Werewolf Academy Book 5

by Cheree Alsop

  “I think I’ll be staying here for a while.”

  The answering smile that spread across Siale’s face let him know he had made the right decision.

  “Can’t blame you there,” Josh said, slapping Alex’s shoulder on his way to the gate.

  “I’ll walk you guys out,” Alex told them.

  They found the adults waiting with Jaze just outside the gate as the first light of dawn brushed the gray walls. By the looks of things, they had experienced an enjoyable night as well.

  “Nothing like a headlong flight followed by a firefight to get the old heart racing again,” Anders said, shaking Jaze’s hand. “It was a pleasure to meet you. Alex’s presence has been invaluable in Greyton. I’m planning to get a pack together to keep up what he started.”

  “Really?” Alex asked, amazed and relieved. The hardest part with choosing to stay at the Academy had been the thought of leaving Greyton just when he was beginning to make true difference.

  “Really,” Anders replied. “The police officers seem willing to work somewhat with werewolves if we’re fighting for the good of the city. It might be a good move all around.” He held out a hand. “You’ve given some pretty tough shoes to follow.”

  Alex shook it. “I think you’re going to manage just fine.” He nodded at the humans around them. “You have some pretty good backup.”

  “Don’t be a stranger,” Mrs. Summers said, giving Alex a hug. “Our couch and fire escape are going to miss you.”

  “And I’m going to miss your amazing cooking. I might have to catch a few Sundays,” Alex told her.

  “I sure hope you do,” she replied, her eyes glittering brightly.

  Jericho and Cherish brought up the rear of the group. Alex could have focused on their conversation to hear what they were saying to each other, but he chose to give them their privacy. Cherish’s hand held in Jericho’s said plenty. She looked as reluctant as Alex felt to have the humans leave.

  “We may have to rethink the structure of a few things,” Jaze was saying to Mrs. Summers. “It’s been nice having more humans here.”

  “You grew up with human friends, right?” she asked.

  Jaze nodded. “Some of my closest friends are still human. I hear you lost a friend who was a werewolf.”

  Mrs. Summers nodded. “I would love to find her again, though I know after everything that’s happened the odds of her being alive are slim.” Her voice fell away.

  Jaze gave her a warm smile. “Don’t worry. If she’s out there, we’ll find her. My team doesn’t know the meaning of give up.”

  “I’m glad to see where Alex has learned his determination,” Mrs. Summers replied.

  They reached the turn in the road where the cars were parked. Alex picked up his motorcycle helmet and turned it over in his hands as Jericho and Cherish parted ways.

  “Promise me you’ll come visit,” Cherish said.

  “I promise,” Jericho told her. He hesitated, then pulled her close and kissed her soundly on the lips. “That’s so you don’t forget me,” he said when he stepped back.

  Cherish’s cheeks were bright red and her smile made the morning light look dim as she stared at him. “I couldn’t forget you,” she replied, touching her fingers to her lips. “Never ever.”

  “Sounds like we’ll have more of you over to visit,” Mrs. Summers noted with a satisfied nod. She looked extremely pleased at the relationship developing between her daughter and Jericho. “You boys take care of yourselves.”

  “We will,” Alex and Jericho replied at the same time.

  Alex shoved the helmet on his head. He waited until the last of the cars had pulled back down the winding road, and then kicked his motorcycle into gear. He pulled up next to Jericho.

  “Need a ride, Romeo?”

  Jericho chuckled and climbed on the back. “There’s only one thing I can say to you,” the Alpha told him above the roar of the engine.

  “What’s that?” Alex asked curiously.

  “Thank goodness you decided to become a vigilante,” Jericho replied. “Otherwise, I would never have found Cherish.”

  Alex grinned. “You’re welcome.”

  He steered them through the gates and drove the motorcycle to Trent’s workroom. Parking it in the corner, Alex led the way through the hallway to the main Academy corridor.

  He slowed at the sight of his mother waiting with her back to him.

  “She’s been worried sick since you left,” Jericho told him quietly. “You might want to take it easy on her.”

