Alina sat on the edge of her bed, her hands resting on her knees as she took a deep breath… then another. Her chest still felt tight, her mind a little cloudy from the long day, but she reminded herself—she needed this job. No matter how strange or overwhelming it seemed, she couldn't afford to back down now.
This job paid well. More than anything she had before. And back home… her mother was still in the hospital. Fighting quietly, bravely, just like she always had. Alina thought of her mom lying on that white bed, wrapped in wires and beeping machines, eyes opening only sometimes with that tired smile. She couldn't let her down. She had to stay strong. No matter how many vampire babies or ghost children she had to teach, she would do it.
And the supernatural kids? Not scary at all. Just kids like any others.
Little beings with big eyes and big hearts. Mischievous, sure. But kind in their own strange ways.
She already loved them.
And it was only the first day.
Feeling the soft rumble in her stomach, Alina stood up and went to the kitchen. The small house given to her was quiet, clean, and surprisingly cozy. She opened the fridge, took out a few simple things, and started making something easy...a little vegetable sandwich, a cup of warm tea. She didn't need much. Just something to fill her belly.
She sat at the table, eating slowly, scrolling through her phone as a distraction. She didn't even read properly just scrolled, checking old photos of her mom, some old friends she never spoke to anymore, and random food videos that looked way too fancy for her to ever cook.
After finishing her meal, she cleaned up quietly and finally opened the schedule file sent to her phone earlier.
Tomorrow's plan.
Math.
Art.
Reading time.
A bit of outdoor play in the afternoon.
She took out a pen and notebook and began writing down little ideas...how to make math fun, how to bring them stories they'd enjoy. She even paused to sketch out some simple games. Slowly, gently, she began to plan. And as the night got darker, and the forest outside grew quiet, Alina felt a little calmer.
***
"Woof! Woof! (Daddy! Mommy! I'm home!)" Luna barked proudly as she dashed through the open gates of the Moonfang Pack House, her tiny paws thumping against the stone floors with excited little hops.
Behind her, one of the pack's elite warrior jogged quietly, holding her small gray backpack in one hand and a snack wrapper in the other, looking slightly breathless. "She didn't want to wear the bag," he muttered with a sigh as he tried to catch up. "Said it slows her down."
But Luna had already disappeared down the hallway, weaving through the familiar corridors like a blur of gray lightning.
She knew where to go.
Always.
Straight to Daddy's office.
Without stopping, without knocking, without even glancing at the startled beta near the door, Luna ran inside and leapt high and wild into the arms of the one person who would always catch her.
Alpha Ryker.
He sat behind the dark wooden desk, tall and god-like, the overhead light's golden glare cutting sharp shadows across his chiseled face. His dark eyes were deep as night, the kind that could silence a room with a single glance. His brows were thick and perfectly shaped, often furrowed in thought, but never without control.
His jawline...sharp enough to cut steel, with just the right amount of dark stubble that made him look dangerous and divine all at once.
And his mouth...thin, firm, and maddeningly kissable—held a constant line of power, but also something softer… something only one person ever brought out.
And right now that little person was on his lap.
"Woof! Daddy!" Luna barked again, her tail wagging wildly.
The second she landed on him, the cold seriousness in Ryker's expression vanished like mist under sunlight. His arms wrapped around her instantly, strong and warm, the way only a father's embrace could be.
"There's my little pup," he said softly, his voice deep and smooth like thunder wrapped in velvet. He leaned forward and gently booped her small gray nose. "How was your day, hmm?"
Luna let out a little giggle and shimmered with soft light, shifting back into her human form. Her silver hair spilled down her back, slightly messy from all the running, and her eyes—golden-brown and full of sparkle looked up at him with pure affection.
She rested her head on his shoulder with a small, smug smile. "It was good! I was very well-behaved."
Ryker raised one brow.
"Oh?"
She nodded quickly. "Yes! Everyone loves me already. I listened to the teacher, played nicely, and didn't bite anyone. Not even boo."
"Not even Boo?" he asked, fighting a grin.
Luna shook her head proudly. "I was perfect. Like a good Alpha pup."
She said it so sweetly, so confidently, that anyone would've believed her.
Anyone except the warrior still standing at the door holding her forgotten backpack..
But Ryker didn't push.
He just smiled and kissed her forehead, brushing her soft hair back gently.
"That's my girl."
And Luna beamed.
"Oh really, sweetie?"
A soft, elegant voice floated into the room, and Luna's ears perked up immediately. Her tiny hands lifted from Ryker's lap and reached out excitedly.
"Mommy!" she squealed, making grabby hands in the air like the spoiled little wolf princess she absolutely was.
Queen Serafina, the Luna of the Moonfang Pack, entered the room with the grace of moonlight spilling across silk. Her presence was warm yet sharp, her long curly gray hair cascading down her back in waves that shining like silver. Her beautiful blue eyes, calm and striking like the deepest part of the ocean, softened as she walked toward her daughter.
Without hesitation, she scooped Luna into her arms.
And Luna giggled, melting instantly into her mother's hold like butter in the sun.
Serafina pressed a kiss to her chubby cheeks, making a soft little sound as she did—"Mwah!"
Luna snuggled in deeper, wrapping her arms around her mother's neck with the confidence of someone who knew she owned this house.
"Yeah," Luna said proudly, her voice babylike and dramatic at the same time, "I didn't even bite the pillow today!"
Serafina blinked, amused.
"That's a big improvement."
Luna nodded seriously, eyes wide and innocent. "And I didn't take any nap. I didn't even try. I was awake all the time. Because I'm very mature now."
Ryker, still seated at his desk, chuckled under his breath, watching the scene unfold with a softness he rarely showed in public.
Serafina smiled gently, brushing her fingers through Luna's silver hair. "No naps, no pillow biting, and everyone loves you?"
Luna gave a small, proud smirk. "They adore me."
She said it so convincingly...so sweetly that it was hard not to believe her.