“Johansson. Brandi Johansson. But I don’t think—”
“Don’t worry, Jones. It’s just a basic demo.”
She’d hesitated and looked helplessly at Tabitha, yet her roommate had merely urged her to follow him. “This is your chance, Brandi. Now go.” Tabi whispered the words in her ear before giving her a push to hurry her along.
Shaking her head, Brandi had followed, just knowing it was a bad idea. In a matter of minutes, she’d found herself in front of a room full of first year cadets, listening to Reno Smith explain to the class that she was there to help demonstrate self-defence techniques.
“I’ll go easy on you,” he’d assured her. “Just do your best to take me out.”
At first she’d hesitated. Attacking someone who was just standing there didn’t seem right, but when he’d swept her feet out from under her and she’d landed hard on her rump, accompanied by the snickers of the students, the proverbial gloves had come off. Using every trick she’d ever been taught Brandi had done her best to gain the upper hand.
Now, barely half an hour later, she was sweaty and sore while her erstwhile opponent continued on with his class as if nothing had happened. She bit back the desire to snarl and pushed open the changing room door instead.
“So, how’d it go?” Tabitha was waiting inside, fairly bouncing up and down with excitement.
Brandi looked at her, stunned that the woman could even ask. “What do you mean, how did it go? You set me up to be attacked by Reno Smith, one of the toughest Enforcers Lycan Link has ever produced. How do you think it went?” She huffed and limped over to the sink to examine her appearance in the mirror. At least there were no visible bruises… yet.
“I’m sure he was careful not to really hurt you, Brandi. And besides, it was a perfect opening for you to ‘accidentally’ meet. After all, you’ve been crushing on him ever since you first saw him. This was your chance to get up close and personal with the man. I saw an opportunity and I made sure you took it.”
Brandi stared in disbelief at her friend’s reflection in the mirror. The girl seemed oblivious to what she’d just been through. “If this is how you set people up, please do me a favour and don’t do it again.”
Turning on the taps, she splashed her face, pleased to rid herself of the sticky sweat that had accumulated there. Sure she’d dreamed of getting all sweaty with Reno Smith; it just hadn’t been from this type of activity!
After shutting off the water, she dried her face and rummaged in her backpack. Thankfully, she had a spare top in there. Brandi pulled off her sweat-stained garment and donned the fresh one; it was a bit wrinkled, but it would have to do. Balling the dirty t-shirt up, she shoved it to the bottom of her bag.
When she looked up, Tabi was frowning. “He didn’t ask you out?”
“No, he didn’t ask me out! He was in full instructor mode. He didn’t even notice me.” She rolled her eyes, exasperated both with her friend and the ‘man of her dreams’ who’d just treated her as a non-entity.
“Now that can’t be true. When I peeked in the door, he was lying on top of you. He had to notice you!”
Brandi snorted. “Oh sure, he noticed me. I was an anonymous body to beat up.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.” Tabi gave her a doubting look.
“When it was all over, he said, and I quote, ‘Thank you for your assistance, Miss Jones.’”
“But your name isn’t Jones. It’s Johansson.”
“Exactly! He didn’t even know who I was.” Brandi shook her head, wondering how her friend could be next thing to a computer genius one minute and then morph into the poster child for every dumb blonde joke ever written. “I know you meant well Tabi, but don’t do me any more favours, okay?”
“Okay. Sorry.” Tabi answered in a small voice. Brandi sighed and gave the girl a one-armed hug. Her roommate meant well, however, when it came to men she just didn’t think things through all the time.
“Come on, we have one final lecture before exams start.” Brandi finger-combed her hair and pulled the mass of fire-red curls back in a clip. After taking a look around to ensure she wasn’t leaving anything behind, she picked up her bag and headed towards the hallway. Behind her, she could hear the sound of yelling and grunts of pain. Reno Smith must be beating up on someone else now. Poor fools.
