by Cheree Alsop
The Wolfborne Saga
Book 2- Ricochet
By Cheree Alsop
Copyright © 2018 by Cheree L. Alsop
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN
Cover Design by Robert Emerson
Editing by Sue Player
www.ChereeAlsop.com
To my family,
Reaching book fifty is only possible
Because I have the best support a mother could
Ever ask for.
To my readers,
May each book remind you that
Life is worth living, love is worth giving,
And courage is found when
We think we have nothing left.
Chapter One
It was the calm before the storm. I felt it in my bones. I prayed to the moon for strength because I knew my life would never be the same. I had tied my fate inextricably to the family who had taken me in, and now werewolf and human would fight side by side against the darkness that was coming. I hoped I had the strength to protect them.
“Take care, you guys,” Mrs. Stein said as she gave Alia’s mother a hug.
“You, too,” Mrs. Willard replied. “Are you sure you don’t want any of this food?”
The First Class witch shook her head. “You have plenty going on without having to worry about cooking, Patty. I’ll bring more lasagna by when I get the chance.”
Her daughter Jemmy groaned. “Enjoy that,” she whispered to James.
He rolled his eyes, but his answering smile was genuine. “Just tell your mom you’ll bring it for her.”
That made Jemmy’s face glow with happiness.
“Call me if you see any signs of the werewolves,” Virgo said. The warlock held out his hand, which surprised me.
“I’ll do that.” I shook his hand and couldn’t help the wry smile when I replied, “I was almost certain you meant to kill me back there.”
Virgo chuckled. “It may have crossed my mind.”
“It may have saved you a lot of trouble,” I told him.
Virgo lifted a shoulder. “You fought your heart out to defend humans. I figured you deserved a second chance.”
I eyed the door. He had removed the wards, but I could still feel the remains of their magic lingering. Additional wards had been placed by Mrs. Stein and Jemmy in the woods to warn us if any other danger threatened the house.
After they left, I watched from the doorway as the Willards wound down from the crazy night. James and Ian sat near the kitchen window that I had broken through on my first night at the Willard residence. James scanned the backyard restlessly for any sign that more werewolves would appear, but we hadn’t left anyone alive to send word to the Masters of what had happened.
Mrs. Willard was busy putting the remains of the food we hadn’t finished into plastic containers and bags. My stomach growled at the thought of what was left. Phasing and healing both took a lot out of me. I made a mental note to visit the refrigerator after everyone went to bed.
The sky was slowly changing to the gray of early dawn, signifying that we had stayed up the entire night. I couldn’t blame the Willards for being unable to sleep. Battle adrenaline was slow to fade, and even though I felt sore, the will to get some much needed rest evaded me.
“It’s almost time for work,” Alia told her mother as she helped pack up the food.
The thought caught me off-guard enough that I spoke up before I could stop myself. “You’re going to work?”
Alia threw me a smile. “Being tired isn’t a reason to skip out. Jalia’s counting on me.”
Mrs. Willard read the concern in my expression and asked, “You sure you shouldn’t call in?”
Her daughter handed her a container of mashed potatoes. “I don’t have any leave left after Aspie’s last sickness. Besides, we don’t have anyone who can cover. Jalia has her grandbaby coming today, and Trevor’s on vacation with his family. Since Rachel quit, we’ve been shorthanded.”
Mrs. Willard looked at me. “Do we need to worry?”
I wished I could tell her no, but the number of werewolves the Masters had sent lingered as a warning. “The wards will notify us of danger here, but I’m worried about anyone leaving.”
Mrs. Willard nodded. “At least with it being Saturday, Ian doesn’t have school. Maybe you could go with Alia.”
“Yeah,” James said with a grin. “Show him the sights of Township.”
Ian snorted. “Unless you’re going to the movies, there’s not much to see. The mall’s dinky compared to the one in Bairmont.”
“I’ve never been to a mall,” I admitted.
Everyone stared at me.
“Never?” Alia asked.
I shook my head. I couldn’t explain the rush of embarrassment that filled me at their surprise. Normal human experiences weren’t exactly the focus of life at the Lair.
“Then you should go,” Mrs. Willard said. “You could keep an eye on Alia and see the sights.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,” Alia began at the same time that I said, “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“You’ve got to be safe,” Alia’s mother told her. She waved a hand toward the backyard. “You saw what we just dealt with out there. You can’t really think it’s okay to go traipsing to Township without protection. Besides, Zev should see things he hasn’t had a chance to. Protecting us almost cost him his life. Don’t be rude.”
I wouldn’t have gone that far. I couldn’t blame Alia for wanting to get away after the battle with the werewolves. I doubted having me tag along was her idea of a break. I could see in her eyes how much everything had worn on her. After finding out that her father’s obsession with the paranormal had come from something that actually existed, I couldn’t blame her.
Alia shot me a searching look. “I’m not trying to be rude.” Her tone was thick with apology. “I just stitched your shoulder. Are you sure you’re up for a long day at the mall?”
“If it means keeping you safe, yes,” I replied honestly. “I wouldn’t be able to rest thinking you might be in danger.”
