by Cheree Alsop
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought that myself,” Jaze admitted into the silence. “He had gone through so much in his life. To see what he had become in the time I knew him made me realize what it truly meant to love and to sacrifice, to trust and to be loyal.”
Jaze looked at Alex as if debating how much he should tell the boy. He turned his gaze to the stars twinkling above, watching their world with impassive eyes, dwarfed by the moon that hung low as if caught in the trees. “He told me to kill him once,” Jaze said softly.
Alex turned in surprise and looked at the dean. Jaze’s dark brown eyes were filled with tears. “He did?” Alex asked.
Jaze nodded. “It was the day my mom died. I had been taken prisoner by someone who was supposed to be my ally. He had Jet and other werewolves tied up. My mother was to be killed if I didn’t murder the werewolves in front of national television to prove that werewolves were a threat to the world. Jet looked me in the eyes and told me to kill him so I could save my mom and Nikki.”
Jaze swallowed and fell silent.
“What did you do?” Alex asked in a voice just above a whisper.
Jaze let out a shuddering breath. “There wasn’t really a choice. I realized that, looking at your brother who was chained. It was something I had promised him he would never go through again. I loved your brother with all my heart. He was my brother, too. We had fought and bled beside each other.” He let out a slow breath. “They weren’t going to let my mom go, and she never would have chosen her life above the five werewolves chained against the wall. I freed them, and Jet helped me get them home. One of the werewolves married Mouse.”
“Lyra,” Alex breathed. The realization struck him hard. He rubbed a hand across his face to chase away the tears. “You had to sacrifice your mom to save Jet?”
Jaze nodded, his gaze on the trees that swayed with the gentle night breeze. “There really wasn’t a choice, but Jet had been willing to lay down his life just the same, even if it was in vain. He loved my mom and he would have gladly died if it meant her freedom.”
“But it wouldn’t have,” Alex said. A knot tightened in his stomach. “It was a catch twenty-two.”
“It was,” Jaze agreed quietly. “Most of what we were living through before the Academy was created turned out to be. We thought we had friends, but they turned against us, attempting to wipe us out because they feared we were stronger.”
“Shouldn’t the weak unite with the strong?” Alex asked, thinking of the way the strongest wolves in a pack protected those who were weaker.
A light appeared in Jaze’s eyes. “Yes. That’s why we built this place, to teach werewolves how to fit in and how to help the world instead of being a threat to it.”
“Even though the world is a threat to werewolves?” Alex asked.
A small smile touched Jaze’s lips. “Yes.”
Alex was quiet for several minutes, then said, “I think Jet would be proud of what you’ve done.”
Jaze studied the younger werewolf. “You think so?”
Alex nodded. “I know it.”
Jaze smiled and looked up at the stars again. “I sure hope so.” He glanced at Alex. “There’s something I want to tell you.”
Curiosity glittered in Alex’s dark blue gaze. “What?”
“Nikki’s pregnant.”
Alex’s eyes widened.
“I don’t want you or Cassie to be worried about being forgotten when the baby’s born,” Jaze hurried to say. “You’ll always be a part of our family and we’ll always be there for you. So don’t worry—”
Alex surprised Jaze by giving him a tight hug. “I’m happy for you,” Alex said. “You guys are going to be great parents.”
Jaze smiled down at him and ruffled the young werewolf’s black hair. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. We have a lot to learn.”
Alex stepped back and tipped his head toward the Academy. “I know a great place to learn it.”
Jaze laughed. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s try to catch some sleep before chaos breaks out in the morning.”
“Good idea,” Alex agreed.
He walked beside Jaze back to the Academy. The statue watched over them, its black wolf form chasing away the fears of the night.
Chapter Four
Dean Jaze stood as breakfast wound down. “Today is your first day of classes,” he began, addressing the werewolves who had gathered at their pack tables in the Great Hall. “Due to the great increase in students, we have set up this year different than the terms before. Instead of one pack per classroom, we will have two packs at a time. You will be rotated so that you don’t share all classes with the same packs. First Termers, follow your Alphas.” He smiled at Jericho. “Alphas, if you don’t know where to go, follow the Sixth Years.”