Chapter 2
Reno sat on the terrace outside the cafeteria. As he stared across the grassy commons watching the young men and women who had gathered there, a touch of envy shadowed his heart. God, how long had it been since he’d been that young, felt that carefree? He took a sip of coffee and sighed. He might be only twenty-eight, but as far back as he could remember he’d been weighted down: duty, responsibility, the need to contain his wolf… He snorted and pushed back the self-pity—there was no place for that in his life—and resumed watching the scene before him.
Some of the students were studying while others lounged on benches or under large shade trees visiting with friends. A few were engaged in a lazy game of football that involved more laughing and talking than actual sport. For all intents and purposes, it looked like any other college or university; the only difference was that the entire population was made up of Lycans. Residents in nearby towns thought the school was a private denominational institution and great pains were taken to maintain that facade.
A shout rose up from one corner of the green space; the football game had encroached on a group intent on studying and they hadn’t appreciated the interruption. He narrowed his eyes and watched the altercation to see how it evolved. Hot-headed young Lycans didn’t always have the best self-restraint. If need be he’d step in, but it was preferable to let them learn how to sort out their own differences. Soon they’d be in the real world and needed to know how to handle themselves with discretion.
Words were exchanged. One male started to lunge aggressively and Reno tensed ready to wade into the fight if necessary, however the fellow seemed to catch himself. With a nod of approval, Reno noted the group talking, then the football game moved over while the others settled back down.
For at least half of the students gathered, exams started tomorrow and they didn’t want to waste their time on pointless arguments. Reno recalled how nerve-wracking finals could be—flaring tempers were to be expected—and mentally wished them good luck.
He settled back in his chair and lifted his face to the sun, pleased the cafeteria had an outside terrace. Vaguely he was aware of the patrons who were sitting inside, so busy with food and conversation that they barely glanced at the view offered by the large glass wall that separated them from the outside. Fools, he thought to himself, enjoying the warmth that beat down on him, both relaxing his muscles and soothing the beast within.
Not too hot, a clear bright blue sky arched overhead and the faintest of breezes skimmed his face. Sighing in contentment, he slouched back in his chair and closed his eyes. Summer days like this were too few to waste and he begrudged the fact that he’d have to go back to work in less than half an hour.
“Hey, Reno! What happened to your face?”
Reno opened one eye and noted that a tall blond-haired man carrying a tray of food was approaching his table. He gave an irritated growl. He’d purposely chosen an inconspicuous seat in a corner hoping for some time alone, but obviously that wasn’t going to happen. Brad was okay in small doses, it was just that he could talk the ear off a stalk of corn. Hiding his displeasure, Reno sat up and nodded a greeting.
“A wild night with the ladies? Someone get turned on by your ‘Texas charm’?” Brad set his food down and looked around for a chair before borrowing one from a nearby table.
Reno flicked his gaze to the window beside him and noted his own reflection. Faint red lines still showed across his cheek, the tanned skin and dark stubble on his face doing little to hide the marks. He touched the scratches he’d received the previous day, his eyes darkening at the memory of how he’d received them. Trust Brad to notice, damn him.
; “Nothing that exciting.” He responded while shifting his eyes to study the commons again. “I was doing a demo for new cadets who are considering taking my course next term. My assistant’s nails caught me.”
“Frank has long nails?” The other man paused in the act of sitting down and looked at him in surprise.
“Nah. Frank didn’t show so I grabbed some girl from the hall to help out.”
“Who was it? If she scratches, she might be fun.” Brad smirked. His mind was always on sex.
Reno shrugged negligently. “I don’t remember. Not too tall and a lousy fighter.” He answered the question with reluctance. Ever since the encounter he’d been doing his best to try to forget her big green eyes, curly red hair and lush curves. For some reason she’d stirred something in him. It made him uneasy and he didn’t like the feeling. In his job he couldn’t afford to lose his focus and he tried to keep his emotions in check. It wasn’t easy, but it was for the best. After all, he didn’t even have a real pack or home. He had nothing to offer a female so he’d always gone with the belief that it was pointless to consider relationships. It was a fact he’d come to grips with long ago; there was little point in constantly revisiting the issue.
