by Cheree Alsop
“I-I’ll go get them. J-just wait here,” Taden stuttered.
Alex paced at the top of the stairs. Every step hurt. Blood slicked his sides. The knife blade that had stabbed the back of his shoulder had slipped free when he phased, but he could feel blood seeping out with every heartbeat. He needed the silver cleaned from the wound before it would close.
Taden pulled the door open and shoved the young boy and girl through. Both had tear streaks down their cheeks and looked completely terrified.
“Good luck getting them back,” Taden snarled. “There’s a whole lot of Saa to walk through before you get to safety.”
Alex lunged at the door. Taden shut it so fast Alex had the satisfaction of listening to the gang leader fall down the stairs. He let out a string of curses when he hit the bottom.
Alex knew he didn’t have much time before Taden’s gang retaliated. He approached the children slowly, worried about frightening them further.
“You’re the Demon,” the boy, Jake, said. “We saw you on the news.”
At her brother’s words, Marnie approached Alex. He held still when she set a hand on his nose. He licked her fingers and she giggled. Alex sniffed both children over quickly and was relieved to smell that they were unharmed. He pushed the boy with his nose, urging them forward. To his relief, they fell in on either side of him, as anxious as he was to get clear of the Red Dagger hideout.
The boy pulled the front door open and Alex limped out. The dark streets felt foreboding as though every gang member within the Saa watched the Demon limp injured and bleeding down the road with two children to protect. He knew it was only a matter of time before Taden rallied his men. They had to get through the Saa as quickly as possible.
Alex crouched next to the girl.
“What is he doing?” Marnie asked her brother.
Alex motioned with his head.
“I think he wants you to get on,” Jake guessed.
Alex snorted in agreement.
Marnie swung her little legs over Alex’s back. He rose, biting back a groan. His heart skipped a beat at the pain. Alex pushed himself into a trot. Marnie buried her hands in his fur, holding on tight. Jake ran at Alex’s side, his little fist keeping hold of Alex’s fur.
They were almost to the end of the Saa when Alex heard the motorcycles. He pushed harder, but the gang rounded the street a few blocks in front of the trio, cutting off their escape. There was no way Alex would make it past with the kids. He crossed to the edge of an alley and crouched for Marnie to slide off. Alex herded the brother and sister close to the building.
“We’ll stay here,” Jake said.
Alex was filled with gratitude for the brave little boy. He crossed to the sidewalk, waiting for the gang members who barreled down at them.
Moonlight fell on Alex’s shoulders. He closed his eyes for a brief second, taking strength from the healing warmth of the light. The sound of a motorcycle jumping the curb touched his ears. He opened his eyes and leaped.
Alex hit the rider dead on, barreling him backwards off the motorcycle. He glanced back in time to see the bike hit the wall a few feet from the twins. Jake and Marnie huddled deeper in the alley. The four other riders parked their motorcycles along the street, advancing on the werewolf together.
“Taden said five grand for any who bring back the wolf’s head,” the man on the farthest right said. “Two more if we bring the kids.”
“He’s already hurt. Look at the blood,” another commented.
Alex snarled so fiercely they stopped in their tracks. He wouldn’t let the men take the kids back to Taden. He didn’t know what the gang leader wanted with them, but he doubted the man would return them to their father unharmed.
“Go for it, Nick,” one of the others urged.
“Cowards,” Nick replied. He walked forward. Alex’s heart fell when the man withdrew a gun from the waist of his pants. “I’ll make it quick,” Nick promised, aiming the weapon at Alex’s head.
Blue touched Alex’s vision. He morphed as he ran forward so fast Nick didn’t have a chance to pull the trigger. His claws caught Nick in the chest, digging deep before he threw the man over the heads of the others and into the motorcycles. Alex crossed to the other gang members in three strides. He picked up two of the men and slammed them together, then dropped them motionless to the ground. He grabbed the last man by the throat, lifting him high in the air.
