Werewolf Academy Book 5 Read online

  —Mari, Amazon Reviewer

  “. . . I’ve fallen for the characters and their world. I’ve even gone on to share (this book) with my sister. . .So many moments made me smile as well as several which brought tears from the attachment; not sad tears, I might add. When I started Shadows, I didn’t expect much because I assumed it was like most of the books I’ve read lately. But this book was one of the few books to make me happy I was wrong and find myself so far into the books that I lost track of time, ending up reading to the point that my body said I was too tired to continue reading! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. . . Some of my new favorite quotes will be coming from this lovely novel. Thank you to Cheree Alsop for allowing the budding thoughts to come to life. I am a very hooked reader.”

  —Stephanie Roberts, Amazon Reviewer

  “This was a heart-warming tale of rags to riches. It was also wonderfully described and the characters were vivid and vibrant; a story that teaches of love defying boundaries and of people finding acceptance.”

  —Sara Phillip, Book Reviewer

  “This is the best book I have ever had the pleasure of reading. . . It literally has everything, drama, action, fighting, romance, adventure, & suspense. . . Nexa is one of the most incredible female protagonists ever written. . .It literally had me on pins & needles the ENTIRE time. . . I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Please give yourself a wonderful treat & read this book… you will NOT be disappointed!!!”

  —Jess- Goodreads Reviewer

  “Took my breath away; excitement, adventure and suspense. . . This author has extracted a tender subject and created a supernatural fantasy about seeing beyond the surface of an individual. . . Also the romantic scenes would make a girl swoon. . . The fights between allies and foes and blood lust would attract the male readers. . .The conclusion was so powerful and scary this reader was sitting on the edge of her seat.”

  —Susan Mahoney, Book Blogger

  “Adventure, incredible amounts of imagination and description go into this world! It is a buy now, don't leave the couch until the last chapter has reached an end kind of read!”

  —Malcay- Amazon Reviewer

  “The high action tale with the underlying love story that unfolds makes you want to keep reading and not put it down. I can't wait until the next book in the Shadows Series comes out.”

  —Karen- Amazon Reviewer

  “Really enjoyed this book. A modern fairy tale complete with Kings and Queens, Princesses and Princes, castles and the damsel is not quite in distress. LOVE IT.”

  —Braine, Talk Supe- Book Blogger

  “. . . It’s refreshing to see a female character portrayed without the girly cliches most writers fall into. She is someone I would like to meet in real life, and it is nice to read the first person POV of a character who is so well-round that she is brave, but still has the softer feminine side that defines her character. A definite must read.”

  —S. Teppen- Goodreads Reviewer

  “I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. . . This premise is interesting and the world building was intriguing. The author infused the tale with the feeling of suspicion and fear . . . The author does a great job with characterization and you grow to really feel for the characters throughout especially as they change and begin to see Nexa's point of view. . . I did enjoy the book and the originality. I would recommend this for young adult fantasy lovers. It's more of a mild dark fantasy, but it would definitely fall more in the traditional fantasy genre. ”

  —Jill- Goodreads Reviewer

  Give it your all.

  Love, laugh, breathe, believe.

  Find the thing that makes you dream,

  And never let it go.

  To my everything,

  Michael, my love,

  And to Myree, Ashton, and Aiden,

  My dreamers and my reason to believe.

  Chapter One

  Alex closed his eyes. Siale sat on the couch with his head pillowed in her lap. She ran her fingers softly through his hair as his thoughts drifted.

  He saw Kalia sitting in his room. He had just rescued her from the angry bear, and she was having trouble coming to terms with what had just happened.

  “You realize that was a grizzly bear, right?”

  “I knew it was a grizzly,” Alex answered quietly.

  “Why would you do that?” It wasn’t an accusation; it was said with wonder. “Why would anyone?”

  “Cassie calls it my death wish,” Alex admitted.

  “I’ve seen you talking to Jet’s statue,” she said.

  He nodded, his eyes shut tight.

  “You know he is a part of you. He’s a part of what pushes you so hard because of what you can become.”

  “What can I become?” Alex asked.

  “The best of us,” Kalia replied.

  Familiar footsteps caught Alex’s ears, chasing away the memory. He turned his head slightly. A door opened, then closed. Another opened, and closed again. The door to Pack Kalia’s quarters finally burst open.

  Alex looked up to see Trent standing wide-eyed in the doorway.

  “Alex, I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Trent exclaimed.

  Alex sat up. “Why? What’s wrong?”

  Trent waved his arm toward the front of the school. “There’s someone at the gate asking for you.” Trent sucked in a breath. “And he’s human.”

  Alex and Siale ran down the stairs behind the small werewolf. A crowd of students near the doors parted to let them through. They found Professor Kaynan guarding the exit.

  “Let him out,” Kaynan instructed Professors Chet and Vance who stood in front of the doors to the courtyard.

  Alex hurried through with Siale close behind.

  Trent ran at his other side; the werewolf’s eyes were wide as he spoke, “Doesn’t he know it’s a death sentence coming here? He’s lucky Brock is the one who saw him on the screen!”

