Werewolf Academy Book 2: Hunted (13 page)

Professor Thorson laughed. “Well, at least we know it was alright. Well done, Pack Jericho. Take a place with your elders.”

Though they hadn’t gotten first place, Alex was proud of how well their pack had listened to commands and acted within the forest. Their pack settled on the grass a few paces from Jaze’s. The dean gave them a nod of approval. Pride swelled in Alex’s chest.

“Torin, really?”

The
disappointment in the professor’s voice caught Alex’s attention. Pack Torin had reached the clearing. The Lifer Alpha carried a bird in his jaws that was clearly no longer alive. Blood coated the Alpha’s muzzle and chest. The bird’s neck hung at an unnatural angle. Neither the professor nor Kalia would take it. He deposited it at their feet.

“Pack Torin is disqualified,” Professor Tho
rson said with a shake of his head.

Torin
trotted over to the other two packs with a pleased expression on his face.

A growl sounded. It wasn’t deep or loud, but the tone sent a shiver down Alex’s spine.

Torin stopped in his tracks, his attention on Jaze. The dean stood a few feet from the packs with his gaze on the Lifer Alpha. No words needed to be spoken to express the disapproval in Jaze’s gaze.

Torin’s
head and tail lowered. He glanced back at his pack. None of them would meet his eyes. He paced to a spot in the clearing a bit further from the other packs and sat down more subdued than when he had entered.

Pack Shannon reached the clearing next. Shannon carried a grouse as well, but it was smaller than the one Pack Jericho had found, and had the lighter coloring of a female. When she spotted the dead bird, Shannon immediately sought out Torin. The disgust and anger in her glare let him know exactly how she felt.

Memories surged forward of the time Alex had helped Rafe’s wild wolf pack bring down an elk the previous year during wilderness education. Shannon had been the angriest about that, yet to Alex, it was different. The elk had fed Rafe’s pack. The animal was older, lame, and wouldn’t have survived winter. The wolves had done what they were supposed to do, fill their bellies and ensure that only the strongest animals went on to produce offspring and further the strength of their species.

But the bird Torin had killed proved no such purpose. It hadn’t died to
feed hungry animals; in all appearances, it had been healthy and whole before Torin found it. The fact that the Alpha had killed the animal just because he found it humorous made Alex’s chest tightened. Death wasn’t something to be taken lightly. He knew the dean didn’t take it lightly either. There was no doubt Torin would receive further punishment for his actions.

“Come back in,” Professor Thorson yelled when
Pack Miguel brought in a starling. Alex wondered where they had found the bird, but when the professor let it go, it flew haphazardly to the nearest tree, its wing whole but crooked as though it had broken it sometime not too long ago. He figured the bird probably found it easier to reach the lower branches close to the ground to rest; that was no doubt where Miguel had caught it.

Professor Thorson nodded at the group. “Well done, students. As some of you know, Pack Torin has been disqualified for failing to obey the rules of the competition and killing the bird they brought in. They will also be required clean the kitchen under Cook
Jerald’s supervision for the rest of the month.” At the snorts and groans of protest from the pack, the professor speared them with a look. “Perhaps that will teach you to give more respect to life.” He gave a small smile. “Or at least instruct you that the consequences of actions may not be worth the enjoyment you received while doing them.”

Kalia whispered something to the professor that Alex couldn’t catch. A grin spread across the professor’s face. “Good suggestion,” he replied. He met Torin’s gaze. “I’m sure Cook
Jerald also won’t mind preparing this bird as your next pack’s meal as well.”

Torin glared daggers at Kalia. She ignored him and glanced at Alex. He widened his eyes in a what-are-you-doing look. She gave a tiny shrug of her shoulders, her pale blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

Alex was glad that at least she was having a good time, but Torin wasn’t a pleasant enemy. Alex made a mental note to warn her when he could talk again.