  “Thanks for the advice,” Alex whispered.

  “No problem. Catch you later.” Jericho left Alex standing in the hallway.

  “Uh, looking for me?” Alex asked hesitantly.

  Meredith turned without a word and gave him a tight hug. She stepped back, holding him at arm’s length to look at him. “I have so much to say to you.” She paused and a small smile touched her lips. “Most of all, I’m glad you’re safe and you’ve come home. I was so worried.”

  Alex’s eyes burned. He blinked, refusing to let the sudden tears fall. “Thank you for giving me the time I needed.”

  “I’m here if you ever need to talk,” his mother said.

  “I know,” he told her. “That’s why you’re so great.”

  She gave him another hug and blinked as her own tears threatened to fall. “Go to Siale and your sister. I don’t want to keep you. I just wanted to let you know that it hasn’t been home here without you.”

  “I’m glad to be back,” Alex said honestly.

  Meredith left him at the stairs. Alex walked up them, worried about what he would find when he reached Pack Torin’s quarters. After fighting Alphas and causing dissention with the students, Alex doubted he would be Torin’s Second, let alone still have a place in the pack.

  The entire room fell completely silent when he entered. The mismatched pack Torin had been forced to choose when the normal rules of the Ceremony were changed lounged around the room in obvious discomfort. Torin stood by the fireplace and turned when the door closed behind Alex.

  Alex wondered if the Alpha would fight him or force him from the room. After beating both Torin and Boris, Alex had no idea where he stood. He might be cast away from all of them, shunned. No Gray had ever beaten an Alpha. There weren’t guidelines for what happened if one did. Maybe he had only succeeded in getting himself cast away from every place he belonged.

  Torin eyed him silently, his expression unreadable. “The toilets are dirty,” the Alpha finally said, his voice level.

  As much as Alex hated cleaning toilets, the words were as much of an acceptance as he was going to get from the Alpha. He nodded with a feeling of relief. “I’ll take care of it.” He turned away.

  “Alex.”

  He paused, hesitation making his heart stutter.

  “As my Second, you can assign the duty to someone else,” Torin concluded quietly.

  Alex fought back a smile. “It’s okay. I’ve been gone a while. I should pay my dues.”

  He swore he saw the faintest smile in return from the Lifer Alpha.

  ***

  Later that night, Jaze found him sitting at the base of Jet’s statue.

  “It’s good to have you back,” the dean said.

  “It’s nice to be here,” Alex replied. He smiled up at the stars. “Really nice. I’ve missed it.”

  Jaze leaned against the base of the statue. “You shook things up.”

  Alex nodded. “I thought it would be good for the humans to see that werewolves aren’t that bad. If they realize how much we have in common, maybe they won’t be so afraid. They did come all this way to help us.”

  “I’m grateful for the humans, and while it was a risk letting them come inside the Academy, I understand your reasons for it, but that’s not was I’m talking about.” At Alex’s look, the dean said, “I mean you beating Boris.”

  Alex took a steeling breath. “I figured that was coming.”

  Jaze tipped his head b
ack to look at the sky. “There’s no protocol for a Gray beating an Alpha, but you’ve beaten two of them.” He looked down at Alex. “If an Alpha beats an Alpha, they inherit the pack. It keeps order; a weak Alpha has no right to lead those beneath him or her. But a Gray beating an Alpha is a different matter. In all honesty, you should run both Boris and Torin’s packs.”

  Alex’s heart fell. “I don’t want to.”

  “It’s the way it should be,” Jaze said, his expression one of understanding. “In the world outside the Academy, you would have to take over. That’s the way it must be to keep order and discipline. Grays won’t follow a weak Alpha, and if you beat one, then whatever color your coat might be, instinct dictates that you are the best choice to lead.”

  Alex shook his head. “I can’t, Jaze. There’s no way I should be in charge of anyone, let alone two packs.”

  “You beat Boris in front of the entire school,” Jaze pointed out. “And Trent announced you beat Torin as well. It was obvious by Torin’s reaction that it’s true.”

