Hunted

Chapter Four

Adam:

Adam was going to puke.

EleanorRooseveltHigh School was a big place; too big. When his mother had registered him and Lisa, Adam had taken the time to learn where everything was on campus while secretly scoping out the best hiding spots.

Everything that he'd learned last Friday was forgotten in the face of being surrounded by so many people. The sad thing was that it was early enough that there weren't many people on campus.

Adam had come early on purpose. By now, his parents and sister would have gotten the note explaining why he'd left. His mother would be worried and his father angry, but it had to be this way. He needed the time to acclimate himself to the new environment and hopefully sniff out the alpha wolves that he would need to avoid.

It also kept him from having to meet any of the Alpha's sons, who were probably all alphas themselves. Lisa would be disappointed in him, and he'd no doubt hear about it the second she caught up to him, but she had to know he couldn't do it. Couldn't meet the Cooper brothers let alone spend any time with them.

A buzzing in his pocket alerted him to an incoming text message. Adam slipped the phone from his pocket and opened the message from his sister and read: Daddy's pissed and Mommy's worried. I get it, A, but I wish you'd take a chance on people. See you soon.

Adam typed back an apology and then returned the phone to his pocket. Looking around, he tried to decide which spot would afford him the best vantage point of the incoming students. There was a copse of trees behind a line of garbage cans that would probably work best, though his wolf snarled at standing next to the trash.

Adam did his best to soothe the animal by reminding him there was only one trash can. The others were for recycling; cans, glass and plastic. The animal was only somewhat mollified, but Adam didn't have time argue. He could hear the first school busses approaching in the distance and could smell the accompanying exhaust.

Moving behind the row of trash cans, Adam made himself comfortable with a promise that he wouldn't be late for his first class.

Cameron:

Cameron's heart pounded in his chest and his sweaty palms nearly slipped off the steering wheel of his Land Rover. It wasn't his nerves he was feeling, but he didn't know whose it was. Whoever the feelings belonged to, Cameron's wolf didn't like it. The animal was stirring under his skin, demanding to be let out.

"What's wrong, Cam?" Colby asked.

"I don't know," Cameron admitted. "Something's freaking me out, my wolf too."

"Are you in danger of shifting?" Carver spoke up from the backseat.

"No," Cameron snapped.

He had better control than that. Shifting without intent was for young wolves just learning to master their animals.

"Do you sense danger?" Colby asked.

"No, just...not really fear but apprehension," Cameron tried to explain.

"Whatever you're feeling, there's a reason for it," Colby said. "Keep your eyes open today and Car and I will do the same."

Cameron nodded. That was a good idea.

When he pulled into the student parking lot and parked the car, the three of them emerged from the vehicle, backpacks slung over their shoulders. As they drew closer to the front entrance of the school, Cameron caught the scent of fresh baked cookies wrapped in cotton candy.