by Cheree Alsop
Chapter Sixteen
The address led to a large cabin in the middle of a pine forest. Mouse set the helicopter down about a mile from their destination. The others were to meet them on the hike in. Lyra stayed at the helicopter to protect it in case Drogan’s men located it.
“Be careful,” Mouse said.
She nodded. “You, too.”
She threw her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss at the last minute as if she couldn’t help himself. “Be safe,” she said.
“I will,” Mouse promised.
He caught up to the rest of the group.
“Still got it, huh?” Kaynan asked.
Mouse’s cheeks were red and he adjusted his glasses, but he didn’t say anything in response to Kaynan’s ribbing.
“Okay, let’s focus,” Jaze said. “The GPA and the Black Team will meet us at the perimeter. Kaynan, Chet, take the lead. Dray sweep right and Colleen take left.”
Everyone fell into their places and the group took off at a fast walk, their senses alert.
“Where’s Vance?” Alex asked Jaze quietly.
The dean kept his gaze on the trees. “Watching over the Academy. We never leave it unprotected.” He shot Alex a smile. “Though he had some words about staying behind.”
It wasn’t hard to imagine the huge werewolf’s frustrated rant; Alex had experienced plenty of those during gym class. “Who’s the GPA?”
“The Global Protection Agency,” Jaze answered. “They’ve been our allies throughout the genocide, helping us free werewolves and get them into hiding.”
That surprised Alex. “But I thought the government was on the Extremists’ side.”
Jaze shook his head. “Don’t believe everything you hear. There are good and bad guys on every side. Not everyone out there wants werewolves eradicated. It’s just that some organizations have to act more quietly than others. We still have friends.” His gaze tightened. “Just a lot fewer than we thought when we started out.” He fell quiet.
Alex followed in silence. He concentrated on walking the way Rafe had taught him so that no sound alerted their enemies of their approach. He noticed that all of the professors did the same. It was strange and surreal to see them out of the Academy. It was as if the title of professor fell away, and all around him were warriors ready for battle. Each held their weapon as though ready to use it.
Kaynan had his wristband off. The metal was straight and the blade glinted in the moonlight that filtered beneath the trees. Though Alex’s heart thundered at the thought of the unknown that lay ahead of them, a surge of anticipation raced through his veins. He was finally able to fight back, to help others, and to stop Drogan from waging his war of death and destruction on the werewolf race.
“We have no indication that Drogan will be there,” Jaze said softly. “But if this is really one of his houses, I want you to be prepared for what we might find. Drogan hates werewolves, and does everything he can to make life unbearable for those he finds. It might not be pleasant.”
The thought made Alex’s stomach clench. “I’ll do whatever I need to,” he answered.
Jaze nodded. “I know you will.”
The pride in Jaze’s tone filled Alex with reassurance. He was about to reply when Chet held up a hand. Everyone held perfectly still. A few seconds later, forms dressed in black appeared from the trees around them. The breeze carried their werewolf scent to Alex’s nose. He glanced at Jaze. The werewolf leader motioned them forward without a word. The Black Team fell in around Jaze’s pack. If they questioned Alex’s presence, no one said anything.
The house was visible through the trees. Two windows showed lights while the rest were black rectangles against the midnight surroundings. Alex could see forms standing on either side of the porch. Brock crouched behind a low-sweeping pine and pulled out the screen. The Black Team and Jaze’s pack stepped closer. Jaze pointed to the upper level of the huge cabin and indicated the Black Team. They nodded and faded back between the trees.
Brock handed Jaze something. He slipped it into his ear. “We’re ready,” he whispered.
“We’re in position,” a voice on the other end replied.
Jaze gave a quick, swirling signal with his finger and the werewolves moved out.
Alex crouched low behind Jaze. The rest of the professors had split up between the trees. It felt like he and Jaze were the only two in existence, creeping up on the house to take it on by themselves. He held the gun tight in his right hand. Chet had shown him how to take off the safety. The werewolf said that was all he needed to know. Alex felt like he probably needed to know a whole lot more.
