by Cheree Alsop
“That fighting as a pack is awesome?” Trent asked. His glasses were skewed and he would definitely have a bruise on the top of his buzzed head, but he was smiling just the same.
Chet’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t know if I would call that awesome. I’d call it a mess of arms, legs, and fists that have no idea where they’re going or what anyone else is up to. Pack fighting is completely the opposite. You have a hierarchy in your pack, and it’s got to reflect your actions in a fight. You protect your Alpha’s back, you follow his lead. Everyone was so intent on their own personal battle that nobody noticed what the Alphas were doing. If your Alpha falls, you’ve lost the fight. No debate, no redo; in the real world, if you don’t defend your Alpha and work together as a team, you’ve already lost.”
He was quiet for several minutes as he allowed his words to sink in. Alex’s knuckles throbbed. His heart had skipped once during the fight and he had caught a glancing blow across his cheekbone that was now making itself known. Bruises would heal quickly, but that didn’t mean they didn’t hurt while they healed. He massaged his knuckles as he listened to Chet break down their fight so they could do better the next day.
Chapter Five
Pack Jericho followed Professor Colleen and Pack Torin through the forest. The scent of sawdust filled Alex’s nose. All during the summer, the southern section of the forest just below the Academy had been off-limits to the Lifers who stayed at the school year round. Alex was glad his curiosity was finally going to be appeased.
They paused when they reached the clearing. Alex stared at the huge expanse before them, unsure what he was looking at. Huge beams, platforms, ropes, and sunken posts made up a giant network of paths stories high in the meadow.
“What on earth is this?” Torin asked the words everyone had been thinking.
Professor Colleen smiled, her purple gaze bright. “We’ve had wilderness education, we’ve worked on sense training, and this term we’re going to work on your agility as both a wolf and a human.”
“We’re not human,” Torin stated flatly.
Colleen gave him a patient smile. “You’re not human, but you have a human side. Just as your abilities as a wolf can be essential to your survival, so can those of your human counterpart. We’re going to train them both here.”
She led the way to the agility course. At the top, a wolf with a dark gray coat looked down at them. Alex smiled when he realized it was Rafe, Colleen’s mate. He had been raised by wild wolves and preferred the forest to the Academy. While Colleen usually did the teaching, Rafe and his wolves had been an essential part to learning what it was really like to live as a wolf.
“Who can make their way up to Rafe?” Colleen asked.
The packs surged forward. Colleen held up a hand. “You have to do it first as a wolf. Afterwards, we’ll start on your human skills.”
The werewolves made their way to the forest to phase.
“If she calls us human again, I’m going to hit something,” Torin threatened under his breath.
“Professor Thorson’s human,” Pip pointed out. The look the Alpha shot him was enough to send the little werewolf running to the nearest tree.
“Kalia, why don’t you stay with me,” Alex heard Colleen say back at the clearing. “Someone’s got to help me see who makes it to the top first, if any of them do. It might take all class period.”
“Do you have any water balloons?” Kalia asked.
Colleen laughed in reply.
Alex phased, grateful to be in wolf form once more. With everything that had been going on during Jaze’s rescue missions, it was nice to step away from his human side for a while and just embrace being a wolf. Worries and cares fell away so that his thoughts took on the focused, goal-oriented thinking of the wolf. Wolves didn’t spend time dwelling on what the future would hold, or what someone else thought, or how the past could come back to haunt them.
Wolves lived in the present. It was a refreshing perspective. What mattered to Alex when he was in wolf form were the scents that tangled in his nose, telling of rabbits, fresh raspberries, and the sharp, crisp scent of the grass beneath his paws. The sawdust from the construction of the obstacle course took on a deeper meaning as he smelled the pines and aspens that had been cut for its completion. Sap gave the scent a slightly tangy note that lingered in his mouth as well as his nose. He trotted back up to the course with the others, ready to take on the challenge Colleen had given them.
Kalia’s scent slowed his paws. He was almost to her when she looked back and her gaze locked on his. The smile that brought warmth to her light blue eyes made his heart lighter. It was obvious she was as happy to see him as he was to see her. The thought filled him with warmth as he followed Jericho to the start of the agility course.
“Alright, students, line up,” Colleen directed them. “I know most of your tasks up to now have been pack oriented, but this one is individual. If you can beat your Alpha, do it. Spur each other on; push yourselves to your limits. Don’t give up, but if you touch the ground, you’re out until the next round. Rafe is at the top to prove that it can be done. Challenge yourselves.” She held up a hand. “Ready? Go!”
At her motion, the wolves took off up the starting ramp. Toward the top, the footing lessened until they were scrambling up the steep slope. The bigger wolves used each other and the sides of the ramp to make it to the top. Others slid back to the bottom to start over. The smallest ones had to give up, weeded out by the first obstacle.
Alex raced beside Cassie and Tennison across the platform to a rope net. The net had been strung at a slope to the next platform. Jericho, Torin, and Sid climbed carefully by hooking their paws through the net. Amos clambered out after them. The entire net shook with the huge werewolf’s weight. Torin growled, but Amos ignored him as his legs slipped through the net, trapping the werewolf. He scrambled to free himself, shaking the net harder.