“Packs Drake and Kelli are also eliminated for having the slowes
t completion time,” Professor Thorson informed them. The packs took up spots near Pack Torin to watch the rest of the full moon games. “Your next game is a race,” the professor continued. “You will be running to that ridge and back.” The professor pointed to the ridge students used to jump off into the small lake. It was about half a mile away. “The first pack to return here with all of their members wins the medal.” He lifted a pair of binoculars. “I’ll know if each of your pack members reaches the top.” The professor nodded his head at Kalia.

She raised a hand. All of the wolves tensed. She dropped it and shouted, “Go!”

Alex ran behind Jericho. The rest of their pack flowed close behind, jumping logs and dodging bushes as one. They could hear the other packs on either side of them. The trail was too crowded. Wolves began to fall back as their Alphas took them on other routes. Pack Boris pushed ahead. They ran over the wolves who wouldn’t get out of the way. Terith yelped when Boris shoved her with his shoulder into a tree trunk. Trent growled, but the Alpha and his pack was already past.

Jericho slowed just long enough for Terith to get her bearings, then he was racing again with the rest of them at his heels. Alex had no idea where Jaze’s pack was. No doubt they knew the forest better than any of
the students. He could picture another medal around Jaze’s neck. The image spurred him to run faster.

The pack leaped another log of a tree whose trunk was colored black from the lightning strike that had killed it. A yip called behind him. He recognized Cassie’s voice. A glance back showed Cassie still behind the log. A little white head poked over.
Caitlyn was having difficulty making it.

Alex barked to notify Jericho of what he was doing before he turned and galloped back to the pair. He leaped the log and spun. Using his teeth as gently as he could, he grabbed
Caitlyn by the nape of her neck and lifted her over. She took off running behind Cassie as soon as her paws touched the ground. Alex raced after them. They reached Markey and Max. Alex stayed behind to help Caitlyn. He had to give the little werewolf credit. Even though she was at a disadvantage with the huge paws she hadn’t grown into yet, she pushed herself to keep up with Cassie.

Alex’s sister gave barks of encouragement whenever
Caitlyn faltered. Alex lifted her over another log. The path began to ascend. They could hear the other packs around them. A glance back showed Pack Shannon close on their heels.

Jericho gave a sharp bark and turned off the trail. Everyone followed without question. Alex had explored the forest since they had first been taken to the Academy. He knew exactly where the Alpha was going. The ridge could be reached by the trail that ran up the backside, but it wound north in order to avoid the de
nser areas. A faint path made its way up the boulders and shale that created the face of the ridge. It was a harder climb and more perilous, but shaved a good amount of time off the climb. Alex knew because that was the trail he always chose.

Alex fought back a grin at the sight of Jaze’s pack above them. Of course the dean would know of the trail as well. Alex gritted his teeth. He was determined to help Jericho win the medal.

Caitlyn tried to leap the first big boulder. Alex slowed her with his shoulder before she crashed back to the ground. Cassie had reached the rock above. The rest of the pack scrambled up the path. Jericho was a black shadow on the boulders further up. It was a hard climb for even the larger wolves; there was no way Caitlyn would make it.

Alex grabbed
Caitlyn gently by the scruff of the neck again. He was worried about hurting her, but he knew she would be heartbroken if her inability to climb made them lose the challenge.

Caitlyn
hung quietly in his jaws as he made the first leap. His claws scrambled for purchase. He found a grip, and pulled himself up. He set her down and gave her a searching look. She gave an accepting yip, her green eyes bright in the moonlight. Alex grabbed her scruff again and jumped. It was easier the second time because he knew how the weight pulled. He set his paws more carefully, studied the rock above, and landed in the center.

By the time they reached the middle, Alex was exhausted. It was a hard enough climb without carrying a werewolf pup. But
Caitlyn held still even though he knew his fangs must hurt no matter how gently he tried to carry her.

Howls came down to them from the top of the ridge.
A shiver ran down Alex’s spine. It was his pack, encouraging him and Caitlyn on their climb. He couldn’t respond as he carried her, but the little wolf raised her muzzle and howled back. The high, sweet sound almost made him smile and drop her. He reminded himself that wolves didn’t smile and leaped up the next boulder. The howls above him sounded louder.

