families again. The Lycernian pack would ignore them unless they found out the Lycernian was killing humans. But the Fenryrian pack would kill its own pack member if he or she went against its ways, especially if that pack member was important. If the Lycernian member wanted to become Fenryrian and join their pack, then they could both be Fenryrian. But, like me, many Lycernians were against killing humans and changing them to werewolves. If you were going to be a Fenryrian, you’d have to do that. If the Lycernian was against killing, then the couple would have to go into hiding. Was that why Jared’s parents had been living in secret? Had one of them been Lycernian and the other Fenryrian? Is that why they had died?
From inside the room, the instructor called for the class to start and asked those of us in the hall to come in. As we made our way to the seats Myles had saved for us, I decided those were things I wouldn’t tell Jared, but sooner or later he’d hear it and probably be thinking the same thing I was. But then again, I didn’t know everything about werewolves. There might be fifty other reasons a werewolf couple would live in secret away from their families. Maybe they’d just wanted to.
“Again, Alexis, only this time, move your weight more forward on the balls of your feet.”
Sweat dripped from my brow, and I raked at the dirt stuck to my bare legs and arms. So much for normal school. After the rudimentary academics had been crammed together into one class, I’d followed other students to a field outside the building. Even though we were shaded by trees, it was still sweltering. A younger girl and I grappled and wrestled, learning how to throw an opponent who had you in his grasp. The other girl obviously had more training than me, and I’d hit the ground countless times, but that wasn’t going to continue. I concentrated and saw the moves in my head, then suddenly my body flowed into action, and it was her turn to hit the ground.
“Excellent, Alexis. Jessica, come over.” He motioned to a different girl standing on the sidelines, and the exercise began again. Only this time I didn’t hit the ground once. I bested every person the instructor called up. He’d occasionally make suggestions on how to improve a move I’d done, and I listened carefully then put his suggestions to good use. I only knew that I’d nearly been killed on more than one occasion, and above all else, I had to learn to protect myself. Besides, being a skilled warrior could only be a bonus when the time came to try and prove myself to the other pack.
“That’s enough for the day.” The instructor patted me and my latest victim on the shoulder. “Go get cleaned up. It will be time for dinner soon.”
I followed the shell-covered path back to the dorm and hurried up to my room. An envelope was on my bed. I glanced around, wondering who the heck had a key, then I realized that the room smelled fresh and smiled. Thank goodness. We had housekeeping, which meant I wouldn’t be cleaning my own bathroom. But why the sealed letter? My name was printed on the outside, and I sat on the edge of the bed, ripping it open. It was short, and my breath caught as I studied the boxy writing.
I’m in Key West. Get yourself here as soon as possible. Can’t wait to see you. Eric
Below this was printed a set of numbers I figured had to be a cell phone number. Luckily when I’d returned home from living with Louise this summer, my mom had gotten me a new phone and paid for me to have great service so I could call the friends I’d made in Louisiana. Now that I’d left home, it would really come in handy. I pulled out my phone and started to dial the numbers but stopped. Looking around the room, I felt a little uncomfortable. As happy as I’d been that someone was cleaning my bathroom for me, the thought that they’d left me a letter from someone that I probably wasn’t supposed to be getting a letter from made the hair on
From inside the room, the instructor called for the class to start and asked those of us in the hall to come in. As we made our way to the seats Myles had saved for us, I decided those were things I wouldn’t tell Jared, but sooner or later he’d hear it and probably be thinking the same thing I was. But then again, I didn’t know everything about werewolves. There might be fifty other reasons a werewolf couple would live in secret away from their families. Maybe they’d just wanted to.
“Again, Alexis, only this time, move your weight more forward on the balls of your feet.”
Sweat dripped from my brow, and I raked at the dirt stuck to my bare legs and arms. So much for normal school. After the rudimentary academics had been crammed together into one class, I’d followed other students to a field outside the building. Even though we were shaded by trees, it was still sweltering. A younger girl and I grappled and wrestled, learning how to throw an opponent who had you in his grasp. The other girl obviously had more training than me, and I’d hit the ground countless times, but that wasn’t going to continue. I concentrated and saw the moves in my head, then suddenly my body flowed into action, and it was her turn to hit the ground.
“Excellent, Alexis. Jessica, come over.” He motioned to a different girl standing on the sidelines, and the exercise began again. Only this time I didn’t hit the ground once. I bested every person the instructor called up. He’d occasionally make suggestions on how to improve a move I’d done, and I listened carefully then put his suggestions to good use. I only knew that I’d nearly been killed on more than one occasion, and above all else, I had to learn to protect myself. Besides, being a skilled warrior could only be a bonus when the time came to try and prove myself to the other pack.
“That’s enough for the day.” The instructor patted me and my latest victim on the shoulder. “Go get cleaned up. It will be time for dinner soon.”
I followed the shell-covered path back to the dorm and hurried up to my room. An envelope was on my bed. I glanced around, wondering who the heck had a key, then I realized that the room smelled fresh and smiled. Thank goodness. We had housekeeping, which meant I wouldn’t be cleaning my own bathroom. But why the sealed letter? My name was printed on the outside, and I sat on the edge of the bed, ripping it open. It was short, and my breath caught as I studied the boxy writing.
I’m in Key West. Get yourself here as soon as possible. Can’t wait to see you. Eric
Below this was printed a set of numbers I figured had to be a cell phone number. Luckily when I’d returned home from living with Louise this summer, my mom had gotten me a new phone and paid for me to have great service so I could call the friends I’d made in Louisiana. Now that I’d left home, it would really come in handy. I pulled out my phone and started to dial the numbers but stopped. Looking around the room, I felt a little uncomfortable. As happy as I’d been that someone was cleaning my bathroom for me, the thought that they’d left me a letter from someone that I probably wasn’t supposed to be getting a letter from made the hair on
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