why don’t you get some sleep? We’ll bring you up some food from dinner.”

  Alex gave his sister a grateful smile. “Thanks, Cass.”

  “And I’ll make sure you get some of those rolls you like,” Kalia said.

  Alex’s chest tightened when he nodded. “Thank you.”

  He watched the rest of the pack retreat through the door.

  “You alright?”

  Alex hadn’t realized Jericho stayed behind. It was a testament to his exhausted nerves that the Alpha could stand behind him long enough for the others to exit and Alex not notice.

  With the others gone, Alex was able to let down his guard slightly. He sat back on the couch. “Not exactly,” he admitted.

  Jericho nodded. “I figured as much,” he said simply. He leaned against the opposite arm of the couch and crossed his arms. The tall, lean Alpha studied Alex solemnly. After a few minutes, he said quietly, “I almost thought I wouldn’t see you again.”

  Alex forced a smile. “Did I disappoint you?”

  Jericho gave an answering smile. “You would have if you hadn’t shown up. I think Cassie would have torn this place apart, and Kalia would’ve helped her.”

  At the mention of Kalia’s name, Alex couldn’t help the frustration that crossed his face.

  “Problems in paradise?” Jericho asked, his tone understanding.

  Alex leaned forward so that his elbows rested on his knees and his face was hidden in his hands. He shook his head without looking at the Alpha. “I don’t know how I feel about anything anymore.”

  Jericho set a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Take your time, Alex. You don’t have to decide about anything. It’s just a dance.”

  Alex glanced sideways to meet the Alpha’s gaze. “It’s not just a dance. You saw it on her face, and you know how werewolves are. She thinks I’m the one.”

  “And what do you think?”

  Alex sighed. “I don’t know anymore, and I think that’s my answer.”

  “And you’re afraid to tell her.”

  Alex nodded.

  Jericho gave a half-smile. “Can’t say I blame you. She’s a bit touchy.”

  Alex blew out a breath. “That’s an understatement.”

  Jericho stood up. “Well, Alex, I don’t pretend to understand your girl problems. I’m two years older than you, but I’ve been lucky to avoid the sights of any girl.” His tone said he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. He shrugged. “A little sleep and some food will help. You look like you could use it.”

  Alex gave a wry grin. “Thanks.”

  Jericho slapped him on the shoulder. “Any time.” He winked. “But if I was you, I’d probably disappear before the girls return. It’ll probably just be Kalia who comes back with your food if I know anything about women.”

  Alex stared at the door after the Alpha left. A few minutes later, he snapped out of the thoughtless daze at the sound of footsteps up the stairs. He hurried to the mantle and opened the hidden door to the tunnels. He stepped inside just before the door to Pack Jericho’s common room opened.

  “I brought you...Alex?”

  Alex’s heart ached at the sound of disappointment in Kalia’s voice. She had no doubt expected to find him still sitting on the couch waiting for her. After all the time he had been gone, he had no doubt she would want to talk. He just couldn’t muster up the energy to pretend to be fine and happy. He had already tried that and failed earlier with the rest of the pack.

  He heard her walk to his room, then return. After a few minutes, the sound of her setting the plates on the table in the corner was followed by the door shutting again. Alex let out a slow breath. He eased the hidden panel aside slowly and peaked out. She was gone.

  Alex looked at the bowl of stew and the plate laden with more rolls than one werewolf could or should eat in one sitting along with a very generous dollop of creamy butter. Alex looked around the room. It was bright and warm, the exact opposite of the feelings that pressed against his chest. He reached for the light switch, then paused. He didn’t want to have to explain to his pack mates why he was eating in the dark.

  Alex picked up the bowl and plate and balanced them precariously in one hand while he opened the hidden panel again. He carried the food inside and shut the door. He slid down with his back against the wall and let out a slow breath. After a moment, he tore up a roll and set it in the stew. He took a bite and tried to ignore the darkness inside and out.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Alex stood with the rest of Pack Jericho eyeing the agility course. The snow stood ankle-deep and showed tracks of deer and rabbits that made it hard for several of their pack members to concentrate.

  “Let’s chase a rabbit,” Marky offered.

  “It’d be easier than this course,” Pip replied.

  Neither of the small werewolves had made it even halfway up the course, and it was becoming much harder to rally the others with Christmas break so near.

  Kalia hovered close to Cassie. She cast Alex another of her frequent smiles that had filled his first day back after the pit, but her gaze carried a touch of worry. Alex attempted a reassuring smile in return, but the half-expression only appeared to concern her even more.