At Jaze’s invitation, Professor Nikki stood. She held up a piece of paper. Happiness flooded Alex when her hand strayed subconsciously to her stomach. She seemed to catch herself and took it away again, but she and Jaze exchanged a warm smile.
Alex leaned over to Cassie. “Nikki’s pregnant,” he whispered.
Cassie’s eyes widened. She looked from Nikki back to Alex. “Really?” At Alex’s nod, she let out a gasp of excitement. Everyone looked at her. A blush ran across Cassie’s face and she sank down in her chair. When the students looked away again, she whispered, “That makes me so happy!”
“I know,” Alex replied, grinning at his sister. He followed her gaze back to Nikki.
The professor read from the page. “Packs Torin and Drake will meet in room twelve. Packs Raynen and Shannon will begin with Rafe and Colleen outside the wall.”
Raynen gave a loud groan.
Nikki ignored him and continued, “Packs Maliki and Kelli are to meet in the gymnasium. Packs Jessilyn and Miguel will proceed to room two, and Packs Boris and Jericho are to meet in the training facilities. After your class concludes, your professor will instruct you where to go next.”
Jericho gave Alex a surprised look. “What sort of training?”
“The only kind befitting a werewolf,” Alex replied with a grin.
He led the way down the hall toward his favorite class. Maybe things were looking up after all. Beginning the day with training was just what he needed.
He was almost there when someone ran into him.
“Out of my way, twerp,” Boris spat.
Alex turned to see Trent sprawled on the ground with the Alpha standing above him. Jericho, Don, and Amos hadn’t reached the turn in the hall yet and so were unaware of their pack mate’s danger. Alex took a step forward.
“Alex, no,” Cassie pleaded, grabbing his hand.
Boris’ gaze tightened. “Yeah, Alex, no,” he mimicked, mocking Cassie’s worried tone. “Stay back like a sissy and watch me teach your pack mate some manners.” He grabbed the front of Trent’s shirt and picked him up so they were nose to nose. “Like getting out of the way when an Alpha comes along.”
“Leave him alone.” The words came out of Alex’s mouth before he realized he had spoken. His hands clenched into fists and he took another step forward despite Cassie’s vicelike grip.
“What did you say?” Boris growled. He exchanged a glance with Sid, his Second. “Did you hear that?”
Sid nodded. “I heard it.” A vicious gleam sparkled in Sid’s eyes at the potential fight.
Boris dropped Trent and stepped over him to face Alex. “Do we have a problem, Stray?” Boris demanded.
Alex held perfectly still. Everything inside of him called for him to attack, yet Boris was an Alpha. Alex’s jaw clenched. Instinct demanded that he back down. The Alpha was stronger, faster, and werewolf law dictated that a Gray should never challenge an Alpha. But the Alpha was challenging him.
“Did you hear me, Stray?” Boris growled in a tone that said he was seconds away from attacking.
Alex let out a slow breath and bowed his head, showing the deference he hated. “I don’t have a problem, Boris,” he said quietly.
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br /> “What was that?” Boris shouted.
“I don’t have a problem,” Alex replied through clenched teeth.
Boris watched him for another minute before nodding. “Good.” He pushed past Alex. Alex leaned against the wall as the rest of Pack Boris walked by. The girl, Kalia, trailed last. She studied Alex as she passed. He refused to meet her gaze. He had to show deference to Boris, but there was nothing that dictated he owed her anything.
The rage rushed through him, barely contained. He wanted to tear something apart, anything.
“Alex?” Cassie asked quietly.
Alex shoved past her into the training room. He walked blindly to the wooden dummies in the corner and pulled out a practice sword.
He had training in the room for the last six years. Dray and Chet had helped him turn his helpless frustration at losing everyone he cared about into honing his fighting skills. It let him vent his rage and prevented him from hurting others or himself in the process.
