FULL NOVELXO Chapter 6 ~ She Punched Him, Anyway
Maddox and Hunter arrived at the Academy in the middle of the afternoon the second day after they left home. They were excited about learning everything they need to be in charge of the pack.
Maddox stopped a guy to ask where he could find the Dean of Administration office. The name on the door read Dean Anthony Bradford.. as Hunter knocked.
They made their introductions.. and were given room assignments.. as well as their class schedules… which, for the most part, were the same. Each boy went to their rooms to settle in.
They would soon learn this was nothing like high school. It’s more of a military facility.. and have to follow a regimen fit for a soldier.
Their meals are always at the same time.. every day. If you missed it.. you went hungry.. Maddox learned to grab snacks from the commissary to compensate.
School wasn’t due to start until the third day they were there.. so their time was spent learning where everything was.
Classes were held in the academic building. And course load for both of the boys was grueling.. six hours of every day would be spent learning werewolf law.. the doctrine of the Goddess. As well as bookkeeping..battle strategy.. psychology.. history..first aid triage. And biology.
After academics.. they had two hours of strenuous physical activity.. which varied from day to day. Weight lifting.. obstacle courses.. calisthenics.. wrestling and boxing.
Three times a week were spent on weaponry. Maddox and Hunter both had grown up training in all forms of martial arts.. as well as weapons. The added advantage having the battle simulator placed them in the top percentile of their age group.. which in turn ranked them higher than most newbies.
Maddox fell into a routine easily enough.. and excelled at most of his courses. Where all of his classes were geared to leadership.. Hunter opted to add to his.. taking technology and security courses, as well.
The time went fairly fast.. Delaney and Venom made it a point to physically visit him.. at least once every six weeks or so. He had been kept informed with everything that was going on back home..
He was told everything that was going on with Delilah.. and would discuss what was being done in the investigation.
Delaney told him of problems arising among the other biker clubs.. the president of the Vikings had gotten power hungry.. and being a one-percenter.. was dealing drugs.. weapons.. and prostitution.
She told him Marcus had been released and they had been able to keep an eye on him for about two months.. but he slipped away in the night and they are waiting for him to resurface.
President Viper was planning something big.. so Axe planted a mole to prospect at his clubhouse. Venom recommended Maddox work on alliances as soon as he opened the new chapter of Warrior Wolves.
Maddox grinned “I haven’t stopped networking.. there’s three second born Alphas in class with me, interested in prospecting for me.. but, to be honest.. I may skip that process with them. They have grown up around M.C’s and have ridden for a few years.. They score high in the physical aspect of our training here.”
Venom laughed “Way to be thinking on your feet.. little brother. I am dealing with Cabot and Alpha Dylan.. they’ve decided we hold too much territory and believe they can take it from me.. so.. you handling the Vikings.. and that asshole Viper.. frees me up to deal with the wolves. Axe and his team are busy running leads on Delilah’s situation.. We keep hitting walls… and dead ends.”
Delaney said “I think they will try something before her birthday in November. That girl is brazen.. fearless. She warned her stepmother that she had better hope we don’t find anything implicating her in the death of her parents.”
After her run in with Bethany and Sophia, Delilah had become the popular kid.. which she wasn’t thrilled about. That made Maddox laugh.. knowing she hated calling attention to herself.
The boys were approaching graduation.. Grateful they hadn’t been forced to attend the standard four year course most people there were subjected to.
There wasn’t really anything they could learn physically.. that they didn’t already know. And both of them were quickly promoted to team captains.. as well as instructors.
The popularity they had achieved was both flattering and annoying. Maddox onever complained.. determined to make Venom proud.
Steele and Axle became stronger.. more focused.. bonding deeply with their human counterparts. Maddox grew.. larger.. stronger.. his muscles developed into those of a grown man. He matured.. became even more serious and introspective.
Being there.. so far from home.. caused Maddox to grow into the strong silent type. He learned he could gather more information by observing than by contributing.
Graduations were held the first week of July.. they had passed their eighteenth birthdays at the Academy. All Hunter could think about was getting home to Valerie.. praying she was his mate.. but knowing they wouldn’t know for sure.. until after her birthday in August.
He hadn’t been allowed to speak with her the entire time he was away.. She had written letters.. but the Dean wouldn’t let him have them. Outside distractions were strictly prohibited.
If not for the fact that Venom was one of the Academy’s largest contributors, they wouldn’t have been allowed contact with them. Their cellphones had been confiscated on their arrival. So FaceTime with his sister was off the table.
Graduation day was upon them.. and Hunter was panicking.. Maddox asked “The fuck is wrong with you, bro?” Hunter looked at him.. his eyes huge “I haven’t seen Valerie in two years, dude! Two years! What if she’s changed her mind? What if she doesn’t like the way I look? I never even discussed tattoos with her.. or letting my hair grow out.. I should have gotten a haircut. What if she doesn’t like me anymore.”
Maddox laughed “Damn! Bet you’ve been awake all night worrying about this shit.. You need to stop. She has loved you since forever. That hasn’t changed.. I promise. And I’ve heard all girls think tattoos are sexy. But seriously.. have you given any thought to what you will do if she isn’t your mate? You won’t know until her birthday.”
Hunter growled “She’s mine! Don’t even think that.. Saying it out loud will jinx us.. so stop it!” Making Maddox laugh again.
Hunter was among the first to walk across the stage since his last name began with B. Maddox was called once two thirds of the graduating class had walked.. As he crossed the stage.. he could hear his family whistling and calling his name.. Louder than anyone else had done.. bringing a huge smile to his face.
Shaking the hand of the Dean.. he was asked “Have your own fan club, Quinn?” Maddox grinned “My family, sir.” The Dean nodded.. congratulating him and replied “Lucky man!”
He hopped off the stage.. holding his diploma high in the air.. and Delaney stood up.. wolf whistling “That’s my brother! Way to go, Buddy Roe!” Causing the crowd to erupt in laughter.
Everyone of the family had gathered in the courtyard.. awaiting the graduating duo. Delilah held Colleen.. and Val had Dellene.. while Artemis and Aaron ran circles around their parents in excitement. Snake and Vicki stood off to the side.. her rubbing her very pregnant belly.. while Axe had stepped away to smoke a cigarette..
When Valerie spotted Hunter.. she handed Dellene off to Delaney and ran as fast as her little legs would carry her. She launched herself at him and he barely had time to drop his bag, before catching her.. her legs wrapped around his waist.. tucking her face into his neck.. she cried tears of pure joy.
Maddox grinned “Worried for nothing, bro! What did I tell ya?” They reached the group and hugs were exchanged all around. When Maddox saw Delilah, his breath caught in his chest. She had gotten even more beautiful.. Filled out in all the right places.. Steele straightened up and looked her over.. mesmerized by her dark hair and sparkling blue eyes.
She told him “If we weren’t friends, I would punch you! Feels like you’re imagining me naked.” He busted out laughing.. “I wasn’t.. I was admiring your beauty.. but hadn’t reached the naked part of my fantasy.. Thanks for the visual, though.” She punched him, anyway.