by Cheree Alsop
Chapter Nine
“Anything I should know?”
Alex crossed back to Jericho’s room and leaned against the doorframe.
“What’s up?” Jericho asked from his bed. The half-light of dawn spilled through the window, casting the room in gray shadows. Jericho’s knowing brown eyes watched him steadily.
Alex nodded. “Tennison went sleepwalking. He’s weighed down by guilt and sadness from when his family was killed. He almost threw himself off a cliff.”
“A cliff?” Jericho repeated. He sat up.
Alex ran a finger down the rough wooden fibers of the doorframe. “Cassie and I stopped him. I think he’s just trying to figure out how to cope.”
Jericho watched him with an expression that said he guessed more than Alex was saying. “You’re the right one to help him,” the Alpha told him quietly.
“Thank you,” Alex replied, touched.
“Thank you for saving him. I should have been there,” Jericho said.
Alex shook his head. “If it wasn’t for Cassie, I wouldn’t have known either. I think...” He hesitated, wondering how much to tell the Alpha. He rushed on, “I think she likes him.”
Jericho nodded. “I guessed as much.”
“You knew?” Alex couldn’t contain his astonishment. “When were you going to tell me?”
“I thought it was obvious,” Jericho replied. “They’re always together, eating, talking, not talking.” He smiled. “It’s cute.”
“Cute?” Alex demanded. “Cute is for puppies or baby cougars. Not my twin sister.”
Jericho held up both hands. “Slow down. I know it’s a lot to take in. But she deserves to be happy, and so does Tennison.”
Alex pushed his forehead against the frame. “I know,” he gave in reluctantly. “It’s just so soon.”
“She’s fifteen,” Jericho reminded him. “Love doesn’t have a calendar, especially with werewolves.”
Alex glanced at him sideways. “What are you, some sort of philosopher?”
Jericho rolled his eyes. “Get some sleep, Alex.” He glanced at the clock. “You have an hour. Better make it count.”
Alex groaned and turned back to his room. He paused in the hallway. “Jericho?”
“Yeah?” the Alpha answered.
“Next time, don’t assume I know. I’m not so good at the social stuff.”
He heard Jericho chuckle. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Alex was almost to his bed when Jericho called, “Alex?”
“Yes?” he responded tiredly.
“You do better in the social stuff than you probably know,” Jericho said.
Alex gave a small smile and fell onto the blankets.
***
Voices woke Alex up less than an hour later. He glanced out the door to see Cassie and Kalia on one of the couches. They had chosen to bring their breakfast back upstairs instead of eating with the rest of the packs in the Great Hall.
“He almost jumped?” Kalia was repeating.
Cassie nodded. “He did, actually. Alex jumped after him.”
Alex wished in that moment that he could see Kalia’s face, but she had her back to him.
“I almost saw them both die,” Cassie said with a tremor in her voice. “It was horrible.”
“Thank goodness you and Alex followed him,” Kalia said with shock in her voice.
Cassie nodded. “It was scary. I’m just glad they’re both alright.” She hesitated, then said, “I really like Tennison.”
“I can tell,” Kalia replied.
Alex rolled his eyes. Apparently, it had been obvious to everyone but him. He definitely needed to pay more attention.
“Is, uh, is Alex alright?” Kalia asked.
Alex held perfectly still. The concern he heard in her voice surprised him. It made his heart stutter, but in a different way than he was used to. He put a hand to his chest to calm it as he listened.
“He’s fine,” Cassie told her. “He’s pretty tough, though not as tough as I think he wants to be.”
Cassie’s comment made Alex’s cheeks burn. He closed his eyes against the embarrassment.
“What do you mean?” Kalia asked.
Cassie sighed; her spoon chinked against the bowl as she took another bite of oatmeal. “He wants to be like Jet so badly, and Jet was an Alpha. I think sometimes Alex pushes himself so hard because he thinks it’s the only way to fill Jet’s shoes.”