  Alex had to nod in answer to the dean’s close scrutiny. “But I had to. In both instances, they attacked me. It wasn’t the other way around.”

  “There has to be consequences,” Jaze said quietly.

  Panic pierced Alex’s heart. He had to make the dean understand. There was no way he could do what Jaze was asking him to. He stood. “Jaze, I can’t lead. I’m barely together as it is. After losing Kalia and everything else that’s happened, I’m a breath away from going over the edge. That’s why I had to go to Greyton. Fighting gangs and making the streets safer was something I could do to avoid thinking about everything else.”

  He took a calming breath in an effort to slow his racing heart. “You can’t put someone in charge that isn’t fit to lead. I know my flaws. I wouldn’t make a good leader. Please don’t place me in a position where I will fail those under me. Boris and Torin are good at their jobs,” he gave a wry smile, “As hard as it is for me to admit. They should keep their positions.”

  Jaze was silent for so long Alex wasn’t sure what to think. When the dean finally spoke, his words were quiet. “Those who are the best at leading know their faults and turn them into strengths. It’s those who think they’re perfect that are the true danger.” He sighed. “I understand your concerns, and I’ll go with your wishes this once, but if you beat them again, we’re going to have a serious problem on our hands.”

  “I understand. Thank you,” Alex said.

  He listened to the dean head back to the school, relieved that he had just avoided what would possibly be the worst decision of his life.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Alex was surprised to see Jaze and Siale standing at the door to Pack Torin’s quarters later that night.

  “Ready to go back to Greyton?” the dean asked as soon as they were together in the hall.

  Alex stared at him. “Go back? Do they need me?” He met Siale’s gaze. “Are you okay with this?”

  “I’m going with you,” she replied.

  Alex’s eyebrows rose. “Okay, now I’m really confused.”

  Jaze chuckled and steered him down the stairs. “Let’s just say that we have a surprise for someone you care about.”

  Curious, Alex followed the dean to the Wolf Den. Siale walked at his side with a wide smile on her face.

  As soon as they entered the Wolf Den, Brock spun around in his chair below the monitors. Alex was a bit surprised that the human didn’t have any food, then he realized Brock had a lollipop stick protruding from the side of his mouth.

  “Are we good to go?” Jaze asked.

  “The birg flaws a menit,” Brock said around his sucker. At Jaze’s lifted eyebrow, Brock removed the lollipop and said, “The bird flies at midnight.

  Jaze shook his head with an amused look. “I have no idea what that means.”

  “Trent would know,” Brock replied. “We’ve been working on code in case Drogan manages to intercept our transmissions.”

  “We’re talking to each other in the same room,” Jaze reminded him.

  “Oh, yeah,” Brock said. “Well, in that case, yes. Everything’s a go.”

  “That would have been easier to say,” Jaze told his friend.

  “But so much less fun,” Brock replied before sticking the lollipop back in his mouth.

  Jaze led the way to the helicopter. Still unsure what was happening, Alex climbed inside only to stare at Trent in the pilot seat.

  “Now I’m sure I’m either dreaming or caught in some alternate reality where I’m about to die,” Alex said.

  Trent grinned at him. “The dean says it wouldn’t hurt to have a backup pilot. Luckily, I’m available.”

  “Should I be worried?” Siale asked.

  “Time will tell,” Professor Mouse said from the other seat.

  Trent patted the small werewolf on the shoulder. “We’ll survive this.”

  “I’ll be convinced of that when we arrive back home,” Mouse told him.

  “You’re going to enjoy it,” Trent said, putting on his headset.

  “I highly doubt that,” Mouse replied, doing the same.

  Alex and Siale pulled on their headsets also. As the rotors started up, Alex asked into the mouthpiece, “Is anyone going to tell me why we’re going back to Greyton?”

  Jaze finally took pity on him. “Remember the friend Ashley Summers asked us to find?”

  Anticipation rushed through Alex. “You found her,” he guessed.

  Jaze nodded with a smile. “We’re picking her up on our way to Greyton. She is very excited to see Ashley again and we thought surprising her would be a great idea.”

