Werewolf Academy Book 4: Taken (13 page)

Chapter Fifteen

“Hungry?”

Alex sat up in surprise at the sound of Siale’s voice. She smiled at him. “Torin let me in. He said you could probably use some food right now.”

“Torin said that?” Alex asked. The thought amazed him. “And he let you into our quarters?”

“Is that against the rules?” Siale looked suddenly worried. “Do I need to go?”

Alex caught her hand before she could turn away. He sat up and took the plate she held in her other hand.

“Please have a seat,” he offered.

He moved off the bed and sat on the floor with his back against the wall. Perching the plate on his knees, he took a bite of the fried chicken. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until he swallowed. He scooped up a spoonful of mashed potatoes and put it in his mouth.

“This tastes amazing,” he said, remembering to swallow before he spoke with his mouth full.

She smiled. “Healing makes you hungry.” Her eyebrows pulled together. “How’s your back?”

Alex rolled his shoulders. “Feels fine. It’s good to be a werewolf.”

Her smile deepened. “Yes, it is.”

She studied him as he ate. He could feel her gaze traveling from his face to his hands. He slowed his movements and glanced up at her. She looked so beautiful sitting on the edge of his bed, her wavy brown hair hanging down in front of her shoulders, and her soft gray eyes filled with curiosity.

“What is it?”

She shook her head. “I probably shouldn’t ask.”

Alex set his plate on the carpet and knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. She watched him with a mixture of humor and concern.

It felt so important to him that she understood. “Siale, you can ask me anything and I will tell you. I promise.”

She watched him for a minute as though debating what to say. Her eyes left him and looked at the carpet. “I’ve never seen anyone fight like you do.”

Alex caught her chin gently with his fingers and tipped her face up so she would meet his eyes. “How do I fight?” he asked quietly.

“Like you have nothing to lose,” she whispered.

The pain in the depths of her gray eyes made Alex’s heart skip a beat. He took a breath, trying to steady it. “I fight that way because I have everything to lose,” he told her. “When the General attacks, my thoughts are filled with you, Cassie, Mom, Jaze, Kalia, and the others here at the Academy. I know that if I don’t give everything, someone I love could get hurt or worse.”

“But you get hurt and that doesn’t bother you.”

“Because I’ve been through worse,” Alex said honestly. “Physical pain doesn’t hurt as badly as watching my parents die or holding you in that body pit. Physical pain doesn’t make me feel like I’m going crazy because no sane person should go through those things.”

“Is that why you turned into what you did back there?” Siale asked softly.

Alex was quiet for a minute, then he nodded. “I think so. I think if I can stop the horrible stuff from happening, I can figure it out in my mind. When I’m not strong enough, the beast comes out and I can save my loved ones.”

Siale set her hand on his cheek. He covered it with his own.

“What about Kalia?”

Cold rushed through Alex’s body. “What about her?” He searched Siale’s gaze. There was no jealousy there, only curiosity and a touch of sadness.

“I can tell she cares a lot about you, and you said her name when you were listing the people you protect here.”

Alex kept ahold of her hand. He knew he could be treading deep water broaching the subject, but Siale had asked, and he had promised to always tell her the truth.

He let out a small breath. “I used to really care about Kalia. I thought she was the one, and it confused me because I didn’t feel quite the way they described it. She came here as a werewolf who couldn’t phase, and for a long time I was her only friend.”

“And now?” Siale asked when he grew silent.

Alex studied the checkered blanket on his bed. “Now, I don’t feel that way at all. I think of her as a friend, but she still feels like I’m her one. She’s convinced that if she can just keep reminding me how she feels, maybe I’ll go back to the way I was before.”

“Is there a possibility of that happening?” A slight hint of apprehension touched Siale’s voice.

Alex met her gaze, his own serious. “There’s no way. You own my heart, Siale. It’s been yours since I found you in that pit. I knew from the moment I heard you speak that we were supposed to be together.” A hint of a smile touched his lips. “That might be forward, but it’s the truth, every bit of it. You are my one. Kalia will always be my friend, but just that.”

Siale looked at him for a long moment, the depths of her eyes unreadable. She finally gave him a small, warm smile. “Thank you for telling me,” she said. She kissed him softly on the forehead.

He closed his eyes at the feeling of her lips on his skin. Warmth rushed from her touch. He couldn’t help but smile as he sat back.

“I could get used to that,” he said.

The warmth in her eyes as he picked up the plate again to finish his meal was better than any full stomach.

She took his plate with her when she left. Alex was about to return to his room when the door to Pack Torin’s quarters flew open.

“I’ve got it!

The excitement on Torin’s face filled Alex with trepidation.

“Got what?” he asked warily.

“I’ve figured out how to make Kalia fall in love with me!”

“Okay,” Alex replied, wondering why the Alpha was telling him. “How?”

“You are going to help me.”