Torin rolled to the side. Sid bit his shoulder, trying to help right his Alpha. Another heave from Amos sent them both tumbling over the edge of the net. Luckily, the fall wasn’t far, but it left the Termer Alpha and his Second on the ground and out of the challenge.
Alex fought back a grin as he made his way carefully around Amos. The huge werewolf had almost untangled himself from the net. Jericho was already on the other side and running for the next obstacle. Cassie and Tennison crossed with Alex as Trent, Terith, and several from Pack Torin followed.
Logs on bearings made up the next challenge. Alex set a paw carefully on the first horizontal beam. It rolled beneath his weight. Ahead, Jericho carefully crossed to the final log. Alex gritted his teeth. There was only one way he was going to catch his Alpha. He backed up as the rest of his pack mates who had made it to that point watched. Gathering his legs beneath him, he took a flying leap across the rolling beams.
Alex landed close to the end, but the logs beneath his feet rolled, pinning his paws beneath him. Alex tried to struggle. When he pulled, the log behind him rolled forward, pulling his legs down further. Alex was completely stuck.
Jericho glanced back and a wolfish grin crossed his face when he saw his Second’s predicament. He trotted back to the edge of the platform. Alex caught the Alpha’s quizzical expression and tried to shrug his shoulders. He had no idea how to get himself out. He gave a huff of wolf laughter. Jericho answered with the same.
The log behind Alex began to roll in the opposite direction. Alex glanced back to see Cassie and Tennison standing carefully on the other logs with their paws on the beam. Working as a team, they walked it backwards. It looked ridiculous, but it work. Alex was able to free his paws. He scrambled for the edge of the platform where Jericho waited. Both Cassie and Tennison reached the platform with them. The laughter in Cassie’s eyes echoed how Alex felt. It had been a foolhardy move, and yes, his sister had been the one to free him.
Alex ducked his head with his ears back, indicating that the other two wolves should go first. Cassie nipped his shoulder as she trotted past, her
dark blue eyes alight with teasing. Alex swallowed his pride and followed them, knowing he wouldn’t have reached the platform if it wasn’t for their help.
The next obstacle was narrow with two beams on either side, but a huge hole in the middle. The wolves were forced to walk slowly in single file, keeping an eye on their paws as they paced carefully, placing one paw on the beam to the side before lifting the other. It was a strange way for a wolf to walk, but eventually, the werewolves made it across.
Alex was beginning to think that the obstacle course might not be so bad until he reached the next challenge. A series of wooden beams several feet apart and rising in height led to the next platform. Each wolf was required to jump from one to the next, but the platforms were narrow; they barely gave enough room for the werewolf to stand with all four paws. They were also sloped without traction for paws or claws to catch.
Jericho attempted the first one. He slid to the edge and managed to jump before he fell. He performed the feat again, but at the third one, he didn’t land it straight and slipped off the platform to the net below. Jericho rolled off the net the ground and looked up at those who remained of his pack and Pack Torin.
Tennison attempted the challenge next. His stride was longer than either Alex or Cassie, and he jumped as though it was second nature. The werewolf was almost to the end when his back paws slipped on the leap. He scrambled for purchase on the next ledge, but couldn’t find any.
A yip of fear left Cassie as Tennison fell to the net below. He rolled unscathed to the ground and joined Jericho. The rest of the wolves gathered around them to watch Alex, Cassie, and two of Pack Torin who remained.
Alex gave Cassie an encouraging nod. His sister snorted and trotted to the edge of the platform. She landed on the first ledge and her paws slipped, sending her to the net below. Alex couldn’t tell if she had done it by accident or by choice, but she didn’t look too put out as she joined Tennison on the ground. She had never been one to enjoy the spotlight. Alex wouldn’t be surprised if his twin had fallen on purpose just to keep so many students from watching her.
Alex was about to attempt the leap when a shoulder pushed him aside. Justice, another member of Torin’s pack who had taken a considerable disliking to Alex, glared at him with his ears back.
Alex debating about fighting the wolf; he could throw him off the ledge and disqualify the student, or watch him fail in his attempt to cross the course. Alex decided that the latter would be more fun. He tipped his head to indicate Justice could have the right of way and sat at the side, an innocent bystander.
Justice gave a strong snort, stating in wolf fashion that the course was his to complete. Alex watched the wolf make his way to the back of the platform, then rush forward for the first leap. At the last second, Alex stuck out his nose and caught Justice’s back leg. The werewolf missed the ledge entirely and fell straight down to the ropes below. A growl of rage reached Alex’s ears. He gave an answering huff of laughter.
The final member of Torin’s pack waited quietly. Lee had never been a confrontational student. Alex figured that the only reason Torin chose the Termer every year was to ensure that his pack mates passed their classes. Lee was extremely smart and excelled at all of their studies. Alex had no doubt the student was personally responsible for the advancement through the terms of the entire Pack Torin.
Alex tipped his head toward the course, indicating for Lee to go first. Lee gave him a searching look. Alex knew the student was wondering if he would also be tripped. Alex gave a wolfish grin and made his way to the furthest end of the platform. He sat down and waited for Lee.