Now, though, all he saw was red. He swung the sword so hard it snapped in two when it connected with the dummy. He let out a roar, picked the dummy up despite the sand in the bottom that was supposed to weigh it down, and threw it across the room. He slammed a two-fisted punch into the next dummy; it rocked back under the blow. When it tipped forward again, he chopped the neck followed by an elbow to the back. The dummy hit the practice mat with a resounding thud.
Alex rolled over it, punched the next dummy in the groin, spun on his heel and jumped, kicking it in the back of the head. When it fell to the ground, he picked up the broken remains of the sword, and with another yell of anger, drove the broken pieces into the dummy’s back.
Alex breathed hard, staring at the wrecked remains of his wrath. When he glanced up, he met Boris’ gaze first. The werewolf stared at him, amazed at what the Gray had done. Alex looked down at the dummy again. No Gray should have been able to drive a wooden sword through the wooden dummy.
Alex’s heart stuttered. He stumbled and would have fallen when a hand grabbed his arm. He met the light blue eyes of Boris’ sister Kalia. She stared at him for a moment, and he swore, for a split second, that her eyes changed from blue to gold, then back again.
“Let him go,” Cassie demanded.
She ducked under Alex’s arm and led him to the wall. He sank against it and avoided everyone’s gazes as his sister rushed to get him a drink of water. By the time she got back, he was feeling better.
“You alright?” Cassie asked quietly.
He nodded. He looked up to see Jericho walking over with a confused expression on his face. He was saved an explanation by Professor Dray’s entrance.
“Welcome to combat training,” the professor announced. He glanced around the room, noting the condition of the dummies. His gaze met Alex’s, and the corners of his eyes tightened in an understanding smile. He nodded. “I guess you’ve had an introductory lesson. Let’s see if we can hone your skills a bit.”
Alex was grateful the werewolf didn’t question him about the mess. Dray was one of the few professors who was a Gray. He understood about Alex’s difficulty giving in to authority.
At Professor Dray’s instructions, everyone pulled a cloth practice dummy to the middle of the huge mat. Alex joined them. Dray proceeded to instruct them on the proper way to strike the bag with an elbow for maximum impact.
“This is stupid,” Boris muttered from the other side of the room. “If someone messes with me, I’ll just tear his head off.”
Dray held up a hand. Everyone paused in what they were doing.
“You’ll just tear his head off?” Dray questioned.
“Yeah,” Boris replied. “Then he wouldn’t be a problem anymore.”
Dray nodded. “I see,” he said musingly. “So while the world is terrified of werewolves to the point where we were wiped out to near extinction, your plan if someone gets on your bad side is to tear his head off?”
Boris’ voice was a little quieter when he replied, “Yeah.”
Dray nodded again. Alex fought back a smile. He and the instructor had undergone pretty much the same conversation when Alex was looking for ways to deal with his anger against the world.
“My job here is to teach you how to control your anger, and how to defend yourselves in ways that won’t kill or severely maim the humans you might go up against. I’m giving you an outlet for your strength and your frustrations so that you can deal with the world on a normal level. If you come out of the Academy and never have a fight in your life, then I’ve done my job.”
“Like that’s going to happen,” Sid whispered loudly to Boris.
Dray speared him with a look. “And if you do get in a fight, if you can survive it without killing anyone and without drawing attention to yourself, then I have also done my job.”
Several members of Jericho’s pack nodded. Boris’ look less sure of Dray’s statements.
The door behind them flew open. “Who’s ready to kill each other?” Professor Chet demanded.
Dray rolled his eyes at the dark-haired Alpha. “I was just emphasizing the fact that combat training is for self-control.”
“And for beating the crap out of each other,” Chet replied with a grin. “I just got clearance from Jaze.” He paused when Dray cleared his throat. “Alright, Dean Jaze,” he continued with some annoyance. “We’re going to start practice bouts in the ring.”
Alex glanced at the boxing ring that had sat unused on the other end of the training room for as long as he had been there. The thought of actually fighting other werewolves sent a thrum of excitement through him. It had to be much better than shadow boxing and punching dummies. He took a step toward the ring.