Jaze paused at the edge of the tree line. Nothing moved; not even a breath of wind stirred the trees around them. The sentries on the porch were motionless. Only the glint of starlight against the guns in their hands reminded Alex of the threat they posed. He knew their bullets wouldn’t be filled with sleeping agents.
Jaze held something above his head. He clicked it on, then off. The small light shone across the clearing. Jaze paused, and did it again. A sentry turned his head toward the light. Two dark forms broke from the trees and reached the porch before the guards noticed them. One tried to shout. Two small pops sounded as Kaynan reached the end guard and covered his mouth. Both sentries fell to the ground.
Jaze crossed the lawn at a run. Alex was unprepared for his sudden movement and was slow to start, but he reached the dean before Jaze was at the porch. Jaze put two hands on the top rail and leaped the railing without slowing. He landed soundlessly on the porch next to Kaynan and Colleen. The dean turned and caught Alex’s hand; he pulled Alex over effortlessly.
Kaynan was already at the door. He worked the lock for a moment. It gave a quiet click and the door swung inward. At Jaze’s motion, everyone hurried inside.
The lights went out. Alex wondered who had cut the power. Sounds could be heard on the second floor. The Black Team had made their entrance. Jaze’s pack split up as if they had done the same thing a million times. Alex stayed close to Jaze. He heard yells from above followed by three gunshots. Someone cried out. Alex hoped it wasn’t one of their team.
Jaze began systematically checking the rooms. The cabin was huge. Branching off from the living room where they entered were two separate halls. One led to the kitchen and a dining area while the other led to bedrooms. Jaze motioned for Alex to stay to the side and he opened the first door.
A man fired in the darkness. Jaze ducked inside. A scuffle sounded, then a thud. Alex peaked in just as Jaze came back out. The dean looked barely ruffled as he went to the next room. A similar scuffle followed. Alex was about to look inside when movement caught the corner of his eye.
He straightened up and his heart froze at the sight of two men running down the hall toward him. One was lifting a gun. The scar from the bullet wound in Alex’s thigh throbbed angrily in remembered pain. Alex knew he was about to be shot.
Without even knowing he was doing it, Alex lifted his gun and fired two bullets. Both men halted. The one who had been about to shoot him tried to raise his gun again, then his legs gave out. Jaze reached the door just as both men fell motionless to the ground.
The dean gave Alex a short nod. Pride filled Alex’s chest at the respect in Jaze’s eyes. Alex knew if he hadn’t been there, Jaze might have been shot. He followed Jaze down the hall and kept an eye on both ends as Jaze took care of the men inside the bedrooms.
Jaze and Alex reached the end of the hall and circled back to the kitchen. Colleen and Dray were already there.
Jaze touched a finger to his earpiece. “We have four caged Oscars in rooms two, three, five, and six.”
“Got it,” the voice on the other end replied.
Colleen and Dray exchanged a glance.
“What’s an Oscar?” Alex asked in the quietest whisper he could manage.
“The objective,” Dray replied in a hushed voice. “Werewolves.”
Jaze led them down the hall. They found Chet and Kaynan near the
stairs. Kaynan held up four fingers; Chet held up another three.
“Seven more in the basement,” Jaze said into his earpiece.
“Got it,” the voice replied.
Alex’s mind reeled at the thought of eleven werewolves in cages in the house.
“It’s clear down there,” Kaynan said. “We took half a dozen men down. No sign of the General or Drogan.”
“Do a final sweep. Free the werewolves. We’ll meet you on the porch,” Jaze instructed.
He hurried back up the stairs with Alex close behind. Colleen and Dray met them in the kitchen. Several werewolves Alex didn’t recognize huddled behind the pair. They looked beaten and exhausted.
“Agent Sullivan’s bringing the vans. Take them out front.”
Jaze and Alex were about to head up the next flight of stairs when Mouse came running in.
