Werewolf Academy Book 2: Hunted (25 page)

She waved her hand as though brushing away the conversation. “Don’t bother. That’s the most lively I’ve seen Adam since he and Kalia went at it at the beginning of the school year. It’s funny how he argued so hard for her to go then, and yet his opinion flips when it’s the most
inconvenient for him to be disagreeable.”

“Yeah, funny,” Kalia muttered.

“Thank you for allowing me to stay here,” Alex told Mrs. Dickson. “I promise to induce fewer outbursts.”

“And take away my enjoyment of our meals?” she said in a tone that was so heavily laced with sarcasm Alex couldn’t tell what part she was serious about. She turned away with a flit of her fingers before walking back across the grass.

“She doesn’t act like she lost someone she cared about,” Alex noted quietly.

Kalia shook her head, her shoulder-length blonde hair brushing back and forth. “She doesn’t. They were Dad’s brothers, and she despised them. He did, too, if the truth was known, bu
t like she said so poetically, it’s convenient for him to be offended and cause arguments. He revels in drama.”

“Why not just say the word werewolf?” Alex asked. “That’s got to be dramatic.”

Kalia shook her head quickly. “The last time Boris did, Dad almost shot him, for real.” The note of fear in her voice let Alex know just how traumatic that had been. She let out a shaky breath. “My parents may be harmless on the surface, but they still have their Extremist side tucked away beneath.”

After a few minutes of silence, Alex asked, “Do they know which one carries the werewolf gene?”

Kalia’s eyes drew up at the corners in the hint of a satisfied smile. “No. They’re too afraid to check. Neither wants to carry the guilt.”

“Of having werewolves for children,” Alex finished.

“Of having beasts.” Kalia’s eyes flashed gold.

“Kalia...
” Alex tried to warn her.

Kalia let out a cry of pain and hunched over with her head in her hands. Alex looked around quickly. Mrs. Dickson was already back inside the house. Her husband was nowhere to be seen. The guards acted as though they couldn’t care less about Kalia’s troubles.

“I’ve got you,” Alex said softly.

He picked up Kalia in his arms and carried her into the house. The servant at the door opened it without question. Once inside, Alex ran into Henry at the bottom of the sweeping staircase.

“What is going on, sir?” the servant asked. Alex had to give him credit for showing more alarm than the two guards on the porch and the servant at the door.

“She has a horrible headache,” Alex explained.

Kalia held her head in both hands as if it was about to split open.

“
I appreciate that you are trying to help her, sir,” Henry said. He tried to figure out a way to take her from Alex, but maneuvering his arms didn’t seem to gain him any purchase.

“I’m alright, Henry. I just don’t know where her room is,” Alex told him.

“Oh, uh, right,” Henry stammered. He hurried up the stairs ahead of Alex and led the way along the hall. “This is her room, sir.”

Henry pushed open a door to reveal a room that made Alex’s look like a kennel. Beside her huge four poster bed, private bathroom complete with a four person jetted bathtub, and recessed vanity, there was a sitting area with comfortable couches, a fireplace, bean bags, and enough recliners for a dozen friends.

Alex took Kalia to the bed and set her gently on top of the carefully folded bedspread.

He knelt down near her face. “What can I get you?” he asked.

Kalia shook her head, then winced, her eyes squeezed shut.

Alex didn’t know what to do. He looked back at Henry. “Do you have anything for headaches?”

“Yes, sir. Right away, sir.” Henry rushed from the room looking frazzled.

Alex hated seeing the pain that filled Kalia’s face. He would do anything to take it away, yet he felt helpless.

“Hold me,” Kalia said in a small voice. She opened her eyes just enough to give Alex a pleading look. He was shocked to see that her irises were still golden. The headache was lasting longer than the others he had seen.

Alex climbed carefully onto the bed. Kalia scooted higher so that her head could rest against his chest. He ran his hand up and down her arm, hoping it helped.