He had to fight back the urge to snap the man’s neck. His heart thundered in his ears and the throb of his wounds made him want to curl in a corner somewhere away from everyone who seemed so determined to hurt him.
A sob of fear caught his ears. Alex remembered that the twins were watching. He drove his forehead against the man’s, knocking him unconscious. Alex let the man fall to the ground. He stumbled backwards, dropping to his knees. The strength faded from his limbs as he returned back to wolf form. He struggled to catch his breath.
A hand touched his shoulder. He raised his head and met Marnie’s gaze. The little girl watched him with tears in her eyes.
“We want to go home,” Jake said from his sister’s side.
Alex crouched and the girl climbed onto his back once more. Alex willed his feet to move. Jake walked at his side, his hand shaking where it touched the werewolf’s fur.
Chapter Fourteen
Alex felt a rush of relief when they left the Saa and crossed onto Greyton’s safer streets. No one moved on the roads at the late hour. Alex’s strength was waning. He didn’t know how much more he could ask of Jake and Marnie. Mrs. Summers would help get them back to their father if he could make it to the apartment complex.
By sheer strength of will, Alex made it to the alley below the fire escape. He crouched, letting Marnie slide to the ground.
“Where are we?” Jake asked, his voice quiet.
Alex couldn’t get in the building in wolf form, and he didn’t want to phase in front of the kids in case it scared them. He was still bleeding and he needed help.
He raised his muzzle to the waning moon. Closing his eyes, Alex let out a howl that echoed up the sides of the buildings around them. The voice of the wolf carried through the streets. The faint talking of people in the apartments around them ceased and dogs began to bark. Alex heard a window above him slide up.
“Alex?” Cherish said. Her voice lifted. “Mom, he’s brought back Jake and Marnie!”
Alex sank to the ground on his haunches as footsteps rushed downstairs. The door to the apartment building was thrown open. The twins huddled close to Alex. He could smell their fear from everything they had gone through.
Cherish appeared at the corner with Mrs. Summers close behind.
“Jake! Marnie!” Cherish exclaimed.
They ran to her. Marnie began to cry as soon as Cherish picked up the little girl.
“Are you hurt?” Cherish asked, staring at the blood along her arms and legs.
Marnie shook her head. “The wolf’s bleeding. He carried me.”
“Bad men took us,” Jake told her. “They were going to hurt us. The wolf saved us.”
“He’s a brave wolf,” Mrs. Summers said, meeting Alex’s gaze where he rested his head on his paws. Her eyebrows pulled together. “Alex, are you alright?”
Alex nodded. He needed them to leave so he could phase and assess his wounds. Instinct forbade him from revealing weaknesses he could avoid. He rose to his feet and gave his tail a slow wave.
“We’ll get them inside and be back down,” Cherish said, her gaze was filled with worry.
As soon as they left, Alex forced his body to phase. He gritted his teeth so hard to keep from crying out at the pain as the lacerations pulled and reopened that his jaw ached when he made it to human form. He fumbled for the clothes he kept stashed beneath the fire escape and pulled them on.
It took considerable effort, but Alex made it to Cherish’s landing on the fire escape. The lighting was better for surveying his wounds. He settled slowly to a seated position.
&
nbsp; Inside, he could hear Mrs. Summers on the phone.
“Yes, he brought them back. They’re here! They’re okay. I’ll tell them. See you soon.”
He rested his head against the wall for a moment as he fought to catch his breath.
“Alex?” Cherish called from below.
Alex gathered his strength and leaned over the edge of the landing.
“Up here,” he said quietly.
“How did you...never mind,” Cherish replied. He heard her pull down the lowest ladder and begin the climb. “There’s blood on these rungs, Alex.”
Alex opened his eyes again when he heard her reach the landing. Her breath caught at the sight of him.
“Oh, Alex,” she exclaimed, dropping to her knees next to him.
“It’s not as bad as it looks,” he said. “I just need help cleaning the silver from the wounds so they’ll heal.”
