30
SHIRA’S OFFICE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH
11:59 P.M.
The arresting smell of spicy coffee beans and—was that cayenne pepper and maple syrup?—sucked Allie from the swirling darkness. Her eyelids were heavier than an overnight bag. Her tongue felt like a dry dirt path, her teeth tiny rocks that had been kicked aside by mindless hikers.
“Where am I?” she croaked.
“Who are you, is a better question,” the woman stood, taking the coffee smell with her.
“Huh?”
“Don’t bother answering now.” She paced. “You’ll have plenty of time for that later, Allie Ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.” She drew out the A sound.
“Huh?” Trepidation washed through Allie’s insides like a colonic. What was happening? Why was she here?
“While identity theft is illegal it does prove you have do-or-die determination: a crucial Alpha quality.”
She picked up a framed photo of Darwin. The sight of him filled Allie with a liquid Theraflu-type warmth. Her lips tingled and her heart swayed like a puppy wagging its tail.
“My Shira-instincts are telling me to keep you at the Academy. But the true test of your…” Shira paused to push the dark glasses up her nose, “… alphaness will come with what you do next.”
“Whaddaya mean?” Allie asked, unable to look away from the picture.
“I mean only a true alpha could survive telling her teachers, friends, and…” she placed the photo of her son back on the shelf, “… anyone else who may have believed you were a talented singer-songwriter-environmentalist… ” Shira grinned, a fox finishing off its last bite of lamb. “So now it is time for Allie Ayyyyyy to do what Allie Jayyyyy has done her entire life.”
“What’s that?” Allie croaked.
“Face the music.” Shira winked.
An invisible knife stabbed Allie’s wagging heart. How could she step foot back in Jackie O? What would her roommates say? Would Darwin ever forgive her? Would he still like her? What if Trina and Fletcher found out?
Everything was coming back to her now.
Everything but hope.