by Cheree Alsop
“Okay,” Alex quietly agreed. “I’ll do it.”
Mr. Dickson nodded. “I knew you would make the right choice.” He rose and pulled out a cell phone. “We’ll meet you out front,” he said into the receiver.
Alex followed Mr. Dickson to the hallway. He saw Henry at the top of the stairs. The manservant gave him a questioning look. Alex shrugged, feeling as confused as he no doubt appeared.
A limousine was waiting for them out front. The driver held open the door and they were helped inside. Mr. Dickson didn’t say a word during the drive. If meetings with his clients at such a late hour were unusual, he didn’t let on. Alex was left to his own thoughts as the driver made his way through the darkened streets of the city.
The car pulled to a stop near a small park lined with trees. No one was in sight. Mr. Dickson climbed out of the car when the driver opened the door, then motioned for Alex to do the same.
“Wait in the limo,” Mr. Dickson told the driver. The man nodded and retreated to his station.
Alex relished the light of the almost full moon as it settled on his shoulders like a comforting blanket, calming his nerves. A few minutes later, Alex caught the scent of several men. He watched as shadows separated from the darkness of the trees and made their way toward the pair.
“Just hold your ground,” Mr. Dickson said under his breath.
Alex didn’t know if Kalia’s father was talking to him or just thinking aloud.
“Strange time for a meeting, don’t you think?” A man wearing black slacks, a blue button-up shirt, and a black baseball hat said.
“As good a time as any,” Mr. Dickson replied.
“That’s what I told him,” an older man with wiry gray hair replied, nudging the younger one in the side.
The four men with them were huge. Alex wouldn’t have been surprised to find out they had bears in their ancestry. None of the other men spoke; they didn’t need to. It was clear by their humorless stares and crossed arms that they would mean trouble if things went other than the way their bosses wanted.
“I appreciate you coming out,” Mr. Dickson said. He handed each of the two men a piece of paper from the envelope.
“What is this?” the older man asked.
The younger one read through the page quickly. “You’re dismissing us as clients?” he exclaimed.
Mr. Dickson nodded. “It’s a matter of protocol,” he replied. “Donny Junior, you’ve skipped your parole and refused to appear in court even after I told you it was mandatory.” The older man gave the younger one a hard look. “And Donny Senior, I hear rumors that you’ve gotten more guns.”
It was clear by the older man’s silence that the rumors were true.
Mr. Dickson shook his head. “I warned you both that violation of the limits of your release terms would mean a dismissal of my services. I already put my neck on the line for you two, and you’ve thrown that away with your actions.” He pointed at the papers they held. “Those documents state exactly what I am telling you. I dismiss you from my services and I will no longer be acting as your attorney.”
Donny Senior’s face hardened. “I say when you’re done with us, Mr. Dickson, and you are not done with us.”
He motioned and the four men stepped forward. Mr. Dickson fell back behind Alex.
“I’m sorry, Adam, but I think you should reconsider your decision,” Donny Junior said.
“I don’t reconsider decisions like this, Donny. You’re too big of a risk,” Mr. Dickson replied.
“I think you might,” Donny Senior told him flatly.
The four thugs closed in. Alex raised his fists.
Donny Senior laughed. “What is this? Some kind of juvenile security in training?”
“He’s all the security I need,” Mr. Dickson replied.
One of the men reached over Alex intent on Mr. Dickson.
To Alex, time slowed.
Alex’s body fell into the training cadence Chet had worked so hard to teach the students. He bent one knee and drove his fist into the man’s groin. When the man bent over, Alex slammed both fists into the man’s back. He fell to the ground with a cry of pain.
“What is this?” Donny Senior demanded, all humor vanishing from his voice.
“Like I said,” Mr. Dickson repeated. “He’s all the security I need.”
“Finish them,” Donny Junior growled, lifting his lips to show gold-plated teeth.
“Where do you find these guys?” Alex asked.
“I’ve rethought my profession many times, believe me,” Mr. Dickson replied tightly.