The student studied the course ahead. He gathered his legs underneath him and jumped, landing well on the first ledge. He made it to the second, then the third. He leaped for the fourth, but hit the ledge with too much force. His paws skittered off the end. He grappled for a second to stay on, but the angled ledge proved too much. Alex watched the final werewolf fall to the net.
Alex rose. All eyes were on him. He had never jumped ledges like those in front of him. Boulders were easier with their varied sides and friction from the rocks, but smooth ledges appeared to be a completely different obstacle.
Rafe barked from above. A surge of determination rose in Alex’s chest at the encouragement. He advanced to the edge. The next ledge didn’t look that far away. Alex took a few steps back, leaped forward, and landed on the angled surface.
His claws scratched the smooth wood as he scrambled to stay on. The angle was too steep. Alex could either jump or fall. He bunched his legs together and sprang for the next ledge. He jumped for the next as quickly as he could. A cadence of gather, leap, gather, leap followed until Alex was at the second to last ledge. Wolf howls and barks called up from below as the other students cheered him on.
“You’ve got this, Alex,” Kalia yelled.
Alex’s paws were slipping. He would only have one chance. He pulled his legs beneath him, felt his muscles tighten with anticipation, and sprang just as his heart decided to skip a beat.
His trajectory was so off that he barely caught the edge of the last ledge before he was falling. The distance from the obstacle to the net had seemed a lot further, but he hit the ropes in what felt like less than a second. His heart thundered in his chest as he fought to catch his breath. He rolled to the edge of the net and reached the ground. The students in wolf form around him bumped his shoulder and grinned good-naturedly. They had all attempted the course and failed.
Colleen smiled at them. “I didn’t say it would be easy,” she said with a wink. “Perhaps you’ll get further tomorrow.”
With that, she released the class to phase back to human form and return to the school.
“At least you’ll have a good appetite for lunch,” she called after them.
“That’s for sure,” Trent replied when he was in human form again. He jogged to catch up to Pack Jericho. “I’m starving.”
“I could eat a whole cow,” Pip exclaimed at the werewolf’s side.
“Stupid course,” Torin muttered. “Who ever heard of a wolf climbing ropes? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Alex couldn’t help himself. “You did look pretty stupid up there,” he replied.
Amos gave a deep laugh behind Alex. “Torin look stupid,” the big werewolf huffed.
Torin grabbed Alex by the front of his shirt and pinned him to a tree. “What did you say, Stray?” the Alpha demanded.
Alex forced an innocent expression on his face; it was harder than he thought it would be. “I said the ropes were pretty stupid up there.”
“Let him go, Torin,” Jericho said.
Torin lifted his teeth in a snarl. “Watch yourself, Stray,” the Termer said with enough zest to leave spit on Alex’s cheek.
Alex wiped it away. “Oh, I will,” he reassured the Alpha.
Torin let him go and stormed away, leaving the rest of his pack to catch up.
“What was that?” Jericho asked.
Alex shrugged. “Guess I should think before I speak,” he replied noncommittally.
“Guess you should,” Jericho replied, unconvinced.
Chapter Six
“I’m really not sure why werewolves have to take poetry,” Boris grumbled from the back of Professor Grace’s classroom.
Grace smiled, her sightless blue eyes creasing at the corners. “I’m glad you asked, Boris. Poetry is a form of art.”
“Like with colors and stuff?” Parker, Boris’ Second, asked dryly.
“Exactly,” Grace replied.
Alex knew the professor good enough to know that she heard Parker’s sarcasm. She felt for the edge of her desk and took a seat on the wooden chair.
“The cadence of the velvet paws
Thrummed softly in my ears.
My heart’s staccato rhythm
Chased away my tears.
I lost myself beneath the trees,
Their shelter overhead.
I found myself a quiet place,
I closed my eyes and shut it out,
The pain and fears were gone.
I heard it then, the quiet whisper,
Of a wolven song.
The howls rose all around me,
Tremors starting in my chest.
The forest sounds all died away,
As more howls joined the rest.
I was swept away by song,
It touched my heart and soul.
I closed my eyes and fell asleep,
As exhaustion took its toll.
When I awoke, the day had lightened,
The forest was no more.
My room was filled with silence,
And the wolves were just from lore.
Yet there upon my pillow,
Sat a single silver hair;
It matched the autumn forest,
And the wolves I had seen there.
I held it and I smiled,
As one tiny tear broke free;
I would never be alone,
For the wolves watched over me.”
Boris broke the silence that followed Grace’s recitation. “What was that?”
“A poem,” Grace replied simply. “I’ll teach you how to write them.”
“Too many words,” Amos said.
Grace nodded. “Not all poems need to have many words. You don’t even need to rhyme. A poem comes from your heart and gives you the means to express yourself. I’ll help you, Amos.”
“I learn poems,” Amos replied with a proud smile.
“Us, too,” Cassie said.
Grace smiled at her in gratitude.
***
“Seriously? Economics and geometry? What are we, Einsteins?” Marky protested when geometry with Meredith had finished and they were trailing out of the classroom.