The Werewolf Academy Series Boxed Set

by Cheree Alsop

  The cook shook Alex’s hand as well. “I must admit, I never thought I would cook for werewolves.”

  Silence fell across the entire room. Alex didn’t know how to respond. He wasn’t sure if the man was taking a jab and his words were a polite warning for them to leave, or if he was joking.

  Cook Manson smiled. “I’ve heard that with a werewolf’s acute sense of smell comes the ability to enjoy every nuance of the spices and herbs used to accentuate a plate. I would be honored to know what you think of the Peking duck Mr. Bucherer has asked me to prepare for you this evening.”

  “Uh, I’ll be glad to let you know,” Alex replied.

  The cook smiled again and excused himself.

  Mr. Bucherer motioned for Alex and Siale to take their seats again; he even assisted Siale by maneuvering her chair to a comfortable position beneath the table.

  “Your meal is on the house,” Mr. Bucherer continued. “As well as every meal you choose to partake of at M’s, which I hope will be many.” He smiled. “Just think of this as your fine dining experience away from home.” He turned away to follow the cook back through the restaurant.

  Alex was touched by the man’s kindness, but he had to know why. The other guests at the restaurant had gone back to their own hushed conversations. Alex took the opportunity to ask, “Mr. Bucherer?”

  The owner turned back. “Yes, Mr. Davies.”

  Alex glanced at Siale. She looked at concerned as he did about the situation. Alex went with the straightforward question. “Why are you being so kind?”

  Mr. Bucherer smiled and gestured to the chair on Alex’s left. “May I?”

  “Of course,” Alex replied.

  Mr. Bucherer sat down. He was silent for a minute, his gaze distant. When he spoke, the surety had left his expression and instead, to Alex he looked lost.

  “I’ve gone over time and again the things I would say if I ever had the chance to speak to the Demon face to face.”

  Alex and Siale gave him the silence he needed. Siale’s hand slipped into Alex’s under the table.

  When Mr. Bucherer spoke again, the man’s forehead was furrowed and gaze stark. “Yet putting thoughts into words brings the memories to life again. I didn’t expect that.” He turned to face Alex. “Mr. Davies, my wife had by kidnapped by the Fivers. By her account, she was being held hostage with three other women in the back of a delivery truck when the Demon appeared and helped them escape.” Tears filled his eyes. “I never thought I would see her again. The police had been searching, but the women kept getting moved and they couldn’t locate them. Days went by. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep. I kept wondering what she was going through.”

  His eyes filled with tears and he bowed his head. When he took a shaky breath and looked back at Alex, the expression in them was so stark and bare empathy surged in Alex’s chest.

  “Then I saw her on the news. She was being helped into an officer’s car. The reporter said the women had been rescued by the Demon. In the far left corner of the screen, a huge wolf limped into an alley.” The man’s eyes followed a drop of condensation down the side of Alex’s water glass. “I paused the image. I couldn’t imagine why something so ferocious would save my Melody.”

  “I’m not…” Alex began.

  Mr. Bucherer cut him off with a shake of his head and a smile that chased away the agony that had filled his expression. “Of course you’re not, Alex. That’s what I came to realize. When I picked up Melody at the hospital, she told me how brave you had been. Neither of us could believe you weren’t even old enough to be out of high school, yet you risked your life to save strangers.” He met Alex’s gaze. “You gave me back my wife, you gave us back our city, and you changed the prejudiced views of someone who felt he was on a different level than werewolves.” He gave a self-deprecating smile. “I appreciate that you changing my mind.”

  Alex smiled back. “I’m glad I could help, and I’m glad Melody’s alright. Please let her know.”

  “I will,” Mr. Bucherer said, rising to his feet. “And now I’ll stop interrupting your evening. Please enjoying the Peking duck. It’s a specialty of ours.”

  “We will,” Siale told him. “Thank you.”

  Alex waited until the man was out of earshot before he said, “That went far differently than I expected.”

  “Me, too!” Siale said breathlessly. “I’m so happy for him.”

  Alex nodded. “I’m happy for them both.”

