Page 107 of Freeing My Alpha

I’m too afraid to look at anyone’s reactions, judging by the sudden movement I can see out of the corner of my eyes. My focus remains locked on Noah, allowing him to ground me.

“I’m so proud of every single one of you for how much you’ve learned about sharing, friendship, and the world. I know you’ll do such an amazing job in kindergarten. Congratulations, learners! Give yourselves a big hug for me!”

As I take a step into the grass to join the crowd, I’m stopped by multiple concerned grown-ups.

“Miss Matsuoka, did you say it was your last year?”

“Wait, so she did say that?” Cory’s mom clutches her shirt. “I wanted my daughter to be in her class next year.”

Andy’s mom gapes, her forehead knotted. “Is it true, Miss Matsuoka?”

All eyes are on me, worry replacing the smiles from just moments before. The Omega in me wants to crawl into a hole and disappear. This is supposed to be their day, not mine. What do I say now?

Before the voices stepping forward overwhelm me, my eyes catch on my mate.

Noah gives me a sad smile. Look at the impact you’ve had. They’re ready to fight for you for a reason. You probably have no idea of the depth you’re actually helping their kids.

I bite my lips, dropping my head as tears flood my eyes. I turn around, quickly brushing them away.

“Oh, Miss Matsuoka...” Andy’s mom mutters.

But a smile bursts across my face as I turn back to address my students and their grown-ups. “I really wish I could return to teach, but with the budget cuts, I won’t be returning next year.”

The grown-ups deflate, muttering to each other.

Cory’s mom shakes her head. “I’m so sorry to hear that. So many of us have younger kids we wanted to be in your class. But you’ll keep teaching, won’t you?”

The desperate hope in everyone’s eyes crushes me.

“Well, I’ll be moving on to create something new in Greenfield—” I eye Noah for permission to share, and he nods. “Maybe a cross between a daycare and organized homeschooling for kids that need behavioral support in that town.”

Andy’s mom in particular brightens up—a weight lifting from her eyes as she practically hops in excitement. “Oh, that's wonderful!”

This relaxes the atmosphere just enough for groups to start breaking off, guiding their kids to the playground.

Okay, I got through it. Thanks to my sweet Alpha.

As I return to my mate’s side, his soft touch on my back allows me to stand straighter and swipe away my remaining tears. Wolves pour in from all over the field, desperate for a chance to talk to us—well, particularly for a rare chance to talk to Noah.

But Andy’s mom seems to want to stick around after talking to him, eyeing me nervously. I wave her aside with a smile, settling beside her on a playground bench.

“Andy made such incredible leaps this year! I’m so proud of him,” I say.

She hugs me out of nowhere, squeezing me tight. My heart crawls into my throat, flooded by her grateful, yet sad scent.

Her voice is soft and shaky. “I don’t know how to thank you. After how awful school was for him last year, I feel like I got my happy kid back.”

I release a soothing scent on instinct, and Andy’s mom sighs, releasing me.

“I love him no matter what, of course. But with Andy having to repeat preschool, and all his anger issues that came up—” Her lip wobbles, tearing at my heart. “I just hated seeing him so sad. So I can’t thank you enough for helping him feel like it’s okay to be who he is. He’s a positive, energetic kid again.”

My heart throbs with every word she says. “Oh, it’s my absolute pleasure. He took in everything I said and implemented it on his own. It’s his accomplishment.” Then I chuckle. “And I think it helped that he wants to be an Alpha protecting his pack Luna.”

Andy's mom gives a hearty laugh, drying her eyes. “It’s not just that, Luna. And it’s not just about his resiliency, either—although, my kid is incredibly resilient.”

She leans in, her eyebrows furrowing. With how deep the pain on her face sets into the soft wrinkles at the corner of her eyes, I can tell this pain existed long before Andy was born.

“No other teacher knows how to work with wolves around here. We all love Teacher Rainn, of course, but I and many other Lycan parents want our pups to grow up suited to blend in with human society, not confining them to our hometown so they can lead any life they want to. Andy's older brother, Jason, struggled the same way in human school. But Jason didn't have a teacher like you. I really think it changed him, no matter what I could say or do to try to help.” She shakes her head, quickly swiping away fresh tears. “You’ve always met your students where they’re at, and it changed Andy's life. He was so stifled and shamed last year that he hated school. At three years old!”

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