Werewolf Academy Book 6: Vengeance (21 page)

Chapter Twenty-five

“Just forget about everything else,” Brooks told Alex as they rode the waves. “Nothing exists but you and the ocean.”

“It’s a perfectly symbiotic relationship between two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen, and a werewolf who wants to fly across the surface of the world.” Jerry trailed his fingers through the water. “Be free, brother wolf. Channel your ancestors of the forest. They didn’t own the trees, they were a part of them. The wolf didn’t exist without the trees, and the trees without the wolf. Together, they made the forest. Become a wave rider, Alex of the wolven way. Become one with the ocean.”

“Thanks, Preacher,” Alex told him. “I’ll try.”

“To try is the first step toward achieving,” Jerry replied with a vacant smile and his eyes on the endless stretch of water in front of them. “Try, believe, and succeed. You will fly.”

Alex nodded. He watched the waves, counting the ebb and flow the way Brooks had taught him. The pattern became evident. Two small waves led to a bigger one; two more after that led to the biggest. He pushed everything away, thoughts of the wedding, of the summer drawing to a close, of returning to the Academy. He watched the way Siale and the others rode the waves as if they truly were a part of them. Even Cassie and Tennison had gotten good at staying on their boards for a few seconds.

Though Alex had ridden waves many times during their summer break at Red’s, he felt as though he wasn’t quite able to capture the feeling of the first time. With their departure in a few hours, he was running out of time. He didn’t know if he could go back with something like that gnawing at him. The waves beckoned and teased, pulling at his legs and feet, urging him to join in the fun his friends were having.

“This is it,” Alex whispered.

He counted the waves. Two little ones, one big one.

Mohawk and Reko took the wave and rode for a few seconds before Reko fell and Mohawk clipped his board, tumbling down as well.

One little one. Alex began to paddle. The next small wave pushed him forward toward the shore. He could feel the swell as the wave pulled behind him, drawing the water beneath his board in a swirling eddy. He paddled harder, keeping his board in front of the wave. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see it building. The water crested, white spray foaming at the top.

Alex felt the moment. He pushed up on his board and balanced on the balls of his feet. He bent his knees and let his body sway the way his combat training had drilled into his muscle memory. He wasn’t going to fall off the board, not this time.

The wave rose bigger than any of the others he had seen that morning. It towered above him, driving him forward. Alex rocked back slightly on his board, repositioning his weight to give the wave more force. It propelled him forward.

The water curled above him in a perfect circle, rushing up one side and falling down the other. The wind pushed at his hair that had begun to grow out again. The spray from the wave splashed across his scarred chest, the newest wound healed and another symbol of his survival. A normal person wouldn’t have made it through such things, but he wasn’t normal.

The thought brought a smile to Alex’s lips. He bent his knees just a bit more. The roar of the wave filled his ears, all-encompassing and demanding to be heard. The rush of the water, the wind, and the shadows of the wave he rode took away all thought except for one, just to be.

Alex reached out a hand and let it trail in the water at his side. The spray hit his face with the salty sting of the ocean he had come to love with all of his heart. In that moment, he was one with that love, that power, and that peace. He was the ocean. He flew across the surface of the world.

The wave crashed on top of him, driving him down. His board tugged at his ankle as he tried to figure out which way was up. His lungs burned, telling him he hadn’t taken in a big enough breath when he went down. He kicked hard and attempted to follow the pull of the board.

Alex’s head broke the surface of the water and he took in a huge gulp of air. The cry of an impassive seagull met his ears as the animal flew so high above it looked like a mere speck in the rising sunlight. He pulled his board close and climbed on top.

“Alex, are you okay?” Siale asked anxiously.

Alex turned to see her and Brooks padding up.

He gave them both a big smile. “That was amazing.”

Brooks nodded with an answering smile. “You got it.”

Alex ran a hand down his face to wipe the water away. “I finally did,” he said. “All the practice paid off.”

