"You're up early, Alex." Freddy commented and I smiled, stretching my arms above my head before I walked fully into the hallway. "You're going to meet up with Ric right?" He added, lightly nudging me and I just shrugged not surprised to feel my face burning.
"Not going to lie it's been hard not being able to hang out with Ric between his tutoring and our midterms but now that they're over…." I trailed off with a wide smiled, ignoring sniggering from Ivan, Winslow and Wendy.
"So where's your boyfriend taking you on your date?" Ivan teased and I shook my head, making my way straight for his office though when Pincus stepped into the hallway I paused.
"Sorry but Ric's busy grading your exams right now. So your date, as it were, will have to wait a little longer." Pincus explained and I sighed, running a hand through my hair before I nodded at her. "In day or two he should be finished and once he is, and only then, you can spend some quality time with him if you wish."
"Yes, Principal Pincus." I replied, knowing there was no way of arguing with her before I changed direct heading for the rec room instead. Once we entered the room I made for the couch, lying back with a grin and a sigh. "Perfect. No more studying."
"Couldn't have said it better myself, Alex." Ivan agreed and I raised an eyebrow at him when he shrugged. "Hey a good idea's a good idea."
"Yeahhh no more books." Kitty said, taking a spot on the opposite of the couch as I rested my head back. "At least until the next classes anyway."
"Just had to remind me, Kitty." Freddy complained and everyone laughed including me as I thought about my future date with Ric. "Still at least we get some time off until then and I'm making the most of it."
"Someone's happy. How do you think you did, Alex?" Omar asked me as I stared up at the ceiling, tapping one leg against the other with a smile on my lips.
"Looks like someone's a little distracted at the moment, Omar." Aggie said and I just gave her a one-armed shrug scratching the bridge of my nose. "But I'm sure everyone did great on their exams."
"I spent so much time being tutored while I was recovering there's no way I didn't get a high grade. I'm sure I aced those exams." I commented, fiddling with the bandage on my arm. "Plus I can finally get my bandages off. My leg's been so itchy." I complained, scratching at my leg before I could resist it.
"If you keep doing that you'll probably be wearing those bandages for a lot longer, Alex." Batty pointed out and I rolled my eyes, taking my fingers away trying to resist the urge to keep scratching at it.
As the day wore on I tried to find something to occupy my time, making a quick trip to the library and back. But after re-reading the same page for the third time in a row I glanced up at the clock, groaning when I noticed that it was only two in the afternoon. "You're hopeless." Ivan commented and I snorted, looking past the cover of the book I'd brought back before I lowered both eyebrows at him. "Hey don't look at me like that. You're the one trying to read a book upside down."
A quick glance at the writing confirmed that Ivan was right and I cleared my throat, turning the book fully around before I tried to concentrate. Only after an hour did I finally give up, setting the book down on the table before I leaned back deciding that if I couldn't concentrate maybe all I need was a quick nap so I settled myself on the couch.
The next time I opened my eyes the sun had already set and as I yawned, stretching I found myself alone in the rec room. Curious I sat, rubbing at my eyes before I pushed myself off the couch and as I made my way slowly to the open doorway I found myself wondering where everyone had disappeared to.
"Freddy? Batty? Anyone there?" I called out, poking my head out the doorway though when no one answered I shook my head. "Guess I'm on my own for now." I grumbled, a sudden idea coming to me and with my lips curled into a smile I headed in the direction of Ric's office. I made it as far as Pincus' office when she emerged from the room and I blinked, staring at her as she frowned at me.
"Miss Wolff, after our little chat I thought we agreed that you wouldn't disturb Mr Rawls." Pincus asked and I sighed, nodding before I chose instead to head for the mess hall.
"Maybe getting something to eat will distract me. I need to stop focusing so much on Ric." I scolded myself and as I crossed the hallway I heard my stomach growling at me. "So we're in agreement. Good to know."
"There you are. So much for a quick nap. You've been gone for ages." Batty commented and I just shrugged, making a beeline for the fridge. Grasping the handle I pulled the door open, checking the contents before I decided to make myself a sandwich.
"Hey I lost track of time. Anyway it's not like I have anything better to do since the exams finished and I'm still waiting on Ric to poke his head out of his office." I answered, grabbing a few things and with my arms full I bumped the fridge door closed with my hip.
"You could be studying for our end of the year final exam." Aggie suggested, sitting on a stool and I groaned setting down everything on the bench. As I put together my sandwich everyone stared at me and after I finished putting the butter and cheese away I turned back to see everyone looking at me.
"What I'm hungry?" I explained, sitting before I started on the colossal sandwich I'd made for myself ignoring the stares from my friends. Later as I picked at the crumbs I looked at my watch, shaking my head when it was barely after seven. "Will this night never end?" I complained, poking at my arm.
"We could go for a run in the forest?" Freddy suggested and I shook my head, knowing that Pincus would shoot that idea immediately. "Why not?"
"You know Pincus doesn't want us going out until that wilderwolf pack's caught." Aggie answered and I nodded in agreement, looking at my moon band with two narrowed eyes. "Especially you, Alex. Not after last time."
"Yes, yes I know, Aggie. If it wasn't for me that alpha wouldn't be running wild in Milford." I grumbled, feeling a pat on my shoulder. "Thanks for trying but it is my fault." I told Batty who fixed me with a raised eyebrow.