“It’s not going away,” Kalia said with alarm in her tight voice.

“Your eyes are still gold,” Alex told her.

Kalia gave a little sound that might have been either from pain or dismay.

“It’s okay,” Alex said softly. “You’re going to be alright. Just hang in there.”

When he fell quiet, Kalia said, “Keep talking. Your voice helps.”

Alex’s he
art gave a loud thump at that. Put on the spot, he tried to think of what to say.

“Please?”

Kalia’s pleading voice cut to Alex’s core. He took a calming breath. “I’ll tell you about the Academy before the students came. I don’t know if you want to hear it, but I don’t know what else to say.” He thought back. “When Cassie and I lost our mom and dad and Jet, we were taken to the Academy with the first group of orphans from the genocide. Torin was there, along with Trent and Terith. Torin was already a bully.” Alex gave a wry smile, remembering. “That first morning, Torin tried to force Trent to make his bed. Trent refused. I think Torin was about to kill him when I stepped in.”

“What happened?” Kalia asked in a whisper.

“He gave me the worst beating of my life,” Alex replied. “He had rage issues. I think he would have killed me if Vance hadn’t interrupted.”

“That’s horrible,” Kalia said, a bit stronger.

Alex shrugged. “I guess that’s what happens when kid werewolves are displaced and lost. You have to take out your frustrations somewhere. I just happened to be the first thing that stepped in Torin’s way.”

He tried to ignore Kalia’s scent. It tickled his nose, filling his senses with honey and clover. He reminded himself that she was hurting, which was the only reason he was holding her.

“What else?” Kalia asked.

Alex thought quickly. “The Academy was much smaller back then, just a fragment of what it is now. They built one of the dorm wings and the classrooms.
Apparently they were busy building the rest of the underground, too. I never knew it was there until this year.”

“It’s incredible,” Kalia agreed.

Alex smiled. “You sound like you’re feeling better.”

Kalia nodded, lifting her head from Alex’s chest. Their eyes met, and he was relieved to see that hers were blue again.

“Thank you,” she said. She lowered her lashes, her cheeks coloring red. “I’m sorry.”

Alex shook his head quickly. “You have nothing to be sorry about. I was glad I could help. It’s a horrible feeling, knowing there was nothing I could do to stop the pain.”

“You definitely helped,” Kalia said.

Alex slipped off of her bed. He stood next to it with uncertainty.

“I think I’ll get some sleep,” Kalia told him, the blush still coloring her cheeks. “I’m always exhausted after a headache.”

“You should sleep,” Alex agreed. He glanced back at the door to find Henry watching them both; the servant held a glass of water and several small
pills sitting on a tray. “Uh, Henry is here if you need some medicine.”

“I think I’m okay,” Kalia replied. Her eyes were already closed and the words slurred slightly.

“Goodnight, Kalia,” Alex whispered.

He made his way to the door. He and Henry watched her for a moment until he realized how creepy it would be if she awoke to find them still there.

He left the room and Henry followed, leaving the tray with the water and medicine on one of the lavish end tables that decorated the room.

“Mr. Dickson requests your company,” Henry told Alex after Kalia’s door shut behind them.

“My company?” Alex was surprised. “I got the feeling Mr. Dickson didn’t especially like me.”

“He sent me to find you,” Henry replied, leading the way down the stairs and along another hallwa
y Alex hadn’t been. “That’s why I met you at the door. He’s been waiting for a few minutes.” There was a hint of trepidation in his voice as if in fear of Mr. Dickson’s retaliation if they were late.

Henry opened a door to reveal a massive study. Books lined the walls all the way to the vaulted ceiling.
Other shelves held collectibles that looked as though they had been gathered from across the world. A huge window took up the entire wall opposite the door. In front of it was a large, polished desk that made up the only furniture in the room. Despite the late hour, Mr. Dickson sat behind it reading a book. He looked up at their entrance. Disapproval at their tardiness was evident on his face.

“Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to see me, Mr. Davies,” Mr. Dickson said in a cold voice.

“I’m sorry it took us so long. Kalia had a headache and I was helping her to bed,” Alex explained.

Mr. Dickson was quiet for a moment. He finally nodded and indicated the single chair on the other side of the desk.

“Please, take a seat.”

Alex glanced back at Henry. The servant gave him an uncomfortable look before leaving the room and shutting the door quietly behind him. Alex gathered his nerves and crossed to the chair. His footsteps echoed against the walls, making him feel even smaller.

He took a seat on the thinly cushioned wooden chair and waited. Mr. Dickson studied him closely, his hands linked together and elbows resting on the arms of his lavish leather chair. Alex felt every inch of his features scrutinized.

“I have need of your,” Mr. Dickson cleared his throat, “Talents tonight.”

“I don’t understand,” Alex replied.

Mr. Dickson lifted his lips in a humorless smile. “Why do you suppose I would allow my daughter to invite someone of your
bloodline into my home?”

Alex shifted uncomfortably o
n the chair. “I thought you were being nice.”

Mr. Dickson gave a small chuckle. “Nice. Well. Yes. I suppose there is that.” His gaze was bland when he met Alex’s. “You must realize by now that there are not too many nice individuals left in this world toward those with your unfortunate traits.”

“Whether they are unfortunate or not is up to me to decide,” Alex replied in a steady voice. He tried not to let show how much Mr. Dickson’s conversation bothered him.

“Yes, well, so be it.” Mr. Dickson waved his hand as though he couldn’t care less. “I called you here because I am in need of your assistance and if you value your relationship with my daughter and son in any way, you would do best to accompany me.”

A tremor of concern ran down Alex’s spine. “Accompany you to do what?” he asked carefully.

Mr. Dickson straightened a stack of papers near his elbow. He then lifted a manila envelope. “I am a criminal defense attorney, and I have gotten to the point where I need to let go of a few clients. Some of those clients don’t take kindly to being let go, if you know what I mean.”

Alex realized what Mr. Dickson was saying. “You need me to be your protection?”

Mr. Dickson smiled. “I have plenty of bodyguards, Alex, but I can’t involve them in these matters. What I need is for someone to discreetly manage my safety during these interviews. It should be simple
, really.” His gaze narrowed. “I have a strong feeling that Jaze Carso is teaching you much more than academics at that Academy. It’s time to prove yourself, my boy.”

“And if I refuse?”

Mr. Dickson’s lips pressed together in a tight line before he said, “Then I’ll have to invite Boris along instead. I’d prefer to keep my son out of my business, but if you insist on taking the coward’s way out, I will have no choice.”

Alex
’s stomach clenched. He was being blackmailed into acting as Mr. Dickson’s personal security. He had no idea what kind of men Mr. Dickson was dealing with. He didn’t want to mess with them, but he didn’t want Boris too, either.

“Need I remind you that one word from me and you’ll be back at the Academy? From what I hear, it is a dangerous place for you right now.”

The knot in Alex’s stomach turned to steel. He didn’t want to bring the danger that followed him back to the Academy where his family and friends lived. If he wanted to stay, he had to do what Mr. Dickson asked.

“Okay,” Alex quietly agreed. “I’ll do it.”

Mr. Dickson nodded. “I knew you would make the right choice.” He rose and pulled out a cell phone. “We’ll meet you out front,” he said into the receiver.

Alex followed Mr. Dickson to the hallway. He saw Henry at the top of the stairs. The manservant gave him a questioning look. Alex shrugged, feeling as confused as he no doubt appeared.

A limousine was waiting for them out front. The driver held open the door and they were helped inside. Mr. Dickson didn’t say a word during the drive. If meetings with his clients at such a late hour were unusual, he didn’t let on. Alex was left to his own thoughts as the driver made his way through the darkened streets of the city.