The three remaining thugs crowded in.
Alex sidestepped a punch and brought both arms together in a scissor hold that snapped the man’s elbow. He dropped and spun, kicking the legs out from beneath the thug. The man landed heavily on his back. Alex jumped over him, barreling a two-legged kick into the next man’s chest. The thug fell backwards into the last man. Alex rolled when he hit the ground and came up in a defensive crouch.
The first man was back on his feet. His face twisted in rage.
“I’ll kill you!” he yelled.
The man planted his feet and swung boxing style. Alex ducked inside the man’s reach and jumped up, smashing the man’s nose with the top of his head. The thug staggered backwards as blood flowed down his face.
Another tried to pin Alex in a bear hug. He stomped down on the man’s instep, slammed his elbow into the man’s groin, ducked under his arms, and drove the same elbow into the man’s back to send him crashing to the ground.
“Alex!”
Mr. Dickson’s strained cry caught Alex’s attention. He turned in time to see the other two thugs advancing on the man. One thug held his elbow.
Alex crossed the space between them in less than a second. He jumped and spun. His foot connected with the back of both of the men’s heads before they could reach Mr. Dickson. Donny Senior’s warning cry called behind them too late. Both the thugs stumbled, then collapsed to the ground.
Alex’s heart stuttered. He landed and his knees hit the pavement. He knelt there for a moment willing his heart to cooperate.
“Alex, behind you,” Mr. Dickson warned.
Alex glanced back to see the man with the broken nose running toward him with a crowbar.
Alex caught the crowbar at the last second as it barreled toward his head. He spun to the side, using the momentum the thug had already built to drive the crowbar into the ground. He rolled over the man’s back and slammed his elbow into the side of the man’s head. The thug fell to the pavement in a motionless heap.
All four thugs were on the ground, two of them moaning and writhing in pain.
“I think we’re done here,” Mr. Dickson said, straightening his tie.
“This is bad business and you know it,” Donny Senior protested.
Mr. Dickson closed the space between them. “Bad business is getting your little gun trade noticed by the feds in the first place. Bad business is raising up your son to follow in your footsteps even though you know it’s going to get him killed.” He looked back at the fallen thugs. “Bad business is not knowing when to call it quits. Well I know when to call it quits, and you’d best be accepting my resignation this time.”
Donny Senior looked from Mr. Dickson to Alex, then back. He finally nodded and held out a hand. “Thanks for all you’ve done.”
Mr. Dickson accepted the handshake. “Just make sure it’s worth it. I don’t think any other attorney is going to save your hide if you get taken in again. Do your family a favor, Donny. Retire, and make sure Junior here does the same.” Mr. Dickson tipped his head toward the road. “Come on, Alex.”
Alex followed slowly after Mr. Dickson. Tingles ran up his spine, giving him the sensation that he was being watched. He looked back to reassure himself that the thugs were still down. It looked like the Donnys were going to have a heck of a time getting them back on their feet.
“You didn’t turn into a wolf,” Mr. Dickson noted, his attention on t
he pair of headlights coming toward them.
“You protect your family your own way, and I protect mine,” Alex replied quietly.
Both of them were silent all the way back to the house. Mr. Dickson didn’t speak again until they climbed out of the car.
“Thanks, Alex. I appreciate not having to involve Boris in this,” Mr. Dickson said.
Alex gave him a steady look. “Like you told Donny Senior, it might be time to call it quits.”
Mr. Dickson cracked an actual smile at that. He chuckled as he made his way up the steps. “Sage advice, my boy. Sage advice.” He went inside.
Alex took a few minutes to collect himself before following.
Chapter Twenty-four
Alex lay on his bed. He couldn’t sleep. Thoughts of the Academy, of Cassie, and of the fight kept circling through his head. He wanted to go home. He missed the Academy, the familiarity of the forest, being with his sister and pack, and the professors. He missed baby William, and he missed Aunt Meredith.