The statement was true enough to make Alex feel exposed. He hated that Cassie knew it. The hate vanished immediately because he knew so much about her that he couldn’t hold it against her. Cassie was just speaking from her heart. She had no guile; she was simply being honest.
Cassie fell silent, then said, “I really worry about him.”
“It sounds like somebody should,” Kalia replied, her tone unreadable.
Alex couldn’t take it anymore. He pushed his door open all the way and crossed the room intent on the hall door.
“Hi, Alex,” Cassie called.
He paused and acted surprised to see them there. “Oh, hi Cassie; hi Kalia.”
Kalia’s name tasted strange, as if it was different than the other times he had said it. He realized he was staring at her; he opened the door and hurried into the hallway before he could make a bigger fool of himself. He shut the door and leaned against it, filled with frustration.
“He looks tired,” Kalia noted on the other side of the door with a hint of concern.
Alex hurried down the stairs before he heard anything else.
***
“I’m glad you visited us for breakfast,” Nikki told Alex with a warm smile.
She held baby William in her lap. He had a tight grip on his mother’s long black hair. She beamed down at him. “We like company, don’t we, Will?”
She ran her hand through his shock of blond hair that reminded Alex so much of Jaze. The hair refused to stay down, sticking up all over in cowlicks. Nikki sighed and gave up. “Just like his father’s. I guess I can’t complain.”
The baby gave a small gurgle that made Alex laugh. “Do you miss running the school?” he asked.
Nikki grinned. “Technically, Jaze runs the school.” She gave Alex a wink. “But we both know who manages the details when he’s off saving the world.”
Alex nodded. “With your help, I never knew when he was gone. You two make a pretty good team.”
She smiled, her blue eyes twinkling. “Like you and Cassie. I think you two really run the Academy behind the scenes.”
The comment would have filled Alex with happiness a few days ago, but it only brought his concerns to the forefront. “Used to be,” he said quietly. “Now I think Cassie’s a bit distracted.”
Nikki’s eyebrows rose. “She likes someone?”
Alex nodded. “Tennison. He’s a new kid in our pack.”
“He’s the new Lifer,” Nikki replied. “Jaze said he was glad you guys took him in. He’s gone through a lot.”
Alex wondered how much Nikki knew. The events from the night before were still fresh in his mind. “What if he’s gone through too much?” Alex blurted out.
William held Nikki’s finger in his chubby hand. “You mean what if what he went through still affects him?” she asked perceptively.
Alex nodded. It was too late to go back, so he rushed forward. “What if he’s not safe for her to be around? What if he’s a danger to himself and others because he’s unstable?”
Nikki’s gaze was understanding when she replied quietly, “What if what he needs more than anything are friends who know what he’s gone through?”
Alex was quiet for a few minutes. He thought of last night and all they had experienced together. The look on Tennison’s face when he was about to jump the second time stayed in Alex’s mind. When he spoke again, it was in agreement. “I think that’s exactly what he needs.”
“But it’s hard to trust,” Nikki guessed. “After all you went through with Pip last year only to find out he was the o
ne leaking information to Drogan, it must be hard to let someone else in.”
Alex nodded. He couldn’t put into words how it was harder to see his sister fall for someone. He knew the connection they had as twins wouldn’t ever go away completely, but already she spent more time with the girls in the pack and preferred their company to the adventures she and Alex used to have. Growing up was hard; he just hadn’t expected to handle everything on his own.
“Tennison’s a good guy,” Alex admitted. “He deserves a break.”
“As do you,” Nikki replied with a kind smile. William began to get fussy.
“Can I hold him?” Alex asked.
Surprised by Alex’s offer, Nikki nodded. “Of course.”
Alex had held William a few times. When school wasn’t in session, Alex and Cassie had spent a lot of time with Nikki and Jaze. The two had pretty much taken over as their parents when the orphaned twins arrived at the Academy seven years ago. With William’s birth, Nikki had been much busier, but she always took time when the twins needed her, a fact for which Alex was grateful.
She positioned the baby in his arms. William quieted immediately, staring up at Alex with wide blue eyes.
