so it starts

I had been acquainted with many people in the pack for the past three weeks that I had been here and I must say, for a strong pack, they were very humble and down to earth.

In fact, a lot of them are hardworking and always seeking to improve something within the pack that it almost felt like I was doing nothing but agreeing with their ideas.

I had mostly been with Suzy, the Gamma's mate and Frances, the pack doctor. In a way, they reminded me of Quincy and Caroline.

I had also learned that Archer's parents were usually at the Capital because his father was a member of the Council. Although, his younger brother Adrian was in the pack, albeit only being 16 years old.

He was adorable and lively, unlike his brother who was always so serious and thinking about business. But I guess that's how they really are in the west.

At the moment, I was visiting the kindergarted area to familiarize myself with the little kids and as I must have arrived right on time because there were many kids running around.

The kindergarten teachers met with me and I could notice that they were also around my age. Seeing me, they approached and bowed their head as a greeting of respect.

"Greetings to the Luna, we welcome you." a woman greeted, the oldest one of the bunch.

I smiled. "Thank you for having me today. So, who might you pretty ladies be?" I ask.

Chuckling, they started introducing themselves.

"I'm Giselle, that's Jolene and that's Tanya. We're also new here, the teachers change depending on the time and the day. Mondays go to us, right Aurelia?" the young lady looked at the eldest one.

Aurelia stepped up and shook my hand. "Well, that's right. And I'm here to supervise. Although, I can't stay long, but someone will replace me later. Now, Luna, shall we greet the kids?"

At that, we all adjourned the small meeting and down our way we went to see the munchkins.

Upon seeing me, most of the kids were visibly curious and were intently staring at me. And then they started whispering among themselves about who I might be.

There were about twenty kids in the room, ranging from ages five to six. And aren't they adorable!

"Ah, I know you now!" a kid screamed out and everyone turned to him. "Alpha's mate! My mom told me about you." he said proudly.

Although I was a bit stunned, I smiled at him because he was so adorable and he was right.

I guess, they were already taught about mates..? Isn't that a bit young?

"No-- that can't be!" a girl interjected. "Our Alpha only has one mate."

"Yeah, that's right. Teacher Tanya told us, you can only have one mate and our Alpha already has Teacher Jessica."

I froze.

They thought Jessica was Archer's mate?

My heart sank a little and even shattered just a bit. How was I supposed to respond to that? Even little kids see that there must be something going on between them.

But no-- Archer promised me there was nothing else going on and I've decided to trust him.

"N-no, kids! Remember, I told you that our Alpha didn't meet his mate yet, but now he has and that's this lady!" Tanya stepped in front of me and quickly corrected the little children.

The atmosphere changed from a cheerful one to a thick fog of tension that could be cut with a knife. Tanya was visibly trying to mitigate the damages.

I stood straight up and smiled although it was extremely hard to do so at the moment, but I just smiled.

"Yes, everyone. R-remember, we also taught you to greet her with a bow because she is our Luna." Jolene also stepped up.

"But teacher, that doesn't make sense! Wasn't our Luna teacher Jessica?" a kid asked and there was a collective nod from the whole classroom.

As if it wasn't enough, the dagger was dug deeper in my chest and shoved into my face.

Kids.

At this point, the teachers were quickly trying to explain how Jessica wasn't Archer's mate, but that I was.

I kept a smile on, but I couldn't deny the fact that I feel that I was in a very awkward position right now.

"I'm so sorry, Luna, we promise to do our best in teaching them again." Giselle apologized.

I shook my head at her, why did she need to apologize? Heck, was anyone even at fault? Was anyone to blame?

"No, it's fine."

'It's not.' my wolf says but I ignored her truthful comment.

Just as I started on the internal argument with my wolf, a scent appeared and we all hear footsteps nearing us.

"Well, everyone seems to be lively today."

As if things weren't already bad enough, we all turn around to watch Jessica Fields on her way to us.

I was already feeling bad, but then I noticed Archer's scent on her and I felt worse. Did she perhaps see Archer?

The kids greeted her in cheerfulness and the young teachers tried to smile at her, unsure what to really do.

"Teacher Tanya and Jolene were explaining us that that lady is our Alpha's mate, but wasn't that you?" another girl asked.

Jessica's smile changed to an 'O' shape for a while, but then she kept on smiling, but there was something else to the smile that I couldn't really put my finger into.

She stood up and walked towards me.

Looking at her, I couldn't help but compare myself to her. I couldn't help but see the little reasons why she would be better than me.

She had redder lips, smaller waist, her hair fell perfectly straight and-- and what else is there.

"Oh no, what a situation we have here." Jessica started. "Well, everyone. Your teachers Tanya and Jolene are right. This is our Luna." she clarifies emphasizing the word this like she sounded disappointed.

Everyone was starting to raise their own questions, but at the moment, my ears went blank and I was tempted to use my command tone to shut them all up.

But Jessica, with only a few words, calmed them down and warned them that the classes were going to start.

"So, Jolene. Why don't you start with the teaching them a few songs? I just have to speak with Hazel for a few minutes." Jessica asks the young teacher.

And what the heck? Who was she to call me Hazel? We're not even close!

For a while, the three teachers exchanged unsure looks, but they nodded at her.

Jessica put her hand onto my shoulder, leading me away from the group. We arrived near the entrance where she smiled at me almost as if she was feeling bad for me. That made my blood boil, I didn't need her pity!

Unconsciously, I was already releasing a breath of annoyance.

"I'm so sorry about this, Hazel, it must have hurt you. You know a lot of people that Archer and I, we--"

I couldn't even let her finish her sentence. She was apologizing, but I could strongly feel that she wasn't sincere and it even seemed like she was enjoying the misunderstanding.

So it starts, huh?

"No, it's fine. I understand. Archer and you were close, a lot of people might have misunderstood." I say, trying my best to sound civil.

She put her hand on her chest. "Yes, a lot of people have and still do. Not that I can't blame them, you know," she even chuckles, "Archer and I are very close to each other. I really thought we were mates."

Where is she trying to go with this conversation? What is she trying to accomplish? Does she want to see me go bananas on her, cause if she is, she's damn well succeeding.

"Yeah well that was a long time ago right? I'm sure you will meet your mate too, Jessica." I tell her. Her smile drops and it was my turn to smile victoriously.

She stared at me for a quite a while and it honestly weirded me out.

"The kids are waiting for you, teacher Jessica." I remind her to which she composed herself again and equally plastered a smile.

Without saying anything, she turned around and started walking towards the children.

Observing her, although I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, the way she was acting towards me wasn't exactly helping.

It was clear to me that there was no way we could be friends.

She was playing a game, one I haven't quite figured out yet, but whatever it is, I will just have to show her that she wasn't beating me.