Alex shook his head quickly. “I’ve already messed up enough things with Kalia. I don’t want to be involved.”

Before he could move, Torin grabbed the front of his shirt and pinned him against the wall. “You’re going to help me.”

“You know there are better ways of getting results than bullying someone,” Alex protested, the collar of his shirt tight around his throat.

“Jaze takes you on some of his rescue missions, right?”

What Alex didn’t respond, Torin shook him like a terrier with a rat. “Right?” the Alpha shouted.

Alex wanted to attack Torin. He wanted to end the bullying right then and there, starting with a fist to the Alpha’s thick jaw. His hands clenched.

A hint of desperation came into Torin’s angry green eyes. He lowered Alex just a bit. “Look, Alex. I don’t know of any other way. I can’t think of life without her. She barely even looks at me, and when she does, it’s like she’s looking at scum from the bottom of Cook Jerald’s sink. I can’t take it anymore.”

Seeing the Alpha’s walls lower broke something inside of Alex. He wasn’t Kalia’s mate. The way he felt was all too certain. If he had somehow stood in the way of Kalia seeing Torin for his true self, maybe he could do something to help.

“Okay,” Alex gave in. “What do you want me to do?”

“Let me go on a mission with you.”

Alex shook his head quickly. “I don’t think Jaze would appreciate me picking my own team members.”

“Sure he will. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. You and Cassie are Jaze and Nikki’s golden children. You can’t do anything wrong if you tried. How many times have you been suspended?”

“None,” Alex admitted, though he was sure there were circumstances that definitely could have used such a punishment.

“Exactly,” Torin replied. “Just get me on one of your missions, and if Kalia’s in trouble, I’ll be the one to save her. It’s that easy.”

“I’m not sure anything’s that easy,” Alex mumbled.

“What was that?” Torin demanded, tightening his grip on Alex’s shirt.

“I said fine,” Alex replied. He tore Torin’s hand away. “Would it hurt you to have an actual conversation instead of bullying people into accepting your way? Maybe that would appeal to Kalia.”

Torin gave him a skeptical look. “You think?”

“Yeah,” Alex said, rubbing his throat. “It couldn’t hurt.”

“I consider it,” the Alpha replied. “But it might be pushing things a bit too far.”

***

“We thought we’d find you out here.”

Alex smiled when Cassie’s face blocked his view of the stars.

“This is the best place at this school,” he said.

“Especially since your living space is filled with members of Pack Torin?” Trent asked, sitting down next to the statue.

“It’s not that bad,” Alex told them. He sat up next to Trent. “It just makes me appreciate you guys that much more.”

“All of us?” Kalia’s voice made Alex’s heart turn over.

“All of you,” he said, trying to keep the smile on his face.

His friends took seats around him. Cassie leaned against Tennison’s shoulder near the statue while Terith and Kalia sat facing the others.

“What’s it like being Torin’s Second?” Terith asked.

Alex thought about it for a moment. “Well, I’m getting really good at scrubbing toilets.”

“That’s not what Seconds are for,” Kalia said grumpily. “If you’d waited to be on my pack, I wouldn’t make you do that.”

Alex saw Cassie’s downcast gaze. Knowing Kalia would have chosen him as Second over his sister definitely hurt her feelings. Alex thought quickly for a change of subject. “So, um, everyone ready for football? Sounds like we’re getting serious tomorrow.”

“No one should want to be the quarterback,” Trent pointed out. “He’s the target. It’s like being the elk that’s limping and bleeding. Everyone’s going to be after you.”

“Yeah, that’d be stupid,” Alex said.

Trent’s eyes narrowed at his tone. “Wait. You want to be the quarterback, don’t you?”

Alex shrugged as if it didn’t matter. “I can throw and I’m quick.”

“Tennison’s quick,” Cassie said. “But he doesn’t want to be the quarterback.”

“No way,” her boyfriend replied. “Not happening. I would rather catch than throw, and I’d worry about wolfing-out if I got tackled.”

Alex smiled. “Wolfing-out?”

Tennison nodded seriously. “Think about it. Your instincts are going to kick in with all that adrenaline. Especially if you get rushed and five guys are chasing you down. It’s going to take some real self-control to keep calm in that type of a situation.”

“If anyone finds out this school is a werewolf academy, the Extremists will be here for sure,” Cassie agreed. “Don’t do it, Alex.”

Alex feigned a surprised look. “Who says I’m going to do it?”

“I’ve known you since the day you were born,” his sister said. “You can’t pass up an opportunity to push the limits.”

“And we don’t want you to get into a bad situation,” Kalia said. She set a hand on Alex’s knee. “You could get hurt.”

Alex shifted uncomfortably, but Kalia refused to drop her hand. He met Tennison’s gaze. “You said it’s going to take some real self-control, right?”

Tennison nodded.