  “Mouse has been increasing the school’s security since the General’s death. How did he get through without being stopped?” Alex asked.

  Jaze was the one who answered when they reached the gate. “I told Brock to let him through. I figured he was here for a reason.”

  Alex found Tanner on the other side of the iron bars. The boy’s eyes filled with relief at the sight of Alex. “They took her, Alex! I need you to get her back. You’ve got to help her.”

  “Who?” Alex asked, alarmed at the panic in Tanner’s voice. The seventeen-year-old’s short blond hair was disheveled and leaves clung to his blue coat.

  “Sarah,” Tanner said. His eyes filled with tears. “She didn’t come home, and they’ve been taking people. I know they have her. She’s got to be so scared.” The tremor in his voice said he feared much worse. “I tried to file a missing persons report, and the police are doing everything they can, but it’s not enough if she’s in the Saa. Her parents are beside themselves.” His gaze was pleading. “You’ve got to help me.”

  Alex met Jaze’s gaze. “I need to go.”

  “Do you want help?” the dean asked.

  Alex shook his head. “I’ve got it.”

  Jaze nodded. “Be careful. Keep in contact and let us know if you need anything.”

  “I will,” Alex promised.

  Siale followed him around the Academy to the secondary storage room. Trent already had the motorcycle running. He held out the helmet.

  “I figured you’d need this.”

  “You approve me going to Greyton?” Alex asked, amazed.

  Trent gave a long-suffering sigh. “It’s not like you’d listen to me if I said no.” At Alex’s look, he nodded. “Yeah, I approve. He really seems to need you.”

  “Thanks,” Alex told him.

  Alex was fully aware that Siale hadn’t said a word. She had returned early from the holiday break with her father to be with him while he coped with Kalia’s death. Now he was leaving. Alex met her gray gaze.

  “I’ll be here when
you get back,” she said before he could speak.

  Alex didn’t know what to say. Cassie would have scolded him, Kalia would have told him not to be stupid, but Siale just supported his decision. He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. The warmth of her touch flooded through him, filling him with strength.

  “Uh, I’ll go to check on that stuck gear shift on the lawn mower,” Trent said, turning away from them to noisily fiddle with something in the corner.

  Siale’s lips curved into a smile and she stepped back. “I think you just made your best friend uncomfortable.”

  “You did,” Trent replied with his back still turned.

  Alex grinned. “I’ll apologize to him when I get back.”

  He climbed onto the motorcycle.

  “You could apologize to me now. I’m standing right here,” Trent pointed out.

  “Be careful,” Siale said to Alex.

  “I’ll try.”

  “It’s like I’m not even here,” Trent muttered. “See what happens if he needs me and I just ignore him.”

  “You’ll answer,” Alex said.

  Trent gave in. “Yeah, I’ll answer. But you take me for granted.”

  “I’ll work on that, promise,” Alex said, shifting the motorcycle into gear. He sped through the storage room and around the side of the Academy. He felt the stares of the students at the doors as he drove through the courtyard to the gate Jaze had opened.

  He stopped near Tanner’s black car. “Let’s go.”

  As Alex followed Tanner’s car on the return trip to Greyton, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was more running away from the reminders of Kalia that filled the Academy than rushing to help save Sarah. The relief he felt at leaving the school behind was unmistakable. The thought of going back to the Academy made his chest ache. He lowered his head and concentrated on Tanner’s rear lights in an effort to leave the thoughts he wasn’t ready to deal with behind.

  “That whole school is filled with werewolves?” Tanner asked when they stopped at his apartment near sunrise.

  Alex climbed off the motorcycle and hung his helmet on the foot peg. “Yeah.” He looked at Tanner. “How did you know where to find it?”

  Tanner looked worried as though he had crossed a line. “You mentioned Haroldsburg the first time we met you. When I looked it up, I couldn’t find any mention of a school around there, but then I found a football schedule for a preparatory academy. It listed the address.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I hope that’s okay.”

  Alex made a mental note to mention to Jaze about the security risk. He wouldn’t have been surprised if Mouse and Brock had already made the connection at Tanner’s appearance.

  “Don’t worry about it. How do I find the guys who took Sarah?”

  “This way,” Tanner said. He led Alex across the street to the apartment building he had escorted Sarah to the night they had eaten dinner at Cherish’s. “I had to stay after school to make up a test, and I was supposed to meet her here afterwards, but when I got here, she was gone and this was left.”

  Alex studied the graffiti Tanner pointed to. The red dagger with a black circle around it had been spray painted next to the door that led into the apartment complex.

  “Do you know what gang it is?”

  Tanner shook his head. “There’s so many of them now.”

  “What will they do with Sarah?”

  “I don’t know,” he replied, his voice tight. “Over the last several weeks people have gone missing, and nobody comes back.”

  Alex headed to his motorcycle.

  “Where are you going?” Tanner called.

  “To the Saa.”

  “I’m going with you,” Tanner insisted.

  Alex turned. “You can’t. It wouldn’t be safe and I would have to worry about protecting you instead of focusing everything on getting Sarah and the others out of there.”

  “The others?” Tanner repeated.

