Chapter 179
“Is my mom okay?” he whispered, his voice muffled against my collar, “She never forgets. Never ever.”
ore I could answer, I noticed the principal’s expression transform from mild annoyance to shock as recognition dawned in his eyes.
Before
“Alpha Ethan,” Principal stammered, rising hastily from behind his desk. His thin frame seemed to shrink further as he adjusted his wire–rimmed glasses with nervous fingers. “T–I had no idea… Lucas only mentioned that Ethan was coming, without the full name.” He straightened his already–perfect tie, clearly flustered by my presence.
I gave him a curt nod, not particularly interested in his sudden shift to deference. My only concern was the boy in my arms and his missing mother.
“Sir, a word?” Principal gestured to the chair Lucas had vacated, his tone now carefully respectful. “Lucas, why don’t you wait outside with Mrs. Hendricks while we talk?”
Lucas tightened his grip around my neck, his little face scrunching up in determination as he shot the principal a look that was equal parts stubborn and suspicious. “I want to stay with Ethan,” he declared. I had to suppress a smile despite the circumstances.
“Alpha’s orders, huh?” I whispered in his ear, earning a tiny giggle. “It’s okay, bud. I’ll just be a minute, and then we’ll go find your mom. Promise.”
That seemed to satisfy him. Once Lucas reluctantly settled in the outer office with the school secretary–but not before throwing one more suspicious glance at the principal.
“I must express my disappointment with Ms. Aria’s reliability,” The principal began, steepling his fingers in what he clearly thought was an authoritative pose. As an educator, I worry about the home environment when a single mother stretches herself too thin. It’s too extreme for her to be late for 40 minutes.”
“Aria is an exceptional mother,” I stated, my voice dropping to that dangerous register that made lesser wolves submit. The lights seemed to dim slightly as my alpha presence filled the small office. “If she’s unreachable, something is wrong.”
“Nevertheless, we have protocols—”
“Let me be perfectly clear, I interrupted, not bothering to mask the alpha command in my tone. The principal visibly shrank back in his chair. “Ariar is the most devoted mother I’ve ever known. She works multiple jobs to provide for her son while ensuring he never feels the absence of any opportunity or advantage.” I leaned forward slightly, satisfaction curling in my chest when he instinctively leaned back, the harsh fluorescent light glinting off his glasses. “Please don’t deny her love for her son, just by your stupid judgement.”
The principal swallowed visibly, his adam’s apple bobbing with nervous energy. A thin sheen of sweat had broken out across his forehead. “Of course, Alpha, I didn’t mean to imply-
“You did, and it was noted.” I rose to my feet, eager to escape the suffocating office and find Aria. The chair creaked in relief as I removed my weight. Add me to Lucas’s emergency contacts. I’ll need to sign whatever forms are necessary.”
The principal scrambled to produce the forms, his earlier condescension replaced by an almost comical eagerness to please. I barely noticed, my mind already racing ahead to Aria, and what might have kept her from Lucas.
Ten minutes and several forms later, Lucas and I were in my SUV, headed toward Aria’s apartment. The boy sat uncharacteristically quiet in the passenger seat, his gate fixed on the passing scenery.
“Ethan?” His small voice finally broke the silence. “Where’s my mom? She always picks me up. Always.”
I gripped the steering wheel tighter, forcing a reassuring smile that I didn’t feel. “T stuck somewhere. Maybe her phone died.”
“That’s what we’re going to find out, buddy. Your mom probably just got
Where was Aria? The question pounded in my mind with every heartbeat. I prayed that she was all right, maybe just forget about picking up Lucas. But that’s impossible. Any thoughts about her sent cold waves of dread washing through me.
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I Am His Wolfless Luna