Other voices mingled with his pack’s.
Alex recognized Jaze’s voice among them. Jaze’s pack was howling their encouragement as well. Even though they were supposed to be in a challenge against each other, his pack was cheering for Alex and Caitlyn. Alex jumped up the next boulder, then the next. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, but it was strong and didn’t falter.

He took a deep breath and was about to leap again when a sound caught his attention.
It was a high-pitched whining buzz that raced toward them. Jaze gave a bark of warning. Alex glanced over his shoulder in time to see a small object speeding toward them. He ducked to protect Caitlyn.

The missile hit the rock where his head had been. The force of the blow
knocked Alex and Caitlyn from the side of the ridge. Alex managed to keep ahold of Caitlyn. He pulled her against his chest as they fell. He hit the ground on his back, the little wolf held tight against him.

Caitlyn
’s yips of fear pounded against his ears that rang from the impact of the missile. The fact that they were in danger sounded over and over in his mind. He needed to make sure Cassie was safe, but his shoulder throbbed with pain and he couldn’t move.

Caitlyn
huddled against Alex. He could feel her shaking. Her tiny tongue licked his muzzle as she tried to get him to respond. Alex forced his eyes open. When he met Caitlyn’s green gaze, he could see the fear in her eyes. He tried to push himself to his feet. Putting weight on his right paw sent such fierce agony through his shoulder that he collapsed back to the ground.

The sound of paws racing toward them made Alex open his eyes again. Though what had felt like centuries had passed after they hit the ground, it could only have been seconds. He saw wolves leaping down the side of the ridge, graceful shadows in hues of black, gray, and cream that flowed from one boulder to the next with effortless ease. They looked so beautiful in the light of the full moon.

Alex knew he was in shock. He could feel blood soaking through his fur. He willed his thoughts to sharpen through the haze. Someone had shot at them. That someone might still be in the forest.

Alex pushed carefully to a sitting position with his good paw.
Caitlyn huddled against his chest. He lowered his head, giving her the wolf equivalent of a hug.

The cadence of paws neared. Alex looked up to see Jaze’s black form burst through the bushes in front of them. He realized they were a short distance from the ridge. The force of the missile had blown them back pretty far. Only Drogan had such a motive, though it had never been stated fully why he wanted to kill the twins. Alex realized that if he didn’
t find out soon, the lack of information was going to be deadly.

Jaze looked Alex over quickly. He realized by the
emotions in the dean’s eyes that he must be worse off than he thought. Alex’s face stung from the particles of rock that had blown into him like knives in the explosion. He had turned his head and ducked to protect Caitlyn. He could feel similar shards of pain all the way down his shoulder and side, though his shoulder hurt the worst. He wondered if the missile had clipped it.

Cassie ran past Jaze straight to Alex. She whined as she looked him over. She sniffed at his fur and her muzzle came away red with blood. Fear was stark on her face as she looked back at Jaze and whined. The rest of Pack Jericho drew up behind her. Jericho studied the forest around them. Drogan’s men had missed. He wasn’t one to let
give up easily. Alex was worried about another attack.

Jaze gave a bark of command. The professors surrounded them. Kaynan scouted the forest ahead, his dark crimson form catching the moonlight like a demonic creature. Jaze lowered his ears back halfway and jerked his head toward the Academy, telling Alex they had to get moving.

Alex tried to rise, but Caitlyn pressed against his chest with a yip of fear.

Cassie crouched in front of
Caitlyn. She gave an encouraging whine. Caitlyn’s head rose. She looked surprised that all of the wolves were there. The little werewolf glanced back at Alex. He nudged her gently with his nose. Caitlyn licked Alex’s muzzle. He pushed her again. She ran to Cassie as if she couldn’t reach Alex’s twin fast enough. Cassie led her to the side to clear a path for Alex.