Free Werewolf Academy Book 5: Lost by Cheree Alsop Page A

the wrong foot,” Cruz said, raising his hands. He glanced sideways. Alex followed his gaze and saw three more gang members round the corner with machine guns. “I’d like to fix this without bloodshed.”
    “Yeah, right,” Abby replied. “We’re not going back.”
    “No, we’re not,” another girl echoed, her voice near hysteria. “We’ll never go back!”
    Alex was prepared to attack the gunmen. If he could give the girls enough space to run, they might be able to make it past the corner to the road beyond. They were so close. He wouldn’t let them go back if he could help it.
    “I hoped it wouldn’t come to this,” Cruz said. He glanced at his men. The guns were raised. Alex took a step forward. He wouldn’t have much time. His breath sounded loud in his ears.
    Cruz gave a half-shrug. “I guess this is—”
    “Let them go, Cruz.”
    Relief washed over Alex at the sound of Officer Dune’s voice.
    “I have two dozen officers up here who would like nothing more than the chance at a little revenge for Officer Smith,” Officer Dune continued. Alex could tell by the sound of numerous footsteps that the officer wasn’t bluffing.
    Cruz and his men glanced at each other. At that moment, Cruz’s cellphone rang. He put it up to his ear.
    “There are cops all over the garage,” the voice on the other end of the phone said. “They’re armed to the teeth.”
    Cruz lowered his cellphone without speaking. He looked so angry a vein stood out along the side of his neck. He glared from the girls to Alex, then to his men. He finally motioned for his men to back up.
    “I should have shot you when I had the chance,” Cruz shouted.
    “Yeah, you should have,” Officer Dune replied.
    As soon as the Fivers were clear, the girls ran up the ramp. Alex followed close behind, careful to keep an eye on the gang members in case Cruz changed his mind.
    He was met with the sight of six police cars, an ambulance, and a concerned looking Officer Dune.
    “You couldn’t have waited?” the officer demanded.
    Alex watched as Abby collapsed in an officer’s arms. Now that she didn’t need to be brave any longer, she was a terrified girl who wanted nothing more than to return to her family. The other three girls looked just as eager to get way from the Fivers territory.
    “I’m glad you didn’t,” Officer Dune concluded quietly. “They needed you.” He paused, then said, “I guess you’re not forced to be a wolf any longer.”
    Alex realized that the sun was starting to rise. The pull of the moon had lost its strength sometime while he was in the parking garage, and he hadn’t noticed. Weariness settled around him like a blanket, and he didn’t have the moonlight to speed the healing process. He turned away and limped along the wall.
    “Wait,” Officer Dune called.
    Alex wondered if the officer would try to arrest him. It was a crime to be a werewolf after all. He glanced back.
    Officer Dune stopped. He looked back at the officers near the mouth of the garage, and he appeared to realize the same thing Alex had. It was the officer’s duty to bring him in.
    Officer Dune rubbed the back of his neck. “I need some sleep.”
    Alex waited, confused by the officer’s line of thought.
    Officer Dune smiled. “I suppose weariness makes us all see things, like vigilante werewolves fighting crime and defying bullets.” He shook his head. “I’m going to go get some much needed rest and relaxation.”
    Alex watched the officer make his way back to his companions. The fact that the officer was alive at all made him extremely happy. Things could have gone much, much worse.
    Alex limped slowly through alleys and streets in the weak light of predawn. He only scared two pedestrians by accident, and was glad when they had the sense to cross to the other side of the street and let him pass by in peace.
    It was only through sheer strength of will that Alex was able to phase and pull on the black hoodie and pants he had left