I caught glances and smiles shared by the other Willards and realized I had perhaps been too forward. I tried a different tactic. “I’ve always wondered what a mall is like.”
Alia smiled at that. “Then let’s go. It’ll be fun.”
I began to regret my decision as she drove us through the mall parking lot. The sight of so many cars and the people walking from them into the long building ahead of us put me on edge, and the lot wasn’t even close to being full at the early hour.
Alia parked the car and glanced at me. Something must have shown on my face, because she asked, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
I let out a slow breath and nodded. “I need to figure this out, right?”
“Figure what out?” she pressed.
Her want to understand was visible in the way her eyebrows drew together as she studied my face. Sitting in the seat next to her felt close, and the confines of the car were far too intimate for my current state. The scent of her apple shampoo and the faint, floral patchouli of her perfume filled the air.
At my silence, she self-consciously tucked a stray strand of her long blonde hair behind her ear. The action reminded me that I wasn’t the only one the night had been hard on. Her family had taken me in and been in danger because of it. I owed her whatever truth I could give.
“I nee
d to figure out if I can fit into this world,” I admitted.
She smiled at me then and said, “Of course you can fit in.”
It surprised me. I wouldn’t have been shocked if she had laughed or looked uncomfortable, or even told me I had no chance. I was prepared for any of those reactions. It was her surety that I would figure it out that caught me off-guard.
“How can you be so certain?” I asked before I could stop myself.
Alia set her hand on my arm. It was a casual gesture, but heat ran from her fingers along my skin.
“Zev, you’ve been through so much. You deserve to live a peaceful life.” She put her key in her purse and opened the car door. “You fit into my family in a day. They love you. How much harder could it be to find your place out here?”
Her words repeated in my head when I climbed out of the car and followed her toward the mall. They love you. It couldn’t be true, not so quickly, but it was strange to hear it said aloud. Love definitely wasn’t something that had ever been applied to me, whether casually or with all seriousness. Love wasn’t an emotion allowed at the Lair. It was foreign to me and made my chest tighten at the thought.
I shouldn’t plan to stick around. If her family did care as she implied, the best thing I could do would be to leave. I was dangerous, an animal walking as a man. The injured wolf they thought they were saving had turned into something far more treacherous. I needed to protect them by leaving. The reluctance that filled me at the thought told me I had already stayed too long. I just needed to ensure that the werewolves and Masters would leave the Willards alone, then I would be gone.
With the resolve firm in my mind, I turned my focus to my surroundings.
Giant pillars lined either side of the huge front doors we approached. Floor-to-ceiling windows let the sunlight into the foyer that was filled with more humans than I had ever seen in my life. People walked from their vehicles past us, leaving scents of what they ate for breakfast, their various colognes, pets, occupations, and a multitude of other smells I didn’t recognize. It was overwhelming and put me on edge.
“Lia!”
I turned to see a girl with bright pink hair running through the parking lot toward us. Two other girls hurried behind with smiles on their faces. Two boys that looked close to my age followed at a slower pace. I told myself they didn’t mean Alia any harm, and the look of happiness on her face when she saw them said the same thing.
“Janie!” she said. She glanced back at me. “Janie’s a bit much, but I love her to pieces. Just give her a minute to calm down.”
I nodded and took a few steps back to give Alia some space.
The girl nearly ran her over. They hugged and Janie spoke so fast I could barely follow.
“I got your text. I can’t believe you had a burglar the other night! That’s so scary!” Janie said.
Alia shot me an apologetic look before Janie hugged her again and rushed on to say, “I was terrified for you! Are you alright?” She stepped back and looked Alia up and down. She then put her hands on her hips. “For dealing with a burglar, you look pretty darn good.”
Alia smiled. “Thanks.” She motioned to me. “This is Zev.”
Janie’s eyes widened as if she had just noticed me. She whistled, which made me wince. She didn’t see it because she was busy walking around me and looking me up and down as though I was a mannequin wearing something she wanted to buy.
“He’s cute,” she said. “Like, way cute. Next time a stranger stops a burglary at my house, I’m calling him.” She batted her eyes at me as if she hadn’t just been talking about me like I wasn’t there. “Hey, handsome. If you want to rescue me from any petty crimes, let me know.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond. I threw Alia a questioning look.
“Don’t mind her,” she told me. She shot her friend a look. “Janie falls for anything with two legs.”
I looked around meaningfully. “That’s got to give you lots of prospects.”
Janie rolled her eyes with an exaggerated sigh. “You’d think so, wouldn’t you?”
By this time, her friends had caught up. The girls exchanged hugs while the two guys eyed me from a few feet away. My training took over and I found myself analyzing both young men the way I would a potential adversary.
The one on the left was about five inches shorter than my five foot eleven height, but I knew not to view it as a disadvantage. He was heavier-set than his companion, and while the other guy stood with his hands in his pockets, this one watched me with his hands loose and stance ready. Were humans always so prepared to fight? His dark hair was slicked back with a thick enough layer of gel that I could smell it from where I stood.