It was amazing to know that with Aunt Meredith there, they were no longer orphans. Jaze and Nikki had done so much for them, but there was a great difference between them and baby William. Even though Alex regarded him as a brother, he knew deep down that they didn’t share blood. Blood between werewolves was a powerful thing. It was nice knowing that he and Cassie weren’t the only ones left in their bloodline.
Aunt Meredith was so kind. It was as if she, too, felt the relief of not being alone. He felt better knowing that she and Cassie were together. Cassie also had Tennison. Alex’s heart twisted as he wondered whether she missed him as much as he missed her. She was probably busy having fun and keeping Tennison from jumping off cliffs in his sleep. Alex snorted and rolled over. If anyone could help Tennison, it was Cassie.
Someone banged on his door. Alex sat straight up.
“Alex, open the door,” Boris growled.
“Now what?” Alex muttered.
He climbed out of bed and made his way to the white panel door. He turned the lock and opened it just a crack.
“What do you want?”
Boris shoved the door open, propelling Alex back into the room.
“Think I couldn’t protect my dad?” he demanded, charging in with his eyes wild and fists clenched.
Alex held up his hands against the Alpha’s onslaught. “I was just doing what he asked me to.”
“Yeah? Did you forget that family takes care of their own?”
Boris grabbed Alex by the front of his shirt and threw him against the wall.
Alex hit the floor and came up with his fists clenched. Boris tried to grab his shirt again. Alex ducked under his hand and rolled, landing a punch to Boris’ kidney before dancing out of the way.
“I knew you shouldn’t have come here,” Boris growled, his icy blue eyes filled with fire.
He lunged. Alex jumped back, but tripped over a lamp table. Boris grabbed him by the arm and flung him into the mantle above the fireplace. Fancy vases and statues fell to the floor with a crash. Alex landed on his feet. Fire filled his limbs. He could no longer think past the red that took over his vision.
A sudden rush of strength fueled Alex’s body. An animalistic roar of rage left his mouth as he charged at Boris. The Alpha’s eyes widened as Alex rammed into him like a bull, slamming the Alpha to the ground. Alex punched Boris’ face and chest. He felt the Alpha’s nose break beneath his fist.
“Your dad wanted me to go because I’m expendable,” he shouted. “If I didn’t, he said he’d send me back to the Academy where I’m a threat to everyone I care about.” The words pounded through Alex’s chest with every beat of his heart. “He asked me to protect you. He made me fight them because he cares about you and I have no one out here.”
Alex’s heart skipped a beat before he hit Boris’ face again. He tried to lift his fist, but it refused to cooperate. Darkness swarmed his vision. His heart skipped two more beats. He slid to the ground and lay on his back, gasping and trying to will his heart to respond. The fight had been too much. After defending Mr. Dickson, then being attacked by Boris, his heart had finally had enough.
“Alex?” he heard Boris ask. The sound was muted and heavy as though it came from miles away in a fog.
Someone shook his shoulders. Alex couldn’t respond. Fingers pressed against his neck. A heavy fist slammed against his chest. Alex thought vaguely that Boris’ attempt to kill him when he was already down was a coward’s decision.
Alex’s heart gave a weak beat in response to the blow. He felt the life-giving blood surge through his body. It was all he could do to lay there and hope it would beat again. It did.
“Alex.” Boris’ voice was stronger this time.
Alex forced his eyes to open.
Boris was kneeling beside him, his blue eyes wide and blond hair a mess. Blood smeared below the Alpha’s nose where the break was already healing. Alex could feel his own injuries mending.
“Alex, are you okay?” Boris asked.
Alex took a testing breath. His heartbeat sounded normal. He nodded. “I think so.”
He tried to push himself up to a sitting position. Boris grabbed his arm and helped him.
“What was that?” Boris demanded.
Alex was quiet for a few minutes. He didn’t know how much he wanted to admit, but it was obvious he had to say something. He let out a slow breath. “My heart acts up sometimes.”
Boris silently took that in. The Alpha finally looked around the room. “We made a mess.”