“Don’t you think we should teach them some control first?” Dray asked.
Chet waved the question away. “They’ll learn in the ring.” He smiled and popped his knuckles. “Who’s first?”
Alex was about to raise his hand when Cassie grabbed his arm. She shook her head quickly, her eyes begging him not to be stupid after he had already pushed his heart too far.
“Alright, I’ll call on someone. Ears, Bucky, step into the ring.”
Everyone looked at Pip whose big ears were hard to miss. The Second Termer stared at Jericho and swallowed nervously; the sound was heard throughout the training room.
“Go ahead,” Jericho urged.
Tomas from Pack Boris was already in the ring. He smiled, showing the big front teeth Chet had pointed out. The Termer was the same size as Pip, but bounced around on the balls of his feet excitedly. He swung his hands back and forth, slapping his shoulders.
“Let’s get some gear on,” Dray recommended. He tossed a pair of gloves to Chet for Tomas.
“You just keep making this less and less interesting,” Chet grumbled as he strapped them on.
Dray wrapped the large gloves on Pip’s hands. They dwarfed the little werewolf and looked ridiculous. “Just keep your hands up and protect your head,” Dray advised. He gave Chet a worried look. It was obvious he didn’t approve of the situation.
Chet shrugged. “What? Jaze agreed that it would be a great way for the students to learn self-control and to help each other hone their moves.”
“Did you forget to mention that we haven’t had a chance to teach them moves yet because this is the first year we’ve had these lesson plans?” Dray pointed out.
Chet shrugged again. “Possibly.” He turned his attention to the waiting werewolves. “Now fight!”
Tomas threw two punches before Pip even had his hands up. The little werewolf rocked back on his heels. Alex took a step closer. Cassie followed, her expression anxious.
“Put your hands up,” Dray repeated. “Protect your head.”
Pip raised his hands, and Tomas immediately punched his stomach. Pip looked like he was about to cry.
“Chet,” Dray said.
“Wait for it,” Chet urged.
Pip lowered a hand to his stomach and Tomas hit his head again. Alex saw tears in Pip�
�s eyes. He was about to reach for the ropes when Jericho shook his head. Alex paused, surprised by the unspoken command from the Alpha. He followed Jericho’s gaze back to the ring.
Tomas hit Pip in the kidneys. Pip attempted a desperate swipe at the other Termer’s head, but Tomas ducked and landed a punch on Pip’s chin. Something snapped. Alex saw the moment Pip changed from scared and cowering to something else. He threw his hands down hard enough to force the gloves off and dove at Tomas. He phased as he did so, tearing his clothes and slamming against Tomas’ chest in the form of a gray-coated wolf.
Even though the mass of the wolf and of the boy were the same, the wolven form and the muscles coiled beneath his fur gave him an impact that echoed through the room. Tomas landed on his back with the wolf snarling on his chest.
“Enough,” Jericho said quietly.
Pip closed his mouth as if he had just realized what was happening. He looked down and his eyes widened. He stepped off of Tomas and backed away.
Chet clapped. He ducked under the ropes and crossed to Tomas. “Well done,” he said.
Jericho gave Chet a searching look as the Alpha held up the rope for Pip to climb under.
“There’s a change of clothes in the locker room,” Dray said, pointing to a door. “Help him find them, then come back.”
Jericho did as he was told while Chet helped Tomas up. “You threw some good punches there,” he told the boy.
“Uh, thanks,” Tomas answered. He climbed over the ropes and made his way back to Boris. The Alpha gave a single nod of approval. A smile spread across Tomas’ face. The rest of his pack commented on his fighting style, patting his back and congratulating him.
“Was there a point to this?” Dray asked Chet quietly.
Chet nodded and raised his voice to the class. There was a hard edge to it when he asked, “Did you see what just happened?”
Everyone immediately sobered at his tone.
Chet waited. Alex had been around the werewolf enough to know that he would wait until someone gave an answer.
He raised a hand. Chet tipped his head. “Yes, Alex?”