Free Werewolf Academy Book 1: Strays by Cheree Alsop Page B

there was a big difference between the bugs and nuts the birds enjoyed versus the deer the wolves had brought down, but in his mind, they had both fulfilled their purpose. There was peace to the thought; he only wished the others could feel it.

Chapter Six
     
    Alex smiled at the sight of the plate Cassie had already dished up for him. The others were already eating, and barely noticed his entrance. Alex sat down beside his sister and she gave him an apologetic smile.
    “I really am sorry,” she said quietly.
    He sho ok his head. “I talked to Rafe and he explained things. It’s okay.”
    “Are you sure?” she asked, her gaze worried.
    He nodded. “Thank you for dishing me up some food.”
    “I was worried Amos and Don would eat it all,” she replied.
    Jericho chuckled from across the table. “It’s not Amos and Don you need to worry about,” he said. He pointed at Pip’s plate.
    The little werewolf had piled spaghetti, meatballs, salad, and rolls so high that the meatballs kept spilling off onto the table. The Second Year ate them as fast as they fell.
    “What?” Pip asked with his mouth as full as a chipmunk’s when he realized everyone was looking at him.
    Alex laughed and shook his head. He took a bite of the spaghetti.
    “Better than moose?” Shaylee called from across the room.
    “It was a deer,” Pip corrected, spitting food onto the table.
    “Ew, Pip, gross,” Terith complained. She shoved the pieces back to him with her napkin.
    “Whatever,” Shaylee replied. “We know you prefer something with hooves.”
    Alex ignored her, concentrating on his food to get it cleared as fast as possible.
    “Why aren’t the professors here?” Jericho asked.
    Alex and Cassie exchanged a look. Several other Lifers at the table fought back smiles.
    “There’s a tradition,” Alex answered.
    “Every year,” Trent said.
    “What tradition?” Jericho questioned with a worried expression.
    A roll flew across the room and landed in Torin’s spaghetti, splashing sauce all over him. Torin’s face reddened. The Lifer Alpha picked up his entire plate and threw it back at Boris. The Termer Alpha ducked; the plate flew past him and hit Kalia square in the face, covering her in spaghetti.
    “Duck!” Amos yelled in his deep voice. Everyone at their table obeyed. A platter of lettuce flew over followed by a bowl of dressing. It splattered across the table.
    “This is the tradition?” Jericho asked. “This is ridiculous!”
    “Yeah,” Trent said, scratching his buzzed head, “But the professors have found that the food fight creates camaraderie within the packs as they defend each other. They decided long ago that it was easier to stay out of it than try to break it up, and that the benefits outweighed the negatives.” He paused. “Kind of like that deer Alex helped to bring down.”
    Everyone looked at Alex. He gave a little shrug of his shoulders as a bowl full of rolls slid under the table. He picked one up and handed it to Jericho.
    The Alpha looked at his pack like they were crazy. He shook his head, and the hint of a smile crossed his face. “ Pack Jericho?” he asked.
    All fourteen other members of the pack grabbed rolls. “Pack Jericho,” they replied.
    “Get them!” Jericho commanded.
    Pack Jericho swarmed from beneath the table and pegged the other tables with rolls. An answering hail of meatballs, dressing, and strands of spaghetti flew through the air. The pack dove under the table again.
    “Well that wasn’t a good plan,” Jericho said, his chest heaving.
    “What about the wolves?” Alex asked.
    Everyone watched him carefully, wondering what he was getting at.
    “Remember how they hunted?” Cassie pressed, catching on.
    Terith nodded excitedly. “Strength in numbers,” she said.
    Jericho smiled as everyone warmed to the idea. He picked up a handful of rolls and meatballs and tucked them in his arm. Everyone followed their Alpha’s actions.
    “Ready?” Jericho