“I’m surprised nobody came to see what the noise was,” Alex noted.
Boris shook his head. “They’re used to me breaking things. They probably just thought you did the same.” His voice lowered with a hint of self-loathing. “It’s safer for them not to interfere.”
“Are they afraid?”
Boris nodded without speaking.
“I should have insisted that you went with your dad instead of me,” Alex admitted.
Boris shook his head. “It sounds like my dad gave you no choice if you wanted to stay here.” True regret crossed his face. “You shouldn’t have been put in that position.”
Alex shrugged. “I didn’t mind. Sometimes it feels good to hit someone.”
Boris chuckled at that. “I know what you mean.” He gestured to Alex’s face. “You don’t look so good.”
Alex grinned, feeling blood in his teeth from when his face had hit the mantle. “You’re pretty banged up yourself. You might want to hide from the servants for a while.”
Boris laughed. “Just what I need. For them to be even more scared of me.”
“You like people being scared of you,” Alex said.
Boris nodded. “I do. It’s something I can control. Here, I am constantly reminded that I’m something to be feared, that I’m different, that I’m a monster. At least at the Academy I can be myself and not feel bad about it.”
Alex took a testing breath. He could tell that his bruised ribs were healing, but they ached with each inhalation. He glanced out the window at the almost full moon filling the air with shimmering light.
“We should go out there,” Alex said.
“Why?” Boris asked.
Alex pushed gingerly to his feet. He wavered and caught himself against the wall. He waited until his knees were mostly steady before he headed across the room. Boris followed behind without further questions.
If the servant at the door thought it odd that the two bruised and bloody boys wanted to go outside at such a late hour, they weren’t questioned. Maybe there were some benefits to the servants’ detachment from those who employed them.
Alex led the way across the well-manicured lawn to a little rise. He sat down and Boris took a seat wordlessly beside him. After a minute, Alex settled onto his back. He opened his eyes a few seconds later to see Boris with a pensive expression on his face.
“Relax,” Alex told the Alpha. “Try to enjoy something for a change.”
Boris gave a snort of humor. “I
enjoy things,” he replied.
“Right,” Alex said, closing his eyes again. “When was the last time you enjoyed something?”
He heard the Alpha lay on his back. “I enjoyed throwing you across the room.”
Alex gave a wry chuckle. “I’m sure you did.” He fell silent for a moment, then said, “You know you could have just asked me about going with your dad instead of attacking me.”
Boris was quiet so long Alex didn’t think he would respond until the Alpha finally said, “I’m sorry.”
Alex fought back a smile. He stretched out, feeing the ache in his ribs ease. “You don’t have to apologize. I think if I had a dad and he asked some stranger to go with him instead of me, I’d be pretty upset, too.”
He glanced at Boris.
The Alpha was staring up at the lowering moon. There was a hint of wistfulness on his usually guarded face when he said, “Dad needed a werewolf. For the first time in my life since I found out what I was, I could have helped him. I guess it just made me mad that he would choose you instead.”
Alex couldn’t imagine what it must feel like for someone’s own parents to despise and fear what they were. It was one thing for someone like Drogan to be fixated on wiping him from the earth; he couldn’t even begin to understand what it would feel like if that person was someone who was supposed to love and care for him unconditionally.
“I should have insisted that he take you,” Alex repeated with regret.
Boris shook his head. “It sounds like he gave you an ultimatum.” He cracked a smile. “My dad sure likes his ultimatums.”
Alex nodded. “He sure does.” He sat up.
“Feel better?” Boris asked, eyeing him uncertainly as he sat up, too.
Alex stretched his arms out gingerly. “Yeah. Moonlight works wonders.”
Boris glanced over at the orb that was almost lost behind the mountains on the horizon. “It does. I forget it sometimes.”
The silence that settled over them was companionable. Crickets chirruped in the night that was much warmer than in the mountains where the Academy lay. Thoughts of Cassie and the place they had learned to call home filled him with longing. He remembered the cell phone Jaze had given him before he left.