  Siale set a hand on Alex’s. “You gave them their life back. That’s so wonderful.”

  Alex set his hand on hers. “See how romantic I am? I got you a duck for dinner, and I didn’t even have to catch it.”

  Siale laughed. “I’m glad. I get tired of feathers.”

  “Me, too,” Alex agreed. “They taste horrible and the stick in the back of my throat. Do you think Cook Manson cooks his duck with them on or off?”

  “Off, I hope,” Siale said with a giggle. “I couldn’t imagine them on.”

  “What if Peking means with feathers?” Alex asked.

  They were both relieved when the dishes arrived without feathers and cooked to perfection.

  “Maybe we should ask Cook Manson to host our fake wedding luncheon,” Siale suggested.

  Alex smiled at her joke, but the comment turned his thoughts to their earlier conversation. “Are you sure you want to stage our wedding just to draw Drogan out?” Alex asked.

  “I’m absolutely sure,” Siale replied. “It’s the best chance we have to catch him and end his reign of terror once and for all. If we have to fake a wedding to do it, then so be it.”

  “What about your dad?”

  Siale let out a small breath.

  “I think we should keep it a secret from our parents, as hard as that will be,” she answered. “We need everyone to act as though it’s a real wedding.”

  “And if Drogan doesn’t show up?”

  He heard the smile in her voice when she replied, “Then we’ll get married.”

  The thought of catching Drogan if his half-brother was indeed alive tempted him almost beyond reason, yet Alex wanted to make sure he was being rational. Asking his fiancé to fake her wedding felt far beyond what he knew he should expect from her, but Siale was adamant. Her determination to catch Drogan matched his own.

  “Let’s do it,” Alex finally agreed.

  There was a hint of teasing in Siale’s voice when she said, “We better start talking about details.”

  “What details?”

  “Wedding colors, cake flavors, flower arrangements.”

  Alex groaned and let his head fall to the table.

  Siale laughed and gave his shoulder an affectionate squeeze. “I’m just kidding. I know how much guys don’t like that stuff. I’m sure your mom and Cassie will be happy to help.”

  The thought of deceiving his mother and sister ate at Alex, but he knew how important it was to make the ruse look as real as possible. A building had fallen on Drogan, but until they found his body, Alex wasn’t going to accept a hand as a sign that he was dead. The mayor of Greyton City had already offered to host the wedding. If the best case scenario happened, they would be married. If the worst came to pass, Drogan would attack and they would finally bring the nation’s number one criminal and terrorist to justice.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Alex leaned against the back of the couch, grateful he had healed enough on their ride to Cherish’s to at least pretend to be relaxed.

  “Let me get this straight,” Professor Chet said. “There are at least eight Demons left out there after the destruction of Block D. They’ve been killing and pillaging faster than any force can stop them, and you and Siale decide to take a little ride to Greyton? Did this seem like a good idea to you?”

  Alex met his mother’s worried gaze, then Cassie’s. The professors standing around Jaze’s couch all had matching expressions of frustration and anger. Siale sat up as though she wanted to speak, but Alex knew it was his fault. He wo
uldn’t let her take the brunt of their fury. It wasn’t the first time he had managed to ruffle the feathers of everyone at the Academy.

  “I’m sorry.” He said the words with full honesty and met the gazes of every werewolf in Jaze’s living room. “I shouldn’t have left, and I shouldn’t have taken Siale with me, but I made a promise.” He looked at his mom. “I know everyone here feels Jericho’s loss as strongly as I do, so you understand when I say I made him a promise. I couldn’t let Cherish find out what had happened without telling her in person. I had to give her the ring.”

  “The ring?” Cassie’s hand rose to her mouth. “He was going to propose?”

  Alex nodded. Siale’s hand tightened in his. He used it for strength. “He loved her, and she would have said yes.” The admission made his eyes burn with tears he wouldn’t let fall. “Cherish loved him as much as he loved her, which you all know was a great deal. Jericho was my Alpha and he died saving mine and Trent’s lives.” He looked back at his friend who stood near the door with Jordan at his side. “It was the least I could do.”

