Frankie was so happy, if he was in his wolf form, his tail would be wagging so hard his backside would be swinging from side to side. It had been one hell of an emotional roller coaster for the fire chief learning days ago he had a child. A teenager, no less. He didn’t have much experience dealing with teens outside of telling them off for causing mischief as per his role as the Second. Thankfully Emma as the Luna had barged onto that territory as of late. All the ‘young ones’ were hers, she said, and Frankie was happy to let her bark after them. He had plenty on his plate already to deal with.
He did feel lacking in preparation for quality time with Nella. It meant the world to him when he rocked up to her front door and she beat him to it. Shopping was a great excuse to spend time together. They could use the task at hand to be the framework of their conversation and take the pressure off when they didn’t know what to say. Ruby hadn’t been very keen, and he did understand why. In her mind, he turned up and moved them to Glen Valley in a matter of days. Frankie took advantage of ‘something’ causing Nella to be expelled from school to transfer to GV High.
Being a Werewolf he wouldn’t have relented until he had his pup safely within pack territory. A switch flipped in his mind when he smelt his daughter. It caused excitement and anxiety to twist and coil in his chest and only started to ease now he knew Nella was safe. She would be pack in 2 days' time. The itch of his skin hadn’t started yet so it was a good day to spend with Nella. Dillon was covering his shift at the fire station and Caleb said he would call him if he was needed to act as his second. As long as there were no physical or emotional fires to put out in Glen Valley, he could spend all day with Nella. In theory, anyway. I need to try and read the mood with Ruby. I want her to trust me with Nella, but if I rush and push for too much too soon she might put the breaks on.
The car drive to Levi’s had been quieter than he’d expected. With the bubbly way Nella had greeted him Frankie had expected her to talk his ear off. Instead, she sat quietly and took in the sights as they drove through town. The burden fell to Frankie to fill the silence.
“Do you follow any sports?” He broke the ice tentatively. “I like football myself.”
“No, I play or watch any sports.” She chewed her lips and smoothed her hands down her black pleated skirt to make sure it reached her knees. “I never really liked watching it on TV and I don’t do physical education at school so I never got into any sports either.”
“You don’t do Phys-ed? Why?” Frankie didn’t see the landmine he just stepped on. Nella fisted her hands on her lap and put on a brave smile.
“At all the schools I went to, I had to use the unisex staff toilet if I wanted to get changed. I didn’t feel comfortable getting changed in the boy’s changing rooms and they would always draw attention to…erm. A-and the girls didn’t want me there for the same reason.” Frankie grimaced. Ah shit, I should have figured that out myself. “That was just getting changed for class. The guys were always mean to me. Trying to pull my skirt down or being overly aggressive. The girls said it was unfair having a boy play against them because I’m stronger than them.” Frankie kicked himself. They pulled into Levi’s Diner and parked. He turned off the engine and turned in his seat to look at her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think. I didn’t mean to upset you Nella. I thought you were going to say your school didn’t do sports for girls or something. Like, only the boys did sports. I’m really sorry.”
“Hey it’s fine.” She chuckled sadly. “I talked to my Mum about what to expect with you last night.” That made Frankie tense and worry. “There’s going to be a learning curve, for both of us, so it’s fine. I’m not upset.”
“Really? Because I really didn’t mean to-”
“I’m fine.” Nella reached over and paused her hand halfway towards Frankie’s arm. She chuckled nervously and started to bring it back, but Frankie shot his hand up to take it.
“For the record? You would be welcome to do sports at GV high, as there are plenty of-” Frankie caught himself almost saying ‘omegas’ “-LGBTQ pupils there, but if you don’t want to I’ll co-sign any note for your teacher if you want to be excused.”
“Would…I play with the girls or the boys?” Her smile was sad, already knowing the answer. Frankie wished he could say she’d be in the girl’s Phys-ed class, but she would have the strength and aggression of a male werewolf when she shifted. If she was an Alpha, which was unlikely given her stature, her Pherolin levels would increase exponentially for a while. Any form of competition tended to rile up aggressive pack behaviours. If she was an omega she would produce more Pherolin, but not as much as an Alpha. Her Oestrusine levels would increase to high higher levels, and that was asking for trouble around the Alphas. Female Alphas were incredibly rare and their pack didn’t have any. That meant the male team would be full of male Alphas, but also Betas and Omegas. Honestly, Frankie didn’t like the idea of Nella on the boy’s team either. If she turned out to be an Omega, then any young and stupid Alpha that started to go into rut might get handsy with her.