“I think Jet would be happy you gave William his name,” Alex said, smiling down at the baby. “I used to wish it was my name, too.”
“You did?” Nikki said. “I didn’t know that.”
Alex met her gaze, forcing his tone to be happy when he said, “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of it than the son of my brother’s best friend. He would be honored.”
“I hope so,” Nikki replied; sadness filled her gaze.
“He would,” Alex told her with confidence.
She nodded. “I’m glad. I think William has big shoes to fill.”
“We all do,” Alex said, but the melancholy didn’t come. With Nikki, he couldn’t be sad. She knew what the twins had gone through, and had been there for him when night terrors kept him up during their first year at the Academy. She had never been upset when he woke her up crying; she used to read him stories or sing him songs to help his mind calm down and to chase away the memories.
Sitting with her in their quarters felt like that again. She always had a kind smile or the right things to say to help him feel better. With Nikki, he always knew she believed in him. It wasn’t so much in what she said, but in the way she looked at him and Cassie. She loved them; that much had always been obvious. Even though they had been orphans when they came to the Academy, she made them feel like they had a home.
“Thank you for all that you’ve done for Cassie and me,” Alex said.
Nikki gave a surprised smile. “Thank you for being such a wonderful boy,” she replied.
Baby William’s fingers found his shirt. He smiled as the baby watched him with clear blue eyes.
Chapter Ten
“Welcome to this year’s full moon games!” Dean Jaze announced to the anxious students gathered in the courtyard. He glanced at the sun setting below the trees. “As you all know, the moon isn’t too far away.”
Chuckles sounded through the crowd. Not only had the professors let the students out early again for restlessness, they had promised to join the students at the games this year as their own pack. Alex exchanged a smile with Professor Grace. Kaynan stood next to her already in his red wolf form, allowing her to see. She looked as excited to participate in the games as the rest of them.
“This year’s games will be hosted by Professor Thorson, the only other human here besides my wife who is with our baby boy tonight and will be unable to join us.” Jaze nodded at Professor Thorson who stood near the doors. “Thank you for your bravery in putting up with us.”
The professor hefted a handful of medals on ribbons that chinked together from the movement. A breeze sent his wispy white hair waving. “If any of you act up, you won’t be earning one of these,” he said sternly. His usual smile broke through his attempt at a stern demeanor. “I’ll probably just lock the doors and leave you all out here running amuck.”
Jaze laughed and the students echoed the laughter. “That really will cause trouble.” The dean smiled down at them, his brown eyes bright. “The full moon games this year will emphasize the traits of a wolf. Feats of stealth, speed, your ability to track, protect your pack, and your strength will be tested. There are five medals.” He winked at Alex who waited near Jet’s wolf statue. “We haven’t quite figured out another task for the sixth, so you can relax this year, but don’t relax too much!”
A shudder ran down Alex’s spine. The full moon was rising. Alex set a hand on the cold metal of the statue to center himself.
“I guess I’d better speak quickly,” Jaze said. “To all of you seven year olds who are phasing for the first time, stay with your packs, they’ll take care of you. To the rest of you students, the race is on. If the professors return with all five medals, the entire group of you will be required to assist Professor Dray in building his new greenhouses.”
A groan went through the students. It was no secret that Professor Dray was preparing to teach gardening and plant identification the next year. He had a sign-up sheet in the Great Hall asking for volunteers to help complete the building of the greenhouses. Apparently Jaze had found an answer to the lack of volunteers.
Another shudder ran through Alex’s skin, harder this time. Students exchanged glances. Alex searched for Cassie. Instead of waiting on the outskirts of the crowd where she usually liked to avoid the masses, he spotted her curly brown hair near Tennison’s tall form. Alex stifled a sigh. He then spotted the little girl next to her. Caitlyn held Cassie’s hand as if terrified of being separated from her.
“It’s going to be okay,” he heard his sister say.
Caitlyn looked anything but reassured as she shook her head, her white-blonde curls bouncing back and forth.
