Page 96 of Beginning Fate

“Yes, I’m afraid I have a bit of bad news?”

“I can’t stay?” I blurted out.

“What? I didn’t know you were even considering it.”

“Oh. Well, I found my mate here. I guess I assumed it was just public knowledge or that everyone could just tell or something.”

“Congratulations. I hadn’t heard. Who’s the lucky man?”

“Denny.”

He genuinely seemed surprised by that but smiled and nodded.

“He’s a good man. May never leave the ARC though.”

I snorted. “I’m aware.”

“Well, perhaps we can work out a mutual arrangement then.”

“How so?”

“Professor Jones informed me that a number of students have come forward with a sudden interest in ASL. I assume this has a lot to do with your sister.”

“Yes. Kylie has made many friends here already.”

“I’m so glad to hear it.”

“Unfortunately, when we spoke earlier this year, we had a full ASL program as you are aware. But with interest low this semester, Professor Jones took an offer at a human facility.”

“I’m aware. She was inquiring about the possibility of staying.”

“Unfortunately, it’s too late for that. She signed a three-year contract with them and has been unable to get out of it. I am so sorry. Ironically, Denny was who I had targeted to assist your sister all along. So there should be no concerns there. We are still capable of providing her the services she needs.”

“There just won’t be any ASL classes for others who may wish to learn to communicate with her better?”

“Regrettably. However, I was speaking with your Alpha this morning. Clearly, he has not heard the news of your mating either, or at least he didn’t mention it to me.”

I cringed. “It’s very new. I haven’t contacted him yet,” I confessed.

“All in good time. When I told him about our predicament, he suggested I speak with you.”

“Me? Why? Kylie’s already made solid friendships here and she’s happier than any of us even hoped for. I’m not moving her to Gallaudet now. Besides, it’s probably too late. She already turned them down.”

“Relax, Lauren. You’re misunderstanding me. We weren’t talking about your sister. We were discussing you staying here. Matt tells me you are fluent in American Sign Language and knows how close you and Kylie are.”

“I am fluent. Of course, I am. I taught Kylie when she was six.”

“And a great deal of others in the New York Pack. In fact, he told me you offer annual classes for anyone willing to learn.”

I shrugged. “I just wanted to give people the opportunity to get to know my sister better.”

“That’s very admirable, Lauren, and quite impressive. As we seem to suddenly have a big need for such classes here, would you consider teaching?”

“What?” I laughed. “I’m not a teacher. This is a joke, right?”

“I’m not laughing. This is serious. I’ve had fifteen students try to sign up for ASL 101 this week. I have no doubt once the rest of the school returns and meets Kylie that there will be an even greater need to fill here.”

“But I’m not a teacher. I barely finished high school. I can’t be a professor of something.”

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