“I think her name was Jones.” The words slipped out before he could stop them and he cursed himself for hoping the name would sound familiar to Brad.
“Jones? Nope, no one I know.” Brad shrugged and took a bite of his meal.
Reno pushed down his disappointment. Her name was irrelevant. He had no intention of seeking her out.
“So, how do you like your stint as an instructor? Find any promising candidates?” Brad spoke between mouthfuls of food as he gulped down a quick lunch. Reno shook his head before taking a bite from his own sandwich.
Like himself, Brad was a temporary instructor who’d been seconded from his usual position at Lycan Link Headquarters in order to train the next generation of young weres. Brad’s specialty was computers and he helped maintain the vital internet links that allowed the organization to function smoothly.
Reno’s usual job was that of an Enforcer—a combination of police officer and soldier—but he was presently instructing self-defence and tracking courses. All senior Enforcers were required to do a stint at the Academy once every four years. This was his first round and he’d had his doubts about how he’d take to returning to the halls of academia.
“It’s okay, but I wouldn’t want to do it full time. As for finding anyone suitable for my unit… ” He shrugged. “A few possibilities, but no one who really stands out.”
“I heard a rumour they’re changing the name of your group?”
“The ACS? No. They wanted to, but Council voted it down. There’s no way you can sugar-coat something like ‘ethnic cleansing.’ Sure, Purist activity has died down lately, but there are still active pockets we need to keep watch on. And until we’re able to locate the actual leaders, the threat of resurgence exists.”
“You don’t think it was just a flash in the pan? I mean, sure, halves were discriminated against for centuries, but that’s all in the past, isn’t it?”
“No. The core group of believers are still out there and they’re only aim is to cleanse the blood line. When they take over a pack, anyone deemed not ‘pure’ enough is treated like a second class citizen with no rights. I’ve come across situations where halves and their families have had their homes taken away and have become little more than ‘slaves’ to the pure-bloods. There are even a few cases of halves disappearing, possibly being killed.” He shook his head in disgust. Little wonder he felt old and tired. Dealing with the scum of the earth day in and day out did that to you.
“It’s hard to imagine people believing that crap.”
“The Purists are experts at spreading rumours and misinterpreting the Book of the Law. Once they get a foothold in a pack, it’s not long before they’re in charge and have the members brainwashed.”
“So it sounds like you still need some pretty sharp Lycans on your team.”
“Yeah, that was why I volunteered to do my stint now. We’ve had a few Enforcers ‘retire’ and I need replacements.” A muscle twitched in his jaw when he recalled how they’d retired. Their wolves had gone rogue and become totally uncontrollable. Men who had once worked under him were now locked up in a high security institution and would likely remain there for the rest of their lives. Rogues, once they turned, seldom regained control.
Making the call had been hard, yet the safety of his other officers and that of the rest of Lycan society was on the line. It was a harsh fact to face but served as a wake-up call to the whole unit. A wolf with rogue tendencies wasn’t unsalvageable, but it did require extra vigilance and those two men had become sloppy in their duty.
Pushing the unpleasant memory aside, he stretched and resettled in his chair. “I still have two months left, though. I just started an upgrading course today for anyone who wants to switch their specialty. Maybe there’ll be some in this batch. After all, the Alphas don’t send wusses to the Academy.”
“Yeah. Most of the cadets have a reputation for being pains in the ass.”
“That’s what I need; weres that are just this side of rogue: smart and aggressive, dominant yet still manageable under the right leadership.”