“People can stay out here for a lifetime and not ride a wave like that,” Brooks said. His beaded hair clacked together when he turned his head to look at the others. “They’ll be talking about that one for a long time. The wave was yours.”

Alex nodded. Before he had attempted to surf at the beginning of the summer, such a statement would have sounded crazy to him. The ocean was so vast and impersonal, a giant expanse of water without the ability to care or think or act. It was merely the ocean.

But now, after living for months on its surface, Alex knew better. To him, the ocean had changed from expressionless to having such a variety of emotions and moods that one never knew what to expect, and the moment you thought you did, the ocean would remind you that you were wrong. He had grown to love the fickle beauty of the surface that could be glassy smooth at one moment and the next be filled with waves so high and dangerous that even the most experienced of the surfers wouldn’t go out. The ocean didn’t care about plans or schedules; instead, it reminded Alex of his own smallness and the fact that there were some things he just couldn’t control.

At the very bottom of it all, in that one moment riding the perfect wave, his wave, Alex had found something. He had realized that all the planning in the world, all the training, all the effort put into timing, couldn’t account for the beauty of a single wave, a board beneath his feet, and the feeling of the water running through his fingers.

He had found that life, in all its vast significance, was a compilation of moments of living, not fighting to survive, not planning for tomorrow, but of living in the same moment in which he breathed, of grasping the moment when it came, and of allowing himself to accept that he was a part of something beautiful instead of just watching from the sidelines. He didn’t own the ocean, but for that moment, he had been one with the wave. The wave had truly been his.

“Should we head in?” Siale asked.

It was easy to lose track of time on the ocean. Trent was probably already waiting for them at the little airport.

“Let’s go,” Alex replied.

“You guys take care,” Brooks said. “We’ll be looking forward to surfing with you again!”

“Next summer,” Siale promised.

The human nodded. “We’ll be waiting.”

Chapter Twenty-six

Students began to arrive shortly after Alex and the others landed at the Academy.

“I’m so excited that this is our last year!” Cassie exclaimed.

“Are you tired of it here?” Tennison asked her.

She shook her head quickly, her curly brown hair swishing around her shoulders. “Not at all, but because it’s our final term, Professor Colleen told me that we get to be teacher aids. We can help teach the other students!”

“That’s only if you learned anything worth teaching,” Terith said, catching up to them.

“Any chance we can teach the new kids how to build internal-combustion engines?” Trent asked his sister.

“I don’t think it counts if you taught it to yourself,” she replied. “They didn’t exactly teach that in our classes.”

“Maybe they should,” Alex said. “It would be nice to focus on more practical stuff to prepare the students for the world and help them get jobs.”

“I’ve heard some of the human high schools have shop classes,” Siale pointed out.

Trent grinned. “That’s perfect!”

“What’s perfect?” Jordan asked, meeting them in the hallway.

“You,” Trent told her. He kissed her on the nose.

The sight of the ring on Jordan’s finger made Alex smile.

“No public displays of affection,” Terith told her brother.

“You’re just upset Von’s helping Professor Mouse set up the biology classroom,” Trent shot back.

“I could help,” she replied. “But they have a snake in there.” She gave a visible shudder. “Disgusting.”

“Maybe you’ll be the biology assistant and your job will be to feed it,” Trent suggested.

Terith paled at the thought. “I’d rather free the mice. They could go to the forest. I’m sure they’d be happy there.”

“Everyone should have the chance to live where they’re meant to,” Alex said. He looked up and realized everyone was looking at him. “I guess I said that aloud.”

“You did.” Siale slipped her arm through his. “You seem like you have a lot on your mind.”

Alex forced a smile. “Just thinking about the Choosing Ceremony.”

Jericho spotted them from the doorway to the Great Hall. The tall, brown-haired Alpha smiled. “Good to see you guys again. Did you have a good summer?”

“It was amazing,” Cassie told him. “We spent it surfing.” She exchanged a smile with Tennison. “For the most part.”

Tennison gave Alex a knowing look. “Yeah, for the most part.”

Alex smiled. “It was pretty relaxing.”

