A New Pup

"I... Dante... Williams…”

“Dante, don’t! Stop it!”

“I reject you as my mate…”

---

The school bustled with students frantically moving through the halls, each one racing to get to class on time.

Inside a brightly decorated classroom, Miss Lucia, a kind-hearted teacher with a warm smile, was trying to calm her students.

“Alright, little pups, settle down and take your seats, please,” she said gently. Her voice carried a soothing tone that worked like magic. The children quickly obeyed, shuffling to their chairs.

“Miss Lucia, your hair looks really pretty today!” one of the students, Kiwi, piped up from her seat, her eyes wide with admiration.

Miss Lucia’s smile widened at the compliment. “Thank you, Kiwi. That’s so sweet of you,” she replied, making a mental note of the child’s kind words.

She turned back to the rest of the class. “Okay, pups, today we’re going to learn ab—” She was cut off by the sound of the classroom door creaking open.

“Good morning, Miss Lucia,” the stern voice of the headteacher, Miss DeGriffinzella, filled the room. Her presence immediately commanded attention. The children straightened in their seats, falling into an eerie silence as they avoided her sharp gaze.

Miss DeGriffinzella was a large woman with an air of authority. Dressed in her signature black and purple suits, she wore her hair in a tight bun, and her reputation as a Beta only heightened her intimidating presence.

Despite the headteacher’s entrance, Miss Lucia’s warm smile didn’t falter. “Good morning, Miss DeGriffinzella. To what do we owe the pleasure?”

The headteacher didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she stepped aside, revealing a small boy standing just outside the door, trembling slightly and clutching his lunchbox as though someone might snatch it away.

“This is Ellis Williams,” Miss DeGriffinzella announced.

Lucia’s brow furrowed. “Williams?” she repeated softly, uncertainty lacing her voice.

“Yes,” Miss DeGriffinzella confirmed. “He’s the son of Alpha Dante Williams.”

The room buzzed with excitement. The Alpha’s son, here in their little preschool? Whispers spread quickly among the children.

“Alpha?”

“What’s an alpha?”

“He’s the biggest and strongest wolf in the whole pack!”

“He’s not bigger than my papa!”

“What’s a papa?”

Miss Lucia clapped her hands softly to regain control of the class. “Settle down, little pups,” she said kindly, and the room once again fell into obedient silence.

She approached the frightened boy with a gentle smile. “Hello, Ellis,” she said, kneeling to meet his gaze. “I’m Miss Lucia. I’ll be your teacher.”

Ellis blinked, his fear giving way to curiosity. He eased up ever so slightly, and Lucia saw her opportunity.

“You don’t have to be scared here, Ellis,” she said softly. “No one will hurt you.” Her voice was calm and assuring.

Ellis hesitated but eventually nodded. With that small gesture of trust, Lucia took his hand and led him to an empty seat in the classroom.

Once Ellis was settled, Miss DeGriffinzella gave a curt nod, satisfied, and left the classroom with a huff.

Lucia returned to the front of the class. “Alright, everyone. This is Ellis Williams, your new classmate. Please be kind and welcome him.”

The students chorused a cheerful “Okay!” and waved at Ellis. Though still clutching his lunchbox, he managed a shy wave in return before looking back down.

---

The day passed quickly, and soon, all the children had been picked up by their parents. All except Ellis.

Miss Lucia sat at her desk, worry creeping into her thoughts as the hours ticked by. Three hours had passed since school ended, and no one had come for Ellis—not the Alpha, not a nanny, no one.

She glanced over at the small boy, who sat quietly on the floor, pushing toy blocks around absentmindedly. His eyes were dull, and his usual detachment was even more noticeable. He had barely interacted with the other children, spoken very little, and during lunch, he ate only a few bites. The sight of his loneliness tugged at Lucia’s heart, her omega instincts urging her to comfort him.

She approached Ellis and sat beside him. “Mind if I join you?” she asked gently.

Ellis looked up and nodded, his small hands still clutching the toy blocks.

“You’re having fun, huh?” Lucia said softly. A faint smile appeared on Ellis’s face as he nodded.

They sat in silence for a moment before Ellis spoke up, his voice small and uncertain. “Is my papa coming to pick me up? I’m really hungry.”

Lucia’s heart ached at his words. She glanced at the clock again and sighed. “I have a snack with me. Would you like some?”

Ellis’ eyes brightened as he eagerly stretched out his hands. Lucia pulled out a small cake from her bag and handed it to him.

“Thank you, Miss Lucia! You’re so nice,” Ellis said, his earlier sadness melting away as he happily devoured the cake.

Lucia watched him, her thoughts swirling with concern. She hesitated before asking, “Does your papa usually forget to pick you up?”

Ellis nodded nonchalantly, his mouth full of cake. “Sometimes,” he replied.

Lucia could hardly believe it. How could a father—an Alpha, no less—forget his own son? But before she could say more, Ellis smiled and said, “This cake is so yummy!”

“Well then,” Lucia said, deciding to push her frustration aside for now. “I suppose I’ll take you home myself. Your address should be in the school book.”