  “Did you ask her yet?” Trent asked quietly from his elbow.

  Alex shook his head. The werewolf knew better than to press for an explanation.

  “I’ll bet Kalia could do better than the rest of us.”

  Everyone stared at Torin. Alex couldn’t decide if the Alpha was trying to be funny or was actually, beyond all belief, giving Kalia a compliment.

  “Why is that?” Kalia asked dryly, picking the former.

  Torin shrugged and gave a smile, a real smile. “You’re fast and slim. Maybe you have a better chance since you don’t have to worry about the wolf stuff.”

  Kalia studied him as though debating whether or not he was being serious.

  “It can’t hurt to try,” Torin urged.

  Kalia glanced at Professor Colleen. She nodded toward the agility course with an expression that said she was glad someone was going to attempt it. “Go ahead.”

  Kalia looked at Alex. “What do you think?”

  Alex gave Torin a searching look. The Alpha’s lips lifted in another uncharacteristic smile. Alex didn’t want Kalia to feel like he doubted her abilities, but he was worried Torin was setting her up for failure. He finally went with, “Um. I guess why not?”

  Kalia nodded. “Yeah, why not.” She walked uncertainly through the snow. Her white coat made her stand out among the werewolves. None of them wore such protection against the cold. A werewolf could always phase if it got too cold; Kalia didn’t have that option.

  The werewolves from Pack Torin and Pack Jericho crowded around the bottom of the course as Kalia began to work her way carefully up the first ramp. Her feet slipped on the snowy incline, but she held onto the sides and pulled herself up. She reached the top with a huff of relief.

  “Made it,” she said, more to herself than the waiting werewolves.”

  “I told you,” Torin called. “You can do it!”

  Alex studied the Alpha. He couldn’t tell if the brawny werewolf’s encouraging cheers were fake or real. The werewolf ran a hand through his brown hair as the rest of the Lifers grouped around him.

  “What’s up?” Sid asked with cruel glee in his eyes. “Waiting to see her fall?”

  To Alex’s surprise, Torin gave his Second a glare that shut his mouth. “She can make it, Sid,” Torin barked loud enough for Kalia to hear as she reached the rope net. “Give her a chance.”

  Everyone fell completely silent. No one had seen Torin get so upset over a Termer. Alex couldn’t understand what he was up to.

/>   Kalia stepped gingerly on the rope net. Snow coating the ropes knocked free and fell with a soft whoosh to the deeper snow below. Kalia gripped the net with both hands. Her knuckles showed white even from the distance as she worked slowly forward. She made sure her shoes were secure on the ropes behind her before she moved forward. Soon, the slide of her knees across the ropes and the huff of her breath clouding in the air were the only sounds in the clearing.

  Alex felt an inkling of hope. Perhaps Kalia really could cross the agility course. Professor Colleen had told them that the course was supposed to hone their skills in wolf form, but if Kalia could do it as a human, it might give her a great boost of confidence.

  “Do you think she can do it?” Pip whispered.

  “I hope so,” Jericho answered quietly.

  Alex followed below. He heard the crunch of footsteps that said the others were doing the same. Kalia was halfway across the net. She appeared to have figured out the best way to climb the thick ropes. Perhaps Torin was right. Alex found himself hoping so.

  Kalia’s foot slipped. The rope net turned with the weight of her body shifting to one side. Kalia let out a little shriek as she spun to the left. Her hands failed to find a good grip on the icy ropes and she fell.

  Alex was running forward to catch her when a shoulder shoved him and sent him sprawling in the snow. He looked up to see Torin catch Kalia before she could hit the ground. Cassie pulled Alex to his feet.

  “What was that about?” she muttered.

  Alex brushed the snow from his pants as he shook his head. “I have no idea.”

  “You wanted me to fall,” Kalia accused the Lifer Alpha, pushing away from him the second he set her feet on the ground.

  “I didn’t,” Torin replied. “I hoped you would make it, but I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

  Kalia gave him a look that said she wasn’t sure whether to throttle him or thank him. She stomped back to where Pack Jericho waited.

  “You couldn’t have caught me?” she spat at Alex when she stalked past.

  Alex sputtered and gestured toward the impact his body had left in the snow when Torin shoved him. Rage filled him at her insult. He wanted to shout his frustration at her, but caught himself with the realization that he was blowing things out of proportion. He was frustrated with himself for letting the Alpha reach her first, but he wondered deep down if he had let Torin win.