Chapter 4

The next morning, Symphony woke up and every muscle in her body was sore.  She recalled what had happened the day before and shuddered, she hoped that since she had her first shift it would be less painful next time.

“It will get easier, sweet child” Starlett said to her. 

Symphony jumped a little, as she wasn’t used to having this voice inside of her head yet.  She sighed and started getting ready for school.  She hated Mondays and knew today was going to be worse because of all the extra guards that would be stationed around the school.

          She decided that even though she showered last night, she had time to take a nice hot shower this morning, hoping to relieve some of the soreness from her body.  When she finished her shower, she did her hair and brushed her teeth.  She took a minute to look at herself in the mirror, she didn’t look any different since she got her wolf, but she felt different.

“Just wait, you will begin to experience the world in a different light not that you have me” Starlett said “Your senses are going to be sharper, and your abilities will start to become stronger.”

Symphony just smiled, she was ready no matter what the world threw at her.

          She made her way downstairs and was met by Alexander looking at his watch.  She was confused because normally he was gone for work by the time she left for school.  

“Good morning” he said “I have the guards already at the school and they made sure everything is safe.  I know you normally take the bus to school but, from now until the person that is treating you is caught either myself or Gavin will be driving you.”

“Seriously, I have my wolf now, which means I am stronger than before.  You really don't need to do that.” Symphony said with a little frustration in her voice as she rolled her eyes at him.

“This is not up for discussion” Alexander said letting Dax come through in his voice.

 Symphony shrunk back, Alexander had never used that tone with her before.  She had heard him use it on other people that pissed him off but never her, she was a little hurt, even her wolf cowered down because of it.    

          On the verge of tears Symphony ran out to the car, got in the back seat and slammed the door. Alexander knew he went too far using Dax to get her to listen, but this was not going to be a debate when it came to her safety.  He made his way to the car and got in, he nodded to Gavin who was getting into the car behind them and headed off toward the school.  He noticed Symphony silently cry in the back, he felt horrible but what he did needed to be done and Dax's words came back to him that she would be alright.  He hated how he was starting to feel around her, she was there because of the power she had, nothing more.

When they arrived at the school Alexander was pleased to see the guards around the building, there was even one at the door making sure no one got in that wasn’t supposed to be there.  He stopped the car and went to turn around to talk to Symphony, but she was already out the door and heading toward the school.  He watched her as she met up with her friends, he was going to run checks on them today to see if anything stood out.  He noticed a girl wrapping Symphony in a hug and wondered if that was Fiona, Symphony's best friend.  He waited until she was inside the school before he drove off toward home.  As he drove an uneasiness came over him.  Dax started going nuts in his head.

“We have to go back to the school.” Dax said “Something isn't right”

“The guards would let us know if something was wrong” Alexander replied, as he tried to get Dax under control “She will be ok she is with her friends”

Dax wasn’t having it, something felt wrong just leaving her at the school, extra guards or not.  Alexander had never see Dax like this before and was doing his best to keep himself from shifting right there in the car.

“What the hell Dax.” Alexander said as he stopped the car to try to calm Dax down.

          After several minutes of back and forth with Dax Alexander decided to head back to the school just to make sure everything was all right, and maybe calm Dax down as he was on the verge of shifting. When Alexander pulled into the school his hair stood on end, he looked around and the guards that were around the building were no longer there.  He had made sure that there would be guards inside and out of the building so where the heck were they?  He scanned the area again thinking he may have missed something, but they were nowhere in sight.  He quickly made his way towards the door and when he opened it what he saw made even his stomach turn.  There in the lobby of the school were several of his guards, all dead, strung up like dolls.  Their hearts had been torn out and attached to each one was a note “We are coming for the girl. You cannot protect her forever”.  Alexander quickly called Gavin to find out where he was and if Symphony was ok.  When there was no answer, he ran through the hallways trying to find them.  

          No one was in any of the class rooms or the offices.  He slowed for a moment to let his senses take over, then he caught Symphony’s scent and followed it.  When he got to the gym, he found Gavin outside the door with a look of fear clear in his eyes.  Gavin turned toward Alexander and started explaining what had happened, Alexander didn't hear him as he was more worried about Symphony.

“Is she in there? Is she safe?” He asked Gavin.

“She is” Gavin replied “Did you even hear anything else I just told you?” 

Alexander turned and looked at him like he was crazy for talking to him this way but answered him anyway 

“Yes I did,  something about a bunch of rogues attacking the guards after I left, They tried to get into the school but only made it as far as the lobby before the other guards showed up and outnumbered them, the students and staff got collected when the first attack happened and now they are in the gym like sitting ducks.” Alexander said, with a hint of fury in his voice “Did I leave anything out”.

          He shoved past Gavin and headed into the gym, his eyes scanned over the terrified students and teachers until he found her.  Symphony was huddled in a corner surrounded by her friends with tears streaming down her face, she was terrified, and Alexander knew it.  He walked over to where she was and the moment, she saw him she stood up and wiped her tears.  When he reached her, he pulled her into his arms making sure she was not hurt.  She looked up at him and whispered

“I thought I was going to be safe here but instead I put my friends in danger”  

Her shoulders slumped and she felt defeated.  

“You were supposed to be safe here no one should have been able to get past my guards, not without inside help” Alexander said trying to calm her down as he looked around the room trying to find who betrayed him and almost got a lot of people killed.

“Can you take me home, please Alex” Symphony whispered against his chest.

“Of course,” he replied back, smirking as he heard the Alex, no one not even his parents called him Alex.

          Making their way out of the gym, Alexander stopped only for a moment to speak with the head of the school.  They confirmed what Gavin had already told him.  He looked around once more to see if anyone would give something away, that they had helped in this fiasco, there was nothing.  Heading out the door the pair ran back into Gavin who was keeping watch in the hall.  Alexander nodded to him and walked away.  

“Do you need me to come with you? "Gavin asked 

“No stay here and find out what you can about the attack” Alexander replied not look at him “Let me know what you find”

Alexander then wrapped his arm around Symphony's shoulders and walked her out to the car.  He placed her in the front seat and buckled her in, she looked at him with tired and fearful eyes. 

“It's going to be ok, I promise I will keep you safe” Alex said to her giving her a kiss on the forehead and shutting her door.  

He made his way to the driver's side, took a breath, and got into the car.

“This girl is getting to you” Dax said sarcastically

Alexander rolled his eyes, and they headed back to the mansion.