The Moon Goddess' mistake

29. Can we be friends again?

29. Can we be friends again?

Rob's POV

The next morning Santra joined us for breakfast. We decided to fill in the leadership last night so they don’t feel awkward having a random packmate on our table for breakfast.

“Tell us about yourself, Santra.” Luna asked

“There isn’t much to tell, Luna. My parents were killed by rogues 8 years ago. My grandma took me in and raised me but her wolf was already weak and after the loss of her daughter she became dormant. She says that if it wasn’t for me she would let go and die. Her wolf was already weak because her mate left her after they mated. She never told him she was pregnant. I guess rejection runs in the family” she said sadly

“What do you mean?” Ella asked

“My mate rejected me. He was from another pack, a gamma or head warrior, we didn't spend much time together, and he wanted me to move with him. But I couldn’t leave grandma in this condition. He said he can’t take grandma with us because she would be a burden and didn’t want to move in here so he rejected me.”

“What an asshole” Daniel said and we all agreed

“Do you have any siblings?” Nate asked and Santra’s face fell even more

“I had a sister - Thalia. She was 3 years old when we were attacked by the rogues. I almost died from my injuries but they didn’t find Thalia.” a tear fell down her cheek.

“We are really sorry, Santra.” Nate said

“Thank you”

“Santra, will you help us with our school if it gets too hard for us?” Lorelei looked at her with her big doe eyes. We all know these pups would never need help, they are too smart but she wanted to make her feel needed.

“Of course, sweetheart. Anytime” Santra smiled sweetly

“We better go before we are late.” Ben said and the three of us left.

===

I knocked on the door of Mr Simmons’ office.

“Come in” he said

“Good morning, Mr Simmons” I said

“Good morning, Gamma Rob, Gamma Ben. It’s nice to see you again” He shook our hands and bowed respectfully.

“This is Santra” Ben introduced

“Nice to meet you, Santra. What can you tell me about yourself? Do you see yourself as a teacher?”

“Yes, Mr Simmons. I always wanted to be a teacher but the school never replied to my applications.” 

“Do you understand that working in an orphanage is different? These pups’ only parents are the teachers and they need constant care and guidance. These two were a pain in my butt for a long time” he chuckled pointing at us. I scratched the back of my neck nervously

“I understand, Mr Simmons. I love kids and I believe we can help each other.” she said confidently. Good girl

“What subjects do you specialize in?”

“History, arts, math and IT. It is a weird combination, I know”

“Very well. I think you are a perfect candidate for the job. Let me show you around the school and also show you your apartment and where your grandmother will be.” He stood up and led us to the school.

The school brought a lot of memories. Mostly of me being a bully, I feel ashamed remembering how many times I bullied Ella. We told Mr Simmons and Santra that we will wander around for a bit and we headed to the library.

“Do you remember the first time we met?” I asked Ben

“Yes, we were right here in the library. I was hiding from my friends, studying. You helped me with my assignment. They found me and I made some lame excuse for being here. Then they wanted to bully you. I told them we stole the assignments from some geeks” he remembered.

“It was my first day at this orphanage. I was transferred from another pack because I was the oldest orphan there. That day I promised myself that I will always have your back”

“Why was I so stupid then? I knew you didn’t like messing with Ella. You used to distract us often so we don’t see her.” he smirked. We heard commotion in the hallway and we ran to see what was going on.

A little girl, looking not older than 5, was on the floor, hugging her knees. A boy, around 7, towered over her.

“I told you not to make me look stupid but you never listen!” the boy yelled

“I am sorry, the teacher asked me and I answered. I didn’t do anything wrong” the girl cried

“What is going on here?” I asked the pups

“It’s none of your business” the boy said angrily

“But it is. We are the gammas of the pack and also we grew up in this orphanage, so it is our home. So tell us what is going on.” Ben said

“This little mutt always have to be smart and she makes me look stupid” the boy said pointing at the girl

“How so?” I asked

“She knows every answer the teacher asks, she is only 5 and is already in my classes. When the teacher asks me and I don’t know the answer, she asks Iris and she always has the right answer. She is younger than me and knows more than me, it makes me look stupid.” the boy explained but didn’t sound mad anymore

I saw the way Ben looked at the boy. He recognized himself in him, he wanted to help him.

“I didn’t have a choice. The teacher asks and I answer. I read a lot and I like it, why do I have to hide it?” Iris sobbed. “I swear I am not trying to make you look stupid. I just like studying. And also, I am 6. My birthday was a month ago!” her eyes looked at ground. I didn't miss the pain in the boy's eyes.

“I know what you’re thinking and I am all for it” I mindlinked Ben and he looked at me with wide eyes.

“Really? Are you sure?” He asked

“I have always wanted a family and I know you will be a great father. With everything that happened in our lives recently I don’t think this is a coincidence.” I replied. I really wanted a family and I am ready to be a father. We have been together for 2 years, even though it’s only a few months here on earth. 

“What is your name?” I asked the boy

“Noah”

“Iris, Noah, we would like to take you home and be a family together. We want to adopt both of you. What do you think?” Ben asked

“Why would you want orphans?” Noah asked

“Well, Ben and I are mates and we can’t have our own kids, because we are both male wolves.” I explained honestly

“We know what it is to grow up as an orphan and we believe we met you for a reason.” Ben added

“NO!” Iris yelled. “He torments me here almost daily. If I live with him it will get worse” and she ran away. Noah lowered his head ashamed and I also saw sadness in his eyes and even hurt maybe?

“You should take Iris, she is smart and will be good as a gamma daughter. I am too old for adoption anyways.” he sounded so mature all of a sudden

“Noah, why are you being so mean to Iris? What is the real reason?” Ben asked

“I… we..” he sighed. “We came here together and I taught her things like how to tie her shoes, how to whistle and make bubbles with gums, I taught her the letters from the alphabet and when she learned how to read she forgot about me. She doesn’t need me anymore.” a tear slid down his cheek. Ben kneeled before him.

“Have you ever thought that maybe she learned all these things to impress you?” Ben asked Noah, he shook his head, still looking down

“Let’s go find Iris. You are both coming with us and you will promise not to be mean to her anymore, ok?” I said and Noah nodded

We turned to leave but saw Iris standing there with tears in her eyes. She came to Noah.

“You were going to stay here and let them take me?” she asked in her sweet voice. Noah nodded. Iris hugged him and Noah stiffened for a moment but then he hugged her back. 

“Can we be friends again?” Noah asked shyly

“Yes” Iris smiled

I took Iris’ hand and Ben took Noah’s and we headed to Mr Simmons’ office.

“We want to adopt Noah and Iris” Ben blurted out as soon as we entered the office.

“Are you sure, Gamma Ben? These two aren’t the best combination” Mrs Simmons asked and tears fell from both pups’ eyes.

“We are sure, Mrs Simmons” I said confidently and Ben nodded

“Don’t you want a test period? Why don’t you spend some time with them first? See if you fit together?” Mr Simmons suggested. 

“No, we have decided already. We want them both” Ben said confidently. Mrs Simmons smirked. Was she testing us?

“I will get the papers ready,” she said and left.

“What happened with Santra?” I asked Mr Simmons

“She is great, she even took one class and the pups loved her. I sent a doctor and a couple of nurses to check on her grandmother and move her here. Santra will be moving her belongings tomorrow.”

“Great. Let us know if she needs help moving” Ben offered

“No need. Some of the teenage wolves offered to help her, I will send some helpers as well”

After we signed the adoption papers, we headed home with our new pups.