Jericho chuckled. “So now pretty relaxing means killing a horde of murderous mutants and announcing the wedding of the decade? My mom hasn’t stopped asking me when you guys are coming to the shop. I think she’s already set aside fifty dresses for you girls.”

“Oh, good!” Cassie exclaimed. “Mom’s going to take us next weekend. Siale, are you thinking the empire, an A-line, or something more like a ball gown? I’ve been thinking about getting gloves. Something lacey or silk would go just wonderfully with a sweetheart neckline and a mermaid cut, although I’m definitely in love with a few of the newer chiffon styles.”

Alex stared at his sister. She had grown up mostly as a tom-boy because of their situation. Learning how to fight and take care of herself had turned her into a tough, albeit shy, sister. Watching her delve into the world of fashion and wedding planning was revealing a whole new side he had never experienced before.

“What?” she asked, catching his look. “Mom got a bunch of magazines. I’ve gone through every page and cut out the dresses I like. It’ll give Jericho’s mom a better idea of what we want.” She smiled at Siale. “We could even match if you wanted, or do opposites. You’d look good in anything.”

“Thank you,” Siale replied with a smile, though Alex could tell she felt almost as overwhelmed at the wedding planning as he did.

He leaned close to her ear. “Is the abandoned warehouse still on the table?”

She nodded. “Let’s go right now.”

“Done,” Alex replied with a grin.

“Everyone gather for the Choosing Ceremony!” Nikki called from the stage at one end of the Great Hall.

A thrum of adrenaline rushed through Alex at the sight of the werewolf students sitting in the Great Hall waiting for Dean Jaze’s address.

“Go on ahead,” Alex told Siale and the others. “I’ll catch up.”

He grabbed Jericho’s arm when the Alpha walked past.

“What’s up?” the tall werewolf asked. “If you’re worried about the Choosing Ceremony, don’t be. It sounds like we’ll probably be able to choose whoever we want again. If that’s the case, you’re back as my Second without question.”

Alex made sure everyone was out of sight and was careful to keep his voice low when he said, “I need you to do me a favor.”

“Whatever you need,” Jericho replied, his gaze curious.

Alex took a steeling breath. “I need you to choose Siale as your Second again.”

Jericho watched him closely. “Why?”

Alex looked past him at the students. “I’ve messed with the hierarchy in too many packs last term. I don’t need to do it again.”

Jericho ran a hand through his brown hair. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”

Alex set a hand on the Alpha’s shoulder. “Trust me. Please.”

Jericho finally nodded. “Alright, Alex, but you better know what you’re doing.”

“I do,” Alex said. It wouldn’t be easy, but he knew for sure what he needed to do.

They joined the others in the Great Hall. Alex avoided Jericho’s gaze.

“Welcome, students!” Dean Jaze said. He looked around the hall. “We’re growing in size every year. I’d like to extend a special welcome to our new first term students. I guarantee you’ll have an exciting experience at the Academy!”

Many of the older students exchanged smiles and knowing glances.

Jaze smiled. “For some of you, this will be your last term at the Academy. For the first time since Vicki Carso’s Preparatory Academy was established, we have a graduating class! We’ve established a new curriculum that includes student teaching and teacher aid opportunities. Allowing you older students to help out with our younger groups will be a great new opportunity.” He glanced behind him. “Professor Colleen has graciously accepted the responsibility of being the liaison between our Senior Class and the teachers, so there will be separate meetings with her when the term is under way.”

Anticipation for the Choosing Ceremony was building. Students whispered back and forth, and Alex could see the Alphas looking around to make sure they hadn’t missed anyone in their mental tallies. Alex’s stomach twisted.

“As you know,” Jaze continued, “We shook things up last term by having the Alphas choose only those werewolves they haven’t had in their packs before.” He paused and nervous anticipation filled the air. “This term, those restrictions have been lifted.”

The sighs of relief that filled the room made a few of the professors chuckle.