That thought made Frankie feel a tad murderous.
“I’ll write you a note. That is, if that’s what you want?”
“It’s probably for the best. I only have the rest of this year and next before I graduate anyway, and I’m not a fan of sports anyway.” Nella chuckled at the worried look on his face. “Really I’m fine.” She nodded to the hand he still held.
“Right.” He released her and cleared his throat. The moment dragged out and he looked around for anything to latch onto for a topic change. He remembered that they were parked outside of Levi’s Diner and smiled with relief. “Pancakes?”
“Pancakes.” She nodded with a smile and they both got out of their respective doors. Frankie locked the Sedan and met her at the back of the car. They walked side by side to the front door and Frankie held it open for her. “Thank you.” Nella fussed with her hands down her diamond print blue and white sweater vest and tugged at the cuffs of her white shirt. Her steely blue eyes took in the sight of a typical American diner. Classy, though. Hardwood floors and counters, red seated stools facing the main service counter, cozy romantic round booths at the back on either side of the kitchen service area, and the center of the room and by the front windows there were large family-sized booths. All red leather with wooden tables between them.
“Good morning I’m Hannah, Levi’s wife.” A woman approached Nella with a bright smile. She had curly auburn hair, crimson lips, long black curled eyelashes, and a smart uniform. Black trousers, a blouse, and a white apron over her lap only. “And this is our Diner.” She offered a brown leather menu to Frankie and discretely sniffed at Nella. “Oh she’s yours alright.”
“Spittin’ image of me, in her eyes.” Frankie hurried to offer. It was true her scent was stronger today. The Almond especially seemed to be coming through more, though the dominant signature to her pheromones was still lavender. “Hannah, this is my daughter, Nella.”
“Oh that’s just lovely.” Hannah cooed and put her hands on her chest. “We’re all so happy for Frankie. He’s such a good egg. Welcome to the family sweetie.”
“Wow, thanks.” Nella smiled and gulped. Hannah was looking at her expectantly, and she wasn’t the only one. One glance around the diner confirmed that everyone was looking at her. They weren’t even being discrete about it. Some even turned in their seats to look over the back of the booth to look at Nella.
“We would like a stack of pancakes each please Hannah, with strawberries and chocolate syrup.” Frankie put his hands on her shoulders and started walking them to the nearest booth.
“Coming right up Frankie.” Hannah swooned happily and minced to the kitchen to begin their order form.
“How about a nice window spot?” Frankie ushered her into one side of the booth and he hurried to sit opposite her. “So?” He cleared his throat and busied his hands with the drinks menu. “Coffee?”
“…” Nella blinked at Frankie, looked over her right shoulder to scan the rest of the diner and the many eyes still staring and smiling as they whispered to each other, and fixed him with a raised brow. “What’s going on?” She threw a thumb over her shoulder as she leaned over the table to whisper to him. “Why is everyone staring at me like I’m a freak?”
“What? No they’re not.” The diner full of werewolves heard the teenager’s whispers and immediately stared down at their own plates and cups of coffee. “Maybe they’re a bit curious about my daughter? Everyone knows everyone here in Glen Valley.” He shrugged with a smile. “They’ve known me my whole life and I’ve always been single, so turning up with a grown-up daughter is interesting, is all.”
“So they aren’t staring because…?” Would he do that? Would he tell his friends his daughter was trans and let the rumour mill turn?
“No.” Frankie whispered to her urgently. “I wouldn’t do that.”
“Sorry.” Nella smiled sadly and opened the brown leather menu Hannah gave her when she arrived. Jeez, way to sound paranoid. “It’s just, that’s normally why people stare at me.” Frankie reached over and placed his hand over hers on the menu.
“That doesn’t matter to me, and it’s no one else’s business but yours. Now enough of that where there are plenty of ears in the room.” Frankie winked at her, and she blushed. Nella looked around and didn’t think anyone was close enough to hear their conversation, but decided to trust him on that. She nodded with a smile and placed the menu on the table.