  Alex nodded. “You said others had been taken. I’m not going to leave them to the whims of some ruthless gang.”

  Tanner stepped back, his face pale. Alex shoved his helmet on his head and started the engine. He drove to Angel Street, remembering Cherish’s description of the Saa, the streets south of Angel Street where the city was made up of slums. He sped through the business section of town. Even at the early hour, cars lined the roads and people were hurrying into skyscrapers. Alex wondered what they did on the highest floors, and what the view looked like from so high.

  As soon as he passed the last huge building, the difference was palpable. Apartment buildings, a few empty, dilapidated sky scrapers left to corrode, and store fronts with bars across their windows lined the road. The smell made the hair on the back of Alex’s neck stand up. The sweet odor of rotting garbage combined with the scent of unwashed bodies and fear hung over the Saa like a putrid canopy.

  Gang signs had been tagged on every building and street sign. The street lights flickered and blinked spasmodically. The sky scrapers he passed that had once been towering giants were filled with broken windows and gutted interiors as though the Saa had swallowed them back into its miserable remains.

  Nobody walked the streets. Gray, hazy predawn light filtered down to the dirty sidewalks. A dog barked at him from an alleyway, then ducked behind a garbage can when he drew near on his motorcycle. Alex studied the graffiti he passed. After four more blocks, the red dagger with a black circle around it began to appear. Alex turned left, then right, following the symbols. He slowed at the sight of a decrepit building with a huge red knife spray-painted across the front.

  When Alex pulled his motorcycle to the curb across the street, three men came out, eying him down. Alex’s heartbeat began to race as he crossed to them. He willed his nerves to relax, knowing that if he lost control, it would be much harder to find Sarah.

  “What do you want?” a burly man with a scar down his cheek asked.

  “I need to find someone,” Alex replied.

  The man’s lips cracked into a humorless smile. “There’s no one here.”

  “You better get lost if you know what’s good for you,” the tall, skinny man to his right said.

  Alex let out a slow breath as he weighed his options. He could take them out and force his way in, but he didn’t know how many people were inside the building and if they started shooting, someone innocent could get hurt. He could try to find another way in that wasn’t being guarded, but that would take precious minutes he wasn’t sure Sarah had.

  He went with option three. Before any of the men could move, Alex punched the skinny man in the stomach, followed by a haymaker to his jaw that knocked the man to the ground. He blocked a punch from the burly man, and ducked under the swipe of a knife the man on the left pulled out. Grabbing the man’s knife hand, Alex slammed a fist into his throat and a knee into his groin. He caught the knife as the man fell.

  The burly man swung for his head. Alex ducked and landed a right to the man’s chest followed by an elbow to the man’s jaw. He staggered backwards. Anger burned in the man’s eyes when he looked back at Alex. The man swung with both fists. Alex caught his wrist with an elbow, ducked under the man’s arm, and brought it up behind his back. A heartbeat later, the knife was at the man’s throat pressing hard enough that Alex could feel each ragged breath.

  “I need to find someone,” Alex growled in his ear. “And you’re going to show me where she is.”

  “Okay,” the man gasped out.

  Chapter Two

  Alex kept the blade firmly pressed to the man’s throat as they entered the building. Scents of many people, stale food, dusty furniture, and dirty carpets touched his nose. It appeared to have been an office building once. The front doors led to a wide corridor that looked like it had seen far better days. Men and women of all ages stared at Alex as he forced his captive past them. He kept the man close, the blade at his neck visible to anyone who might want to make a move to stop them.

  “Dag, what are you—” a m
an with metal studs through his cheeks stopped talking at the sight of the knife.

  “This kid’s looking for someone,” Dag said, his voice tight.

  The man took a step toward them.

  “Stay right there,” Alex growled in a tone that left no room for argument.

  The man with the studs held up a hand. “Okay, take it easy. Who are you looking for?”

  “Someone your gang took.”

  The man’s eyes narrowed. He glanced behind him. Other members of the gang pressed forward. Alex turned slightly so that his back was protected by a pillar.

  “Take me to the people you kidnapped,” Alex demanded.

  The sound of quiet footsteps behind him alerted him of the danger.

  “We’ll take you,” Studs said. “Just let Dag go and we can—” His eyes flicked behind Alex.

  Alex ducked and spun, throwing Dag away from him. A chain slammed into the pillar where he had stood. Alex attacked the man, barreling him into the ground with the force of a bull. Alex rolled back his feet as the gang closed in.

  Alex blocked a punch with his forearms and drove a fist into a man’s groin. He slammed an elbow against a nose and followed it with a left haymaker to the next attacker’s jaw. Alex dodged to the right and caught the arm of the man who threw the punch. Spinning to the inside, Alex used his momentum to throw the man into several others, knocking them to the floor.

  Someone grabbed Alex from behind in a bear hug. He bent his knees and threw an elbow back, catching the man in the stomach. He slammed a fist to the man’s groin, caught his wrist with his free hand, and stepped around behind the man’s leg. He threw the man forward into two women with bats.

  “Who is this guy?” Studs demanded, holding his jaw.