“It’s wired to—”
“It’s wired to blow.” The voice that repeated Mouse’s frantic statement sent a chill rushing down Alex’s spine. He searched the ceiling for the source. An intercom next to a small camera sounded again. “Leave the boy, Jaze. You can have the rest of the werewolves, but leave him or I’ll blow the place with your entire team inside,” Drogan said in a tone that left no doubt he would do exactly as he promised.
Jaze glared at the camera. “You know that’s not going to happen.”
“I can get the boy one way or another,” Drogan replied. “While I relish the thought of bringing down your crew after all the trouble you’ve given me, I need to know for sure that Alex is dead. Either you do it yourself while I watch, or you leave him and let me finish the job. Digging through debris promises to be a messy business, especially if I have to sort through all of your bodies to do it.”
Alex felt numb. The sound of Drogan’s voice and what he was asking stole Alex’s ability to move or think. To him, there was only one choice.
“Go,” he said.
Jaze stared at Alex. Emotions ran through the dean’s gaze so quickly Alex couldn’t catch them. He could hear the werewolves behind Colleen and Dray drawing in ragged breaths. They had just been given freedom only to have their death presented to them. He couldn’t let that happen.
“I’ll stay,” Alex continued. “Get them to safety.”
Jaze’s jaw clenched. He looked from the fifteen-year-old werewolf to Mouse. Jaze gave the barest nod. Mouse’s gaze flicked to Dray. Dray glanced down the stairs.
“Why are you waiting around like helpless idiots,” Kaynan yelled in a voice Alex barely recognized. The professor burst up the stairs and tackled Dray around the waist, shoving him back into the other werewolves.
In the chaos, Mouse disappeared. Alex was watching the brawl with his heart in his throat, then glanced over to see the absence space the small professor had occupied. He couldn’t understand what was happening.
“You’ve got to go,” he said urgently to Jaze. “Get them out of here.”
“Shape up,” Jaze barked.
Kaynan and Dray stood. Both looked sheepishly at Jaze.
“We have a decision to make,” Jaze said, avoiding looking at Alex.
“You better make it...” Fuzz took over the sound from the intercom.
“We only have a few minutes,” Jaze told them. “Get everyone out now.” He put a hand to his earpiece, then dropped it again. “I forget this thing doesn’t work. Colleen, Kaynan, get the Black Team and any werewolves they found out of here. Kaynan, take your group out front to Agent Sullivan. Mouse’s block won’t hold forever. We need to get as much distance between ourselves and this house as we can.”
“Got it,” the others replied. They burst into action.
Jaze ran back down the hallway. Alex followed close behind. A man dressed in a black suit left the second room with a pair of bolt cutters. Werewolves followed close behind him.
Jaze and the man shook hands.
“We have five minutes, Agent Sullivan,” Jaze said.
“That’s all we need,” the agent replied.
Alex smelled that the man was human.
Jaze held open the door and motioned the werewolves out. Alex followed them to the vans that took up the cabin’s substantial driveway. Werewolves that had been freed piled inside. One werewolf, a young man a few years older than Alex, met his gaze. There was such pain in the haunted depths of the werewolf’s eyes that Alex could barely breathe until the young man looked away.
“Where are they taking them?” Alex asked when the van door slid shut.
“Our safe houses,” Jaze replied.
He put a hand to his ear. Static was crackling in it.
“Let’s move!” Jaze shouted.
Jaze’s pack hurried out the front door. The members of the Black Team followed directly behind. Five more werewolves were escorted to the last van. The vehicles began to pull away.
“Come on, Alex!” Jaze commanded.
Alex realized he was standing on the driveway watching the retreating vehicles. The rest of Jaze’s pack was heading toward the tree line. The Black Team was nowhere to be found.
“Check,” Jaze heard the voice say in the dean’s earpiece.
Jaze’s eyes widened. “Run!” he yelled.
Explosions sounded from inside the house. Jaze ran behind Alex as he dashed to the tree line. Alex knew he was faster as a wolf. He tore off his shirt and phased midstride. His paws hit the ground. He galloped to the trees and ducked beneath the brush just as a huge explosion shook the earth. Jaze’s black wolf form ghosted at his side. The dean took over, leading them slightly south back toward the helicopter.
