Chapter 70 – Bailey
I could see a hesitant expression upon his face as he looked at me. Perhaps I shouldn’t have touched him, or have teased him… “You can call me Asher, you know?” he suggested out of the blue, flooring me a little with his words. Why would I do that when he was the Beta here? That would be deemed awfully unprofessional of me. I was merely a guest within their pack. And, I wouldn’t call us friends. So, logically there would be no reason for me to use only his name…
But as I looked up to meet his gaze, ready to question why I would do that, I saw nerves upon his face. Uncertainty within his eyes, and I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. Because I believed he was already wondering why he had suggested it. Instead, I simply smiled, not wanting to hurt his feelings or make things uncomfortable. Yet, an awkward silence fell between us. As my mind desperately grasped for ideas of things we could discuss. I didn’t know him that well…
‘Well, whaddya know, maybe he isn’t a robot after all.’ Akira said with a giggle, making me want to push my wolf to the back of my
mind. She could be so b**h*y when she wanted to be! I think he was just trying to be friendly. Even if it was so unlike the Betal he had been so far, and it made no sense to me whatsoever…
“So…”
“Is…” the two of us began speaking at the same time, and I flushed a little. “Sorry. Go on.”
“No, go on.” He nodded at me, signaling for me to speak, and I
suddenly felt uncomfortable again in his presence.
“I was only going to ask if you knew anymore about how Lunal Eden was doing? She didn’t say much in her messages.” I
explained, and he rolled his eyes.
“Likely avoiding discussing it because she is getting a little fed up with it now. Not the baby, of course, just being pregnant. Shel is ready for the little one to arrive.” He told me with a polite. smile.
I nodded. “I can understand that. What were you going to say?” I urged him to continue.
“Oh, just that we should go have our coffees.” He suggested, and I found myself smiling, but nodded to agree, and he walked into the staff room, knowing I would be going to meet the children I would be teaching and their parents very soon.
“I hope you haven’t been giving my new girl a hard time, Beta Asher.” Alli says to the Beta as she passed him his coffee, al smile upon her face. “I don’t want her to be leaving before she has even started.”
“I don’t believe so.” He says curtly, glancing toward me, and I slowly shook my head, any familiarity or ease between us gone. Was he just not comfortable around people? He seemed fidgety now, like he didn’t want to be here. And Alli making jokes toward him had only made it worse…
“Good. I know you are here to do a job, but I am capable of making sure she is okay, you know?” she looked at Beta Asher with a grin. “But feelfree to call in later to check in later if Luna Eden is breathing down your neck to make sure Bailey is managing okay. Though I am sure she is more than capable of
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doing her job.”
I saw a frown momentarily pass across his face, but he moved toward the counterside, and placed his mug on it with a nod. “Okay, I know when I am not needed.” He looked toward Alli with a smile, before looking toward me. “Enjoy your first day. My being here was never doubting your abilities Miss West.” And with that he walked out of the staff room. Leaving Alli and Gabby both looking at me curiously. And it seemed I was back to Miss West. That guy’s personality was enough to give you whiplash!
“Well, you are honored, Miss Bailey!” Gabby said with a giggle. “A personal visit from Beta Asher on your first day.”
1 felt my palms go sweaty at her words. Was she implying there
was something going on there? Did they not realize the only reason he had come was because he was under duress? I forced a laugh out, and shook my head. “He was only here because Luna Eden had told him he had to come and check I was okay, while she is in the hospital. He just said so.” I quickly explained, and I saw Alli watching me. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she nodded as if in agreement.
“Yeah, he told me the same.” She agreed. “Shall we go see your classroom, Bailey, dear?”
I nodded, desperate to get away from Gabby before she tried to imply anything else about me and the Beta. I did not need idle. gossip about me spreading around the pack before I had even settled in. I needed this job to work for me. I needed to be able to stay away from my pack. But, as I walked from the staff room with Alli, she was still watching me, and then she smiled at me, almost a knowing smile.
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“He is a good man, the Beta, you know?” she told me.
I looked at her with confusion. Not sure where she would be going with this conversation. “Okay.” I nodded, suddenly wanting to be away from her too. What was the point of her telling me that?
“I know he comes across as intimidating and awfully dark… And moody… And grumpy… And, well, let us just say the list is likely to go on. But, that is just the effect of losing his mate, I believe. He wasn’t like that when I met him. When my daughter met him.” She said, opening the door to where I already knew was my classroom, and I was suddenly curious why she felt the need to tell me this. And why did she mention her daughter?
Of course, I knew he had lost his mate, things like that tend to spread across the packs… rumors… I had also heard it had turned him into somewhat of a recluse too. Isolated himself. And, from what I had seen, I could believe it. I wasn’t going to judge him for it. What right did I have to do that? Losing your mate was meant to be the worst pain there was. The forceful breaking of a matebond. He must have suffered terribly. So, why would he not be withdrawn? But, why this woman felt she needed to explain it to me, I don’t know.
“I had heard he lost his mate. News like that does tend to cross through packs.” I explained. “But, I would not judge him for struggling, Mrs Sullivan. Everybody deals with grief differently. He seems like a wonderful Beta.” I said, trying hard to sound professional. I needed this woman to like me, she was, after all, my new boss at the school.
She nodded. “I am glad you see it that way. Many fear him because of his darkness, and he doesn’t deserve that. We all
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Chapter 70-Bailey
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struggled when we lost Isla. She was the light of our life, my sweet girl. But because of their matebond he seemed to take it the hardest. I experienced the same loss when I too lost my mate, so I know his loss. But, he was young, and he deserves a future. A life.” She says with a sad smile. My mind quickly tried to process her words. Was this woman the mother of Beta Asher’s former mate? Well, that was not something I was expecting to learn… didn’t that mean the warrior I was talking to, and the man he was yelling at for being near me was his former brother-in-law? How strange…
“I am sorry for your loss.” I said quietly, wanting to acknowledge all she had said, but not sure what to say.
She gently placed her hand upon mine. “I apologize, I have dulled the sparkle of your first day, dear. We need to brighten things up. Are you excited? You should be! The children are a delight. Quite a bundle of fun. I am sure they will love you. The stand-in teachers we have had to use have not been the same as a regular teacher.”
“I have been looking forward to this since doing my degree.” I told her with a smile.
“Well, let us go and meet the little pups. And get the fun started. You are going to be perfect dear.