  Trent nodded; the little werewolf’s face and nose were red with the signs that he had been crying.

  “Why did you call us all here?” Kaynan asked quietly.

  Alex looked at Siale. His fiancé nodded encouragingly. Alex took a steeling breath. “We want to get married as soon as possible.”

  Meredith’s mouth fell open in surprise. “I thought you wanted to wait for the summer!”

  Alex shook his head. “Losing Jericho taught me…” He hesitated and looked at Siale. Her warm smile answered his unspoken question. “Taught us,” he corrected, “To seize the moment. With the Demons out there, we don’t know what’s going to happen. I love Siale and she loves me. You all know how reckless I am.” Cassie nodded and a few of the other professors followed. Alex lifted his shoulders in a small shrug. “I guarantee with Siale at my side that I’ll be less reckless.”

  “That would be good,” Siale said.

  Laughter followed her words and lightened the tension in the room.

  Alex gave his mom his most winning smile. “What do you say, Mom? Want to plan a wedding?”

  Cassie let out a little squeak of excitement and grabbed Tennison’s arm. “Let’s do it! Let’s get married right away!”

  Tennison nodded with excitement in his own eyes. “Alright. When are you thinking, Alex?”

  “Next week.”

  Everyone stared at him.

  “Next week?” Professor Colleen said. “Are you serious?”

  “There’s so much to get done,” Grace echoed. “I don’t know if we could do it in time.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Kaynan replied from her side. He gave Alex a searching look. “You want to get married in a week? Let’s make it happen.”

  “Okay,” Meredith agreed. “Let’s plan a wedding.”

  “How exciting!” Gem hopped from foot to foot as if she was filled with so much happiness she couldn’t stay in one place. “Dray, we can work on the flowers!”

  “And I can help with the catering,” Colleen offered.

  “Am I going to have to cook?” Rafe asked, his golden gaze wary.

  Colleen laughed, her violet eyes sparkling. “Only if you want to.”

  Rafe shook his head. “I think I’ll stay away from the kitchen.”

  “I’ll help!” Brock offered.

  Professor Mouse shook his head. “You’d eat everything before we got it to the tables.”

  “I didn’t say I’d be any good at it,” Brock countered. “Maybe I could be a taste tester. You know; make sure all the food is good before it goes out to people? You don’t want to serve low-quality food to your guests.”

  Jaze raised his left hand. His right cradled little Vicki to his chest. She was asleep and gave out a little contented sigh at the sound of her father’s voice. “School’s about to start for the day. I suggest making plans after lessons have been taught. Meredith, can I leave the preparations up to you?”

  He appeared relieved when she nodded. “Of course. I’ll take care of all the wedding plans.”

  “With lots of help,” Gem shot in.

  Meredith smiled. “With lots of help. You have your little ones to manage. Just don’t forget to ask if you need us.”

  “I appreciate it,” Jaze replied. He smiled down at the sleeping baby. “I think I have things handled for now.”

  The bell rang. Alex and Cassie rose to follow the professors out.

  “Alex, stay for just a minute,” Jaze said.

  Siale kissed him on the cheek. “Catch you later.”

  “See you at lunch,” Alex told her.

  He waited until Professor Mouse pulled the door shut, then turned around. The expression on Jaze’s face made a knot tighten in his stomach.

  “You want to get married next week?” the dean asked, his eyes searching Alex’s face.

  Alex dropped his gaze and ran his fingers across the green and white afghan across the back of the couch Nikki had knitted when she was pregnant with Vicki. The wool yarn caught against the calluses of his hand.

  “Why wait?” he asked, hoping he sounded nonchalant. “I love Siale. I don’t see a reason to put it off any longer. Greyton City is on board and the mayor has already given us—”

  “You’re setting a trap for Drogan.”

  Alex paused and glanced up at Jaze. “I’m what?”

  Jaze’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t pretend like I’m stupid, Alex. I know exactly what you’re doing. You don’t think Drogan’s dead, so you’re using the wedding to draw him out.”