When they reached the clearing, the blades were already spinning. Kaynan stood just inside the helicopter also in wolf form.
“Jump,” Chet yelled.
Alex gathered his legs beneath him and leaped. He landed inside the chopper and slid over just as Jaze landed next to him. Mouse looked over his shoulder.
“Good to go,” Lyra called.
Mouse lifted the helicopter into the air.
Chapter Seventeen
“Alex, get Chet to the medical wing,” Jaze said as soon as Alex had on the clothes Brock had given him.
“Chet was shot?” Alex asked in surprise.
“It’s just a graze,” the black-haired Alpha argued. He took his hand away from the wound across the top of his shoulder. It dripped down the front of his shirt.
“Just the same, have Meredith check it out and clear you.” He gave Chet a serious look. “That’s an order.”
Chet blew out a frustrated breath and nodded. He followed Alex up the stairs to the pathway.
“I’m not sure why he’s having you go. You’re the foolhardy one who wanted to die back there for the rest of us,” Chet grumbled.
Alex glanced back at him. “You think Jaze is mad about that?”
Chet shrugged, then winced. “I’m mad about it. You’re a kid with your whole life ahead of you. Let one of us worn out grumps die instead.”
“Drogan didn’t ask for you,” Alex replied.
Silence answered the statement. Alex took the next left and led the way up the long ramp. They arrived at the panel where Alex had first found the underground cavern. He put his hands to it and it slid open.
Meredith was already waiting next to a bed and a table of instruments. Relief filled her eyes when she saw Alex.
“Mouse called up,” she explained at his surprised expression.
“I can’t believe he woke you up for this,” Chet grumbled. He shook his head and took a seat where Meredith indicated.
“Oh, I wasn’t asleep,” Meredith replied. “I couldn’t sleep while you guys were out risking your lives. I wanted to make sure someone was here if medical attention was needed.” She gave them both a warm smile.
“Well, thank you,” Chet said with slightly less frustration. “It’s really not that bad.”
Meredith pulled back the collar of his shirt to reveal a deep gash across the werewolf’s shoulder. “It’s not healing yet. Looks like you ha
ve some silver in it. Jaze was right to send you up. Take off your shirt.”
Chet did as he was told. He dropped the shirt on the floor and stretched his arm as though it pained him.
“Want to help?” Meredith asked.
Alex glanced at Chet. “Uh, okay,” he said, uncertain he wanted to deal with the Alpha’s anger.
“It’s alright,” Meredith reassured him. “He won’t bite.”
“I might,” Chet replied sullenly.
She handed Alex a small tray with swabs on it. She then took one of the swabs and a pair of tweezers. Alex watched as she searched carefully through the wound. The fact that it was still gaping and hadn’t started healing said she was right about the silver shards. A few seconds later, she pulled out a tiny sliver.
“Meredith, have you seen...” Cassie’s voice died away when she saw Alex and Chet. “What is going on?” she asked.
The two werewolves exchanged a glance. “Uh, well, it’s not what it looks like,” Alex said.
Cassie put her hands on her hips. “It looks like you went off with Jaze and Chet on some sort of mission and got shot at.”
Alex tried not to smile because he knew it would make her even more furious. “Okay; it’s exactly what it looks like.”
“How could you, Alex?” she demanded. “I’ve been so worried about you with Drogan’s attacks, and now you have to go off trying to get yourself killed?”
“It wasn’t like that,” Alex protested.
Meredith took the tray from his hand. “I’ve got this,” she said quietly. “Go talk to your sister.”
“I really don’t want to,” Alex replied under his breath.
Meredith motioned with the swab. He sighed and followed Cassie out the door.
Cassie turned around after they reached the end of the hall. Alex was surprised to see tears in her eyes. “Seriously, Alex, why do you have such a death wish?”
“I don’t,” Alex told her, but the fire had left him at the sight of her hurt expression. He sat down on the stairs and motioned for her to take a seat next to him.
She did, but scooted to the far side of the stairway. “I can’t take it, Alex. I worry about you so much. You have no idea.”