by Cheree Alsop
She laughed and leaned against him as they made their way into the school.
“Alex, Jericho,” Cherish called when they walked inside the door. She hurried through the students and gave Alex a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here!”
She stepped back and gave Jericho a shy smile. “You, too.”
The Alpha’s mouth had dropped open at her appearance. “You look so beautiful.”
Cherish smoothed a hand down the waist of her red silk dress. “You don’t think it’s too much?”
Jericho shook his head. “It’s perfect. You are absolutely perfect.” He took her hand and she led him through the staring students.
“Come on in,” Tanner said, stepping through the crowd with Sarah at his side. “We’ll show you around.”
Alex felt nervous at the thought of walking through so many students who stared at him and the other werewolves as if they were afraid of being attacked. He glanced back at Jaze. The dean gave him a small smile and nodded his head as if to say take the chance.
Alex gave his friends a reassuring smile and followed Tanner and Sarah.
About halfway through the students, a hand touched his shoulder. Alex glanced back and recognized Amber, the very first girl he had rescued in his search to free Sarah. Without a word, Amber threw her arms around his neck and gave him a tight hug. He felt her tears soak his shirt.
“Thank you so much,” she said.
“I’m glad I could help,” Alex told her.
She stepped back and wiped her eyes. “I didn’t know if I would get a chance to thank you. I was so scared that day that I didn’t even think about it, and I’ve regretted it ever since. You were so brave.”
“If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know if the other girls would have followed me.” He smiled at her. “I can be a little scary, and you were the brave one.”
“You were amazing,” she said. She smiled at him and Siale. “Have a fun night. I’m so glad you’re here.”
They made their way through the students to the gymnasium that had been decorated as a dance hall. Music was already playing. Tanner led Sarah to the floor. Jericho and Cherish followed.
“Shall we?” Alex asked Siale
“I’ve never danced before,” she replied with a hint of nervousness.
Alex grinned. “Me, neither. At least we’ll make it a night to remember.”
She laughed and accepted his offer. Together, they found a place on the floor and began to sway to the music. After a few awkward minutes passed, other couples joined them; soon the gymnasium was filled with couples enjoying the music. It stopped being human and werewolves. Students stopped caring whether they bumped into each other or brushed elbows during the dance. Everyone was on the same page, couples enjoying their first prom. Alex was grateful the humans had dared to invite the werewolf students to experience it with them.
Alex and Siale eventually made their way to the group of decorated round tables where the other werewolves relaxed. To his surprise, human students had joined them.
“How does it feel to change into a wolf?” a student asked Pip.
“We call it phasing,” Pip explained, “And it’s awesome!”
Several students smiled.
“Do you like being a wolf better or a human?” a girl asked Cassie.
Cassie met Alex’s gaze and smiled. “I like them both. Sometimes I think werewolf boys act more like animals.”
The girls around her laughed.
“All boys are animals,” another confessed.
“Hey!” her date replied as he returned with a cup of punch.
“Did you bring me one?” she asked.
“No,” he replied, sounding confused.
The girl gave a dramatic sigh and the others girls laughed.
“They require a bit of training,” she explained.
Cassie set her hand on Tennison’s. “Some werewolves are gentlemen, I have to admit. Tennison took me on a moonlit walk through the forest the other night. It was romantic.”
The other girls around her peppered her with questions.
“I guess things are going well,” Alex told Siale, leading her to a seat.
“Better than we hoped,” she replied with a smile that filled her eyes.
“I’ll go get you some punch.”
“Be careful.” At his questioning look, she said, “I’ve heard drinks get spiked at dances like this. Use your nose.”
He chuckled. “You’re probably the only girl telling her guy to use his nose.”
He made his way through the crowd with the sound of students laughing and mingling filling his ears.
“How are things going?” Nikki asked from near the concessions table.
“Great,” Alex told her. “Everyone seems to be having a good time.”
“Thanks to you,” Jaze said. “You did a good job.”
Alex smiled at the dean’s praise.
He was reaching for two cups of punch when Jaze said, “Your friend Officer Dune is patrolling out back. He said to send you by to say hello if you get the chance.”
“Will do,” Alex promised. He reached for the drinks again, then paused. Instinct tickled at the back of his mind. On impulse, Alex turned toward the door.
“Is everything okay?” Jaze asked.
Alex nodded. “Just figured I would say hello now.” He stepped through the door and made his way down the hallway that echoed the commotion of the dance just beyond.
Alex shoved open the closest door and stepped out into the cool night air. Making his way silently along the school wall, Alex paused at the corner. He could make out the form of Officer Dune standing alone behind the building.
He walked up to the officer with a smile. “I heard you wanted to talk to me, Officer Dune?”
The officer turned at the sound of Alex’s voice. He gave a small smile. The sound of a silenced gun being fired met Alex’s ears the same time that something buried into his chest, forcing him back a few steps with the impact. Alex looked down and his eyes widened at the sight of a strange dart protruding from the front of his tuxedo. He glanced up and saw a gun in the officer’s hand.
“Sorry, Alex. Money talks,” Officer Dune said.
About the Author
Cheree Alsop has published over 25 books, including two series through Stonehouse Ink. She is the mother of a beautiful, talented daughter and amazing twin sons who fill every day with joy and laughter. She is married to her best friend, Michael, the light of her life and her soulmate who shares her dreams and inspires her by reading the first drafts and giving much appreciated critiques. Cheree is currently working as an independent author and mother. She enjoys reading, riding her motorcycle on warm nights, playing with her twin boys while planning her next book, and rocking out as the bass player of her husband’s band.
Cheree and Michael live in Utah where they rock out, enjoy the outdoors, plan great adventures, and never stop dreaming.
You can find Cheree’s other books at www.chereealsop.com
If you liked this book, check out
Werewolf Academy Book 6: Vengeance