“Let’s get you inside. I have our first aid kit and...”
Alex shook his head. “Wait until David gets the kids. I don’t want you and your mother getting found with a werewolf in the house.”
“He’s just going to be relieved the twins are safe,” Cherish protested. “You don’t have to worry.”
But Alex refused to give in. “I won’t have you getting in trouble for me.”
They heard Mrs. Summers open the door for David. The sounds of the twins’ sobs and their father’s reassurances filled Alex with happiness. He would gladly go through it all again if it meant returning the kids home safely.
“They’re gone,” Mrs. Summers said from the window above them. “David is so grateful. I don’t know how you did it, but...Alex?” Her eyes widened when she got a better look at the condition Alex was in.
“I just need to sleep,” he said. “It looks a lot worse than it is. The moonlight will help me heal.”
“Let’s get you inside,” Mrs. Summers said.
Cherish helped Alex stand. A sharp throb pierced Alex’s back where the knife had stabbed him. He winced and fought back a grimace at the pain.
“I’ve got you,” Mrs. Summers told him as she helped him duck through the window.
Alex fell to his knees on the kitchen floor. They tried to help him up, but he motioned them away.
“I’m alright,” he said, his voice tight. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Alex, you’re hurt,” Cherish told him. “We’re here to help you.”
With Mrs. Summers’ assistance, Alex shrugged out of the zippered hoodie he had pulled on.
“Oh, Alex,” Cherish exclaimed at the sight of the wounds and scars covering Alex’s torso.
“I told you I’ve been through worse,” Alex said, forcing a tight smile.
“What can we do to help?” Mrs. Summers asked.
Alex studied the wounds down his chest. “Do you see the silver shards?” At her nod, he continued, “They need to be cleaned out before the wounds can close.”
“It’s going to hurt,” Cherish said.
Alex gave her a reassuring look. “It’s alright. I’m used to pain.”
“Where do you want us to start?” she asked.
“The deepest one is at the back of my shoulder.” Alex turned so they could see his back. He heard both of them gasp. He was glad he couldn’t see what it looked like. “Is there any silver in it?”
“Yes,” Cherish said tightly. “Let me get my bag.”
A few minutes later found Alex leaning forward while Cherish dug for silver shards in the wounds. He kept still despite the bite of the tweezers as she pulled bits of silver from the brittle knives.
“Who thought to make knives that would break like this?” Mrs. Summers asked. She handed Alex a cup of water.
“Men with a severe dislike for werewolves,” Alex answered; his teeth were sore from clenching them together so hard in his determination to keep silent.
A knock sounded on the door. Alex’s muscles tensed and he held perfectly still, his senses straining.
“Alex?” Mrs. Summers asked.
“Answer it,” he replied. He turned slowly so that he could face the hallway. Where they sat in the rectangle of moonlight cast by the window, they couldn’t see the front door, but anyone intent on attacking would rush straight down the hall.
Voices spoke for a moment. “Cherish?” Mrs. Summers called.
Cherish met Alex’s gaze.
“If it’s the police, turn me in. It’s the only way you’ll be spared,” Alex told her levelly.
Cherish hesitated, then nodded before making her way up the hall to her mother.
Alex was exhausted. He could barely keep his eyes open despite the danger. Phasing, fighting, and morphing had taken a toll on his heart. Sitting in the moonlight helped, but it was all Alex could do to keep his eyes open. Cherish and her mother had removed most of the silver shards. Alex didn’t know how much more he could stay conscious for.
He forced his eyes open again at the sound of Cherish’s footsteps.
“It’s Tanner. They heard the howl, your howl. There are others wondering what’s going on.” Cherish’s green gaze took on a deeper depth of worry. “Alex, are you okay?”
Alex tried to give her a reassuring smile, but couldn’t muster the energy. “I need to sleep. I’ll heal.” He leaned against the wall. A detached part of his mind noted that he was going to leave blood on the wallpaper.