“Think about it,” Alex continued. “What happens to Torin in this situation?” He looked at Kalia. “Or Boris? What happens if one of our extremely explosive, highly instinct-driven Alphas becomes the quarterback? If they phase, not only will they give away our secret, but I have no doubt human students will be injured as well.” Alex drew up on his knees and Kalia’s hand slid away. “I want to protect this school. I have self-control, and I think I’ve proven it plenty of times.” He met each of their gazes. The werewolves around him nodded one at a time.

Trent let out a slow breath. “Alex is the only one I would trust out there.”

“Me, too,” Terith agreed.

Cassie finally gave in. “Do what you need to,” she said. “Just be careful.”

“I will,” Alex promised. “First I’ve got to win the position.”

A grin spread across Trent’s face. He unzipped the backpack Alex hadn’t noticed he had been wearing. To his surprise, the small werewolf pulled out a football. “Well, let’s get practicing.”

“You knew it was going to come down to this, didn’t you?” Alex asked, rising.

Trent shrugged. “I’m not your best friend for nothing.”

Alex laughed and caught the ball the werewolf threw to him. “If you’re going to be one of my receivers, you’d better work on those hands.”

Trent’s eyes widened. “You are not getting me onto that field.”

Alex smiled. “Tennison’s got speed and agility, and you’re the smartest werewolf I know. I need you both out there in case something does go wrong.”

Trent sighed. “Fine, but if Torin wins the quarterback position, I quit.”

Alex grinned and threw him the football.

Chapter Sixteen

“Tight spirals aren’t all I’m looking for,” Coach Vance said as he walked down the row of students who had shown up for quarterback tryouts. “You need accuracy, the ability to make snap decisions, and reliability. If your team can’t count on you, I can’t count on you.”

Alex threw the ball and nailed Tennison in the middle of his short route.

“Nice,” Vance commented. “Just watch your werewolf strength. It looks too easy.”

“It needs to look hard?” Boris asked from a few places down the line.

“If you’re throwing the football eighty yards and it looks like you put in the effort of tossing it five, we’re going to have a problem,” the coach explained, his tone dry. “We need realism here. Strength proves nothing. You all have strength. I need someone who can look like a quarterback as well as throw. You might have to pull a few punches once in a while.”

“That makes no sense,” Torin muttered. “Who pulls punches?”

Vance snorted. “It means act. I need you guys to learn how to act. If you take a hit, act like it hurt. If someone hits you, let it throw you off balance like it would a human.”

“Great,” Sid complained. “Not only do we have to learn about them, we have to act like them, too.”

Vance stopped behind the student. The coach’s hulking stature made the huge werewolf look like a tiny kid. “You’re done, Sid. Take a hike.”

“But—”

Vance shook his head. “You should know by now the value of humans. I don’t like your tone and I don’t want you on my team.”

“Good,” Sid snapped. “I didn’t want to be on your stupid football team anyway.”

Coach Vance’s face took on a look of such anger that the students closest to him backed away. Alex didn’t know if Vance would attack Sid for being snide. It took a few seconds for the professor to regain visible control of his emotions.

“Leave, now,” Vance finally barked.

Sid ran across the huge expanse of lawn along the side of the Academy that made up the practice field. Alex doubted the werewolf would stop running until he reached his bedroom.

“The rest of you, throw,” Vance barked.

Tennison completed another route. Alex ran forward a few steps as though he needed it for momentum and threw the ball in a tight spiral. He leaned into the throw even though he could have done it without moving at all.

“You look like a dork,” Boris commented while a few of the others laughed.

“Yeah, we’ll he’s a dork with a job.” Vance gave him a rare smile. “Alex, you’ve got the position until you screw it up and I give it to someone else.”

“Uh, thanks?” Alex replied. With the glares he was receiving from the rest of the werewolves, he wasn’t sure the position was much of an honor.

“The rest of you will be divided into defensive and offensive teams. I expect you to practice on your off time as well as on this field.” Coach Vance gave the group of them a hard look. “We have our first game in a week. Make practice count.”

“One week!” Trent squeaked as soon as the professor was out of earshot. “Is he kidding?”

“I don’t think Coach Vance has kidded a day in his life,” Tennison replied.

Alex felt the weight of the team on his shoulders. “Let’s get to work.”

Boris was in front of him in an instant. Kalia’s huge brother had to duck his head to look Alex in the face. He glared. “Just because you’re the quarterback doesn’t mean you get to start giving orders, Stray.”

“Yes, it does.”

Everyone stared at Torin in surprise. The Lifer Alpha crossed his arms. “Alex is our quarterback and my Second. What he says on this field goes.”

It appeared for a moment as though Boris was about to challenge Torin. His jaw clenched so tight it looked like the vein in the side of his neck was going to pop out of his skin. Finally, the huge Alpha took a calming breath. “Fine,” he growled. “But if your Second steps out of line off this field, he gets to answer to me.”

“And me,” Torin replied calmly. He looked at Alex. “Where should we start?”