  “It’s going to be so neat,” Siale said, slipping her hand into Alex’s. “Thank you for letting me come along.”

  “We’re happy to have you with us,” Jaze told her.

  Alex knew how much finding Jacey meant to Mrs. Summers. They had lost contact during their senior year in high school, and though Mrs. Summers had looked for her, she had been unable to get in back in touch with her dear friend. Hearing that Jacey was just as excited meant they were in for a great reunion.

  Alex lifted his arm and Siale leaned against him. He sat back in the seat, content to enjoy what was proving to be one of the most relaxing flights in a helicopter given that the destination was neither life-threatening nor escaping a life-threatening situation.

  When they landed an hour later, Alex took back his earlier thought. The landing was high stress with Mouse trying to tell Trent how to land and Trent attempting to figure out a way to make it more efficient. In the end, everyone was glad when the struts hit the ground.

  A woman hurried across the lawn of the school where they had landed. “Dean Carso?”

  “Jennifer Stauffer, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Jaze said, shaking her offered hand. “This is Alex and Siale. They are students from our Academy and good friends of Ashley and Cherish Summers. They wanted to accompany us on the trip.”

  Jennifer gave Alex a hug. At his surprised look, she said, “I hear you are to thank for getting us back together. I’ve missed Ashley for years, but had to go into hiding with my family when the Alphas were getting killed. Luckily, my dad and brother escaped the hunt, but I never could find Ashley again.” Her smiled was filled with enthusiasm. “I’m so excited to see her after all this time!”

  Jaze helped her into the helicopter. She sat on the edge of her seat.

  “I’ve never been in one of these before,” she yelled into her headset as Trent prepared to take off.

  Alex winced at the volume of her voice through his earpiece. “It’s okay. We have a good pilot.”

  “Thanks,” Trent said as he maneuvered the helicopter off the ground much more smoothly than he had landed it.

  “It’s exciting,” Jennifer said at a much lower volume this time. “You all act so used to it.”

  Alex nodded. “We travel a lot. I guess you could say it’s a hobby.”

  Mouse let out a rare laugh fro
m his seat next to Trent.

  Jaze gave Jennifer an understanding smile. “Alex is a part of my rescue team. I guess you do get use to flying in one of these after a dozen or so missions.”

  “Isn’t he young to be going on missions with you?” she asked. “I’ve heard about the types of things Jaze Carso’s team has to do.”

  Jaze gave Alex an assessing look. “Normally, yes, but his experience has increased his maturity a great deal. He’s a valuable asset.”

  Jennifer smiled at Alex. “I’m glad to hear it. The more werewolves can help each other out, the better for the entire race.”

  Trent’s landing near Greyton City was much smoother.

  “Well done,” Mouse commended him quietly. “We’ll make a pilot of you yet.”

  Trent grinned from ear to ear. “We’ll see you guys when you get back,” he called. “I’m going to stay and see if we can rig this thing for a little more power.”

  “No, you’re not,” Alex heard Mouse reply as they made their way toward the waiting car.

  Jaze instructed the driver where to take them.

  “This is a beautiful city, as far as I can tell in the dark,” Jennifer said. “I’ll bet Ashley enjoys living here with her daughter.”

  “She does,” Alex answered. “It’s a lot safer than it used to be.” He felt a surge of satisfaction at the part he had played in making that come to pass.

  Siale squeezed his hand. “I’m sure they’re very grateful for their safety,” she said.

  For a moment, he was captivated by the way her smile made her gray eyes glow with happiness. Alex wondered how he had lived so long without Siale at his side. With her, he felt so complete. It was right that she was beside him on his return to the city. He vowed never to leave her behind again.

  When they pulled up to the apartment complex, Alex couldn’t stop smiling. He and Siale hurried up the steps as they had planned. They reached the third floor and Alex knocked on Cherish’s apartment door.

  Cherish opened it and her eyes widened when she saw Alex. “You’re here!” she exclaimed. She opened the door wider and saw Siale. “Siale, I’m so glad you’re here, too!” She stepped back to let them both in.