The teacher's mate

#7

Iris pov.

"I'm going to see Nora after dinner." I say as casually as possible during dinner.

I feel bad for lying about where I'm going, I never lie to my parents. I just hope they believe me, I'd rather not say what I'm really going to do.

"Isn't that going to be a problem for you since you were home sick today?" My father asks. "No, I don't think so. And we got a duo assignment for history today, so Nora said we're a duo." I lie.

I don't dare look at them, they seem to believe it. Afraid of betraying myself, I try to change the subject by saying that the food is delicious. And that's not a lie, it's delicious. It seems to work because my mom smiles when my dad says I'm right.

Soon my father starts telling us about the hospital, just like every night. Every evening during dinner, he has another story about what happened at work.

Most of the time, I think it's boring, but now I'm extremely happy that they don't ask questions.

After dinner, I go to my room to change. I know it's not a date, and that he probably just offered to help me out of courtesy, but I still want to look a little nice.

I chuckle to myself, it's actually pretty stupid. I mean, he's a teacher, he's not going to date a student. And yet that thought doesn't stop me from putting a little effort into my appearance.

When I am satisfied and look at the time I curse to myself. 7:40 PM, I have to hurry if I don't want to be late.

I put on a hoodie over my shirt so my parents don't see what I'm wearing, plus it will cool down a bit later so that comes in handy.

"I'm going to Nora, don't stay up for me." I say as I poke my head around the corner. I walk out the door before they can respond. I don't want to give them an opportunity to ask questions.

With long strides, I walk down the street. As soon as I'm around the corner, I take off the hoodie.

When I have a view of my secret place, in the distance I see Mr. Adams is already there. He stands with his back to me. He has no shirt on, I carefully walk a little closer. Then he suddenly takes off his pants and I remain frozen still.

I just don't know what to do. A voice in the back of my head tells me to let him know I'm there, but another voice tells me to enjoy the view.

Damn, that ass! While I'm still debating with myself whether I should say something, I hear the sound of cracking bones and I'm stupefied.

WTF?! Before I know it, there is a large caramel-brown wolf on the spot where Mr. Adams stood first. He turns and looks at me. Like he knew I was already there.

I dare not move.

Slowly the big beast walks towards me. I know it's Mr. Adams, and that - hopefully - he won't hurt me. But I have to restrain myself from running away screaming. He's huge!

When he's standing in front of me, I can almost look directly in his eyes. He walks around me and then slowly brings his head to my hand. As if to say, "Pet me." Not sure, I do what he wants, or at least what I think he wants. Carefully I pet his big head.

Then he walks back to the clothes lying on the floor and looks at me one more time. In an instant, the big wolf turns back into Mr. Adams.

With his back to me, he grabs his clothes to put on. I can't help but stare at his naked body. "It's rude to stare." He says laughing as he quickly gets dressed. I look shyly at the ground. How did he know?

"Soooo, are all wolves that big?" I ask to break the silence. "The male ones are, some bigger. The she-wolves are usually a bit smaller." He answers.

He sits down on the grass and pats the floor with his hand, signaling me to sit next to him.

"Does it hurt? Shifting?" I ask.

"Honestly. The first time you turn into your wolf, yes. But if you do it more often, it won't bother you anymore." He says.

"And how do I do that?" I ask.

"First you have to make sure you are in a place where humans can't see you. If you want to keep your clothes intact, take them off. And then it's a matter of giving control to your wolf. She knows what to do." He explains. "But you don't have to do it alone, I'll help you with it." He assures me and grabs my hand. I feel that strange tingling again. It feels nice.

When he sees me looking at our hands, he pulls it back. I want to ask why I feel that tingling sensation when he touches me, but I'm afraid. Instead, I ask "Are there more wolves around here?" He smiles. "Yeah, a lot. Werewolves generally live in a pack. With a few exceptions." He explains and when he sees my questioning face he continues. "A pack, simply put, is a large group of people living together. All over the world there are different packs, some big, some small. The pack that's here, which I belong to, is called the Yellow Moon pack." I nod in understanding and try to absorb the information.

"What each pack has in common is that it is led by high-ranked wolves. You have the Alpha and Luna. They are at the top, The Beta and Gamma are the second and third, they are helping the Alpha an Luna running the pack. Some packs also have a Delta. Below them are the head trainers. Beneath that, everyone is the same rank, we call them Omegas. That's me." He explains further. I think for a moment.

"And how do you become a ranked wolf?" I ask.

"In most cases, you're born with it, it's passed down from father to son. In exceptional cases, the Alpha can choose a different Beta or Gamma, but that rarely happens." He says.

"Okay, and can anyone just join a pack? And do you have to live there?" I ask. "In principle yes, but you have to ask permission for that from the Alpha. If he allows it, he will officially include you in the pack. If you officially belong to a pack, there are also benefits. Besides the fact that you are slightly stronger than an average person, a better sense of hearing and sense of smell, as a pack member you have the ability of mind linking." He tells.

"Sorry, mind linking?" I respond and he smiles.

His smile is really cute. I try to stay focused, but I keep finding myself having a hard time taking my eyes off him. Being so close to him doesn't make it any easier.

He clears his throat to get my attention and I blush again. He has a smirk on his face but doesn't say anything about it.

"If you belong to a pack you can message another pack member, with your thoughts." He explains. "Wow, that's really cool." I say.

"Most of the wolves live in pack territory, but some live just outside the boundaries, like me." He says.

"Why do you live outside the borders?" I ask curiously. He falls silent for a moment, it seems as if he does not want to say why.

"Mr. Adams, if you don't want to tell me, you don't have to." I say, trying to hide my disappointment. "It's not that I don't want to tell you..." He begins and thinks about the right words. I wait patiently for him to tell me more.

"It's if I tell you why, you have more questions. Which I'd love to answer, but if I do there's no turning back." he finally says. I raise my eyebrows in surprise. "Uh, okay...?" I respond, not quite sure what to make of this.

There's an awkward silence, and when I look at him it seems like he's debating with himself again. Could he be talking to his wolf? If I think it's taking too long I say "Um, Mr. Adams?"

He looks at me and says with a smile "When we're not at school you can call me Elliot." I nod and smile briefly.

"I'll have to tell you eventually." He mutters softly to himself, I pretend I didn't hear.

"Okay, I'll tell you." He finally says.

"Okay, a year ago I did live on our territory. I came back from a world tour this summer. I left for a while, hoping someone would change their mind." He begins, it sounds like his heart is broken. I can hear the pain in his voice, it was definitely someone he cared deeply about.

"So you moved because you want to avoid someone?" I ask and gently put my hand on his. As a sign of sympathy. Again I feel that strange tingling. He looks at it, but does not remove his hand. Instead he puts his other hand on mine and closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

After a few seconds, he removes his hands. "Something like that, but to make sure you understand, I have to start at the beginning." He says.