The other one was about an inch taller than me, skinny, and with a longer reach. He may have appeared casual, but there was an alertness to his gaze that kept me on edge. He looked at me with a friendly expression, but I wasn’t deceived by outward appearances. The way he stood near Alia indicated a protectiveness I wasn’t happy about, though I couldn’t explain why. He had blond hair that was lighter than my own, a thin layer of fuzz on his chin I think he hoped would pass as a goatee, and he wore a backpack that sagged with something heavy inside. It would make a good weapon if push came to shove.
“Zev, meet Trina and Isley,” Alia said, introducing the two girls.
Isley gave my face a curious look. “Been fighting, Zev?”
I glanced at Alia. Her eyes were wide. I wasn’t sure what to say.
“He just saved Alia’s family from a burglar,” Janie piped in. “He showed up just in the nick of time.”
“Is that so?” the dark-haired, shorter guy asked with a hint of suspicion in his tone.
Alia nodded quickly. “Yes, I told Janie the story, but I was waiting for everyone to get together so I don’t have to say it again.”
“Well, anyone who confronts a burglar is brave in my book,” Isley said. She held out a hand. “Good to meet you.”
I shook her hand the way I had seen done a million times during our internet research classes. It felt strange to do it in real life. I wasn’t sure if friends shook hands. Usually it had appeared to be older gentlemen making an acquaintance before coffee or a business meeting.
When Isley let go of my hand, I turned to Trina and held it out. “Good to meet you,” I said, repeating Isley’s words.
Trina batted my hand away. “I’m a hugger,” she said.
Before I could prepare myself, she threw her arms around my neck and gave me a tight hug. The curling-iron scent of her brown hair wrapped around me along with the flowery notes of her perfume. I stood frozen in place, my hands held out to the sides because I had no idea what to do with them. I didn’t move a muscle, afraid that if I did so, instincts would kick in and I would land this would-be assailant on her back on the asphalt. I was pretty sure Alia wouldn’t appreciate that.
“Geesh,” Trina said when she stepped back. “You need to work on that. It’s like hugging a tree.”
She stood expectantly waiting for a response. I glanced at Alia, but the humor on her face didn’t give me much to work with.
“I, uh, I’m sorry,” I replied. “We don’t really hug much in my family.”
“What are you, from a military family or something?” Isley asked, watching me. “My dad’s not much of a hugger, but Mom makes up for it. She’s the sweet one in our home.”
“It’s definitely not you,” the blond-haired boy said.
She swatted at him, but he dodged back. “Shut up, Jayco.”
Alia rolled her eyes and said, “Zev, this is Jayco and Brexton.” She threw them a questioning look. “I thought you guys had practice today.”
The shorter one, Brexton, shook his head. “Coach had a family emergency, so we get the day off.”
“Yeah,” Jayco said. “Too bad family emergencies don’t happen more often.”
“That’s horrible!” Janie said. She shook her head, ending with her pink hair swishing back and forth. “I wouldn’t wish that on
anyone.”
Jayco grinned. “Not to be mean, I just like a break once in a while.” He turned his smile on Alia. “So I can hang out with my girl.”
Alia turned away. “I’m not your girl, Jayco. Give it a break.”
He followed her, undeterred by her words. “Come on another date with me. I promise it’ll be better than last time.”
“You mean better than watching him puke all over the ice rink?” Janie asked.
Isley and Trina laughed.
“Hey, I had a bad hot dog,” Jayco said in a hurt tone.
“You had about twelve of them,” Alia replied.
“Because they were free!” Jayco said. “You can’t expect me to turn down free hot dogs. I have to keep my weight up for football.”
“What weight?” Brexton asked.
Jayco elbowed him in the side. Brexton grabbed the taller boy in a headlock.
Alia’s cellphone beeped. She glanced at it. “Shoot. I’m late. I’ve got to go!”
“We’ll come with you,” Isley told her. She hefted the three plastic bags she was carrying meaningfully. “I need to return these and try something else.”
“Yeah,” Janie said. “We’re just emotional support in case the manager gives her a hard time again.”
“Try them on in the dressing room,” Trina mimicked, tossing back her brown hair. “Maybe you’ll know if they fit before you get home next time.”
There was a hint of embarrassment in Isley’s voice when she replied, “I just don’t like fitting rooms.”
The teasing atmosphere of the group vanished immediately. I knew it wasn’t in my imagination that everyone drew closer to the girl. She looked away as if she didn’t want the attention and ran a hand through her long blonde hair to get rid of a snarl I couldn’t see.
Alia put a hand on Isley’s arm. “Nobody blames you. The manager can give you in-store credit, and if she doesn’t, come find me.”
Isley threw her a grateful smile. “Thanks, Lia.”
They all started walking toward the mall. I followed a short distance behind. Janie and Trina were talking to Alia nonstop. I heard snippets of, ‘You must have been so scared,’ and ‘Of course that’s a good reason not to go to the party!’ Their acceptance that I had stopped a burglar and that was why I looked so beat up was a relief. I wondered how we would explain it healing so quickly, and had to remind myself that I had no reason to see Alia’s friends again. I was just tagging along to ensure her safety. Once the threat from the Masters was gone, I would be as well.