Ares – You Will Never Guess 

I have done my best to focus on my classes. At lunch break, I made the mistake of walking through the cafeteria to reach the teacher’s lounge. I couldn’t not see her. Even if Timber hadn’t been hyper aware of our mate. She was hard to miss as the center of a large group of high schoolers. Jonquil was sitting on a lunch table, her feet on the bench, appearing absorbed in the story being told by another student. I could see a golden glow around her from the sun streaming in through the window. Even at this distance, I could see the hints of red and gold in her hair passed on by the Luna. I wanted to look away, but when she laughed, the sound set my heart racing.  

She turned her head and watched me walking through. I did want to look away, I wanted to be stoic and distant to this child, but already the bond was strengthening. She smiled softly, and then turned back to the boy in front of her. He then turned and looked at me, a cocky smile on his face as his movements revealed his hand on her thigh. Timber and I jumped at once, ready to tear the boy to pieces for touching our mate.  

We didn’t get very far. Still fifteen feet away, we saw Jonquil strike the boy, one hit and he was flung backwards before hitting the floor. I watched with wide eyes as my little mate hopped to the floor and stood over the whimpering boy. “I am sick of your shit, Brad. You’re not my mate, you’ve never been my mate, and you never will be my mate. Keep your dirty paws to yourself.” It was hard to tell if it was Jonquil or her wolf in control right then, but when she turned and started walking towards me, it was definitely Jonquil. 

Her face had not softened and as she got closer, I could see the tears she was trying not to shed. She stomped right up to me, her fists clenched at her sides, “I don’t need you, either!” Although she had not raised her voice to me, I could feel the thrum of authority in it. Timber and I submissively put our heads down and looked away from Jonquil. I could not, at that time, imagine anything more shameful than the fact that I did not protect her. Though, I could not think of anything to be prouder of than my mate, my future Alpha, defending herself, and our bond.  

I recovered from my shock more quickly than the others in the cafeteria. I was able to watch Jonquil storm out the door while the rest were still bowing in submission. I made it to the teacher’s lounge and settled into the padded folding chair with my lunch. I heard whispers that Jonquil had gone home, but I ignored them. The mate news seemed to still be private, at least. After taking the first bite of my sandwich, I pulled out my phone and messaged Matthew.  

♦You will never guess what happened to me today.♦ 

♠That’s because I don’t play these games with you. What’s up?♠ 

♦If only this was a game.♦ 

♠...♠ 

♦First class of the day I met my mate!♦ 

♠WTF♠ 

♦Oh and since you won’t guess, she’s the next Alpha of this pack!♦ 

♠OMG, can you not get entangled with Aphas and their children?♠ 

♦It must be my destiny.♦ 

♠Or just bad luck.♠ 

♦Matthew... She’s just a child. 16 at most. And then, there’s you...♦ 

♠Nu-uh. No. Don’t drag me into this. She’s Your mate.♠ 

♦Abandoning me in my time of need, dear?♦ 

♠If that’s what it takes.♠ 

♦Sads.♦ 

♠Run along and be a good teacher. Don’t go touching your students.♠