“Well this is the place to look. I tell you Reno, I’ve got a couple cadets in my computer class that… ”
Reno let Brad talk while his attention shifted to studying the ivy covered buildings, residences, parking lots, and pathways that made up the Academy. It was Lycan Link’s version of a university combined with a training ground. Many Lycans went to ‘human’ schools, but some—usually the most dominant males and some females—chose the Academy instead.
Reno laughed ruefully to himself. Chose wasn’t always the proper term. To be sure, some came for academic training in courses such as computers, medicine, or law—members of that group were considered regular students. Others, however, were sent by the pack Alpha whether they wanted to go or not, having been deemed either too unruly or having shown signs of becoming future pack leaders. They entered into the ‘cadet’ program, which was far more gruelling and strict. In that respect, the Academy served as a reform school and holding ground for weres that didn’t fit into a pack’s present hierarchy.
In ancient times, such weres would simply have been killed or at least driven from the pack and left to survive on their own. However, Lycans were considerably more enlightened now and the Academy served as their second chance. After training in how to control their inner wolf, some of the cadets returned to serve their packs in positions of authority, but not all were that lucky.
There were cases where the pack Alpha still viewed the young males as too great a threat and barred them from coming back which left the now homeless Lycans in difficult circumstances. They could seek out a new pack, provided any would take them in. Some tried to establish their own packs while still others ended up wandering the world as a rogue. Lycan Link did its best to take in as many as it could, finding them a spot in the vast organization that served weres around the world. While working for Lycan Link wasn’t the same as living in a pack, it did provide a refuge and sense of purpose. Reno knew that from personal experience.
“Have you checked out the Black Devils?” Brad nudged him, and Reno left his reverie behind to look where his friend was pointing. He focussed his gaze on three cadets who were sprawled in the shade of a tree. They appeared strikingly similar from a distance.
“Black Devils?” He frowned. “I haven’t heard of them.”
“They’ve been keeping a low profile lately, but they’re as black as the ace of spades when they shift.”
Given their colouring that made sense so he nodded. “What about the devil part?”
Brad snorted. “Campus gossip is that those three get into more trouble than any three hundred cadets combined. And their interest in the local ladies contributes to the devil moniker as well.”
Reno shrugged. “High spir
its are common here and dominant males have to get the energy out somehow.” He chuckled as he mentally reminisced about his own experiences at the Academy. “My days here weren’t exactly pristine.”
“Yeah, well they do it better than anyone else. Rumour also has it that they’re possessed. Devil-demons, if you know what I mean. Faster, sharper senses, more intuitive; they could ace every course if they tried.”
“But they don’t?”
“Well, one does. Kane. He’s the youngest and most serious of the lot and tries to keep the other two in check. Lord only knows what they’d get into otherwise. He’ll likely head home when he graduates and become a co-Beta. His file indicates he’s in line as the next Alpha if he just bides his time.”
“Dipping into the files, Brad?” Reno looked at his companion out of the corner of his eye and murmured a slight rebuke.
Brad grinned and shrugged his shoulders. “Can I help it if the security codes here are so easy to break? Let’s just say I was testing the system.”
“As long as you report the faults so they can be fixed. The Academy wouldn’t want the cadets tip-toeing through their files.” Reno knew only too well that it was a prank most cadets attempted. He’d done so himself and had never been caught, but what he’d learned about his psychological profile had been punishment enough. ‘Potentially dangerous rogue,’ that had been the conclusion of his entry tests. Reading that label had changed the course of his life.
“Okay, okay, I’ll tell the Academy. Geez, you Enforcers are sticklers for rules.”
“Occupational hazard.”
Brad rolled his eyes. “So, I suppose you don’t want to know about the other devils?”
Reno hesitated, however his curiosity got the better of him. “What did you learn?”
“One is named Ryne; he’s Kane’s half brother, and too cocky for his own good. He has potential as an Alpha, but if he’s up against Kane, it won’t work unless he changes his attitude. I can see him heading out on his own one day, kicking around the world before settling down, maybe even starting his own pack.”