The dean smiled. “I know it was difficult, but I feel we taught significant lessons about learning to work with anyone in your environment, not just those you prefer to have around you. However, there were a few complications.” He met Alex’s gaze and smiled. “So we’ll allow the Alphas to do things their way once more.” He raised his arms. “Let the Choosing begin!”

A cheer went up from the students.

Jaze said, “Torin, please take the stage.”

Alex listened to Torin choose Sid Hathaway and Boris select Parker Luis. There were no surprises. Everyone seemed just as relieved as the professors that the packs were going back to their regular hierarchies. The rest of the Alphas took turns choosing their Seconds by order of the number of terms they had spent at the Academy. Eventually, only Jericho remained.

The Termer Alpha walked to the front of the room. Alex felt expectant gazes fall on him. He kept his eyes firmly on the back of the seat in front of him.

“Are you okay?” Siale asked quietly.

“I will be,” Alex replied.

“I choose...” The Alpha fell silent.

Alex prayed that Jericho would keep his word. The students usually in Pack Jericho shifted uncomfortably in their seats. After a term apart, everyone was anxious for a normal pack life again.

“Siale Andrews,” the Alpha said.

Surprised murmurs ran over the students. Alex saw Siale’s shocked expression out of the corner of his eye.

“It’s supposed to be you,” she said.

Alex turned to her and forced a smile. “It’s you. You deserve it. Take your place as Jericho’s Second.” When it looked like she was going to protest, Alex said, “Go ahead, Siale. It’s okay.”

“Are you sure?” she asked, her eyebrows pulled together in worry.

“I’m positive,” he told her. “You were a great Second last term. Go on up.”

Alex watched her pass through the students on her way to the dais. It was hard to ignore the questioning gazes of the werewolves around him, but Alex kept his face forward.

Torin took the stage again. “Alex Davies.”

Alex’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of his name. He swore it had never rung so loudly in the Great Hall. The name echoed from the corners, catching in the eaves and bouncing back at him. He didn’t know why Torin would call him to his pack again after everything Alex had put him through the year before, but Alex knew what his answer had to be.

He rose from his seat, but didn’t move toward the dais. His fingers gripped the back of the seat in front of him hard enough that the wood cracked.

“I deny all Choosings.”

Alex’s voice boomed through the sudden silence of the surprised students.

“Can he do that?” Torin asked Dean Jaze who sat behind him with the other professors.

Alex met the dean’s gaze, careful to keep his face expressionless.

After a moment, Jaze nodded. “It’s his right.” He paused. “Not one I would recommend, but Alex is allowed to be a lone wolf if it is his desire.”

All heads swiveled back to Alex.

Alex’s heart pounded in his chest so hard he wondered if the students closest to him could hear it. He remembered the dean’s words when they spoke about Drogan becoming a lone wolf.

“Lone wolves are dangerous. They don’t have anyone to hold them accountable or to protect. A werewolf without a pack is a loose cannon because it’s unnatural. Our instincts keep us together. Pack hierarchy is important because not only does it give those of lower rank someone to watch over them, it gives the Alpha purpose.”

But Alex wasn’t an Alpha or a Gray. He was caught somewhere in between. The Demon didn’t exactly fit anywhere. Alex had defeated Alphas at the school and undermined their leadership. Why anyone would want him in their pack was baffling. Alex made the only decision he felt was right.

“It is my desire,” he confirmed.

At the dean’s nod, Alex sat back down. He kept his gaze on the seat in front of him until every student in the Great Hall was standing with their pack and he was the last werewolf sitting. An uncomfortable moment of silence filled the air.

Jaze clapped, breaking it up.

“That concludes the Choosing Ceremony. Please follow your Alphas to your quarters. For those who are new, your Alphas will show you the ropes here at the Academy. Class will begin tomorrow.”

A groan followed the dean’s announcement that was as much a tradition as the Choosing Ceremony. Alex caught a few backwards glances while the students filed out after their Alphas. He waited until the last one was gone before he rose and went outside to the statue that overlooked the courtyard.