Alex made his way through the crowd and stopped behind Caitlyn in time to hear the little girl say, “But I’m scared.”
“Scared of what?” Alex asked.
Cassie threw him a grateful smile. “This is Caitlyn’s first phase. She’s afraid of what’s going to happen.”
Alex dropped down onto one knee so that he was eye-level with the little werewolf. “You’re afraid of phasing?”
Caitlyn nodded wordlessly, her wide green eyes showing her fear.
Alex gave her a smile. “I was scared of phasing my first time.”
“You were?” Caitlyn asked, her voice small within the excited crowd around them.
Alex nodded, his attention fully on her as if she was the only person in the courtyard. “I was, and I was glad to have Cassie with me. My big brother Jet was there, too, with his friends. Do you know who one of Jet’s friends was?”
Caitlyn shook her head.
Alex pointed to the dean standing on the stairs.
“He was?” she breathed in amazement.
Alex nodded. “Dean Jaze was so nice to us. You’re surrounded by tons of friends. It’s the best possible place to phase.”
“It is?” she asked.
Alex nodded again. “It is, and I’ll bet Cassie wouldn’t mind if you phased in her room with her so you won’t be scared.”
Caitlyn turned her gaze up to Cassie and Tennison who had been watching the conversation.
“Can I, Cassie?” Caitlyn asked. Her bottom lip trembled slightly.
Cassie smiled down at the little girl. “Of course you can phase with me. I’ll be like your big sister.”
Both of them smiled at the thought.
“Then I won’t be so scared,” Caitlyn decided. She surprised Alex by throwing her arms around his neck and giving him as tight a squeeze as her little body could manage. “Thank you, Alex.” She took Cassie’s hand again, her grip not so panicked this time.
“Thank you, Alex,” Cassie repeated. “How do you always know what to say?”
“I learned from my sister,” Alex replied.
“Did she say you were also cheesy?” Cassie grinned at him.
Alex nodded. “Many times.”
“Go phase,” Jaze called over the group. “Enjoy the games!”
The students thundered up the stairs. Alex passed Kalia waiting near the doors. She looked almost sad that she was being left out. He remembered her comment from last year about how she couldn’t relax when the full moon was out. She was caught in the middle; the only one Alex had ever known of.
He turned and pushed his way back through the crowd. The full moon was getting closer; he knew he was cutting his time short. He gritted his teeth and made his way to the door.
“Uh, hi Kalia,” he said.
She looked surprised that anyone had noticed her. When she saw who it was, emotions he couldn’t read crossed her icy blue gaze.
“Hello, Alex.”
“Uh, what are you going to do during the games?” he asked.
She shrugged, her eyes flitting to the trees where the faint glow of moonlight already showed. “I’m not sure. Wait out here bored I guess.”
“What about helping Professor Thorson?” Alex suggested on a whim. “He might need it since Nikki’s with baby William.”
She seemed surprised. “I hadn’t thought about it. I guess I could.” Though she tried to hide the fact that the suggestion sounded somewhat promising, Alex could hear it in her voice.
He smiled. “I hope you do.” The next shudder ran through him so hard he had to put a hand against the door to steady himself.
Kalia lifted a hand to help him. “Are you alright?”
He threw her a grin. “Yeah, but I’m going to phase into a wolf right here if I don’t get to my room.”
Kalia laughed. The sound was musical and light. She clapped a hand over her mouth and looked amazed that it had come out of her. “You’d better hurry,” she said, her voice muffled behind her fingers.
Alex ran through the doors and upstairs. He remembered at the last minute not to shut the door to his room all the way. He tore off his clothes seconds before the moonlight spilling through his window forced him onto his hands and knees.
It felt good not to fight the phase anymore. He willed it to change him, pulling his joints in different directions, shortening his fingers, and sending dark gray fur up his arms and down his back. When it was over, he breathed a sigh of relief. It felt wonderful to be in wolf form again. The sound of wolves pacing Pack Jericho’s common room filled Alex with joy. He pushed the door open with his nose and joined them.