“Okay Frankie.” She smiled even wider. “I prefer tea, and Assam if they have it, but I’ll settle for English breakfast if I have to. Strong, black, with two sweeteners. No milk or cream.” Frankie waved Hannah over to take their drinks order. Nella waited patiently as he relayed it to the auburn bombshell and added that he’d like an expresso. Once they were ‘alone’ again she pressed her manicured hands to the table and set her steely blues on his. “I don’t like sports or pets. No allergies, just not interested in other people’s furry babies.” Frankie chewed his lips as to not laugh. He had no idea why she was telling him this, but he was enjoying listening to her talk. “I shop online and love clothes. Fashion, Makeup, hair products, and skincare are the cornerstones of my happy place. I like tea and watch what I eat to stay as slim as I can, but not in any way that you should worry about. Trust me. I do go for a good brownie every now and then.”
Nella giggled and enjoyed the attention Frankie was giving her. He was nodding like a bobblehead and really committing to memory everything she was telling him. Namely, because he’d figured out what she was doing. She was letting him know who she was. The smell of warm almonds rose from both of them as they enjoyed each other’s company. “I will never be able to wake up and leave the house in under the hour, and that’s only if I have to rush out. I get bored at museums so don’t bother taking me to any of those. Not a fan of musicals or the theatre, but I like music and dancing. Usually in my room…but if mum get’s the job at the dance hall I might take a look.”
“You’re 17, so you’ll only do so if I’m present.” Frankie weighed in with a smirk. “Your mother will be working and can’t keep an eye on you, and who might hit on you, but I can.” Hannah returned at that moment and placed their hot drinks in front of them.
“Oh don’t be a spoilsport Frankie.” Hannah playfully chided him and winked to Nella. “No one wants their Dad glaring off all the potential suitors. She might like their attention?”
“Thank you, Hannah.” Frankie spoke firmly and dismissively. It didn’t phase Hannah, and Nella blushed deeply. “17 years of age? A minor? Potential suitors can meet my boot until she’s old enough to want anyone’s attention.” Nella raised a brow and folded her arms. It would appear Frankie’s a bit old fashioned then? What makes him think I don’t want to date now? Not that she ever had.
She was always too scared to have a crush on anyone. Nella couldn’t get over the fear of confessing to a boy that she liked them and being either A, rejected outright, or B, dating them and having them freak out when they realised she had a penis too. Honestly, the latter was her worst nightmare. To be rejected because of the way she was born.
“I’m far too interested in my studies to think about boys.” She half lied. She wanted to graduate and go to college, but she did think about boys. Usually celebrities and online idols, rather than the nasty ones she went to school with.
“Oh what are you interested in studying?” Frankie jumped on that topic change. Thinking about Nella and having any wolf sniffing at her skirt before she shifted, and could therefore kick their ass if she didn’t want their attention, scared the shit out of him. Two more days. I can keep her away from the hormone-driven youth of Glen Valley for two days, surely?
“Well…I’m thinking nursing.” She nodded. “As you can imagine I’ve been in and out of hospital, doctor’s appointments, and therapists couches over the years.” She tried to shoo under the rug very quickly. “And I was always surprised that there were never any nurses openly like me.” Hannah was long gone but Nella was still wary of Frankie’s earlier warning, so she censored herself. “I know I would have felt a lot more at ease if there had been. Biology is my favourite subject at school.”
“Oh? Your homeroom teacher is Mr. Taylor right?” Frankie looked up, checking his memory banks.
“Yup.”
“He’s a Biology teacher.” Frankie smiled and nodded at her. And an Omega, which would be convenient if she turns out to be one too.
“He, is also standing right here.” Frankie nearly jumped out of his seat! What was wrong with his nose lately? Too many people were sneaking up on the old Beta, and it made his wolf’s hackles rise. “Hello Miss Monroe. I hope you don’t mind but I came in for my caffeine fix and saw you here, so I thought it would be nice to say hello. I am Mr. Taylor, you’re new homeroom teacher.”
Nella blinked up at the stranger and blushed. Good God he’s handsome. He’s seriously my new teacher?! He lowered to sit on the edge of the seat beside her and ignored the alarmed glare Frankie gave him.
Shit, Ruby told me no one was allowed to join us. How do I get rid of Max without pissing either of them off?
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