  Alex watched him just as closely. “Do you think Drogan’s dead?”

  Jaze was quiet for a moment. He looked slowly around the room, then at his favorite overstuffed chair. The dean finally took a seat. Vicki stirred and nuzzled underneath Jaze’s chin before she stilled; her breathing fell back into a restful rhythm.

  “No, I don’t,” the dean finally admitted.

  Grateful for Jaze’s honesty, Alex sat back on the couch. “Me, either. If the Demons are still attacking cities, I think their Alpha must be the one commanding them to do so.”

  “You want to cut off the head of the snake.”

  Alex nodded. “It’s the only way to stop them.”

  Jaze’s voice was quiet when he asked, “And get revenge for Jericho?”

  Alex nodded. “He deserves vengeance.”

  Jaze’s voice held him when the dean said, “Yes, he does. Just be careful that when you do seek your revenge, you keep the living in mind.”

  Alex asked quietly, “Instead of the dead?”

  There was steel and determination in his voice when the dean answered, “Along with the dead. We’ll never forget those who gave their lives so we can survive. We live in their memory, instead of dying for it.”

  Alex thought about the dean’s words. “I think I under—”

  “Alex!”

  William flew through the door and tackled Alex. Alex laughed and fell off the couch. William sat on top of him with the proud smile of a three year old.

  “I got you!”

  “You sure did!” Alex replied with a chuckle. “You got me good.”

  William climbed off and offered Alex his small hand. “Need help?”

  Alex grinned and took the hand. He pulled William down and tickled the little boy.

  “Not fair!” William giggled. “That’s not fair!”

  Alex sat back on the couch and patted the seat next to him. William took it happily. The little blond haired boy smiled up at Alex, his blue eyes so like Nikki’s Alex couldn’t help thinking of her.

  “Your mom would be proud of how big you’re getting,” he told William.

  “She’d say I’m going to be bigger than Daddy,” William replied. “She always told me that.”

  “I think it’s true,” Jaze said. He smiled at his son from across the room. “Your mom was always right.”

  William nodded. “She was in my dreams last night.�
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  Jaze smiled at his son with a shadow of longing in his gaze. “What did she say?”

  “She told me to listen to the statue.”

  Alex stared down at him in surprise. “What statue?”

  “The one in the yard,” William replied. “The wolf one.”

  Heat ran across Alex’s skin. He could feel Jaze’s rapt attention when he asked the little boy, “Does the statue talk to you?”

  “Sometimes,” William answered.

  Alex kept his tone light when he asked, “What does the statue say?”

  William’s blue eyes reflected the warmth of the lamp next to Alex when he replied, “Jet said the Demons are coming.”

  Alex and Jaze looked at each other. Alex could tell the same chill had gone down the dean’s spine.

  “We need to evacuate the Academy,” Alex said.

  “I agree,” Jaze replied. “But let’s do so quietly. If Drogan hears, he’ll pull his Demons back and attack before the students are clear. The sooner we can get this wedding underway, the better.”

  “Will they come back?” Alex asked.

  “You mean the students?” At Alex’s nod, Jaze gave a small smile. “For many of them, this is home, but it’s our duty to ensure that it’s safe. Right now, we can’t promise that.”

  Vicki stirred and began to cry.

  “She’s hungry,” Jaze told Alex. “Spread the word to the professors. I’ll catch up to you.”

  Alex stood. William followed Jaze to the backroom, leaving Alex to wonder what had just happened. He found Siale waiting for him when he left Jaze’s quarters.

  Siale paused before giving him a hug. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she said.

  “Something like that,” Alex replied. At Siale’s questioning look, he explained, “We’re evacuating the Academy.”

  Siale’s eyes widened. “Why?”

  Alex said what he knew Jaze would want him to tell the professors. “With the wedding coming up and the Demons loose, we don’t want the Academy to be a target. It’ll be safest to have all of the students gone until Drogan is accounted for.”

  Siale nodded. “Okay. I’ll talk to my dad about taking the Lifers. I think he’d be happy to have them at the warehouse until things are under control.”