“I’ll get you a blanket and we can move you to the couch,” Cherish said.
Alex shook his head, his eyes drooping shut. “The moonlight...is better.”
He had no choice but to give in to the heaviness that consumed him.
***
Soft voices broke through Alex’s thoughts. His heartbeat began to race. He took a deep breath, willing it to slow. He tried to remember where he was and what had happened. He could smell blood, but only faintly. Within it, the scent of silver burned his nose. The smell jolted his memory to the Saa and fighting Taden’s men. He remembered carrying Marnie and battling the gang members on the motorcycles. They had made it back to Cherish’s, but just barely. Alex opened his eyes.
He sat up so fast his head swam. The sound of dozens of voices came from the hallway. Alex scrambled so that his back was against the wall below the window. He could reach the fire escape. He could get away.
“Alex, it’s okay!”
Cherish’s voice broke through the fog in his mind. Alex blinked, trying to focus. He had one hand on the window and the other holding his ribs that ached with the sudden movement.
“I told you it was a bad idea,” Tanner said, coming into the room behind her. “You’ve got to give him some space.”
“I’m sorry, Alex,” Cherish said. “Everyone was so worried about you. They wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Alex willed his heart to slow. He focused on Cherish’s face, then Tanner’s.
“You helped all of them,” Cherish explained, gesturing to the voices spilling down the hall. “When they heard you howl, they wanted to make sure you were alright. They want to show their support.”
“You don’t have to get up,” Tanner said, his voice apologetic. “We can tell them to leave.”
He turned to do just that.
Alex took a calming breath and rose to his feet using the windowsill for assistance. “No. It’s okay.”
Tanner hesitated near the hallway. “Are you sure?”
Alex nodded. “They came to check on me. That should count for something. I should be grateful they care.”
Tanner hurried to his side and ducked under his arm. As much as Alex would have preferred not to have help, he had only slept for perhaps an hour and his wounds were still raw.
“Thanks,” he told the teenager quietly.
“Don’t mention it,” Tanner replied. “Thanks to you, Sarah’s home. Ask for anything and it’s yours.”
“You’re changing things, Alex. You’re not just the Demon anymore,” Cherish said, her voice warm. “You’ve made an impact on everyone in Greyton. You’r
e changing it for good.”
The truth of Cherish’s words was apparent when Alex stepped into the hallway. Boys and girls of all ages looked up at Alex’s appearance. Faces were filled with gratitude and tears showed in many eyes. Alex was suddenly conscious of the bruises, healing wounds, and scars that covered his bare torso. He wished he had thought to throw on a shirt.
The crowd parted and the blonde girl from the back of the truck at the Fivers’ stepped forward. “I’m home thanks to you,” Abby said. She crossed to Alex and gave him a gentle hug. “I was so scared,” she whispered so only he could hear. “I was afraid they were going to kill me.”
“You were very brave,” Alex replied.
She stepped back, her eyes damp and a big smile on her face. “You helped me be brave,” she said.
“Does it hurt?”
Alex looked down to see a little boy close to Jake’s age standing near the door. He held the hand of an older student Alex recognized from a gas station when he had prevented a robbery.
Alex crouched gingerly so that he was eye level with the boy. “What was that?” he asked.
The boy pointed at his chest. “Does it hurt?”
Alex smiled. “Only when I breathe.”
The boy smiled back, his brown eyes huge in his little face. The boys and girls around them smiled, too.
“You helped Jeffy get home,” the little boy said, looking up at his older brother.
The boy held out a hand. Alex stood and shook it. “Glad I could help.”
“He had a gun to my head,” the teenager said. The shock of what he had been through was still audible in his words. “You jumped the counter and took him down without even hesitating. He could have killed you.”
“If I hesitated, he would have killed you,” Alex said, remembering.
The boy nodded. “I owe you my life.”
Alex shook his head. “I did what I did because I could. We can all make a difference, even if it’s just in the way we treat people. Just remember that werewolves aren’t as bad as we seem.”