"Alex, you are passed out in the sick bay. Of course this isn't your fault." Freddy agreed and I just shrugged, hearing footsteps approaching us and I brightened rising from my seat though once Pincus poked her head into the room I sat back hunching my shoulders.
"Due to the curfew at the moment I just wanted to make sure everyone will be staying in Howlington tonight." Pincus asked and everyone else nodded though when she caught me glancing at the window she frowned slightly. "Miss Wolff, are you listening?"
"Sorry, Principal Pincus I was...somewhere else. What did you say?" I asked, fiddling with my sleeve and she sighed looking straight at me now.
"Miss Wolff, I know it's tempting but you need to stay indoors. Until the Night Patrol find that wilderwolf pack it's too dangerous wandering outside after nightfall." Pincus repeated and I nodded though after she left I pinched the bridge of my nose glancing at the moon shining high in the sky.
"I know that look, Alex and I wouldn't even try it. You know how dangerous it is outside right now." Batty told me and I groaned, finally sighing before I climbed back to my feet. With a backward glance at my friends I limped toward the door only pausing when I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Come on, we'll walk you back to your room." She offered and I managed a weak smile walking alongside my friends back to our rooms.
Giving up on spending any time either with Ric or outside I bid my friends goodnight, entering my room before I closed the door. Shaking my head I climbed in bed and after tugging off my shoes I set them down on the floor pulling the blanket over me. After glancing at the moon outside my window I lay back, closing my eyes hoping that the night would past by fast.
A knock at my dorm door forced my eyes open and as I groaned, rubbing at them I heard the knock again. "Be right there. Give me a second." I called out, sitting and as I pulled on my shoes I saw the door opening. "Geeze it's only been a few seconds." I muttered seeing Freddy poking his head through the door.
"Good morning to you too, Alex. Not a morning person I'm guessing?" He joked and I snorted, fixing my hair before I stepped out into the hallway. "Want to grab some breakfast before we find out how well we did on our exams?" He suggested and I nodded at him, following Freddy as we headed for the mess hall. Once there I found the rest of the wolf pack already eating breakfast and after I grabbed some cereal I poured it into a bowl.
"Last one has to clean up." Ivan called and I blinked, raising both eyebrows at my fellow werewolf who nodded at me. "New rule."
"What are you talking about, Ivan? When did that happen?" I asked as Omar handed me the bottle of milk. "Thanks, Omar by the way."
"He came up with that rule, Alex. Don't pay any attention to him." Kitty explained and I snorted, rolling my eyes at Ivan who crossed his arms. With a grin at Ivan I poured milk into the bowl and after handing it off I dig into my breakfast.
As we walked to the Great Hall I followed behind my friends, wondering how Ric was going now that our midterms were over and done with. Now in the Great Hall I settled myself in a seat near the front trying not to fidget as I waited for Ric to enter the building. I looked up hearing footsteps but when Pincus entered the room, holding a stack of papers, I leaned back wondering if she had seen my face fall.
"Students, you have all done remarkably well on your midterms. Some better than others," Pincus said, looking at Ivan and Freddy for a few seconds before she cleared her throat, "however you have all passed and I am pleased with your results. Especially you, Alex. I know it hasn't been easy on you with your injuries so I am very proud of you."
"Thank you, Principal Pincus but Ric helped me a lot so I owe him a lot too. Where is he anyway?" I asked and Pincus paused, looking around the hall before she frowned.
"That is strange. Ric promised he'd be here for the results of your exams." Pincus explained and I rubbed at my eyes, trying to stay positive. "He's probably just running late."
Shaking my head I could barely focus on Pincus though I heard curfew mentioned several times, mostly directed at me I was fairly sure. Of course once I left the Great Hall I headed directly for Ric's office reaching it despite the slight limp I still had. "Ric, it's me." I called out though when no one answered I lightly knocked on the door.
When this proved futile I pushed at the door, finding that it was unlocked and as the door swung open I blinked. "Ric?" I called out, stepping further into the room but when I couldn't see Ric I frowned. "Where did you go?"
"Is there something wrong?" Pincus asked and I yelped, spinning around to find Howlington's principal standing in the open doorway. "Alex, what's the matter?" She asked with a frown once she saw me breathing faster.
"I can't find Ric. He's not in his office and I don't know where he is." I stammered, Pincus holding up her hand before she moved to the desk. After some searching she shook her head, walking back over to me. "I thought he'd at least tell me where he went."
"Don't worry, Alex. Ric's probably just taking a walk in the garden." Pincus suggested though the uncertainty in her voice had my shoulders slumping. Seeing the way I kept glancing at the window she sighed, resting a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Alex."
"I know he can take care of himself but I can't help worrying about him." I explained and Pincus nodded, a faint smile on her lips.
"I understand just how much he means to you, Alex but Ric will be fine. You should rest your leg in your room. I'm sure that Ric will find you there." Pincus suggested and I nodded at her, heading outside though I couldn't help glancing at the window with a sinking heart.
As I carefully made my way back to my room I fiddled with the ring Ric had given me, wondering just where my boyfriend had wandered off to.
"I hope that Alex stays inside during Howlington's curfew, especially after I went to all that trouble stitching up her wound. At least she didn't tear her stitches." Ric muttered, adjusting his grip on the gym bag he carried over one shoulder. "Right now I can't let anyone know where I am….at least until that alpha's dealt with. I just hope you can forgive me for everything I've put you through, Alex."